Integrating Virtual Reality Simulations in Clinical Skill Training for Medical Students: A Comparative Effectiveness Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36283/ziun-pjmd14-3/083Keywords:
Virtual Reality, Clinical Skills, Medical Education, Skill Acquisition, Medical TrainingAbstract
Background: Medical education heavily relies on clinical skill training, as students must master procedure execution, diagnosis techniques, and effective communication under stressThe main objective of this research was to assess how well Virtual Reality (VR) simulations help medical students develop their clinical skills through training programs.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted as a multicenter study over four months, from September to December 2023, at Shaikh Zayd Hospital, and analysis was done at Sharif Medical College, Rahbar Medical College, Lahore. 200 medical students from four medical institutions participated in this study. Random sampling technique was used for sample assignment, and OpenEpi 3.0.0 software was used for sample size calculation. The research design split participants into two definitive groups that included VR simulation group and a traditional hands-on training group. SPSS (Version 27.0) was used to display the demographic data of study participants. Paired t-tests and chi-square tests were used to examine differences in skills acquisition and retention stability between the two groups, with statistical significance set at a p-value below 0.05.
Results: Research results revealed that the VR group demonstrated better skill acquisition and retention outcomes (p<0.01 and p<0.05) compared to those in the traditional training program. The virtual reality (VR) training group received positive feedback from students, with 88 (88%) of participants reporting improved competence in clinical tasks. However, the traditional group showed better results.
Conclusion: VR simulations served as an efficient interactive system that improved students' clinical competence acquisition and maintained their learned skills in medical education.
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