Virtual reality (VR) is revolutionizing the landscape of healthcare education, offering immersive training experiences that are proving to be as effective as traditional methods. This technology presents a cost-effective solution with the ability to replicate complex scenarios and reduce the need for physical resources. While VR has been extensively researched for training purposes, its application as an assessment tool is still in its nascent stages, particularly in the fields of nursing and medical education.
The systematic review conducted by Andrea N. Neher and colleagues delves into the utilization of immersive VR as an assessment tool for nursing and medical students. The study involved a comprehensive search of various databases to identify articles that assessed students using immersive VR, specifically through head-mounted displays (HMDs). A total of 26 studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on VR assessments in diverse settings, predominantly in emergency scenarios.
The assessments in these studies primarily targeted core competencies such as Patient Care, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, and Medical Knowledge. The VR assessments ranged from evaluating individual skills like catheter placement to conducting complex procedures such as surgical interventions. The taxonomic level of assessments varied, encompassing knowledge-based assessments through multiple-choice questions, competence assessments through quizzes and tasks, and performance-based assessments through clinical cases and simulations.
One of the key findings of the review highlighted the practical considerations involved in implementing VR assessments. The studies explored different hardware and software options, with a mix of custom-made and commercially available software being utilized. The VR assessments were implemented either as automated evaluation tools or as supporting assessment tools, depending on whether the assessment was conducted by the VR system itself or by human examiners.
The review emphasized the potential of VR in medical education assessment, particularly in automating assessments and reducing examiner workload. However, challenges related to software, costs, feasibility, and alignment with learning objectives were identified as areas that need to be addressed for effective implementation of VR assessments. The study underscored the importance of aligning learning objectives, teaching methods, and assessment tools to ensure the seamless integration of VR as both a teaching and evaluation tool in healthcare education.
In conclusion, the systematic review sheds light on the promising role of VR in medical education assessment, particularly in replicating challenging scenarios and evaluating core competencies. The findings pave the way for future research to explore the scalability, cost-effectiveness, and integration of VR assessments into existing curricula, offering a glimpse into the transformative potential of VR technology in healthcare education.
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