Effects of Medical Education Program Using Virtual Reality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hyeon-Young Kim () and Eun-Young Kim
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Hyeon-Young Kim: College of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
Eun-Young Kim: Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-15

Abstract: Several studies have examined the effect of virtual reality (VR) education. However, they are mostly systematic reviews or meta-analyses focusing on doctors and residents; they fail to consider VR medical education for a broader range of learners. We evaluated the effectiveness of VR education for health professionals and identified the essential features of education. Randomized controlled trials published from January 2000 to April 2020 were identified from PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library (n = 299). The randomized studies’ bias risk was evaluated using Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool. Meta- and subgroup-analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4.1. The overall effect was measured using Hedges’ g and determined using Z-statistics ( p < 0.05). Heterogeneity was assessed using X 2 and I 2 statistics. Among the identified records, 25 studies were selected through systematic review, and 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. We identified a significant improvement in the VR group’s skill and satisfaction levels, and that less immersive VR was more efficacious for knowledge outcomes than fully immersive VR. Maximizing the advantages of VR will increase learning opportunities and complement the limited clinical experience, thus improving medical services. A systematic and efficient VR medical education program will greatly enhance learners’ core competencies.

Keywords: virtual reality; health personnel; unlicensed; randomized controlled trial; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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