iENDEAVORS: Development and Testing of Virtual Reality Simulations for Nutrition and Dietetics

Virginia Quick (), Barbara Chamberlin, Devon Golem, Pinkin Panchal, Sylvia Gabriela Phillips and Carol Byrd-Bredbenner
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Virginia Quick: School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Barbara Chamberlin: Innovative Media Research and Extension, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
Devon Golem: Performance Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate Program, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
Pinkin Panchal: School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Sylvia Gabriela Phillips: Dietetic Internship Graduate Program, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
Carol Byrd-Bredbenner: School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Virtual Reality (VR) simulations provide immersive, realistic educational experiences that are increasingly used to enhance teaching and learning in nursing and medicine; however, use in dietetics lags. To fill this gap, four Nutrition Counselor VR simulations were developed collaboratively with the goal of building confidence in dietetic students’ nutrition counseling skills. After formative testing, pilot testing, and refinements, simulations were field tested with 34 dietetic students (91% women; age 25.67 ± 3.79 SD years; 68% White) from four supervised practice programs using a standard protocol administered by trained researchers (N = 5). Students completed a pre-survey, one VR simulation (≥2 times w/varying outcomes), and a post-survey. Online pre- and post-surveys examined changes in nutrition counseling skills, knowledge and self-efficacy, and comfort in using nutrition counseling skills. Paired t -tests revealed significant ( p < 0.05) mean differences in nutrition counseling skill self-efficacy (medium effect size, d = 0.46) and comfort in using nutrition counseling skills (large effect size, d = 0.96) between the pre- and post-survey. At post-survey, >75% agreed the simulations helped build their nutrition assessment skills (79%) and counseling skills (88%) and prepared them to work with real patients (97%). Findings suggest the Nutrition Counselor VR simulations provided a realistic and safe learning environment that may be a valuable learning tool for dietetic students.

Keywords: virtual reality; dietetics; health education; nutrition; simulations; nutrition counseling; dietetic students; medical nutrition therapy; clinical nutrition; health professionals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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