Effectiveness of Virtual Reality in Healthcare Education: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hyunkyung Sung, Mikyung Kim, Jangkyung Park, Namin Shin () and Yejin Han ()
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Hyunkyung Sung: Department of Education, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju-si 38066, Republic of Korea
Mikyung Kim: Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Oriental Hospital, Goyang-si 10326, Republic of Korea
Jangkyung Park: Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan-si 50612, Republic of Korea
Namin Shin: Department of Education, Dongguk University, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
Yejin Han: Department of Korean Medical Education, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan-si 54538, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-37

Abstract: As technology advances, virtual reality (VR) is increasingly being integrated into healthcare education to enhance learning outcomes. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of virtual reality-based healthcare education. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published over the past 10 years were retrieved from 10 databases using VR, healthcare, and education as the primary keywords. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 45 studies were included in the final analysis. A meta-analysis was performed to analyze the effects of VR in terms of knowledge, skill, and attitude. The results revealed that the use of VR significantly improved the knowledge (SMD: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.18–0.39, p < 0.001) and skill scores (SMD: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.11–0.34, p < 0.001), shortened the skill performance time (SMD: −0.59, 95% CI: −0.82 to −0.35, p < 0.001), and improved the satisfaction (SMD: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.48–0.81, p < 0.001) and confidence levels (SMD: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.41–0.80, p < 0.001). The in-depth analysis highlighted the significant potential of VR and provided practical implications in educational settings. In conclusion, effectively integrating VR with traditional educational methods is necessary to enhance both the quality of learning and the overall competence of healthcare professionals.

Keywords: virtual reality; augmented reality; mixed reality; extended reality; healthcare education; medical education; dental education; nursing education; systematic review; meta-analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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