Transforming Understanding of Congenital Heart Disease Through a Virtual Reality Innovation.

Given the significant global burden of congenital heart disease, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions to support and educate parents facing this challenge. This study aimed to construct and validate a virtual reality software, called CardioVR, to support congenital heart disease counseling. The process involved collaboration with 18 experts and 30 parents in three carefully managed stages, closely following the rigorous criteria outlined in the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission 25010 standards. Remarkably, CardioVR achieved a remarkable content validity coefficient of 0.91 and exceeded the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission criteria with more than 70% consensus. It excelled in key areas such as organization, clarity, visual appeal, self-efficacy enhancement, cultural appropriateness, and effectiveness. In addition, the System Usability Scale evaluation yielded a commendable score of 73.3%, confirming its ease of use and comprehension. The CardioVR software was considered valid and appropriate by experts and the target audience and can be used in the future as a support instrument for healthcare professionals assisting parents and caregivers of children with congenital heart diseases.