Virtual Reality Education Increases Neurologic Immersion and Empathy in Nursing Students.

Background/

Objectives

Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly being used in educational settings, but the evidence is mixed on whether this is better for learners. This is due in part to a reliance on self-reported "liking" of the experience rather than measuring if VR more effectively improves learner engagement and conveys information. A study was designed to determine if VR would improve nursing students' understanding of patient interactions in the clinic (n = 70).

Methods

The present study measured neurologic Immersion in nursing students during a realistic patient journey in VR and in a standard two-dimensional (2D) film. After the film, participants in both conditions had the opportunity to volunteer to help other students as a measure of the behavioral impact of the experience.

Results

The analysis showed that VR generated 60% more neurologic value than the 2D film, and, by increasing empathic concern, positively influenced the decision to volunteer.

Conclusions

Empathy has been shown to improve patient care while reducing healthcare provider burnout, and our findings suggest that VR that sustains neurologic Immersion should have a larger place in clinician education.