Using virtual reality simulation for training practical skills in musculoskeletal wrist X-ray - A pilot study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Radiography Training
• Virtual Reality Simulation

Background:

• Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive environments for medical training.
• Developing effective VR simulators is crucial for enhancing radiography education.
• Immediate feedback in VR can improve skill acquisition and clinical readiness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the usability of a novel VR simulator for radiography students.
• To assess the impact of VR training on self-perceived clinical readiness (SPCR) for wrist radiograph acquisition.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 10 radiography students.
• Students completed pre- and post-training assessments of SPCR for wrist radiography.
• Usability, realism, and educational value were evaluated via questionnaire post-training.

Main Results:

• 90% of students found the VR simulator realistic and educationally valuable.
• Mean pre-training SPCR score was 75, and post-training score was 77.
• No statistically significant difference (P=0.4574) was observed in SPCR scores post-VR training.

Conclusions:

• The VR simulator is a feasible tool for training radiography students in wrist radiograph acquisition and positioning.
• Student feedback on the VR simulator was positive, indicating its potential for learning.
• While SPCR showed a slight increase, further research is needed to establish statistical significance and long-term impact.