Virtual Reality-based Methods for Training Novice Electrophysiology Trainees-A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Cardiovascular Anatomy
• Virtual Reality Technology

Background:

• Developing accurate 3D mental models of cardiac anatomy is crucial for electrophysiology (EP) trainees.
• Traditional teaching methods may be less effective for complex 3D anatomical learning compared to immersive technologies.
• Virtual reality (VR) presents a potential solution for enhanced anatomical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the technical feasibility of a remote, interactive VR system for teaching cardiac anatomy.
• To assess trainee satisfaction and preference for VR-based learning versus traditional methods.
• To explore the potential impact of VR on anatomical knowledge acquisition in novice EP trainees.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 18 pediatric and adult EP trainees using a shared, remote VR environment with high-resolution 3D cardiac models.
• A cohort study comparing VR learning with traditional teaching methods.
• Data collection included demographic questionnaires, satisfaction surveys, and pre/post-test exams for adult trainees.

Main Results:

• Both adult and pediatric EP trainees reported positive experiences and a preference for the VR learning environment over traditional methods.
• All participants expressed interest in integrating the VR system into the EP fellowship curriculum.
• System usability was rated as low by approximately one-third of participants, and the impact on adult trainees' exam performance was mixed.

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrated the feasibility of using a shared VR environment to teach cardiac anatomy to geographically dispersed EP fellows.
• While a direct learning benefit over traditional lectures was not conclusively shown in the adult cohort, the VR training was well-received.
• Further development is needed to improve system usability for wider adoption in medical education.