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

Developing an accurate and detailed 3-dimensional (3D) mental model of cardiac anatomy is critical for electrophysiology (EP) trainees. Due to its immersive nature, virtual reality (VR) may provide a better learning environment than traditional teaching methods for assimilating 3D cardiac anatomy. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the technical feasibility of an interactive, remote VR-based method for teaching cardiac anatomy to novice EP trainees. We created a shared, remote VR environment that allows the shared viewing of high-resolution 3D cardiac models. Eighteen trainees accepted for pediatric and adult EP fellowships were recruited. We performed a cohort study comparing the traditional teaching methods with the VR learning environment. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and a satisfaction survey. The adult EP trainees were given a multiple-choice pre- and post-test exam to assess their anatomical knowledge. Both the adult and pediatric EP trainee cohorts rated the VR experience positively and preferred the VR environment to the more traditional teaching method. All the participants expressed interest in incorporating the VR learning environment into the EP fellowship curriculum. The usability of the system was relatively low, with approximately one-third of participants rating the system as hard to use. The impact of the VR session on exam performance was mixed among the adult cohort. We demonstrated the feasibility of gathering geographically dispersed EP fellows in training with a shared VR-based environment to teach cardiac anatomy. Although we were not able to demonstrate a learning benefit over the traditional lecture format in the adult cohort, the training environment was favorably received by all the participants.