Nursing students' perceptions of interaction in a multiplayer virtual reality simulation: A qualitative descriptive...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Virtual Reality in Healthcare
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Traditional nursing education faces challenges in replicating complex clinical interactions.
• Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive environments for skill development.
• Multiplayer virtual reality (MPVR) simulations provide collaborative learning opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nursing students' perceptions of interaction within MPVR simulations.
• To identify the types and purposes of interactions in MPVR environments.
• To assess the potential of MPVR for developing essential nursing skills.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative descriptive study design was employed.
• Twenty-four second-semester nursing students participated in pairs.
• Data were collected through MPVR simulations and semi-structured interviews, analyzed deductively and inductively.

Main Results:

• Four key interaction types were identified: student-student, student-virtual environment (VE), student-virtual patient (VP), and student-facilitator.
• Interactions involved verbal/nonverbal communication, object manipulation, and movement within the VE.
• Students interacted to coordinate care, assess VPs, and implement care plans.

Conclusions:

• MPVR simulations facilitate practice of nurse-to-nurse and collaborative interaction skills.
• Interaction with virtual patients enhances students' nurse-patient interaction abilities.
• MPVR serves as a valuable platform for improving healthcare professionals' interaction skills and patient safety.