Virtual reality simulation for mastery learning of wrist radiograph technique

Area of Science:

• Radiological Sciences
• Medical Simulation
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Virtual reality (VR) simulation offers a safe environment for radiography students and professionals to practice clinical scenarios.
• This technology aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in radiography.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between a participant's clinical specialty and their proficiency in assessing and obtaining a lateral wrist radiograph using VR simulation.
• To explore the relationship between self-perceived confidence, VR experience, and performance in a virtual radiography task.

Main Methods:

• A randomized study recruited 173 radiographers and students at the European Congress of Radiology.
• Participants utilized a VR simulator to assess and retake lateral wrist radiographs.
• Statistical analyses included Fisher's exact test and rank-biserial correlation to evaluate relationships between variables.

Main Results:

• A borderline significant trend was observed between clinical specialty and correct positioning assessment (p=0.052).
• Self-perceived confidence in wrist radiography correlated with repositioning ability (p=0.052).
• No significant correlation was found between clinical specialty or VR experience and the ability to reposition for a retake.

Conclusions:

• While trends suggest potential links between specialty, confidence, and VR performance, statistical significance was not reached.
• VR simulation demonstrates potential for enhancing radiography training and improving radiograph quality.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the factors influencing VR simulation performance in radiography education.