Augmented reality in intensive care nursing education: A scoping review

This scoping review aimed to identify existing literature on the application of augmented reality (AR) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and analyse its current state of play regarding hands-on skills.

Active learner engagement can greatly enrich educational outcomes. With the rise of immersive and interactive technologies, AR is progressively integrated into nursing education to enhance this aspect. Despite its potential, there is lacking evidence regarding the application of AR in ICU nursing education.

A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O'Malley framework.

Six databases, including Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, ERIC and Web of Science, were searched from inception until the present without language restriction. Two reviewers independently performed selection and data extraction. The Pattern, Advances, Gaps, Evidence for Practice and Research Recommendations framework guided data analysis and results presentation. The protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework, Registration No. osf.io/36c25.

Our search yielded 3135 articles, 24 of which were included in the review. Ten technological products were identified; Microsoft HoloLens and smartphones were used in eight and five studies, respectively. Seven studies evaluated the usability of AR applications using the system usability scale (SUS). Most of them demonstrated an excellent overall SUS score. Participants' satisfaction and confidence in using AR received favourable results. Finally, most studies found no statistically significant improvement in skill and knowledge performance.

The findings demonstrate AR's broad acceptance, utility and feasibility, highlighting its capacity to enrich educational experiences. However, a dearth of research has proved AR's effectiveness in ICU education.