Development and Evaluation of a Virtual Reality-Based Teaching Material for Interprofessional Education: A Case Study...

Komaki S, Baba S, Yotsumoto Y, Yamashita T, Takayoshi S, Niidome H, Imamura M, Mihara M, Hirahara D. Development and Evaluation of a Virtual Reality-Based Teaching Material for Interprofessional Education: A Case Study on Swallowing Videofluorography. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2025; 16: 37-45.

With the advancement of team-based medical care, effective interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has become increasingly important. However, implementing IPC without appropriate interprofessional education (IPE) remains challenging. This study aimed to clarify the educational effects of a virtual reality-based IPE teaching material on students' awareness and understanding of IPC. Specifically, it evaluated changes in awareness before and after lectures and the impact of different viewing environments on educational effectiveness.

A total of 224 students from six medical and welfare-related departments participated in lectures focused on IPC using a swallowing videofluorography scenario. The students were divided into three groups based on viewing environment: personal computer (PC), classroom screen, and virtual reality (VR). All groups viewed the same teaching material. Awareness and understanding of IPC were assessed before and after the lectures using a 12-item self-administered questionnaire.

Post-lecture comparisons revealed significant increases in scores across all questionnaire items. In comparing the viewing environments, the VR group scored significantly higher than the PC group in the areas of "problem-solving skills" and "respectful attitude."

This study suggests that VR-based teaching materials are effective in enhancing students' awareness and understanding of interprofessional collaboration.