Remote VR Supports Medical Students' Communication.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Virtual Reality in Healthcare
• Communication Skills Training

Background:

• Fourth-year medical students entering pediatric residency participated in a novel virtual reality (VR) communication curriculum.
• The curriculum was delivered via video teleconferencing, focusing on motivational interviewing (MI) competencies.
• The study aimed to assess the impact of VR training on student confidence and evaluate implementation outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a VR-based communication curriculum for medical students.
• To measure changes in student confidence in motivational interviewing skills.
• To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of remote VR simulation delivery.

Main Methods:

• A 2-hour mixed didactic/virtual simulation VR curriculum was implemented.
• Participants were fourth-year medical students at four US medical schools.
• A retrospective pre/post Likert-scale survey assessed confidence; paired t-tests analyzed changes.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in self-reported confidence was observed across all communication skills, including reflection statements and behavioral management strategies (p < 0.01).
• Students reported high feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the remote VR simulation delivery.
• 75% of students (40/53) completed the post-curriculum survey.

Conclusions:

• Virtual reality patient simulations delivered via video teleconferencing offer a feasible remote platform for teaching motivational interviewing skills.
• This novel training modality can support standardized and equitable high-quality medical education across institutions.
• VR simulations show promise for enhancing communication competencies in future physicians.