Implementing a guided VR for neuroanatomy in neurology residency: acceptability and practical considerations

Neuroanatomy is essential in clinical neurology for localization and differential diagnoses, yet the pace of residency can limit time to reinforce foundational concepts. This proof-of-concept study aimed to examine neurology residents' perceptions of the acceptability (e.g., ease of use, engagement, educational value, and practicality of implementation) of a guided virtual reality (VR) neuroanatomy learning experience. The authors worked closely with the information technology (IT) department to address technical issues, including having a dedicated Wi-Fi signal with sufficient strength, preventing headset network switching, and avoiding institutional firewalls. Five neurology residents (n = 5) completed a 40-min guided VR session using the Organon software on an Oculus Quest 3 headset, covering cerebrovascular arterial supply, cerebral venous sinuses, ventricular anatomy, and major cortical structures. Residents completed pre- and postsession surveys that included questions about their perceptions of the VR experience and open-ended questions. Participants also completed knowledge quizzes at presession, immediate postsession, and 3-wk follow-up, as a secondary, exploratory outcome. Overall, residents reported the VR experience as user-friendly and engaging and offered actionable suggestions to enhance its implementation and instructional value for advanced learners. The results of the knowledge quizzes are informative and useful for refining the protocol and informing a larger cohort to better characterize acceptability and implementation within neurology residency training.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This proof-of-concept study introduced a guided virtual reality (VR) neuroanatomy lesson for neurology residents using Organon on Oculus Quest 3. Five residents completed a 40-min session and rated it highly for engagement, ease of use, and educational value. They suggested more anatomical detail for advanced learners. Pre- and postquizzes on the Residency-In-Training Examination (RITE) topics were collected to inform improvements and guide future studies.