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Updated: Feb 6, 2026
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Virtual Reality Experiments with Physiological Measures
Published on: August 29, 2018
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Investigating the Impact of a Virtual Reality Experience on Medical Student Empathy: Mixed Methods Study
Allen G Mundok1, Vivian N Ho1, Lauren A Fowler2
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 607 Grove Rd, Greenville, SC, 29605, United States, 1-864-766-2001.
JMIR Medical Education
|February 4, 2026
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) training significantly enhanced medical students' empathy compared to traditional lectures. VR immersion fostered deeper emotional and cognitive engagement, supporting its integration into medical education for improved patient-centered care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Healthcare Technology
- Empathy Training
Background:
- Physician empathy is crucial for patient satisfaction, health outcomes, and physician well-being.
- Declining empathy in medical education necessitates innovative teaching methods.
- Addressing the empathy gap is vital for patient-centered care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) versus traditional lectures in enhancing medical student empathy.
- To compare the impact of VR simulations and lecture-based learning on empathy development.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods analysis involving 50 first- and second-year medical students.
- Randomization into a VR intervention group or a traditional lecture control group.
- Pre- and post-intervention empathy assessment using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student Version.
Main Results:
- Both VR and lecture interventions significantly increased empathy scores (P<.001).
- The VR group showed a significant difference in qualitative empathy coding compared to the lecture group (U=165.5; P<.001).
- Qualitative feedback indicated deeper emotional and cognitive engagement with patient perspectives in the VR group.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality integration complements traditional methods for empathy training in medical education.
- VR immersion offers a valuable platform for developing nuanced understanding of empathy.
- Further research is recommended on VR's long-term impact on clinical empathy.
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