Simulation and virtual reality applications in medical training for tuberculosis diagnosis

This study compared Virtual Reality (VR) simulation training with matched standard instruction for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in a controlled simulation lab. The aim was to assess whether immersive simulation improves standardized TB diagnostic competency and whether VR is tolerable for trainees. Trainees completed a starting assessment, received assigned training, and completed the same standardized post-training assessment within 7 days, with a retention assessment around 8 weeks. Post-training competency accuracy was higher with VR simulation training, with an estimated mean difference of 0.08 [0.03, 0.13], p = 0.003, and planned additional checks showed the same direction. These findings are limited to performance on standardized simulations and recorded VR tolerability, not patient outcomes or routine diagnosis in practice. The results may inform medical educators, TB program implementers, and simulation and skills lab leads when considering whether to add VR modules to TB diagnosis training.