Virtual Reality in Surgical Training: A Comprehensive Study on Educational Efficacy, Memory Enhancement, and Mental...

Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly used in surgical education. This study examines the impact of VR-integrated training on learning, memory, and psychological responses. A prototype VR system with immersive OR views was tested on 67 clinical clerkship students. OR experiences followed the simulation. Thirty-two questionnaires covered surgical procedures and systems. Mood and personality were assessed using POMS-2, focusing on Total Mood Disturbance (TMD), fatigue-inertia (FI), vigor-activity (VA), and friendliness (F). VR modestly increased interest in surgery (~3.4/5) but training confidence stayed low (2.2/5). Understanding of abdominal surgery improved (2.6/5), with 96% correctly identifying the sterile field. Robotic roles were partially grasped; DCS understanding remained low (2.3/5). VR users better located OR equipment but 22% experienced nausea and 46% disliked the design. Compared to non-VR peers, they had lower procedural knowledge (p<0.01), but reported less stress and improved teamwork awareness (p<0.01). Mood analysis showed increased TMD and FI, decreased VA and F (all p<0.01), and reduced anxiety (TA). Personality traits (low neuroticism, high extraversion) were linked to stronger emotional reactions. VR sickness (51%) correlated with cognitive confusion and higher TMD (p<0.01). This VR approach enhances surgical understanding and team role awareness, offering experiential value in preclinical training.