Clinical Research Directory

VR in Undergraduate Anesthesia Training

Sponsor: London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Summary

Medical students learning anesthesia often face challenges in gaining hands-on experience due to the complexity of the operating room environment. Traditional teaching methods, such as lectures and in-person training, can be inconsistent due to variations in clinical exposure and instructor availability. Virtual reality (VR) technology offers an innovative solution by allowing students to practice anesthesia-related skills in a risk-free, immersive environment. This study will evaluate whether VR simulation training can better prepare third-year medical students for their anesthesia rotation compared to traditional methods. Students will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one will receive VR training before their rotation, while the other will follow the standard curriculum without VR. To assess the effectiveness of VR training, all students will complete pre- and post-rotation surveys measuring their confidence in anesthesia principles, procedural skills, and overall preparedness. Additionally, faculty will use a standardized checklist to evaluate students' performance on key anesthesia procedures during their clinical rotations. By comparing students who received VR training to those who did not, this study will determine if VR can improve knowledge retention, skill development, and confidence in real clinical settings. If successful, VR technology could enhance anesthesia education and provide new training opportunities for medical students, including those in remote or resource-limited settings.

Official title: Comparative Analysis of Virtual Reality Simulation Training on Clerkship Anesthesia Rotation Experience for Medical Students in a Canadian Setting

Key Details

Conditions

Interventions