Effects of a Novel Blended Virtual Reality and Clinical Learning Environment on the Learning Transfer of Anesthesiology Residents

Abstract

The use of educational technology is considered a necessity due to the increasing changes in medical education. This study aimed to design a novel blended virtual reality and clinical learning environment (CLE) and to investigate its effectiveness in the learning transfer of anesthesiology residents during spinal anesthesia procedures. In this experimental study, 25 residents (academic year 2020/2021) were randomly divided into blended (n=11) and clinical (n=14) groups. Spinal anesthesia training for the blended group was performed in the virtual training laboratory (week 1) and the operating room (from week 2 to week 4), while for the CLE group, it was only performed in the operating room. Training, based on task-centered learning, was provided for both groups, and then, a 360-degree assessment of learning transfer was conducted by professors, patients, co-workers, and self-assessments using a standard questionnaire. Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests. There was a significant difference in the learning transfer of residents between the blended and CLE groups (U=39, P=0.03<0.05). There was also a significant difference in the subcategories of learning transfer according to the professors and co-workers; however, there was no significant difference according to the patients and self-assessments. The blended VR/CLE learning environment was more effective than CLE in improving residents’ learning transfer. Besides, an increase in scores indicated an improvement in professional competence.