{"title":"Enhancing radiography education through immersive virtual reality","authors":"S. Acosta, D. López","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.09.054","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This study evaluates the integration of Virtual Reality (VR), utilising Virtual Medical Coaching software, with traditional Siemens radiographic equipment in radiography education, comparing traditional and hybrid training models.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study included 165 first-year radiography programme students from two groups. One group used traditional radiographic simulation equipment, while the other employed a hybrid approach combining VR simulations with physical simulations. Assessments focused on room setup, patient comfort, and radiographic positioning across various anatomical regions. Methods included practical exams, cost analysis, and data analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics, including ANCOVA.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The hybrid group showed significantly superior performance in room setup, achieving more efficient and accurate configurations. For radiographic positioning, the hybrid group exhibited greater precision and adaptability in handling different anatomical regions, such as the lumbar spine, knee, chest, shoulder, and cervical spine. These students also demonstrated a quicker learning curve and higher retention rates in practical skills. In terms of patient comfort, both groups performed equally well. Financial analysis indicated that the hybrid approach reduced training costs by decreasing the need for repeated use of physical resources and shortening educational hours.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Incorporating VR into radiography training significantly enhances educational outcomes, student engagement, and clinical skills. The hybrid model, which utilises both Virtual Medical Coaching's VR tools and traditional Siemens equipment, proves to be an effective, scalable, and engaging educational method.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>Given the enhanced performance and cost-efficiency of the hybrid model, radiography programmes are encouraged to adopt VR-enhanced simulation training. This approach prepares students more effectively for the technical and interpersonal demands of radiographic technology careers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Radiography","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1078817424002712","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction
This study evaluates the integration of Virtual Reality (VR), utilising Virtual Medical Coaching software, with traditional Siemens radiographic equipment in radiography education, comparing traditional and hybrid training models.
Methods
The study included 165 first-year radiography programme students from two groups. One group used traditional radiographic simulation equipment, while the other employed a hybrid approach combining VR simulations with physical simulations. Assessments focused on room setup, patient comfort, and radiographic positioning across various anatomical regions. Methods included practical exams, cost analysis, and data analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics, including ANCOVA.
Results
The hybrid group showed significantly superior performance in room setup, achieving more efficient and accurate configurations. For radiographic positioning, the hybrid group exhibited greater precision and adaptability in handling different anatomical regions, such as the lumbar spine, knee, chest, shoulder, and cervical spine. These students also demonstrated a quicker learning curve and higher retention rates in practical skills. In terms of patient comfort, both groups performed equally well. Financial analysis indicated that the hybrid approach reduced training costs by decreasing the need for repeated use of physical resources and shortening educational hours.
Conclusion
Incorporating VR into radiography training significantly enhances educational outcomes, student engagement, and clinical skills. The hybrid model, which utilises both Virtual Medical Coaching's VR tools and traditional Siemens equipment, proves to be an effective, scalable, and engaging educational method.
Implications for practice
Given the enhanced performance and cost-efficiency of the hybrid model, radiography programmes are encouraged to adopt VR-enhanced simulation training. This approach prepares students more effectively for the technical and interpersonal demands of radiographic technology careers.
RadiographyRADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING-
CiteScore
4.70
自引率
34.60%
发文量
169
审稿时长
63 days
期刊介绍:
Radiography is an International, English language, peer-reviewed journal of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy. Radiography is the official professional journal of the College of Radiographers and is published quarterly. Radiography aims to publish the highest quality material, both clinical and scientific, on all aspects of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy and oncology.