Limitations and perspectives of the physiology laboratory PhysioEx V9.1 during single-center Peruvian medical education

Abstract

Introduction: Virtual reality is a controversial tool in medical education; it has previously been shown to be very useful in anatomy and physiology. Objective: to evaluate the physiology simulation laboratory PhysioEx v9.1 during the course of Human Morphophysiology at a private university in Lima, Peru. Methods: This cross-sectional study was developed in two stages: the first, under the critical approach of software analysis, and the second, with a structured survey aimed at Human Medicine students on simulation. The study instrument was subdivided into two parts with 17 questions (15 closed and 2 open). The first surveyed the know-how of the previous three weeks of simulation, and the second, on the Technologies Applied to Health Communication and a satisfaction scale of the study program and the simulator. Results: Our findings show a high performance of the simulator in the approach to cellular physiology, where ~70% and ~60% of students understood respectively passive and active transport, and membrane potential and electrical transmission. The experience was rated as relevant (35%), satisfactory (55%), and indicative (77%). Forty-five percent considered the English language as the major limitation, followed by inaccessibility in other spaces such as their homes or work centers (20%). The main advantages were graphics (45%) and ease-of-use (25%). Thirty percent do not believe that the experience allows consolidating the studies of medicine and 78% experience inattention by the teacher. Conclusions: the evaluation of the simulator allowed knowing its main advantage and reticence (the English language) within a new educational experience in Peruvian students. *Correspondence to: School of Human Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Norbert Wiener University, Lima, Peru, E-mail: jeel.moya@upsjb.edu.pe