Virtual reality as a teaching method for resuscitation training in undergraduate first year medical students: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Virtual reality is an innovative technology for medical education associated with high empirical realism. Therefore, this study compares a conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training with a Virtual Reality (VR) training aiming to demonstrate: (a) non-inferiority of...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Malte Issleib, Alina Kromer, Hans O. Pinnschmidt, Christoph Süss-Havemann, Jens C. Kubitz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2021-02-01
Series:Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-021-00836-y
_version_ 1818920279172186112
author Malte Issleib
Alina Kromer
Hans O. Pinnschmidt
Christoph Süss-Havemann
Jens C. Kubitz
author_facet Malte Issleib
Alina Kromer
Hans O. Pinnschmidt
Christoph Süss-Havemann
Jens C. Kubitz
author_sort Malte Issleib
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Virtual reality is an innovative technology for medical education associated with high empirical realism. Therefore, this study compares a conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training with a Virtual Reality (VR) training aiming to demonstrate: (a) non-inferiority of the VR intervention in respect of no flow time and (b) superiority in respect of subjective learning gain. Methods In this controlled randomized study first year, undergraduate students were allocated in the intervention group and the control group. Fifty-six participants were randomized to the intervention group and 104 participants to the control group. The intervention group received an individual 35-min VR Basic Life Support (BLS) course and a basic skill training. The control group took part in a “classic” BLS-course with a seminar and a basic skill training. The groups were compared in respect of no flow time in a final 3-min BLS examination (primary outcome) and their learning gain (secondary outcome) assessed with a comparative self-assessment (CSA) using a questionnaire at the beginning and the end of the course. Data analysis was performed with a general linear fixed effects model. Results The no flow time was significantly shorter in the control group (Mean values: control group 82 s vs. intervention group 93 s; p = 0.000). In the CSA participants of the intervention group had a higher learning gain in 6 out of 11 items of the questionnaire (p < 0.05). Conclusion A “classic” BLS-course with a seminar and training seems superior to VR in teaching technical skills. However, overall learning gain was higher with VR. Future BLS course-formats should consider the integration of VR technique into the classic CPR training or vice versa, to use the advantage of both teaching techniques.
first_indexed 2024-12-20T01:19:13Z
format Article
id doaj.art-cd4d87ee140644fba654b73acf2285ec
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1757-7241
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-20T01:19:13Z
publishDate 2021-02-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
spelling doaj.art-cd4d87ee140644fba654b73acf2285ec2022-12-21T19:58:29ZengBMCScandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine1757-72412021-02-012911910.1186/s13049-021-00836-yVirtual reality as a teaching method for resuscitation training in undergraduate first year medical students: a randomized controlled trialMalte Issleib0Alina Kromer1Hans O. Pinnschmidt2Christoph Süss-Havemann3Jens C. Kubitz4Department of Anaesthesiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfDepartment of Anaesthesiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfDepartment of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfDepartment of Anaesthesiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfDepartment of Anaesthesiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfAbstract Background Virtual reality is an innovative technology for medical education associated with high empirical realism. Therefore, this study compares a conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training with a Virtual Reality (VR) training aiming to demonstrate: (a) non-inferiority of the VR intervention in respect of no flow time and (b) superiority in respect of subjective learning gain. Methods In this controlled randomized study first year, undergraduate students were allocated in the intervention group and the control group. Fifty-six participants were randomized to the intervention group and 104 participants to the control group. The intervention group received an individual 35-min VR Basic Life Support (BLS) course and a basic skill training. The control group took part in a “classic” BLS-course with a seminar and a basic skill training. The groups were compared in respect of no flow time in a final 3-min BLS examination (primary outcome) and their learning gain (secondary outcome) assessed with a comparative self-assessment (CSA) using a questionnaire at the beginning and the end of the course. Data analysis was performed with a general linear fixed effects model. Results The no flow time was significantly shorter in the control group (Mean values: control group 82 s vs. intervention group 93 s; p = 0.000). In the CSA participants of the intervention group had a higher learning gain in 6 out of 11 items of the questionnaire (p < 0.05). Conclusion A “classic” BLS-course with a seminar and training seems superior to VR in teaching technical skills. However, overall learning gain was higher with VR. Future BLS course-formats should consider the integration of VR technique into the classic CPR training or vice versa, to use the advantage of both teaching techniques.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-021-00836-yResuscitationBasic life support trainingVirtual realityMedical school
spellingShingle Malte Issleib
Alina Kromer
Hans O. Pinnschmidt
Christoph Süss-Havemann
Jens C. Kubitz
Virtual reality as a teaching method for resuscitation training in undergraduate first year medical students: a randomized controlled trial
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
Resuscitation
Basic life support training
Virtual reality
Medical school
title Virtual reality as a teaching method for resuscitation training in undergraduate first year medical students: a randomized controlled trial
title_full Virtual reality as a teaching method for resuscitation training in undergraduate first year medical students: a randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr Virtual reality as a teaching method for resuscitation training in undergraduate first year medical students: a randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Virtual reality as a teaching method for resuscitation training in undergraduate first year medical students: a randomized controlled trial
title_short Virtual reality as a teaching method for resuscitation training in undergraduate first year medical students: a randomized controlled trial
title_sort virtual reality as a teaching method for resuscitation training in undergraduate first year medical students a randomized controlled trial
topic Resuscitation
Basic life support training
Virtual reality
Medical school
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-021-00836-y
work_keys_str_mv AT malteissleib virtualrealityasateachingmethodforresuscitationtraininginundergraduatefirstyearmedicalstudentsarandomizedcontrolledtrial
AT alinakromer virtualrealityasateachingmethodforresuscitationtraininginundergraduatefirstyearmedicalstudentsarandomizedcontrolledtrial
AT hansopinnschmidt virtualrealityasateachingmethodforresuscitationtraininginundergraduatefirstyearmedicalstudentsarandomizedcontrolledtrial
AT christophsusshavemann virtualrealityasateachingmethodforresuscitationtraininginundergraduatefirstyearmedicalstudentsarandomizedcontrolledtrial
AT jensckubitz virtualrealityasateachingmethodforresuscitationtraininginundergraduatefirstyearmedicalstudentsarandomizedcontrolledtrial