Structured Exposure Achieves High Acceptance of Immersive Technology Among Medical Students and Educators

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Authors

  • Jonas Einloft
  • Simon Bedenbender
  • Malte Michelsen
  • Hendrik L. Meyer
  • Philipp G. Russ
  • Alexander Heidtmann
  • Martin C. Hirsch
  • Ivica Grgic

External Research Organisations

  • Philipps-Universität Marburg
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Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)363-371
Number of pages9
JournalCyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
Volume27
Issue number6
Early online date19 Jun 2024
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2024
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) is a potent educational tool with untapped potential in medical training. However, its integration into medical schools faces challenges such as cybersickness and hesitancy among medical students and professionals. Notably, there has been no systematic assessment of the acceptance of medical educational VR applications by both students and educators. In our single-center study, we enrolled 133 medical students and 14 medical educators. Following a practical demonstration of the established VR anatomy application, Sharecare YOU VR, participants completed a self-reporting survey based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), exploring user acceptance of information technologies and focusing on perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), and attitude toward using (ATU). We also sought insights into potential future applications of VR in medical education. Our findings indicate a high level of acceptance among medical students and educators upon structured exposure to VR with significantly positive responses for all three TAM variables (PU, PEU, and ATU). Intriguingly, hands-on experience influenced acceptance. Students envisioned VR's benefits in anatomy, surgery, emergency medicine, and communication skill training with patients. Both students and educators believed that VR could enhance traditional approaches and complement the existing curriculum, anticipating improved preparedness for medical students through VR training applications. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the receptivity of both students and educators to immersive technologies, including VR, in medical education. Importantly, the data suggest that the adoption of VR in this field would be welcomed rather than resisted, potentially enhancing students' self-efficacy and enriching the medical school curriculum.

Keywords

    extended reality (XR), future in teaching, immersive technologies, medical education, technology acceptance model, virtual reality (VR)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Cite this

Structured Exposure Achieves High Acceptance of Immersive Technology Among Medical Students and Educators. / Einloft, Jonas; Bedenbender, Simon; Michelsen, Malte et al.
In: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, Vol. 27, No. 6, 06.2024, p. 363-371.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Einloft J, Bedenbender S, Michelsen M, Meyer HL, Russ PG, Heidtmann A et al. Structured Exposure Achieves High Acceptance of Immersive Technology Among Medical Students and Educators. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 2024 Jun;27(6):363-371. Epub 2024 Jun 19. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2023.0297
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