Impact of Mixed Reality (MR) Technologies on Nursing Education: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Background: Nursing education dynamics have changed over time and currently demand novel approaches to befit the current intricacies of contemporary healthcare systems. Mixed Reality technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), provide for an experiential learning immersion and may contribute toward the proper delivery of nursing education.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of MR technologies on nursing education concerning knowledge acquisition and skill development and student satisfaction in terms of traditional training methods.

Methods: A systematic literature review of peer-reviewed empirical studies published within the last ten years was carried out by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were screened up to February 2024. Included studies involved nursing students or professionals in educational settings utilizing MR technologies compared to traditional methods.

Results: The search identified 91 studies and we concluded in eight studies that met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the use of MR technologies can enhance learning and clinical skills and student satisfaction. Although, the areas for further investigation are long-term retention of the skill and cost-effectiveness of MR implementation.

Conclusion: These MR technologies hold promise for transforming nursing education by providing realistic, immersive learning environments. While these offers great potential, detailed consideration with further research is required to address implementation challenges and optimize their use within nursing curricula.