Virtual reality in ENT medical education - pilot study of medical students' perspective.

Abstract

Objectives.: There is increasing demand for high-quality anatomy teaching for medical undergraduates. This study investigates medical students' perspectives on using virtual reality to learn laryngeal anatomy.

Methods.: Thirty-six Year 4 university teaching hospital medical students participated in a virtual reality laryngeal anatomy learning experience (Oculus Quest 2^® headsets). Students interacted with a VR model and completed a confidential feedback survey assessing their virtual reality exposure, learning environment, perceived usefulness and willingness to use virtual reality in future training.

Results.: A total of 75 per cent of students had minimal prior virtual reality exposure. Despite this, 69.5 per cent agreed that virtual reality helped them learn the anatomy better than traditional lectures; 76.1 per cent believed virtual reality enhanced their learning; and 80 per cent expressed willingness to use virtual reality in their training. High satisfaction was reported regarding the learning environment, with 97.2 per cent feeling comfortable and engaged.

Conclusions.: Virtual reality is a useful adjunct to laryngeal anatomy education, providing an interactive, engaging and resource-efficient adjunct to traditional methods.