Virtual reality as a learning tool for improving infection control procedures

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene and donning personal protective equipment (PPE) are essential techniques for infection control; however, low compliance is an issue. The effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in learning infection control procedures is unknown. METHODS: To verify the effectiveness of VR, medical students were categorized into VR or lecture groups (n=21 each). Each group was given the same curricular content; one group received the training through VR learning using a fully-immersive 360-degree video and the other was conventional lecture-style learning. Before and after the training, they were evaluated for the implementation of hand hygiene and PPE using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination method. Post-test questionnaires were administered. RESULTS: The scores for hand hygiene, donning PPE, and the total score increased after learning in both groups. There was no difference between the pre-test total scores of the two groups (7 5-9 vs 6 5-7.5, P=.352); however, the VR group had significantly higher post-test total scores than the lecture group (12 9.5-12 vs 9 8-12, P=.024). More students in the VR group responded that they enjoyed the training and would like to use the same learning method next time. CONCLUSIONS: VR can be a useful tool for learning and practicing appropriate infection control procedures.