Applications of virtual reality and its effectiveness in healthcare training: a scoping review

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging tool for training healthcare providers, but little to no research highlights the effectiveness of VR type when compared to traditional modes of learning. In addition, there is a lack of literature endorsing VR as a successful training tool when compared to conventional education methods.

To explore and highlight the types of VR used in healthcare training and evaluate its effectiveness when compared to conventional training methods.

A scoping review was performed to explore peer-reviewed, empirical literature on the various applications of VR as a training tool among healthcare professionals. The core concepts used in the search strategy were “VR”, “training”, “healthcare professionals”. CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases were searched, resulting in 30 studies.

Four applications of VR were classified: Passive, Non-Surgical Clinical Skills, Surgical and Dexterous, and Interpersonal. All types of VR had positive outcomes when compared to traditional modes of learning. No studies included healthcare aides, who provide the most formal frontline care and receive the least amount of education.

This review is the first to synthesize and identify the various applications of VR. Evidence from this study supports the adoption of VR in health education and highlights what makes each type of VR an effective training tool among healthcare professions.