Virtual Reality in Anatomy Instruction: a Preliminary Study

Abstract

Modern practical and theoretical instruction sessions need to be up-to-date, and nested with creativity and technology. Virtual reality (VR) is a state-of-the-art user interface interacting with multiple sensory channels and creating real-time simulations. In this study, we examined the effect of VR on the learning of the anatomy of the head and neck region. Seventeen students from 12 different medical schools in Turkey participated in this study. After one hour of theoretical training, the students were trained on cadavers for five hours. Then, a pre-test examination was given. After the pre-test, all students were given one-to-one virtual reality training and then a post-test. A statistically significant increase in the achievement of the students was found between the mean pre- and post-VR test scores (p=0.003). VR is considered as a rising trend in medicine when the skills and competencies of the generation Z on digital technologies are taken into consideration.