SHBC1660

H.JIANG¹, S.VIMALESVARAN¹, J.K.WANG¹, K.B.LIM¹, B.M.KYAW¹, L.T.CAR¹

Nanyang Technological University¹

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that produces a virtual manifestation of the real world. VR has been increasingly used as a tool in medical education. The use of VR in medical education has large potential due to the wide variety of tools available and the ability to deliver it via distance learning. The objective of this scoping review is thus to identify the VR tools available and their applications in undergraduate medical education, as well to identify areas of future research.

Four bibliographic databases and grey literature sources were searched, with data screened and extracted in parallel by two independent reviewers. The data was then tabulated and charted, and displayed alongside a narrative summary in line with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

We included 136 studies. Most studies reported the use of VR for development of surgical skills, and most VR modalities were of semi-immersive VR with a high degree of interactivity. The most commonly used input and output devices were haptic devices and a screen respectively. Most VR modalities were design for self-directed learning, and for teaching to individual students only.

While most VR modalities are well-represented, there is a need to further explore novel VR modalities such as virtual dissection tables and mobile VR. The use of commercially developed 3D anatomical models and virtual worlds should also be further explored. Future research should also focus on the use of VR lower income countries, and the use of VR in teaching of communication skills and empathy.