Media-Induced and Psychological Factors That Foster Empathy Through Virtual Reality in Nursing Education: 2×2 Between-Subjects Experimental Study
Abstract BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool in medical education, particularly for fostering critical skills such as empathy. However, how VR, combined with perspective-taking, influences affective empathy in nursing education remains underexplored....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2025-03-01
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| Series: | JMIR Medical Education |
| Online Access: | https://mededu.jmir.org/2025/1/e59083 |
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| author | Kuo-Ting Huang Zexin Ma Lan Yao |
| author_facet | Kuo-Ting Huang Zexin Ma Lan Yao |
| author_sort | Kuo-Ting Huang |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool in medical education, particularly for fostering critical skills such as empathy. However, how VR, combined with perspective-taking, influences affective empathy in nursing education remains underexplored.
ObjectiveThis study investigates the influence of VR and perspective-taking on affective empathy in nursing education, focusing on 4 psychological factors: perceived self-location, narrative transportation, emotional engagement, and affective empathy.
MethodsA 2×2 between-subjects design was used, involving 69 nursing undergraduates from two Midwest universities. The participants engaged with a narrative-focused video game, That Dragon, Cancer, in either VR or non-VR conditions and from the perspective of either parents or clinicians.
ResultsVR significantly enhanced perceived self-location (PPPPP
ConclusionsThese findings underscore the potential of VR in medical education, suggesting that perspective-taking should be carefully considered when designing immersive learning experiences. The study advocates for broader integration of VR technologies into medical curricula to enhance instruction quality and patient-centered care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1b00ed3e040444bf9d2e4e42bfc18183 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2369-3762 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-1b00ed3e040444bf9d2e4e42bfc181832025-08-20T03:17:43ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Medical Education2369-37622025-03-0111e59083e5908310.2196/59083Media-Induced and Psychological Factors That Foster Empathy Through Virtual Reality in Nursing Education: 2×2 Between-Subjects Experimental StudyKuo-Ting Huanghttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-5426-558XZexin Mahttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6203-2740Lan Yaohttp://orcid.org/0009-0008-7716-6507 Abstract BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool in medical education, particularly for fostering critical skills such as empathy. However, how VR, combined with perspective-taking, influences affective empathy in nursing education remains underexplored. ObjectiveThis study investigates the influence of VR and perspective-taking on affective empathy in nursing education, focusing on 4 psychological factors: perceived self-location, narrative transportation, emotional engagement, and affective empathy. MethodsA 2×2 between-subjects design was used, involving 69 nursing undergraduates from two Midwest universities. The participants engaged with a narrative-focused video game, That Dragon, Cancer, in either VR or non-VR conditions and from the perspective of either parents or clinicians. ResultsVR significantly enhanced perceived self-location (PPPPP ConclusionsThese findings underscore the potential of VR in medical education, suggesting that perspective-taking should be carefully considered when designing immersive learning experiences. The study advocates for broader integration of VR technologies into medical curricula to enhance instruction quality and patient-centered care.https://mededu.jmir.org/2025/1/e59083 |
| spellingShingle | Kuo-Ting Huang Zexin Ma Lan Yao Media-Induced and Psychological Factors That Foster Empathy Through Virtual Reality in Nursing Education: 2×2 Between-Subjects Experimental Study JMIR Medical Education |
| title | Media-Induced and Psychological Factors That Foster Empathy Through Virtual Reality in Nursing Education: 2×2 Between-Subjects Experimental Study |
| title_full | Media-Induced and Psychological Factors That Foster Empathy Through Virtual Reality in Nursing Education: 2×2 Between-Subjects Experimental Study |
| title_fullStr | Media-Induced and Psychological Factors That Foster Empathy Through Virtual Reality in Nursing Education: 2×2 Between-Subjects Experimental Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Media-Induced and Psychological Factors That Foster Empathy Through Virtual Reality in Nursing Education: 2×2 Between-Subjects Experimental Study |
| title_short | Media-Induced and Psychological Factors That Foster Empathy Through Virtual Reality in Nursing Education: 2×2 Between-Subjects Experimental Study |
| title_sort | media induced and psychological factors that foster empathy through virtual reality in nursing education 2 2 between subjects experimental study |
| url | https://mededu.jmir.org/2025/1/e59083 |
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