Undergraduate nursing students’ preferences for virtual reality simulations in nursing skills training: A discrete choice experiment

Objective Nursing students face increasing challenges, making it crucial to explore innovative teaching methods such as virtual reality simulations to enhance skills. This study aimed to assess their preferences for virtual reality simulation in skills training using a discrete choice experiment. Me...

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Main Authors: Yanya Chen, Yan He, Xiaochun Zou, Hongya Cai, Hei Hang Edmund Yiu, Wai-kit Ming
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-05-01
Series:Digital Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251339009
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author Yanya Chen
Yan He
Xiaochun Zou
Hongya Cai
Hei Hang Edmund Yiu
Wai-kit Ming
author_facet Yanya Chen
Yan He
Xiaochun Zou
Hongya Cai
Hei Hang Edmund Yiu
Wai-kit Ming
author_sort Yanya Chen
collection DOAJ
description Objective Nursing students face increasing challenges, making it crucial to explore innovative teaching methods such as virtual reality simulations to enhance skills. This study aimed to assess their preferences for virtual reality simulation in skills training using a discrete choice experiment. Method A discrete choice experiment with six attributes (types of virtual reality, interaction, learning contents, collaboration, frequency, and costs for each additional training module) was used. A mixed logit model and latent class analysis were adopted to analyze data using Sawtooth Software and STATA BE 18. Result A total of 518 undergraduate nursing students completed this study. They identified costs for each additional training module, interaction, and types of virtual reality as the three most important attributes. The combination that was most preferred was immersive virtual reality simulation, high-level interaction types, advanced learning contents, mixed learning modules, lower prices, and a practice frequency of once every two weeks. Two classes of students were identified: Class 1 valued the cost for each additional training module, while Class 2 preferred a better immersion experience. Conclusion Students’ preference for virtual reality simulation depended on some factors, including types of virtual reality, interaction, learning contents, and costs for each additional training module. Nursing educators should take students’ preferences into account to ensure that their preferences and needs are addressed as fully as possible.
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spelling doaj-art-89370d9a225a40d28cc81e2e5f1b49b92025-08-20T01:53:08ZengSAGE PublishingDigital Health2055-20762025-05-011110.1177/20552076251339009Undergraduate nursing students’ preferences for virtual reality simulations in nursing skills training: A discrete choice experimentYanya Chen0Yan He1Xiaochun Zou2Hongya Cai3Hei Hang Edmund Yiu4Wai-kit Ming5 Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, , Hong Kong, China Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, , Hong Kong, China School of Health, , Dongguan, Guangdong, China School of Nursing, , Dongguan, Guangdong, China Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, , Hong Kong, China Institute of Global Governance and Innovation for a Shared Future, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaObjective Nursing students face increasing challenges, making it crucial to explore innovative teaching methods such as virtual reality simulations to enhance skills. This study aimed to assess their preferences for virtual reality simulation in skills training using a discrete choice experiment. Method A discrete choice experiment with six attributes (types of virtual reality, interaction, learning contents, collaboration, frequency, and costs for each additional training module) was used. A mixed logit model and latent class analysis were adopted to analyze data using Sawtooth Software and STATA BE 18. Result A total of 518 undergraduate nursing students completed this study. They identified costs for each additional training module, interaction, and types of virtual reality as the three most important attributes. The combination that was most preferred was immersive virtual reality simulation, high-level interaction types, advanced learning contents, mixed learning modules, lower prices, and a practice frequency of once every two weeks. Two classes of students were identified: Class 1 valued the cost for each additional training module, while Class 2 preferred a better immersion experience. Conclusion Students’ preference for virtual reality simulation depended on some factors, including types of virtual reality, interaction, learning contents, and costs for each additional training module. Nursing educators should take students’ preferences into account to ensure that their preferences and needs are addressed as fully as possible.https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251339009
spellingShingle Yanya Chen
Yan He
Xiaochun Zou
Hongya Cai
Hei Hang Edmund Yiu
Wai-kit Ming
Undergraduate nursing students’ preferences for virtual reality simulations in nursing skills training: A discrete choice experiment
Digital Health
title Undergraduate nursing students’ preferences for virtual reality simulations in nursing skills training: A discrete choice experiment
title_full Undergraduate nursing students’ preferences for virtual reality simulations in nursing skills training: A discrete choice experiment
title_fullStr Undergraduate nursing students’ preferences for virtual reality simulations in nursing skills training: A discrete choice experiment
title_full_unstemmed Undergraduate nursing students’ preferences for virtual reality simulations in nursing skills training: A discrete choice experiment
title_short Undergraduate nursing students’ preferences for virtual reality simulations in nursing skills training: A discrete choice experiment
title_sort undergraduate nursing students preferences for virtual reality simulations in nursing skills training a discrete choice experiment
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251339009
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