Effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students’ academic achievement in anatomy: systematic review

Abstract Introduction Virtual reality (VR) technology presents a promising alternative to medical education by creating an immersive and interactive learning environment. This research aimed to examine the effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students’ academic achievement in anatomy. Methods...

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Main Authors: Marzieh Alsadat Minouei, Athar Omid, Alireza Mirzaie, Hamid Mahdavifard, Alireza Rahimi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06402-1
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author Marzieh Alsadat Minouei
Athar Omid
Alireza Mirzaie
Hamid Mahdavifard
Alireza Rahimi
author_facet Marzieh Alsadat Minouei
Athar Omid
Alireza Mirzaie
Hamid Mahdavifard
Alireza Rahimi
author_sort Marzieh Alsadat Minouei
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Virtual reality (VR) technology presents a promising alternative to medical education by creating an immersive and interactive learning environment. This research aimed to examine the effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students’ academic achievement in anatomy. Methods This systematic review included 24 full-text articles in both Persian and English from 10 databases. The search focused on experimental, quasi-experimental, and descriptive studies published between May 28, 2000, and May 24, 2022. At least two researchers reviewed all studies. In cases of disagreement between the two, a third researcher reviewed the article and made the final decision. Results were analyzed according to the four-level Kirkpatrick model. Also, the modified Buckley checklist was used to assess the quality of the study. Results Twenty-four articles were included. Following Kirkpatrick’s levels of evaluation, Nineteen studies explored the first level of training effectiveness (reaction). Twenty-four studies examined the second level (learning). One study investigated the efficacy of education (behavior). No studies have investigated the fourth level (impact). Discussion This study argues that Virtual reality improves students’ academic progress and learning in medical anatomy when used as a supplementary way to other methods. However, experimental studies are recommended to investigate the impact of various factors on the efficacy of this method.
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issn 1472-6920
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
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series BMC Medical Education
spelling doaj-art-e1c65c8050e847f2b1f7e485b061b0392025-08-20T02:20:41ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202024-12-0124111510.1186/s12909-024-06402-1Effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students’ academic achievement in anatomy: systematic reviewMarzieh Alsadat Minouei0Athar Omid1Alireza Mirzaie2Hamid Mahdavifard3Alireza Rahimi4Department of Medical Education, Medical Education Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Education, Medical Education Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Education, Medical Education Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Education, Medical Education Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Library and Information Sciences, Health Information Technology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Introduction Virtual reality (VR) technology presents a promising alternative to medical education by creating an immersive and interactive learning environment. This research aimed to examine the effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students’ academic achievement in anatomy. Methods This systematic review included 24 full-text articles in both Persian and English from 10 databases. The search focused on experimental, quasi-experimental, and descriptive studies published between May 28, 2000, and May 24, 2022. At least two researchers reviewed all studies. In cases of disagreement between the two, a third researcher reviewed the article and made the final decision. Results were analyzed according to the four-level Kirkpatrick model. Also, the modified Buckley checklist was used to assess the quality of the study. Results Twenty-four articles were included. Following Kirkpatrick’s levels of evaluation, Nineteen studies explored the first level of training effectiveness (reaction). Twenty-four studies examined the second level (learning). One study investigated the efficacy of education (behavior). No studies have investigated the fourth level (impact). Discussion This study argues that Virtual reality improves students’ academic progress and learning in medical anatomy when used as a supplementary way to other methods. However, experimental studies are recommended to investigate the impact of various factors on the efficacy of this method.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06402-1AnatomyVirtual realityMedical student
spellingShingle Marzieh Alsadat Minouei
Athar Omid
Alireza Mirzaie
Hamid Mahdavifard
Alireza Rahimi
Effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students’ academic achievement in anatomy: systematic review
BMC Medical Education
Anatomy
Virtual reality
Medical student
title Effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students’ academic achievement in anatomy: systematic review
title_full Effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students’ academic achievement in anatomy: systematic review
title_fullStr Effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students’ academic achievement in anatomy: systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students’ academic achievement in anatomy: systematic review
title_short Effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students’ academic achievement in anatomy: systematic review
title_sort effectiveness of virtual reality on medical students academic achievement in anatomy systematic review
topic Anatomy
Virtual reality
Medical student
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06402-1
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