A pilot study to evaluate the usability of an immersive virtual reality application for medical training in acute appendicitis.

Autores

  • Iñigo Alzaga Manso Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Virtual Reality Platform, Plaza Cruces 12, 48903 Barakaldo, Bkaia, Spain. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6342-239X
  • Asier Legarreta Gaminde Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country EHU-UPV, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
  • Verónica Tíscar González Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Basurto University Hospital, Research & Innovation Service, Avenida Montevideo 18, 48013 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7071-0196
  • Itsaso Villanueva Ibero Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country EHU-UPV, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4386-2185
  • Edorta Ander Pérez García Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Plaza Cruces 12, 48903 Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0859-5163
  • Ane Arcaraz Arnaiz aculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country EHU-UPV, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2944-0621
  • Igor Alberdi San Román aculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country EHU-UPV, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6597-885X
  • Alberto Loizate Totaricaguena Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Plaza Cruces 12, 48903 Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0921-5994
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/edumed.688741
Palavras-chave: virtual reality, medical education, immersives technologies, immersive virtual reality, hospitals

Resumo

Introduction: Virtual reality (VR) is transforming medical education through didactic and interactive simulations of clinical cases. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) allows users to experience full immersion, creating the perception of being inside the simulated environment. Objective: To evaluate the usability of an IVR application designed for medical students’ training in an acute appendicitis case. Methods: A pilot study was conducted with 20 sixth-year medical students. A questionnaire has been developed to assess usability, acceptability, and user satisfaction with the technology. Each variable was analyzed independently. Results: All participants completed the simulation without technical issues. Only one participant (5%) reported feeling dizziness during the simulation. Participants manifested high levels of adaptation to handling the technology (95%) and understanding of the simulation panels and instructions (100%). There was strong acceptance of this technology for acquiring new knowledge (90%) and for the estimated time required to consolidate clinical knowledge using this intervention (75%). Conclusions: Although IVR is still in its early stages of development, it is establishing new educational opportunities in medical training.

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Publicado
16-12-2025
Como Citar
Alzaga Manso, I., Legarreta Gaminde, A., Tíscar González, V., Villanueva Ibero, I., Pérez García, E. A., Arcaraz Arnaiz, A., … Loizate Totaricaguena, A. (2025). A pilot study to evaluate the usability of an immersive virtual reality application for medical training in acute appendicitis. Revista Espanhola De Educação Médica, 6(6). https://doi.org/10.6018/edumed.688741