HealthDecember 06, 2024

The power of VR in medical education showcased at Meta XR Innovation Day

vrClinicals for Nursing, showcased at Meta XR Innovation Day, highlights VR’s role in providing immersive learning experiences for nursing students.

The power of VR in medical education showcased at Meta XR Innovation Day

Imagine a classroom or sim lab at a nursing school where students can practice patient interactions and medical procedures without stepping into a hospital. Welcome to the world of virtual reality (VR) in healthcare education, where immersive technology intersects with nursing education to create groundbreaking learning environments. 

VR technology bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-life practice. Students are transported into virtual hospital settings where they can hone their skills in patient care, clinical decision-making, and emergency response—all in a setting where they can learn from mistakes. Virtual reality is redefining healthcare education by providing immersive learning experiences that link theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Institutions that adopt VR technology, such as vrClinicals for Nursing, which was co-developed by Wolters Kluwer and Laerdal Medical, are positioning themselves at the forefront of educational innovation. 

Wolters Kluwer, Meta and industry innovators showcase VR’s future

Recently, Wolters Kluwer was invited by Meta to present at their Healthcare Education XR Event in New York City, showcasing the power of vrClinicals for Nursing. The event was an exclusive gathering of educational professionals and tech innovators who are pushing this technology forward with real-world applications. Wolters Kluwer Health was one of only four software vendors invited, underscoring our leadership and commitment to VR for nursing education. 

To share in the excitement and opportunities of how VR is already part of the nursing education landscape, the Wolters Kluwer team was joined by representatives from the University of Rochester, Villanova University, and North Carolina Central University. I also had the pleasure of teaming up with Kaitlyn Picard from the University of Rochester to share insights on implementing VR in nursing education through a dynamic Q&A session.

In the realm of healthcare education, building visibility and fostering relationships are crucial for sustaining innovation and progress. The Meta Healthcare Education XR Event in New York City provided Wolters Kluwer Health with a platform to advance these connections within the industry. This event marked a pivotal moment in expanding interest in the potential of VR to transform educational methodologies. 

It is crucial that we find ways to help move students forward in their education. By enhancing the students’ learning experience, it can ultimately improve patient outcomes and help safely fill gaps that the nursing workforce is currently facing.
Dr. Tina Scott Lecturer, Simulation Lab Coordinator at North Carolina Central University

Technology’s role in addressing challenges in nursing education

Nursing schools face numerous challenges, including limited clinical sites and faculty shortages. VR offers a compelling solution by providing scalable, immersive training that prepares students for real-world scenarios. With vrClinicals, students can practice making critical decisions in complex situations, building their confidence and competence.

VR scenarios present students with unfolding, multi-patient cases that demand prioritization and quick decision-making. These experiences are invaluable in helping students master clinical judgment skills, which are essential for effective patient care.

It is impossible to teach everything in the classroom, so technologies, like VR, can help bridge the didactic to clinical gap when used in flexible learning environments. To implement these technologies in your nursing program you must have buy in from both faculty and students. You need to make it easy for the faculty to learn and use, all while being aligned to the curriculum. Students need to know how it helps them prepare for the real world and how it can build on their learnings experience.
Kaitlyn Picard, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing and Instructional Design Coordinator at the University of Rochester

While technical prowess and clinical knowledge are crucial components of nursing, the significance of soft skills cannot be overstated. Nursing is inherently a people-oriented profession, demanding a high level of interpersonal engagement and empathetic communication. Combining these VR technologies alongside AI offers profound enhancements in healthcare education by enabling interactive and personalized learning experiences.

The future of nursing education is poised to be revolutionized by introducing technologies like Conversational AI into Virtual Reality. For healthcare educators, enabling their nursing students to practice communication is crucial for the effectiveness of their learning, particularly in critical areas such as provide therapeutic communication to patients, conveying difficult information, and developing a rapport with patients. By harnessing the potential of AI, we are empowering nursing students to engage in dynamic, real-time patient interactions, enabling them to learn, adapt, and respond with the empathy, expertise, and confidence needed in real-world healthcare settings.
Suraj Bhagat, Product Software Engineering at Wolters Kluwer

Find out how the University of Rochester is implementing nursing education technology throughout their programs, by checking out this case study.

This space is evolving at a rapid pace, and it is going to be interesting to see what comes next! Be sure to join us on this journey. 

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