Virtual Simulation in Nursing Education: Headset Virtual Reality and Screen-based Virtual Simulation Offer A Comparable Experience

• Published in: Clinical simulation in nursing Vol. 79; pp. 61 - 74
• Main Authors: Azher, Sayed, Cervantes, Amanda, Marchionni, Caroline, Grewal, Keerat, Marchand, Hugo, Harley, Jason M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.06.2023
• Subjects: cognitive load; emotions; nursing education; screen-based simulation; simulation; usability; virtual reality; virtual simulation; virtual reality; cognitive load; usability; emotions; simulation; screen-based simulation; virtual simulation; nursing education
• ISSN: 1876-1399; 1876-1402
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecns.2023.02.009

•Screen- and headset-based virtual simulation modalities yield similar performance.•Screen- and headset-based virtual simulation modalities have comparable usability.•Screen- and headset-based virtual simulation modalities require similar mental load.•Screen- and headset-based virtual simulation modalities foster similar emotions. Simulations have become widely used in health care education to enhance learner preparedness. Virtual simulations, both screen- or headset-based, provide nursing students with the ability and flexibility to practice patient care at their convenience and obtain valuable automatic feedback before treating patients. While cheaper than in-person simulations and effective in teaching students, limited work exists to provide guidance concerning which modality type (screen-based or headset) offers an optimal interactive learning experience. We compared nursing students’ (n = 29) performance (Oxford Medical Simulation software-generated score), ratings of usability (system usability scale and handheld augmented reality usability scale), cognitive load demands (Leppink's cognitive load scale), and emotions (medical emotions scale) between the two modalities, while keeping the virtual simulation constant. Both modalities yielded statistically comparable results in performance scores, usability, cognitive resources, and emotional experiences as determined by statistical analysis. Results suggest that nursing students have similar experiences and benefits from using headset and screen-based virtual simulation modalities. Therefore, educators have the flexibility to choose between screen-based and headset modalities for virtual simulation training.