Abstract

Aims and Objectives: This study explored nursing students' views of using virtual reality in healthcare.

Background: The popularity and use of virtual reality in healthcare delivery and education is on the rise. Yet, the views of future nurses regarding this technology remain underexplored.

Design: This is a qualitative descriptive study guided by a naturalistic inquiry and reported using the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist.

Methods: Nursing students (n = 26) were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. They were first exposed to a virtual reality intervention aimed to enhance men's awareness of testicular diseases. This was attempted to familiarise participants with the technology and initiate conversations around its use in healthcare. Participants were then interviewed face-to-face, either individually or within focus groups. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Four themes were identified: (i) positive experiences of virtual reality; (ii) challenges to using virtual reality; (iii) settings where virtual reality can be implemented; and (iv) blue-sky and future applications of virtual reality. Participants described this technology as novel, enjoyable, mmersive, memorable and inclusive. They questioned, however, the suitability of virtual reality for older adults, reported minor technical difficulties and stressed the importance of prior preparation in the use of the technology. Virtual reality was recommended for use in outpatient healthcare settings, schools and the community. Participants suggested using virtual reality in health promotion, disease prevention and management, and to promote nurses' empathy towards patients.

Conclusions: Findings highlight the potential role of virtual reality in assisting nurses in promoting health and managing disease. Future research is needed to establish the long-term effect of virtual reality interventions among more diverse participants.

Relevance to clinical practice: Virtual reality can be implemented in outpatient, educational and community settings in order to promote health, prevent disease, enhance disease and self-management, and increase nurses' empathy towards patients.

Description

Dr. Saab is the recipient of the Sigma/Joan K. Stout, RN Research Grant, 2018-2019 cohort.

http://www.journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1935789315000701

Notes

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Author Details

Mohamad M. Saab, PhD, MSc, PGDTLHE, BSc, RGN1; Margaret Landers, PhD, MSc, Bsc, RNT, RGN1; David Murphy, PGDTLHE, BMus2; Billy O'Mahony, MSc, BSc1, 2; Eoghan Cooke, MSc, BA2; Michelle O'Driscoll, PhD, MPharm, BPharm, MPSI1,3; Josephine Hegarty, PhD, MSc, BSc, RNT, RGN1

1 School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork

2School of Computer Science and Information Technology, University College Cork

3School of Pharmacy, University College Cork

Sigma Membership

Omega Epsilon at-Large

Lead Author Affiliation

University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

Type

Article

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Descriptive/Correlational

Research Approach

Qualitative Research

Keywords:

Virtual Reality, Nursing Students, Delivery of Healthcare

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Version

Publisher's Version

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All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

External Review: Previously Published Material

Acquisition

Indexed from External Source (Per Creative Commons License)

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