경희대학교 (Kyung Hee University)
Evaluation of a metahuman-based interactive learning program for maternal nursing assessment
in nursing students
To evaluate the effects of a Metahuman-based virtual pregnant woman (VPW) education program on nursing students' communication competence, nursing assessment competence, patient encounter burden, learning engagement, educational satisfaction, and learning interest. Sixty-six nursing students from a university in South Korea were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group underwent nursing assessments and documentation through conversations with a VPW, whereas the control group received video-based instruction. The pre- and post-intervention surveys measured six outcome variables. Open-ended questions were included to explore the learning experiences. The experimental group showed a within-group reduction in patient encounter burden (t −3.89, p < .010), although no significant between-group differences were observed in the primary outcomes. Learning interest was higher in the experimental group (t = 2.39, p = .019). Open-ended responses indicated enhanced self-reflection, emotional involvement, and a sense of realism in the learning experience. Despite the short intervention period, the VPW program demonstrated value as a supplemental digital learning tool, particularly in promoting emotional engagement and reflective learning. Although quantitative effects were modest and between-group differences were limited, the qualitative findings highlight the potential of Metahuman-based simulations to enhance learner immersion in maternal nursing education.
Development and evaluation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation nursing education program for nursing students using virtual reality
This study developed and evaluated a virtual reality (VR)–based extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) nursing education program for fourth-year nursing students to enhance learning in the context of limited clinical exposure during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the ADDIE model, the researchers created a VR simulation covering key ECMO nursing processes and tested its effectiveness with an equivalent control group pretest–posttest design involving 66 students. Although the VR program did not produce statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in ECMO knowledge, confidence, or clinical reasoning over time, it significantly improved learning immersion and learning satisfaction in the experimental group. These findings suggest that VR-based ECMO education is a valuable complementary teaching method that enhances students’ engagement and satisfaction, with potential benefits if applied repeatedly or integrated with other simulation and lecture-based approaches.
Development and evaluation of a virtual reality mechanical ventilation education program for nursing students
This study aimed to develop and evaluate a virtual reality (VR)–based mechanical ventilation education program for nursing students in response to limited clinical practice opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mechanical ventilation nursing requires advanced knowledge, rapid clinical judgment, and repeated practice; however, traditional clinical training has become increasingly restricted due to patient safety concerns and infection control measures. To address this gap, the researchers designed a VR simulation program that allowed nursing students to safely experience realistic mechanical ventilation scenarios, including alarm management and clinical decision-making. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study compared nursing students who participated in the VR simulation program with those who received conventional video-based education. The results demonstrated that the VR-based education significantly improved self-efficacy, clinical reasoning capacity, learning immersion, and learning satisfaction among nursing students, although no significant difference in knowledge was observed between groups. These findings suggest that VR simulation is an effective educational strategy for enhancing nursing competencies related to mechanical ventilation, particularly in situations where direct clinical practice is limited.
Development and evaluation of virtual reality simulation education based on coronavirus disease 2019 scenario for nursing students: A pilot study
This pilot study examined the development and effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) simulation program based on a COVID-19 clinical scenario for fourth-year nursing students. Using a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group pre-test–posttest design, the study evaluated the program’s effects on knowledge of respiratory infectious diseases, self-efficacy, clinical reasoning capacity, and learning satisfaction. Sixty-five nursing students participated, with the experimental group receiving VR simulation education in addition to prerequisite learning, while the control group received lecture-based education only. Although both groups showed significant improvements over time in knowledge, self-efficacy, and clinical reasoning, there were no statistically significant differences between groups for these outcomes. However, learning satisfaction was significantly higher in the VR simulation group. The findings suggest that VR simulation is a valuable educational approach that enhances student engagement and satisfaction, and it has potential as a complementary method to traditional nursing education, particularly when direct clinical practice is limited during infectious disease pandemics.