Exploring the Impact of the Use of Immersive Virtual Reality Interactive Experiences on Student Learning of Obstetrical Nursing

Abstract

Background: Virtual reality technology can improve traditional teaching methods by removing time and space constraints for learners, increasing learning interest, and promoting the potential for greater empathy and better communication skills in learners through immersion in the subjective experience of others from a first-person perspective.Methods: An immersive virtual reality obstetrical nursing learning system was constructed and applied to an obstetrical nursing curriculum. Qualitative interviews and feedback forms filled out by students were used to understand nursing students’ learning experiences and feelings about the application of VR interactive experiences to obstetrical nursing.Result: Most of the students found that the VR interactive experience could inspire empathy, enhance communication between patients and nurses, provide a stress-free learning environment, and increase interest and confidence in learning.Conclusion: The development of innovative VR learning materials will help students to overcome the constraints of time and space, and provide them with the opportunity to practice their skills in an immersive simulation should in-person classes be discontinued in response to emerging epidemics, thus facilitating learning continuity.