Virtual Reality in Preclinical and Clinical Education—An Insight into Current Advancements and Future Perspectives
Source abstract
Abstract
This review examines the current state of virtual reality (VR) applications in preclinical and clinical medical education, emphasizing their impact on teaching effectiveness and clinical competence. A structured literature analysis was conducted to evaluate VR-based educational strategies across key medical domains, including anatomy, biochemistry, histology, surgery, emergency medicine, neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, and rehabilitation. The reviewed studies demonstrate that VR enhances procedural performance, improves knowledge retention, strengthens diagnostic accuracy, and supports the acquisition of non-technical skills such as communication and teamwork. VR applications were also shown to reduce patient anxiety and pain during clinical procedures and improve engagement in rehabilitation programs. Despite persisting challenges such as cost, accessibility, and technical limitations, current evidence supports the growing role of VR as an effective, scalable, and safe educational and clinical tool. This review highlights critical opportunities for integrating VR into medical curricula and outlines future research directions aimed at optimizing its implementation in healthcare education.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts · Pediatric Pain Management Techniques · Surgical Simulation and Training
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Correct, Clinical and Imaging Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 4, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
Department of Surgical Oncology, St. John’s Cancer Center, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
Department of Machine Design and Mechatronics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 36, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
Institute of Medical Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1H Street, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
References (100+)
Show source-provided references
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