Virtual Reality in Paramedic Anatomy & Physiology Education; A Gimmick or a future teaching tool?

Healthcare practice is underpinned by a thorough understanding of Anatomy & Physiology (A&P), and an ability to link this into practice; be it for understanding patients' clinical presentations, their disease pathologies, treatment decisions, or for deciding to commence/cease resuscitation attempts.

Anatomy and Physiology is one of the first topics taught within all undergraduate Paramedic courses, with healthcare students able to identify the importance of A&P within their undergraduate education and future practice. However, it is often taught through a didactic, theory-based approach, making the theory seem removed from practice.

Virtual reality can provide an opportunity to enhance the student experience within A&P education, through developing an innovative, interactive learning environment, contextualizing theory to real life, and developing understanding through repetition.

This research demonstrates that VR technology can improve students perceived understanding of A&P, it is easy and intuative to use and provides an opportunity to develop a didactic topic, into an immersive, intertactive learning experience.