The future of virtual reality in simulation training for nurses at workplaces: A literature review
Villman, Noora; Anamthuruhtil Cheriyan, Vivek (2020)
2020
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020113025083
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020113025083
Tiivistelmä
Today, there is an acute shortage of competent nurses around the world. As technology
advances at a rapid pace, virtual reality (VR) has entered the market to train nurses both
in schools and in the workplace. This thesis focused on virtual reality-based simulations
for nurses at the workplace and was carried out as a literature review. Three research
questions were set: What are the advantages and disadvantages of VR simulations for
nurses at workplaces, and what does the future look like ten years from now? The material was collected using Arcada Libguides databases and Google Scholar from 2009-
2020. Fifteen studies were finally selected for the literature review that dealt with nonimmersive virtual reality, i.e., a virtual reality created without a head-mounted set, as well as
virtual reality made with a headset. Patricia Benner's From Novice to Expert theory and
Kurt Squire's Designed Experience theory were used as the theoretical framework for the
literature review.
Based on the results of the literature review, it became clear that VR simulations are an
effective way to teach nurses new skills, as well as retaining them. One of the best aspects of VR simulations is the realistic environment that combines hands-on skills and
knowledge. Many nurses find it fun and enhancing learner autonomy. VR hardware also
comes cheaper in the long run than traditional simulation and is easy to access. However,
VR simulations can cause motion sickness and nausea to the user. One of its major disadvantages is also that it storages large amounts of data, and it needs constant upgrading. A
single VR device is also expensive.
In the future, VR simulations for nurses at workplaces are expected to increase and will
be used, for example, on standard testing of the staff. Advances in technology make it
possible to create avatars in the system so that the whole multi-professional team could
participate in the simulation together. Verbal interaction between individuals within the
simulation is also thought to be possible in the near future. VR hardware is also thought
to become cheaper as its use becomes more widespread, and new products enter the market.
advances at a rapid pace, virtual reality (VR) has entered the market to train nurses both
in schools and in the workplace. This thesis focused on virtual reality-based simulations
for nurses at the workplace and was carried out as a literature review. Three research
questions were set: What are the advantages and disadvantages of VR simulations for
nurses at workplaces, and what does the future look like ten years from now? The material was collected using Arcada Libguides databases and Google Scholar from 2009-
2020. Fifteen studies were finally selected for the literature review that dealt with nonimmersive virtual reality, i.e., a virtual reality created without a head-mounted set, as well as
virtual reality made with a headset. Patricia Benner's From Novice to Expert theory and
Kurt Squire's Designed Experience theory were used as the theoretical framework for the
literature review.
Based on the results of the literature review, it became clear that VR simulations are an
effective way to teach nurses new skills, as well as retaining them. One of the best aspects of VR simulations is the realistic environment that combines hands-on skills and
knowledge. Many nurses find it fun and enhancing learner autonomy. VR hardware also
comes cheaper in the long run than traditional simulation and is easy to access. However,
VR simulations can cause motion sickness and nausea to the user. One of its major disadvantages is also that it storages large amounts of data, and it needs constant upgrading. A
single VR device is also expensive.
In the future, VR simulations for nurses at workplaces are expected to increase and will
be used, for example, on standard testing of the staff. Advances in technology make it
possible to create avatars in the system so that the whole multi-professional team could
participate in the simulation together. Verbal interaction between individuals within the
simulation is also thought to be possible in the near future. VR hardware is also thought
to become cheaper as its use becomes more widespread, and new products enter the market.