Enhancing Osteopathic Medical Education Through Cinematic Virtual Reality
Ohio University
Summary
As the U.S. population ages, future physicians must be prepared to care for older adults with multiple health conditions and complex needs. This study will test whether cinematic virtual reality (VR)-an immersive, interactive learning tool-is more effective than traditional lectures in helping medical students learn about geriatric care. Students who complete the VR training will experience realistic patient scenarios that show what can go wrong in medical care and learn how to apply osteopathic principles to improve outcomes. Researchers will compare students' performance on a clinical skills assessment and explore their experiences with the VR training. The goal is to determine whether cinematic virtual reality can better prepare students for residency and improve their ability to provide compassionate, high-quality care for older adults.
Description
Background: The United States population is aging. With this demographic shift, more older adults will be living with chronic conditions and geriatric syndromes. To prepare the next generation of osteopathic physicians for this aging population, we need to provide training that captures the complexity of geriatric care. Cinematic virtual reality may be an innovative approach to teaching osteopathic medical students about the complexity of care in older adults. Prior research shows cinematic virtual reality's effectiveness in increasing empathy, improving attitudes toward chronic disease, reduc…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: able to read and speak English, are age 18 years and older, and are a medical student enrolled at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year. \- Exclusion Criteria: unable to read and speak English, 17 years or younger, and are not a medical student enrolled at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year. \-
Interventions
- BehavioralCinematic Virtual Reality Training
The participants randomly assigned to the cinematic virtual reality training will view 6 virtual reality episodes of an older adult, Mr. Chen, with multiple geriatric syndromes, chronic health conditions, disabilities, and significant social needs, who is also vulnerable to elder abuse and neglect. The content will cover medication, mentation, mobility, what matters most for older adults, nutrition and hydration, and osteopathic tenets.
- BehavioralTraditional Didactic Lecture
Participants randomized to the traditional didactic lecture will receive a lecture on geriatric care that includes medication, mentation, mobility, what matters most for older adults, nutrition and hydration, and osteopathic tenets.
Location
- Ohio UniversityAthens, Ohio