Use of virtual simulation-based training platform on thyroid ultrasonography in medical students: a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Virtual reality (VR) simulation has become a useful tool for students to develop clinical skills in medical schools. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effectiveness of VR simulation teaching thyroid ultrasonography skills in medical students. METHODS A total of 106 medical students who had finished basic medical courses were recruited and randomized to VR group and control group. All participants received 2 theoretical lessons, followed by a practical class. The control group had traditional PowerPoint (PPT) teaching to learn the thyroid ultrasonography process, while VR group studied the complete process via the VR simulation platform after PPT teaching. All students took a skill examination to evaluate their performance after two weeks. They were scored by 2 examiners who were blinded to group assignment on the global rating scale of ultrasonography, with a total score of 40 points for 8 components. A month later, all participants were required to complete the thyroid ultrasound examination on the VR platform. RESULTS Ninety-one students completed the program (VR group, n=47; control group, n=44). The score of VR group (median, 32.5; interquartile range [IQR], 29.5-35.0) outperformed the control group (median, 31.0; IQR, 27.5-33.0, p=0.028) on the global rating scale of thyroid ultrasound examination. Meanwhile, students in the VR group (mean score, 51.5; time, 16.2min) demonstrated better performance and less time than the control group (mean score, 44.3; time, 23.7min) when assessed in the VR platform. CONCLUSIONS The VR simulation platform of thyroid ultrasound examination showed promising results in improving medical students’ skills, making it an alternative or additional approach to traditional teaching patterns in medical education. CLINICALTRIAL ChiCTR2200064833