Enhancing Osteopathic Medical Education Through Cinematic Virtual Reality to Improve Geriatric Care Training

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether cinematic virtual reality (VR), an immersive and interactive learning tool, is more effective than traditional lectures in teaching osteopathic medical students about geriatric care. The study focuses on preparing future physicians to care for older adults with multiple chronic conditions and complex needs. It aims to compare student performance on a clinical skills assessment and explore their experiences with VR training to determine if it better prepares students for residency and improves their care skills. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive traditional lectures covering medication, mentation, mobility, nutrition, hydration, and osteopathic tenets in geriatric care. The other group will complete cinematic VR training featuring six episodes about an older adult facing multiple geriatric syndromes, disabilities, social needs, and vulnerability to elder abuse. This VR training highlights common medical errors and integrates osteopathic principles. Both groups will then take a Graduate Medical Education (GME) Readiness Assessment involving a simulated emergency department case. During the study, students' performances on the GME Readiness Assessment will be videotaped and graded blindly by osteopathic physicians. Researchers will analyze scores across core competencies such as professionalism, patient care, medical knowledge, and communication skills. Additionally, some VR participants will be interviewed about their training experience. The main outcome measured is the number of participants passing the GME Readiness Assessment within six weeks. The study is expected to start in April 2026 and conclude by June 2027.

Using Virtual Reality to Improve Medical Training