VR in Undergraduate Anesthesia Training (NCT07079059) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
VR in Undergraduate Anesthesia Training
180 participantsStarted 2025-10-01
Plain-language summary
Medical students learning anesthesia often face challenges in gaining hands-on experience due to the complexity of the operating room environment. Traditional teaching methods, such as lectures and in-person training, can be inconsistent due to variations in clinical exposure and instructor availability. Virtual reality (VR) technology offers an innovative solution by allowing students to practice anesthesia-related skills in a risk-free, immersive environment. This study will evaluate whether VR simulation training can better prepare third-year medical students for their anesthesia rotation compared to traditional methods. Students will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one will receive VR training before their rotation, while the other will follow the standard curriculum without VR. To assess the effectiveness of VR training, all students will complete pre- and post-rotation surveys measuring their confidence in anesthesia principles, procedural skills, and overall preparedness. Additionally, faculty will use a standardized checklist to evaluate students' performance on key anesthesia procedures during their clinical rotations. By comparing students who received VR training to those who did not, this study will determine if VR can improve knowledge retention, skill development, and confidence in real clinical settings. If successful, VR technology could enhance anesthesia education and provide new training opportunities for medical students, including those in remote or resource-limited settings.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Enrolled as a third-year medical student in the Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) program at Western University (Schulich School of Medicine \& Dentistry).
* Scheduled to complete a two-week anesthesia rotation at one of the affiliated teaching hospitals:
* London: Victoria Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital, or University Hospital
* Windsor: Metropolitan Campus or Ouellette Campus
* Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent.
* Able to complete pre- and post-rotation assessments (self-assessment surveys and procedural skills checklist) administered in the English language.
* 18 years of age or older
Exclusion Criteria:
* Prior clinical anesthesia experience before their core anesthesia rotation, including: Participation in an Optional Clinical Learning Opportunity (OCLO) in anesthesia. Completion of a summer elective or placement in anesthesia. Completion of an anesthesia selective before their core anesthesia rotation.
* Previous exposure to the VR training platform used in the study (e.g., prior experience with the specific VR simulation software for anesthesia training).
* Students who do not consent to participate in the study or do not wish to be randomized into either the VR or control group.
* Students unable to complete the study assessments in the English language, including: Pre- and post-rotation surveys. Observer-completed procedural skills checklist (during clinical rotations).
* Medical or personal conditions…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Impact of virtual reality (VR) simulation on the confidence, preparedness, and procedural skill performance of third-year medical students during their anesthesia rotation.
Timeframe: Period of 2 weeks during the students' Anesthesia rotation
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07079059
SponsorLondon Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's