We’re Virtually There: Providing Health Sciences Education and Wellness Through Virtual Reality Experiences

Background: The purpose of the two projects described in this presentation are to:
1) Host a shared virtual reality space at a health sciences library for use by students, faculty and staff.
2) Increase access to new and existing virtual reality learning experiences to facilitate highly experiential education in the health and information sciences.
3) Familiarize health sciences students with ethical research data management best practices through the use of a virtual reality-based escape room.
4) Promote wellness and relaxation through the use of immersive virtual reality experiences.

Description: Faculty librarians at a health sciences library designed two innovative approaches for incorporating virtual reality (VR) experiences in health sciences education. The first project involves using VR to develop an escape room that introduces players to research data management principles and best practices. The second project incorporates curriculum-based VR experiences developed for the university’s undergraduate medical students and makes them available through a public space in the health sciences library. The library is centrally located on campus and is open extended hours, allowing for increased access to the VR experiences. Additionally, because burnout and stress are common in the health sciences, relaxation experiences are also available for use. Both projects included partnerships with the university's School of Computer and Cyber Sciences. One project also included a collaboration XXX State University's Department of Software Engineering and Game Design and Development.

Conclusion: All modules of the escape room are available for use on a regular computer, and one complete module has been deployed via virtual reality, with plans to develop the remaining modules. The game was well-received and received positive feedback from students who piloted it. The equipment for the virtual reality space in the library is on site, and the space is almost ready to open.

Students benefit from and enjoy engaging with highly experiential learning using virtual reality. VR can be leveraged to teach concepts such as data management principles as well as empathy for patients with chronic conditions. Implementing VR takes time and dedication from members of a multidisciplinary team, but it is worth the investment.