Virtual reality meets ENT : a low-cost high-fidelity teaching course for peritonsillar abscess drainage
Mccormick, Maisie Jegatheeswaran, Lavandan Homer-Vanniasinkam, Shervanthi Karamchandani, Dheeraj
Mccormick, Maisie
Jegatheeswaran, Lavandan
Homer-Vanniasinkam, Shervanthi
Karamchandani, Dheeraj
Affiliation
University of Warwick, Coventry; University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust; South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
Other Contributors
Publication date
2025-07-30
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Abstract
Background: This pilot randomised controlled trial evaluated virtual reality as a supplementary teaching tool for peritonsillar abscess drainage among third year medical students.
Methods: Twenty students were randomised to virtual reality-based or traditional teaching, each receiving a 90-minute session followed by an objective structured clinical examination and pre-/post-session knowledge tests. The virtual reality group used HTC Vive Focus 3 headsets with Virti, 3D Organon and EXR platforms.
Results: The virtual reality group scored higher in objective structured clinical examinations (26.9 vs. 21.5; p = 0.005) and reported greater procedural confidence (p = 0.008) and engagement (p = 0.003). Both groups improved knowledge (p < 0.001) without significant difference post-session (p = 0.701). Virtual reality was rated highly for effectiveness (9.6/10) and immersion (8.5/10) and had minimal cybersickness (1.8/10).
Conclusion: Virtual reality significantly enhances procedural confidence and performance. Its immersive format supports integration into surgical education, warranting further validation in larger studies.
Citation
McCormick M, Jegatheeswaran L, Homer-Vanniasinkam S, Karamchandani D. Virtual reality meets ENT: a low-cost high-fidelity teaching course for peritonsillar abscess drainage. J Laryngol Otol. 2025 Jul 30:1-6. doi: 10.1017/S0022215125102983. Epub ahead of print.
Type
Article