Students studying diagnostic radiography now have the benefit of using virtual reality (VR) training environments to practice a range of techniques in a realistic manner and achieve clinical competencies that they were unable to complete whilst out on placement.
The medspace.VR suite at the University of Hertfordshire (UoH) allows 120 year one students to access a realistic VR digital x-ray room, and 110 year twos are benefitting from the CT scanner and C-arm (operating theatre) environment, including full intuitive interaction with the patient and equipment.
Gaynor Lawson Jones, senior lecturer of diagnostic radiography at UoH, commented, “The feedback from students has been very positive so far, even from mature students who have little or no computer gaming experience.”
Students noted that “It was good to practice radiographic projections that I am not confident to perform in real clinical situations. I get to try without exposing patients.”