Enhancing professional competency in clinical procedures using head-mounted display virtual reality - a mixed method study

BACKGROUND: The maintenance of nursing professional competency is essential to ensure patients’ health outcomes. With the current shortage of nursing workforce, a novel approach is necessary to refresh clinical skills and update practice. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of using head-mounted display virtual reality to refresh knowledge and skills and explore nurses’ perceptions towards using this technology for refresher training. DESIGN: A pre-test post-test mixed-method experimental design was employed. RESULTS: Participants (n = 88) were registered nurses with a diploma in nursing. The intravenous therapy and subcutaneous injection procedures were implemented using head-mounted display virtual reality. The study showed significant improvement in knowledge for the procedures, cognitive absorption, online readiness, self-directed learning, and motivation for learning. In the qualitative focus group discussions, three themes were identified using thematic analyses: enjoyable way to refresh clinical knowledge; learning outside classroom and limitations in maneuver. CONCLUSION: Using head-mounted display virtual reality is promising in refreshing clinical skills for nurses. Training and refresher courses can explore using this novel technology, which may be a viable alternative to ensure professional competence with reduced manpower and resources used by the healthcare institution.