Virtual reality in anatomy education: advantages and challenges

• Main Authors: Yusof, Nurul Asyiqin, Zamli, Zaitunnatakhin, Wan Salleh, Wan Muhamad Salahudin, Che Azemin, Mohd Zulfaezal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UPM 2022
• Subjects: QM Human anatomy
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/103951/2/103951_Virtual%20reality%20in%20anatomy%20education%20advantages%20and%20challenges.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/103951/; https://medic.upm.edu.my/jurnal_kami/volume_18_2022-14249?L=en
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Introduction: Anatomy education has evolved throughout the centuries. In the latest decade, anatomy educators encountered different challenges from limited number of cadavers, high-priced anatomical plastination and models. Recent COVID-19 pandemic has inevitably mold future anatomy pedagogy to better-adapt with the current digital-savvy generation. Despite the emergence of virtual reality (VR) in anatomy teaching & learning (T&L), there is limited comparative analysis being explored. Hence, this study aims to elucidate the advantages and challenges using VR in anatomy education. Methods: A narrative review was conducted for this study. Research question was formulated and bibliographical search performed using Scopus and Science Direct databases. Experimental studies published between 2010-2022, in English language, discussing on application, advantages or disadvantages of VR in anatomy and medical T&L were analysed. Results: A total of twenty-four research articles were retrieved. The literatures suggest VR in anatomy education is beneficial as it is more realistic, hands-on, enhances visualization and enjoyable self-learning tool that increases leaners’ engagement. This is especially in low-spatial ability learners that has difficulty to visualize the location and dimension of anatomical structures. VR may improve teaching effectiveness and level of anatomy knowledge. However, the disadvantages are high-cost equipment and risk of tools malfunction. Some experiencing extraneous cognitive load in learning new modalities, motion-sickness, and headache after using VR headgear. Conclusion: The advantages of VR in anatomy education are extensive and outweigh the challenges. As VR devices are more affordable, the current challenge has moved to exploring ways to utilize this advancement in anatomy teaching effectively.