Possibilities of using virtual reality technologies in developing practical skills in otorhinolaryngology among students
Authors:   Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Soldatov Department of Otorhinolaryngology,  Samara State Medical University, Samara, 443099, Russia, Vladimirova T. Yu. , Chaplygin S. S. ,   Institute for Innovative Development,  Samara State Medical University, Samara, 443099, Russia, Rovnov S. V. ,   Institute for Innovative Development,  Samara State Medical University, Samara, 443099, Russia, Gubarev G. A. ,   Institute for Innovative Development,  Samara State Medical University, Samara, 443099, Russia, Korkina A. R. ,   Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Soldatov Department of Otorhinolaryngology,  Samara State Medical University, Samara, 443099, Russia
Published: February 2023

Introduction. The prospects for the use of virtual reality technologies are of great interest in the development of medicine. In this regard, innovative technologies are increasingly being used to train specialists in the healthcare system. The article deals with the problems of using virtual reality technologies in teaching students on the example of practicing the Maxillary sinus surgery skill. Materials and methods. In total, 280 students of the Samara State Medical University took part in the study, of which 70 people (25%) were students of the Institute of Pediatrics, 70 people (25%) were students of the Institute of Dentistry, and 140 people (50%) were students of the Institute of Clinical Medicine. During the study, the students were asked to complete a questionnaire twice, which assessed their confidence in performing the operation. Additionally, the students completed asurvey using the questionnaire “Assessment of the work of the Maxillary sinus surgery VR simulator.” Purpose of the study. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of the Maxillary sinus surgery VR simulator in teaching students in otorhinolaryngology. Results. According to the results of the survey, 96% of students positively assessed the compliance with the anatomical structure of the nose and paranasal sinuses of the Maxillary sinus surgery VR simulator. The average increase in points for students of all faculties during the implementation of the stage «Formation of access to the sinus» was 3 points. Students of all faculties have a rather high increase in the performance of the Suturing stage, and it was more than 3.5 points. Discussion. Previous studies have shown the positive impact of using VR technologies in education, given the increase in students’ motivation, the development of a set of specialized skills in a certain area in accordance with existing concepts for the development of modern education, including the field of digital transformation. The results obtained by us clearly show that the use of the Maxillary sinus surgery VR simulator in the educational process contributes to the formation of a better type of memorization of the material by students, which quite logically leads to higher results in the subsequent control of the acquired knowledge. Conclusions. On the basis of the study, the use of the Maxillary sinus surgery VR simulator is justified for the practical training of students in the study of the discipline Otorhinolaryngology, confirms its effectiveness for practicing practical skills, and ensures the realism of the implementation of the stages of the operation.