Abstract:

Today, virtual reality (VR) technology is increasingly being used in healthcare education and practice. Studies in the literature show that using VR technology in surgical training enhances the traditional education environments and improves learning and skill. However, in order to get benefits from the VR technologies, effectiveness of different user experiences for different situations are very important. Accordingly, this study aims to better understand how the user experience affects the performance of the trainees in a VR-based surgical training environment. For this purpose, a surgical simulation scenario including 10 tasks is developed in two versions by using the VR technology. One of these versions is designed by providing an interaction with the VR controllers. On the other hand, another version is developed by providing an interaction through the trainees’ own naked hands. Then, two randomized group of students asked to perform the VR tasks in one of these scenarios. Finally, their performance is analysed and their preferences on both UX design alternatives were discussed. The results of this study aimed to help surgical educators and instructional system designers to better address the importance of UX design in technology-enhanced learning environments for the surgical education programs as well as for any VR based experiences.

Keywords:

Surgical training, virtual reality, user experience.