Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
The goal of this randomized controlled trial was to learn whether a hybrid telemedicine curriculum that combines virtual-reality (VR) simulation with interactive live-streamed neurosurgical cases improves neurosurgical intentionality and clinical decision-making in fourth-year medical students whose clerkships were disrupted by COVID-19. It also assessed technical skills, theoretical knowledge, and student experience. The main questions it aimed to answer were:
Does the 4-week hybrid model (VR + live cases) produce greater gains in neurosurgical intentionality and decision-making than traditional online videos and readings? Does the hybrid model improve VR technical skill performance and student satisfaction without harming theoretical knowledge? Researchers randomized 112 students 1:1 to the hybrid intervention (15 h VR neuroanatomy/procedures + 20 h live-streamed surgeries/ICU rounds + real-time Q&A) or a time-matched control group (pre-recorded videos, textbook readings, asynchronous forums).
Participants in both groups:
Completed 40 hours of remote content over 4 weeks Were tested at baseline and post-course on intentionality (modified Zwisch scale), decision-making (neurosurgery-specific SCT), 50-item MCQ knowledge, and VR proficiency metrics Joined focus groups and rated satisfaction on a 5-point Likert scale
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental |
| |
| Control group | No Intervention |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VR Simulation (15 hours)+Live-Streamed Neurosurgical Procedures (20 hours)+Live-Streamed Neurocritical Care Rounds (5 hours) | Other |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Neurosurgical Intentionality | Neurosurgical Intentionality: Intervention group post-intervention scores were compared with controls, the higer the score, the better the outcome | 4 weeks |
| Clinical decision-making score | Clinical Decision-Making Score Range: 24-120 points (5-point Likert, 24 items) Levels: 24-48 = low 49-84 = moderate 85-120 = high The higher the score, the better the outcome | 4 weeks |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Knowledge | These comprised of theoretical knowledge with 50-item multiple-choice-questions (MCQ) exam on neuroanatomy, pathology, and surgical indications ,the higer the score, the better the outcome | 4 weeks |
| Technical Skill Performance score |
Not provided
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West China Hospital | Chengdu | Sichuan | China |
Protocol
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
|
Technical Skill Performance with VR proficiency metrics such as time to completion, anatomical accuracy, and instrument error rate from NeuroVR's built-in assessment tool. The higer the score,the better the outcome |
| 4 weeks |
| Student experience score | Student experience using semi-structured focus groups such as 6 groups of 8-10 students/group and reflective journals, analyzed via Braun & Clarke's thematic analysis ; and satisfaction using 12-item Likert scale (1=strongly dissatisfied to 5=strongly satisfied) measuring curriculum relevance, engagement, and skill development. The higher the score, the better the outcome | 4 weeks |