End of Life Virtual Reality Training: Medical Student Increased Empathic Ability
Abstract Introduction It is unclear if medical student empathy declines by third year of clinical rotation trainings. Desensitization throughout the first two years may lead to decreases in empathy as a coping mechanism to avoid burnout in the clinical years. This study determined if self-assessed empathy increased after conducting an Embodied Labs, Inc. end of life virtual reality (VR) experience. Methods Mixed methods, quantitative/qualitative, research were applied for University of New England (UNE) College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) 2nd year medical students (N=174). They completed the 3-part 30 minute Clay Lab VR experience. UNE IRB approved pre/post-tests focused on empathy. Data were collected using RedCap. Closed questions were analyzed applying frequency analysis and paired-sample t-test through excel. Open-ended questions were analyzed through N-VIVO 12+. Results The data included pre/post-tests from 146 students volunteers. Results indicated statistical significance (P=.01) in all closed questions except for question 7 (What is your view of conducting a full code on a patient with a DNR? (P=.14). The greatest difference seen between pre (23.97% agree or strongly agree) and post-test (64.38% agree or strongly agree) data was for question 3 (I gained knowledge about what hospice is by embodying Clay in this virtual reality lab); P= .00. Three qualitative themes included: Impact, Empathy, EOL Knowledge. Conclusion This VR Lab experience increased self-assessed empathy at the time of Clay Lab completion; however, enduring empathy and learning about hospice/EOL has not been measured. Further research is suggested to determine the longitudinal impact of virtual reality education.