Can virtual reality improve orthopaedic surgical competence among orthopaedic residents and students? A systematic review.
Keywords:
virtual reality; orthopaedics; residency; education; medical studentsAbstract
Virtual reality simulated experiences (VRSE) offer a promising alternative to traditional orthopaedic training methods, which are often costly and place a significant financial strain on hospitals. As the medical community faces increasing demands for cost-effective, scalable, and durable educational systems, VRSE has the potential to revolutionise surgical instruction and enhance trainee engagement. To assess its effectiveness, a systematic review was conducted using a comprehensive search strategy via the NICE Healthcare Databases Advanced Search. Six randomised controlled trials involving 130 participants were included in the review, which was registered prospectively with PROSPERO (CRD42023463827). The findings indicated that VRSE may improve procedural completion rates and enhance key surgical skills, such as time efficiency, motion control, instrument handling, and knowledge retention. Despite these positive outcomes, current evidence remains insufficient to conclude that VRSE is an effective alternative to traditional educational methods. Further research is necessary to establish its long-term value in orthopaedic training.
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