'Sorry doctor..I didn't hear that. phenomenological analysis of medical students' experiences of simulated hearing impairment through virtual reality
Introduction Hearing impairment is a common condition that can have a significant impact on an individual. Ineffective communication between such individuals and doctors remains an important barrier. There is a need to provide medical students with a deeper understanding of such challenges. Increasingly, simulation is being used to develop empathy skills. In this study, we aimed to seek a deep understanding of medical students' experiences of being placed in the role of a hearing impaired patient by means of a virtual reality (VR) simulation. Methods A multidisciplinary group developed a 360deg VR video learning experience. This experience portrayed a consultation with a doctor from a hearing impaired individual's perspective. A qualitative study approach, using hermeneutic phenomenology, was conducted. Following the VR experience, students were interviewed, and transcripts of interviews were analysed using a Template Analysis approach. Results Analysis yielded four main themes: (1) 'much more than just watching a video' a VR experience of hearing impairment; (2) 'hearing through their ears' experiencing a person's world with hearing impairment; (3) 'not just what you can't hear..but how it makes you feel' reactions evoked by a VR hearing impairment experience and (4) redirecting my future professional self? Discussion This study provides an insight into medical students' experiences of a novel VR hearing impairment simulation. VR simulation has the potential to provide a novel complementary training method for medical students. By providing an immersive learning experience, VR can offer an empathic stepping into the ears of those that live with hearing impairment.
BMJ Simulation Technology Enhanced Learning