International Journal of Biomedical Science and Research
Intention to Use Virtual Reality Technology for Clinical Training and its Predictors among Medical Students in Amhara Regional State Teaching Hospitals, Ethiopia, 2024: (UTUAT2) Model
Abstract
Birhan Wassie Tessfay, Ashenafi Fentahun Chanie, Wondosen Zemene, Aschale Wubete Abebe, Nebebe Demis Baykemagn, Berihun AlelegnEgigu, Adem Tsegaw Zegey, Eliyas Addisu Taye and Kassahun Dessie Gashu
Background: Virtual Reality (VR) technology has emerged as a powerful tool with great potential in medical education and training. Virtual reality offers unique opportunities for medical students to improve clinical skills know rare cases, improve patient safety and improve health outcomes. Despite the growing interest in virtual reality in medical education, the actual adoption and usage of this technology among medical students in Ethiopia remain relatively unexplored. Therefore, this study assesses the intention to use virtual reality technology for clinical training and its predictors among medical students in Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 25 to June 24, 2024, involving 946 medical students across seven teaching hospitals in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Participants were proportionally allocated to each hospital, and a computer-generated simple random sampling technique was used to select them. The data were collected in all teaching hospitals through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were done using statistical package for the social sciences version 27. The degree of association was assessed and validated using structural equation modeling using AMOS version 23.
Results: About 464(51.4%); 95% CI: [48.2–54.7] of participants have intention to use the Virtual reality technology for clinical training. Performance expectancy (β=0.13, 95% CI: [0.06–0.29], p-value<0.01), effort expectancy (β = 0.12, 95% CI: [0.05–0.24], p-value<0.01), hedonic motivation (β =0.14, 95% CI: [0.09–0.29], p-value<0.001), attitude (β=0.17, 95% CI [0.1- 0.33], p-value<0.001) and digital literacy (β=0.15, 95% CI: [0.10–0.33], p-value<0.01) had a positive relationship with intention to use virtual reality technology. In addition, attitude had a mediation effect between all constructs and BI to use. The r/p b/n hedonic motivation and intention to use virtual reality technology was moderated by gender.
Conclusion and Recommendation: About half of medical students have intention to use virtual reality technology for clinical training. Intervention on PE, EE, HM, ATT and DL had improved medical students’ intention to use virtual reality technology.