The Past, Present, and Future of Virtual Reality in Pharmacy Education

Abstract

Objective. To characterize how virtual reality (VR) has been and is being used in pharmacy education, and evaluate the projected utility of VR technology in pharmacy education in the future. Findings. Virtual reality technology has been used in pharmacy education for many years to provide engaging learning experiences. Although these learning experiences were not available in the threedimensional digital environments provided by current VR, they demonstrated improvements in learning. Recent technological advancements have substantially increased the potential usefulness of VR for pharmacy education by providing immersive educational activities that mimic real world experiences to reinforce didactic and laboratory concepts. Virtual reality training that uses head-mounted displays is just beginning in pharmacy education, but more educational VR programs are becoming available. Further research will be necessary to fully understand the potential impact of VR on pharmacy education. Summary. Virtual reality technology can provide an immersive and interactive learning environment, overcoming many of the early challenges faced by instructors who used virtual activities for pharmacy education. With further technological and software development, VR has the potential to become an integral part of pharmacy education.

Virtual reality applications toward medical field

“…This technology is a better way of improving surgical skill and solving different complex problems. 6,7 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2019.12.010 Received 22 November 2019; Received in revised form 9 December 2019; Accepted 19 December 2019 VR is an innovative method of training for the medical group. It can be used for a range of diseases in providing adequate medical communication.…”

“…A surgeon can now perform simulation-based training in a controlled environment as it guides doctors and surgeon to handle a difficult situation. 7,18 In orthopaedics, it is helpful to guide and give the proper movement of fingers and arms. It is a smart way for the treatment and solution of pain.…”

Introducing Augmented Reality Technology to Enhance Learning in Pharmacy Education: A Pilot Study

“…In the health and education sectors, the growing use of immersive technologies, such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), have generated new opportunities to enhance the development of clinical and communication skills of students as well as the way in which they learn [ 1 , 2 ]. While VR immerses the learner in a virtual world from where they cannot see the surrounding real world, AR superimposes computer-assisted virtual objects such as pictures, videos, text or animations into the real world creating a reality for the learner that is enhanced or augmented [ 3 ].…”

“…Thus AR supplements reality rather than completely replacing it [ 4 ]. It has been suggested that using AR for learning enables students to have a more absorbing and engaging environment without the loss of real world experiences [ 2 , 5 ].…”

“…AR technologies for learning have been successfully implemented in medical, nursing, and dentistry education as well as a variety of other allied health disciplines [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Similarly, media resource Pharmacy Times developed an AR application that reveals extra content when readers scan the pages [ 2 ]. However, as yet, there is limited evidence on the use of AR technology in pharmacy teaching and learning.…”