As healthcare education evolves, it is crucial to understand the unique needs and preferences of the current generation of students, particularly Gen Z. This group has grown up in a digital world, and their expectations for immersive, interactive, and technology-driven learning experiences are shaping the future of education across all fields, including healthcare.

Below, Yasith Weerasuriya, President of Stanbridge University, explores the nuances of Gen Z’s learning style, the limitations of traditional methods, and the advantages that VR brings to the table in reshaping healthcare education.

Understanding Gen Z in Healthcare Education

Gen Z, generally defined as individuals born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s, has grown up in a world dominated by technology. This generation is often characterized by their digital fluency, having been exposed to the internet, smartphones, and social media from a young age. Their learning preferences reflect their comfort with technology, with an emphasis on interactive and visual content over traditional methods like dense textbooks and lectures. In healthcare education, this shift is particularly evident as Gen Z students seek more engaging and dynamic ways to absorb complex medical knowledge.

Some educational institutions are already recognizing these shifts and adapting their approach to better suit Gen Z’s needs. Interactive tools, such as mobile apps and online learning platforms, are increasingly used to make learning more accessible and engaging. Rather than claiming a complete transformation, it is more accurate to state that Gen Z’s expectations are gradually influencing changes in healthcare education, pushing for methods that are not only more interactive but also more aligned with their habits and expectations.

Limitations of Traditional Methods in Healthcare Education

Traditional methods of healthcare education, such as lectures, textbooks, and written exams, have long been the cornerstone of medical training. However, these methods often struggle to keep pace with the evolving learning preferences of today’s students, particularly Gen Z.

Traditional methods tend to rely heavily on rote memorization and theoretical knowledge, which might not resonate as effectively with a generation that values hands-on learning and real-time interaction. Gen Z students can sometimes feel disconnected when faced with long, one-sided lectures or static textbooks that lack interactivity. The absence of immediate feedback or opportunities to practice in a realistic setting can be a significant drawback, especially in a field like healthcare where practical experience is essential for success.

Institutions that are slower to adapt to more interactive, technology-driven approaches may face challenges in fully engaging Gen Z students, who are accustomed to learning from dynamic platforms and multimedia sources.

What Virtual Reality Brings to Healthcare Training

Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool in healthcare education, offering students an immersive and interactive way to learn. Unlike traditional methods, VR enables learners to step into simulated environments where they can practice medical procedures, diagnose patients, or even perform surgeries without the risks associated with actual patients. This kind of experiential learning is particularly valuable in healthcare, where hands-on practice is critical for mastering complex skills. Through VR, students can engage in realistic medical scenarios that would otherwise be challenging to replicate in a classroom setting.

What distinguishes VR is its ability to create a fully immersive experience. Students can interact with 3D models of human anatomy, manipulate virtual instruments, and experience medical emergencies in a controlled, safe environment. This shift from passive learning to active participation helps students develop not only their technical skills but also their critical thinking and decision-making abilities. While traditional methods remain important, VR complements them by enhancing practical exposure in a controlled setting.

As the technology continues to evolve, more institutions are beginning to adopt VR in their healthcare programs. The scalability and flexibility of VR make it an appealing option for schools aiming to enhance their curricula. Whether it’s simulating a high-pressure surgical environment or allowing students to explore the intricacies of human anatomy in greater detail, VR offers a level of engagement and realism that is challenging to achieve through traditional educational methods. Although VR is not a universal solution, it serves as a powerful addition to existing training tools.

Meeting Gen Z’s Learning Preferences with VR

Virtual Reality aligns closely with the learning preferences of Gen Z, offering an immersive and interactive experience that traditional methods often struggle to match. This generation thrives in environments where they can actively engage with the material and receive immediate feedback.

VR-based healthcare training supports these preferences by enabling students to practice procedures, explore complex medical scenarios, and receive prompt performance assessments, all within a controlled, risk-free setting. This hands-on approach resonates with Gen Z’s preference for practical, experiential learning, potentially enhancing their ability to absorb information more effectively.

Advantages of VR for Healthcare Students

One of the key advantages of Virtual Reality in healthcare education is the ability to simulate high-stakes medical situations in a safe manner. Students can practice complex procedures, such as surgeries or emergency interventions, without the pressure of working on an actual patient. This type of risk-free environment allows students to make mistakes, learn from them, and refine their skills without causing harm, which may lead to improved confidence and proficiency over time.

Another notable benefit is the potential to increase student engagement and retention. Studies suggest that interactive, immersive learning environments can lead to better information retention compared to passive learning. VR’s ability to capture a student’s full attention and immerse them in a learning experience makes the material not only more engaging but also more memorable. While these benefits are promising, further research is needed to understand their long-term impact on student outcomes.

For healthcare students, who often need to retain large amounts of detailed information, VR provides an innovative way to solidify their knowledge and skills. Although it may not replace traditional methods entirely, it offers a complementary approach that could enhance overall learning experiences.

Current and Future Use of VR in Healthcare Education

Educational institutions are increasingly integrating Virtual Reality into their healthcare curricula, recognizing its potential to enhance student learning and preparation. Medical schools, nursing programs, and even continuing education courses for professionals are beginning to adopt VR as a way to offer more engaging and effective training experiences. Some universities have developed VR-based modules that allow students to practice everything from basic anatomy to complex surgical operations, reshaping traditional approaches to teaching. While adoption is growing, it remains uneven across institutions due to factors such as cost and technical challenges.

Looking ahead, the role of VR in healthcare education is expected to expand. With advancements in haptic feedback and artificial intelligence, future VR systems could provide even more realistic simulations, such as allowing students to feel the resistance of tissues or the pulse of a virtual patient. These innovations could help narrow the gap between virtual training and real-life clinical practice, potentially making VR an essential component of healthcare education in the future.

As the technology evolves, it could also help address existing limitations in healthcare training, such as the scarcity of clinical placements or the difficulty of accessing specific specialized fields. However, challenges such as high costs and the need for adequate training infrastructure will need to be addressed to maximize VR’s impact on healthcare education.

Published by Tom W.