How Virtual Reality is Expanding Nursing Education

Barbie Klein, PhD, assistant professor in the UCSF School of Medicine Department of Anatomy, and Rosalyn Plotzker, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the UCSF School of Medicine Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and faculty for the California Prevention Training Center, are developing Virtual Approach to Gynecology - an application that familiarizes early health care trainees with a gynecologic pelvic exam.

Through a partnership with Elizabeth Gatewood, DNP, RN, FAAN, assistant dean for Education Technology Innovation, they are expanding virtual reality-based learning to UCSF School of Nursing students. Through virtual simulation, students interact with a patient and conduct a pelvic exam, including a Pap smear. A gamification element encourages repetition to improve performance.