Enhancing Medical Students' Anatomy Memory through Virtual Reality Dissection Simulations

Traditional methods for teaching human anatomy have typically involved lectures and cadaveric dissection. However, modern technology has introduced new educational possibilities, with a particular focus on enhancing 3D visualization, primarily through the use of virtual reality (VR). VR technology offers a level of 3D visualization and interactivity that extends beyond what can be achieved through conventional cadaveric dissection, enabling users to explore anatomical structures in novel and immersive ways. In this research, a mixed methods approach was employed to evaluate the influence of 3D-VR technology on learning outcomes, both in the immediate and extended periods, in comparison to traditional teaching models. Additionally, the study aimed to gain insights into students' experiences and viewpoints concerning the incorporation of 3D-VR as a tool for teaching and learning. In a randomized controlled trial that involved medical students from diverse universities, participants were assigned randomly to either the 3D-VR group or the paper-based group. Following a neuroanatomy baseline test, students in both groups studied spatial relationships between neural structures, complete with test and control questions. This study provides strong empirical support for the use of 3D-VR as a good teaching tool in human anatomy classes, with an emphasis on the benefits it provides to students' learning and retention of course material. Students in the medical field have unanimously lauded 3D-VR as a learning tool that offers substantial advantages over conventional techniques, arguing that it should be incorporated into anatomy courses.