The impact of immersive video learning on speech-language pathology students’ dysphagia education: a mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia education for speech-language pathology (SLP) students is challenged by limited hands-on exposure and skill transfer to diverse clinical settings such as hospital, aged-care facilities and clinics. Video-based learning, including immersive technologies, offers a potential solution for standardized, safe exposure. METHODS: This mixed-methods study randomized 65 first-year SLP Master’s students into immersive (n = 33) and non-immersive (n = 32) video groups. Immersive videos were delivered via Meta Quest 3 headsets, non-immersive as MP4 links. Learning outcomes were assessed through clinical placement evaluations. Student perceptions were collected using Likert scales and open-ended questions. RESULTS: The immersive group achieved significantly higher clinical placement performance (p = 0.030), especially in assessment planning, oromotor/ swallow trial procedures, and clinical reasoning. Immersive videos provided a greater sense of presence (p = 0.020). However, non-immersive videos were viewed longer (142.27 vs. 47.63 min, p = 0.002) and perceived as easier to navigate (p = 0.001) and less overwhelming (p = 0.002). Qualitative data highlighted immersive group challenges (physical discomfort, logistical barriers, usability) and non-immersive group challenges (content quality, camera angles). CONCLUSIONS: Immersive videos enhance practical clinical skills and presence in dysphagia education but face usability and logistical hurdles. Non-immersive videos offer high accessibility and user satisfaction, promoting sustained engagement. A blended learning approach, leveraging immersive videos for high-stakes procedural training and non-immersive for conceptual understanding and review, is recommended to optimize SLP dysphagia education, balancing pedagogical effectiveness with practical usability.