Effectiveness of VR and traditional training in medical education for mass casualty management: an OSCE-based randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of VR-based training compared to traditional lecture-based training for medical trainees in managing MCIs, specifically focusing on road traffic accidents. The primary assessment was performed using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and a theoretical knowledge test. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 46 medical trainees receiving emergency medicine training. Participants were randomly assigned to either a VR-based Training Group or a Lecture-based Training Group, with each group receiving a 2-hour training session on mass casualty management. The training effectiveness was evaluated through pre- and post-training knowledge tests, OSCE performance, and post-training feedback questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the two groups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were well-matched between groups. The VR-based Training Group demonstrated significantly higher post-test scores (83.96 ± 13.11) compared to the Lecture-based Training Group (72.17 ± 20.89, p = 0.03). The learning gain was also significantly greater in the VR-based Training Group (40.26 ± 15.61) compared to the Lecture-based Training Group (28.26 ± 17.04, p = 0.02). OSCE results showed that the VR-based Training Group demonstrated better performance than the Lecture-based Training Group across all stations, with significant improvements in triage, injury assessment, and overall scene management. Additionally, feedback from the post-training questionnaire revealed that the VR-based Training Group reported greater confidence in performing critical tasks. CONCLUSION: VR-based training may represent a more effective and engaging approach for teaching mass casualty management relative to traditional lecture-based methods. It may enhance both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, which could help better prepare medical trainees for high-pressure scenarios such as MCIs. As VR technology continues to evolve, its integration into medical education holds considerable potential for improving preparedness and clinical performance in emergency settings.