Implementation Methods of Virtual Reality Simulation and the Impact on Confidence and Stress When Learning Patient Resuscitation: An Integrative Review

Background: In the context of performing resuscitation, research has demonstrated that provider confidence and stress levels are related to patient survival outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) offers innovative simulation training opportunities to improve confidence and reduce stress.

Method: Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) integrative review method was used. An electronic database literature search and evaluation of studies using the BEME critical appraisal tool yielded five papers for this review.

Results: Four studies examined confidence and one stress. Identified themes included: Variation in virtual reality intervention; Timing of measurement outcome; and variation in VR interactivity.

Conclusion: Confidence was noted to generally increase through the use of VR across the studies reviewed, with no significant impact on stress outcomes. Differences in study heterogeneity reflects that further research is required to determine if the use of VR technologies impacts on confidence and stress in resuscitation training.