This study investigated the effectiveness and prospect of applying virtual simulation operation (VSO) as a novel teaching tool in clinical skill and operation courses.
A comparative test and survey study on the teaching effect of VSO was conducted with the clinical skill and operation course as the test course. The test group students received offline courses combined with online VSO practice. In contrast, the control group students received offline courses combined with instructional video review. The two groups were assessed using the Chinese medical school clinical medicine professional level test and a questionnaire survey.
The test group students scored significantly higher than the control group in the skills test (score difference: 3.43, 95% CI: 2.05–4.80) (
VSO teaching can improve skills and examination performance. An entirely online operation that does not need special equipment can break through the spatiotemporal limitations of traditional skills courses. VSO teaching also suits the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation. Virtual simulation, a new teaching tool, has good application prospects.