Research
Gain insights from the literature on the efficacy, usability, and cost savings associated with OMS and VR simulation.
OMS-focused research
Learn about the independent research that’s been done on OMS by our clients and partners.
OMS has equal efficacy to mannikin-based simulation
This study in medical residents across multiple disciplines: internal medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine and pediatrics - found no significant differences in technical skills, non-technical skills or knowledge retention between manikin-based simulation and OMS.
OMS is easy to use and embed in a curriculum
OMS was rated as easy to navigate, with two-thirds of all learners giving the highest rating of usability (as measured with the SUS). Authors conclude that embedding OMS within a defined curriculum and facilitated debriefing is valuable for student learning and may ultimately affect patient care.
Learners reported that VR simulation met their learning needs
Junior students’ learning experience (as measured with CLECS 2.0 and SET-M) was similar between OMS and face-to-face simulation. Nurse practitioner students’ learning experience was consistently superior in OMS relative to both in person training and face-to-face simulation.
OMS led to significant increases in clinical confidence and performance improvement to Kirkpatrick level 3
96% of learners noted that VR scenarios were better for knowledge retention than standard eLearning modules.
"Honestly, this was the single most useful learning experience I've had so far in my training"
After using OMS, clinician confidence in managing diabetic emergencies increased significantly. 100% of trainees expecting to use the knowledge gained within 3 months at work.
OMS offers learners a safe space to make mistakes and care for multiple patients at once
Five immersive virtual reality (IVR) simulations were developed in conjunction with OMS and successfully integrated into a pre-licensure senior level nursing course following the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice. The majority of participants preferred IVR learning, while fewer participants favored traditional simulation.
Learners reported high educational value and expressed high levels of satisfaction with VR
Four VR scenarios were successfully integrated into the curriculum for 2nd year medical students. The use of VR correlated with statistically significant increases in SET-M and USEQ confidence scores across all acute components of the pediatric undergraduate curriculum.
OMS Return on Investment (ROI)
Learn about the time and cost savings associated with OMS and virtual reality simulation in healthcare education and training.
Use of OMS resulted in significant time and cost savings
“As well as enriching the student experience, the use of OMS provided access for almost double the number of learners in comparison to face to face simulation, with the university realizing a 74% reduction in staffing time and estate costs”.
The return on investment (ROI) of OMS is calculated at 120 to 3,000%
OMS costs were between $2.22 (£1.86) and $14.38 (£12.07) per use, while physical simulation costs vary from $28.38 (£23.83) to $394.95 (£331.48) per use.
VR simulation is a "financially advantageous, resource conscious pedagogical option for nursing education."
VR simulation education requires 22% less time than physical simulation education and is 40% less expensive.
"1,968 OMS sessions cost an estimated £3,424 in staff time, but would have cost an estimated £13,323 to deliver on campus"
When using OMS in one nursing class: “Based on a typical practical group size of 18, using OMS equates to an annual saving of $54,356 (£49,928).”
Cost-utility ratio of virtual simulation in the US was $1.08 compared to mannequin-based at $3.62
VR is significantly less expensive than physical simulation while delivering the same learning and performance outcomes.
For $399, an institution could run 1 physical simulation scenario OR buy licenses providing access to 80 virtual reality scenarios
VR offers significant return on investment - running only two scenarios per year brings a return on investment of 166%.
Additional research
VR simulation vs traditional education
Virtual Reality for Health Professions Education: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Kyaw, 2019)
VR improves healthcare knowledge and skills significantly more than in-person education or e-learning.
The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Soft Skills Training in the Enterprise (PwC, 2020)
VR learners are 4x more focused than e-learners, 4x faster than traditional learners and 3.75x more emotionally connected than classroom learners.
Clinical Virtual Simulation in Nursing Education: Randomized Controlled Trial (Padilha, 2019)
VR significantly improved nurses’ knowledge over case-based learning, with higher levels of learning satisfaction.
The Role of Extended Reality Technology in Healthcare Education: Towards a Learner-centered Approach (Logeswaran, 2021)
VR has unique attributes that can improve learning outcomes when compared to traditional learning methods.
VR simulation vs screen-based learning
The Effect of Degree of Immersion upon Learning Performance in Virtual Reality Simulations for Medical Education (Gutierrez, 2007)
In healthcare education, VR significantly improves learning compared with screen-based delivery.
Higher Levels of Immersion Improve Procedure Memorization Performance (Bowman, 2009)
VR significantly improves memory performance compared with screen-based learning and transfer to the real world.
"Being there" and Remembering It: Presence Improves Memory Encoding (Makowsi, 2017)
The sense of presence in VR significantly improves memorization vs screen-based learning.