VR Episiotomy Simulation: Impact on Midwifery Students' Skills and Self-Efficacy (VESES)

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Virtual Reality Simulation Training: This intervention is a virtual reality (VR)-based episiotomy simulation designed for midwifery students. The training is conducted in an immersive virtual delivery room, where participants perform the steps of episiotomy incision and suturing using VR headsets, motion sensors, and hand controllers. The simulation includes virtual surgical tools and interactive elements that replicate a clinical environment. This VR-based training differs from traditional model-based education by providing a more engaging and realistic experience, aiming to improve students' psychomotor skills and self-efficacy in performing episiotomy.

Traditional Episiotomy Training: This intervention consists of a traditional episiotomy training session using physical anatomical models (manikins) in a classroom environment. The training includes hands-on practice of episiotomy incision and suturing on silicone-based or synthetic perineal models, supervised by the instructor. This method reflects standard educational practices in midwifery training and does not involve virtual reality or simulation technology.

Study summary

This study aims to develop and evaluate a virtual reality (VR)-based episiotomy training simulation for midwifery students. Episiotomy is a surgical procedure performed during childbirth, and incorrect application may lead to serious psychological and physiological consequences. While traditional training methods often use animal tissues or synthetic materials, recent advances in technology have introduced simulation-based learning. VR technology has shown potential to enhance learning outcomes, confidence, and satisfaction among healthcare students. Despite its growing use in medical education, there is currently no VR training model specifically designed for teaching episiotomy skills. This study will design a VR episiotomy simulation, assess its effectiveness in skill acquisition and learning, and propose it as a new educational method in midwifery training.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in Episiotomy Self-Efficacy Score — Baseline (before training), immediately after training, and 1 month after training
  Participants' episiotomy-related self-efficacy will be assessed using the Episiotomy Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (EBÖÖ), a validated 19-item Likert-type instrument. Each item is scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree), with total scores ranging from 19 to 76. Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy.

Trial sites (1)

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