Mobile Based Virtual Reality Applications to Support Patients Training and Medical Students Education: a Review

Background: Continuous advances in technology have dramatically changed educational activities. The integration of different technologies such as mobile platform and virtual reality (VR) provide an opportunity for education. Virtual reality is a technology to improve the quality of training tools and methods in order to enhance students and learners such as patients understanding and performance. It enables immersed ones in a simulated environment to learn how react correctly and promptly in critical situation where human lives are at risk. Also, the use of virtual reality, simulation, and mobile virtual reality games as new therapeutic approaches are promising for patients training; they improve patients`rehabilitation and self-management. Quick growing of VR technology and mobile devices by eminent companies and their integration may lead to new products which are interesting options for teaching and learning remotely. Objectives: This study was aimed to review studies reporting the integration use of mobile platforms and virtual reality as a learning tool for medical students and patients. Materials/Patients and Methods: We searched in three major databases such as PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus using mobile health OR mhealth AND Medical Education AND Virtual reality . Results: About 40% of all reviewed articles were related to educate medical students to teach intubation and learning patterns of different wounds by mobile virtual reality application and 60% of articles were related to patient education for pain management and rehabilitation. Technologies such as augmented reality and mobile tele-monitoring indirect video used for students training; mobile virtual reality game was the only technology used in patient training reports. Conclusion: Integration of mobile and virtual reality is valuable to teach patients in order to carry out self-management and medical students to raise their knowledge and to assess and follow each cases signs and treatment progress respectively. Available evidences demonstrate the application of virtual reality based mobile apps to enhance education effectiveness among medical students and patients.