Yvonne Smyth
About
My research project
An international study exploring the pedagogical impact of a Virtual Reality program and 3D mobile application on healthcare student learning and preparation for practiceThis two-phase PhD research project is an international collaborative venture between the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ and the University of Newcastle, Australia. The ‘Road to Birth’ is a virtual reality (VR) and 3D mobile application devised to augment educational resources for healthcare students. The application provides immersive and 3D visualisation of pregnancy anatomy and physiology, pregnancy progression and fetal and placental positioning in-utero. Phase 1 is participation in an international cohort study to evaluate the mobile application’s technical feasibility and acceptance as a complimentary tertiary education learning tool for healthcare students. Phase 2 is a longitudinal, mixed methods UK study exploring the effects of the VR and 3D mobile versions of the application as educational tools for pre-registration midwifery and paramedic science student training and readiness for practice.
This two-phase PhD research project is an international collaborative venture between the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ and the University of Newcastle, Australia. The ‘Road to Birth’ is a virtual reality (VR) and 3D mobile application devised to augment educational resources for healthcare students. The application provides immersive and 3D visualisation of pregnancy anatomy and physiology, pregnancy progression and fetal and placental positioning in-utero. Phase 1 is participation in an international cohort study to evaluate the mobile application’s technical feasibility and acceptance as a complimentary tertiary education learning tool for healthcare students. Phase 2 is a longitudinal, mixed methods UK study exploring the effects of the VR and 3D mobile versions of the application as educational tools for pre-registration midwifery and paramedic science student training and readiness for practice.
Publications
Understanding the dynamic concepts of pregnancy anatomy and fetal development can be difficult and spatially challenging. There is a lack of digital learning technologies to aid visualisation and comprehension of reproductive anatomy. Thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology is essential for healthcare students. Interaction with three-dimensional (3D) digital technology can provide accessible, intuitive anatomical learning. To support reproductive anatomy learning, a 3D multimodal interactive software program named the Road to Birth was developed at one Australian university. Evaluate the technical feasibility, usability and acceptability of the Road to Birth as a 3D mobile application amongst undergraduate midwifery and medical students at one Australian university and one United Kingdom university. A cross-sectional design. Consenting participants completed a technology usage survey and installed the application on smartphones or tablets. Following twelve-weeks self-study use, participants completed System Usability Scale (SUS) and acceptability surveys. Descriptive statistics are presented for technology usage, SUS and acceptability data. 178 students (n=129 midwifery, n=49 medical) participated. SUS scores indicated application usability was good (median=80.0). Five-point Likert scale data showed the application was an acceptable learning resource (median=4.58). Participants agreed the application improved reproductive anatomy understanding (87%), was more engaging than lecture materials (90%) and should be used within their courses (94%). This study demonstrates the Road to Birth 3D mobile application is a feasible, usable and acceptable reproductive anatomy educational tool for midwifery and medical students. Findings indicate the technology meets students’ needs as a self-learning method, whilst complementing curriculum subject materials.