Peer-Reviewed Research in Radiography Education
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Radiography simulation
Comparing Clinical Preparedness of Newly Qualified Diagnostic Radiographers
Karimi et al., 2025
In a mixed-methods study of 80 newly qualified radiographers from two universities, those trained with X-ray Pro VR had significantly higher clinical preparedness scores than those trained with traditional simulation. They also scored higher on confidence, adaptability, technical proficiency and problem-solving, and outperformed in supervisor evaluations, radiograph quality and emergency performance.
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Enhancing Educational Outcomes Through Hybrid Simulation Methods
Arroyo, S., Garcia, A., 2025
Over three years, radiography students taught with a hybrid of X-ray Pro VR and physical simulation had significantly higher post-test scores, practical exam scores, career readiness, internship performance, motivation and engagement than students taught with physical simulation alone (P < .001).
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The Impact of 3D Virtual Reality Radiography Practice on Student Performance in Clinical Practice
O’Connor, M., Rainford, L., 2023
Students who completed structured VR-based training demonstrated significantly higher clinical performance scores, particularly in positioning accuracy, workflow execution, and image quality assessment. The study showed that immersive simulation supports effective transfer of skills from training to clinical environments, reducing the need for corrective intervention and improving early clinical performance.
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The effect of non-immersive virtual reality radiographic positioning simulation on first-year radiography students’ image evaluation performance
Miller, E.M., Schmid, K.K., & Abbey, B.M., 2024
In a crossover study of 33 first-year radiography students, guided simulation using non-immersive (desktop) VR was as effective as traditional lecture for teaching students to recognise positioning errors on knee and lumbar spine images. The authors concluded that desktop VR is an effective tool for image evaluation teaching, because it gives students a simulated image based on their own positioning.
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Comparison of virtual reality and physical simulation training in first-year radiography students in South America.
Rowe, D., Garcia, A., & Rossi, B., 2023
Students trained using VR demonstrated comparable or superior performance in positioning accuracy, image evaluation, and conceptual understanding compared with those trained using traditional physical simulation. The study showed that VR enables consistent, repeatable practice and improves engagement and confidence prior to clinical exposure.
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3D virtual reality simulation in radiography education: The students’ experience
O’Connor, M., & Rainford, L., 2020
First-year radiography students (n=105) used VMC’s immersive VR simulation. They attributed increased confidence in beam collimation (75%), tube centring (64%), anatomical marker placement (63%) and exposure selection (56%) to their VR practice, and 94% of respondents would recommend it to other students.
Peer-Reviewed Research in Radiation Safety
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Radiation Safety Simulation
Virtual reality vs traditional training in radiation safety for scrub nurses: a crossover trial in cardiac catheterisation labs
Romanenko et al., 2026
In a randomised crossover trial of 100 scrub nurses in cardiac catheterisation labs in Ukraine, VR training produced significantly greater reductions in radiation dose than traditional training at the eye, chest and pelvis (Cohen’s d = -0.49, P < 0.0001). A significant carryover effect showed the benefit persisted after training.
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Virtual Reality vs Traditional Lecture-Based Methods in Radiation Safety Continuing Medical Education
H. Takahashi, Y. Nakamura, A. Fujiwara, 2025
This study evaluated VR-based continuing medical education against traditional lecture-based training among healthcare professionals, including scrub nurses, cardiologists, and orthopaedic surgeons. VR training improved knowledge retention by 30% at three months and reduced occupational eye dose exposure by 25%. Participants reported higher engagement, confidence, and applicability to clinical practice, with 85% preferring VR over traditional methods. The findings demonstrate that VR enhances both learning outcomes and real-world radiation safety behaviours.
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Comparative Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality and Traditional Didactic Training on Radiation Safety in Medical Professionals: A Crossover Study
Mwangi & Tanaka, 2025
In a two-year randomised crossover trial of 39 staff from cardiac catheterisation labs and orthopaedic theatres, RadSafe VR training reduced measured radiation exposure significantly more than didactic training, with larger effects per hour of training. Satisfaction, engagement and confidence were also significantly higher after VR training (p < 0.001).
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Assessing the impact of virtual reality training on radiation dose reduction among interventional radiology nurses: a multicenter crossover study
Khamis et al., 2025
In a multicentre crossover study across eight hospitals, immersive VR training significantly reduced occupational radiation exposure among interventional radiology nurses, with the effect reproduced in two cohorts trained a year apart.
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Student perceptions of the use of three-dimensional virtual reality simulation in the delivery of radiation protection training for radiography and medical students
L. Rainford, A. Tcacenco, J. Potocnik, C. Brophy, A. Lunney, D. Kearney, M. O'Connor, 2023
Students reported improved understanding of radiation protection concepts, particularly scatter behaviour and dose reduction strategies, when using immersive VR simulation. The study showed that VR enhances conceptual understanding and increases confidence in applying radiation safety principles in clinical settings.
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Peer-Reviewed Research in Midwifery Simulation
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Midwifery simulation
Virtual reality training to enhance clinical competence and student engagement in Ghana
Baidoo & Adu, 2025
First-year midwifery students in Ghana trained with BirthWise VR (n=46) had significantly higher post-test and practical scores than the previous year’s cohort trained on conventional task trainers (n=42) (P < 0.0001), and reported higher satisfaction and confidence in clinical application.
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Comparative effectiveness of immersive virtual reality and traditional manikin-based simulation in midwifery training: a cohort study across successive academic years
Mwangi & Njoroge, 2024
This cohort study compared immersive virtual reality simulation with traditional manikin-based training in midwifery education across two academic years (N=80). Students trained using VR demonstrated significantly higher post-training scores in practical skills, confidence, and knowledge compared to those using traditional simulation methods. Mean scores for the VR group were 77.57 (skills), 67.17 (confidence), and 77.58 (knowledge), compared to 68.26, 56.97, and 68.00, respectively, in the traditional group. Statistical analysis confirmed these differences were highly significant (p < 0.001 across all measures). The authors concluded that VR is a valuable adjunct to manikin-based simulation, enhancing skills, confidence, and knowledge retention.