Virtual reality (VR) informative aids increase residents’ atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures-related knowledge and patients’ satisfaction.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrythmia and increasing numbers of patients receiving AF ablation nowadays. So, in cardiology division, residents need to familiar with the AF ablation procedure-related knowledge for primary care. This study evaluated the baseline residents and patients self-efficacy to AF ablation procedure-related knowledge, developed the specific virtual reality (VR) informative aids, evaluated the effects of VR training and resident-led VR aids-based patient education on their self-efficacy, in the aspects of familiarity, confidence and anxiety, and satisfaction.
From 2019, April to 2020, April, this 1-year prospective pre- and post-study was undergone in cardiology division. Between 2019, April to 2019, December, the experienced physicians were invited to develop virtual reality (VR) informative aids for AF ablation procedure-related knowledge. Between January 2020 to April 2020, newly developed VR informative aids was implemented in educational program of training rotated residents for giving patient education.
A total of 20 residents and 32 patients were enrolled. The baseline self-reported self-efficacy and knowledge score were relatively low among rotated residents and their patients. In addition to high level of satisfaction, self-efficacy and knowledge score of residents and their patients were increased after VR aids-based training and resident-led patient education. Higher degree of improvement in self-efficacy was noted among patients with depression/anxiety history than those without history. The follow-up assessments among residents showed that the positive effects of VR aids was sustained until 2 weeks later.
Overall, residents and patients reported that the VR aids increase the effectiveness of patient education, achieve the purpose of a paperless environment, and motivate them to recommend it to others. Implementation of resident-to-patient education have a positive impact on trainees and patients understanding about AF ablation procedures-related knowledge.