Abstract

Background: Digital learning media have been proven useful tools to meet the increasing needs of students, especially on human anatomy learning. Aims of the study : The study was to evaluate the initial results of the designing and applying in teaching a 3D virtual reality model of human anatomy at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to survey the evaluation of 2nd-year general medical students, at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, in the last two consecutive academic years, including 428 students learning the anatomy of the respiratory and circulatory system with traditional method and 406 students learning with 3D virtual reality model designed by us. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify related factors. Results: For the 3D virtual model, 83.5% of students rated it attractive and stimulating; 80.0% enjoy learning with 3D modeling; 77.3% think that it is a useful learning resource and 70.9% of learners feel that they can actively self-study with this virtual model. Besides, when learning with the 3D virtual model, the level of stress from learning accounted for less than 16.3% of the learners and the test scores compared to learning with the traditional model were statistically higher, p < 0.05. Conclusion: Our 3D virtual reality model was initially well received by learners and contributed to the improvement of learning for medical students.