Exploring Healthcare Students’ Intention to Use Virtual Reality Simulations in China

This study aims to investigate healthcare students' intention to use virtual reality simulations. By using the Technology Acceptance Model, the research delves into the factors influencing students' acceptance and adoption of virtual reality simulations. Following a cross-sectional design, this article adheres to the STROBE Statement guidelines. The study included 632 undergraduate healthcare students from three universities in China. Data were collected through online questionnaires administered at three comprehensive universities in China between June 19, 2023, and January 15, 2024. Self-reported measurements were used, and hypotheses were analyzed using Amos software to construct a structural equation model. The study reveals positive correlations, indicating that habits are positively associated with perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Furthermore, system quality is positively correlated with perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Notably, perceived ease of use positively influences perceived usefulness, and both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are positively linked to intention to use. The findings suggest that educational institutions and educators should prioritize students' habits, platform system quality, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use to enhance healthcare students' intention to engage with virtual reality simulations.