Enhancing Oral Care Practice through VR-Hands-on Blended Learning: A Quasi-Experimental Study on Skill Acquisition and Learning Experience

Traditional oral care practices predominantly rely on clinical practice simulations; however, they are often constrained by insufficient resources, operational risks, and a lack of personalized feedback. In recent years, virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a viable solution, providing a safe and repeatable immersive learning experience through high-fidelity clinical scenarios, while offline simulations enhance operational realism through physical interaction. Nevertheless, limitations persist with a singular model, including the absence of haptic feedback in VR and the substantial costs associated with offline simulations. This study investigates the effects of a blended learning model that integrates VR with offline simulation on nursing students' acquisition of oral care practice skills. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, 121 students were assigned to either a control group (conventional hands-on learning approach) or an experimental group (VR-hands-on learning approach), with comparative analyses conducted through pre-tests, interventions, post-tests, and self-assessment processes. The results indicated that the mean post-test score for the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Furthermore, students perceived that the model enhanced interactivity, the integration of theory and practice, as well as skill proficiency and problem-solving abilities, although they noted that teamwork training was insufficient. The conclusion suggests that the VR blended learning model offers distinct advantages in enhancing the acquisition of oral care skills; however, it is imperative to optimize the teamwork training module and explore its application across various medical fields.