Pediatric rheumatologists’ perspective on next-generation: virtual reality revolution

Objective: This study assessed pediatric rheumatologists’ (PRs) knowledge, attitudes, and experiences regarding virtual reality (VR) technology in medical education, clinical management, patient education, and research. Material and Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among pediatric rheumatologists (PRs) in Türkiye. Participants were categorised based on self-reported VR knowledge. Group 1 included participants who considered themselves knowledgeable about VR, while Group 2 included those who did not perceive themselves as knowledgeable about the technology. Demographics, attitudes, and behaviors related to VR were compared. The influence of social media and telemedicine experience on VR awareness was also evaluated. Results: Eight one participants, 49.3% were pediatric rheumatology (PR) fellows, 27.1% faculty members, and 23.6% PR specialists. Overall, 67.9% had VR knowledge (Group 1), while 32.1% did not (Group 2). Group 1 demonstrated significantly greater awareness of telemedicine and health technologies (p=0.003, p<0.001). VR equipment knowledge (p<0.001) and prior experience (p<0.001) were also higher in Group 1. Awareness of VR applications in pain management was more prevalent in Group 1 (43.6%) than in Group 2 (15.3%, p=0.018). Hesitancy towards clinical VR implementation was reported by 90.9% of Group 1 and 61.5% of Group 2 (p=0.199). Conclusion: PRs show an increasing interest in VR technology, indicating a promising trajectory for its integration into clinical and educational settings.