The Effects of Virtual Reality Learning Program on Attitudes and Confidence in Managing Patient Aggression of The Royal Thai Army Nursing Students

Abstract

This study is a quasi-experimental design with a posttest-only design with nonequivalent groups that aims to study the effects of a virtual reality learning program on attitudes and confidence in managing patient aggression of the Royal Thai Army nursing students. The virtual reality program simulates a learning situation regarding aggressive patient management. The samples were nursing students of the Royal Thai Army Nursing College. The research instrument used for conducting data included attitude and confidence measurements towards managing patient aggression. The data was analyzed using percentages, means, standard deviation, and independent t-test. The results displayed that the attitude’s mean score in managing patient aggression amongst the group who received the virtual reality program was moderate level ( = 3.67, SD = 0.39) and the mean score of the general learning group was moderate level ( = 3.02, SD = 0.24).The comparison between groups pointed out that the students using the virtual reality learning program obtained a higher attitude score than the general learning group, with statistical significance at level .05. The mean score of confidence in the virtual reality program group was uncertain level ( = 3.63, SD = 0.62) and the mean score of the general learning group was uncertain level ( = 3.16, SD = 0.36). The comparison between groups pointed out that the students using the virtual reality learning program obtained a higher confidence score than the general learning group, with statistical significance at level .05. This study indicated that the virtual reality learning program for managing patient aggression can effectively enhance the students’ attitudes and confidence in aggressive patient management.