Use of 360° interactive virtual tours to enhance familiarity of the radiology department
Files
(Published version)
Date
2025
Authors
Vu, H.
Arruzza, E.
Chau, M.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Radiography, 2025; 31(5, article no. 103023):1-8
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Introduction: Traditionally, preparing students for clinical placements in radiography has involved a combination of academic coursework and hands-on practice using X-ray equipment with facilities. However, limited access to clinical environments before placements can make the transition challenging for students. To address this gap, this study aimed to develop and evaluate a 360° virtual tour platform as a supplementary educational tool to enhance students’ familiarity with radiology departments and improve their confidence before entering clinical placements.
Methods: A virtual radiology department was created using 360° panoramic photographs of local radiology clinics. To measure the effectiveness of this tool, students completed pre-tour and post-tour surveys assessing their understanding of the clinical setting, familiarity with X-ray room layouts, and confidence in preparing for placements.
Results: 90 % of the students who participated in the study reported the 360° virtual tour was beneficial in improving their confidence in preparing for placements and supplementing their knowledge of the clinical environment. The tour provided them with a clearer understanding of the layout of X-ray rooms, workflow, and essential equipment, helping to reduce anxiety before placements. Overall satisfaction with the virtual tour was high with 100 % of students willing to use it again.
Conclusion: The results suggest that a 360° virtual tour serves as a valuable ‘stepping-stone’ for students transitioning to clinical practice. This cost-effective and versatile teaching tool can enhance student preparedness and may be adopted as a supplementary resource in radiography education.
Implications for practice: The findings have broader implications for integrating virtual reality tools in healthcare education. Future research should explore its application across various disciplines and assess its long-term impact on student learning outcomes.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The College of Radiographers. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)