405 Improving Access to Orthopaedic Surgical Education for Women Through Remote Synchronised Virtual Reality Workshops: A Pilot Study

Résumé fourni par la source

Abstract Aim Trauma & Orthopaedics (T&O) remains one of the most male-dominated surgical specialities: only 20.6% of UK speciality registrars and 7.3% of consultants are women. Limited early exposure to orthopaedic procedures, few female role models, and reliance on in-person theatre training create barriers for women entering T&O. This study aimed to evaluate whether Virtual Reality (VR) can improve orthopaedic anatomical understanding, procedural confidence, and perceived inclusion among female medical students. Method A remote synchronised VR teaching session was delivered using a 360° cadaveric operative simulation of a tibial plateau fixation, combined with guided 3D orthopaedic anatomy exploration. Ten female medical students from five UK regions completed pre- and post-session surveys assessing anatomical understanding, procedural confidence, and perceived inclusivity using 5-point Likert scales. Paired t-tests assessed quantitative changes. Qualitative data underwent comparative and thematic analysis to explore participants’ experiences of remote orthopaedic VR training. Results Orthopaedic procedural confidence increased from 1.60 ± 0.70 to 4.40 ± 0.52 (p < 0.001), and anatomical understanding from 2.00 ± 0.67 to 4.50 ± 0.53 (p < 0.001). Participants rated VR as highly relevant to orthopaedic education (mean = 5.0) and reported that the synchronised format improved accessibility and engagement. Qualitative feedback highlighted enhanced confidence, improved clarity of orthopaedic anatomy, and a stronger sense of inclusion within the speciality. Conclusions Remote synchronised VR simulation is a feasible and scalable approach to orthopaedic education. This pilot study demonstrates that the VRiMS WinS model can strengthen early engagement, knowledge, and confidence for women considering careers in T&O.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.