Enhancing empathy and positive attitude among nursing undergraduates via an in-class virtual reality-based simulation relating to mental illness

Objective: The study aims to examine the impact of virtual reality simulation that simulates the experience of psychiatric symptomology associated with mental illness in mental health nursing education.Methods: A total of 159 nursing students being exposed to an in-class VR simulation completed pre-test measures about empathy and positive attitudes towards mental illness. Narrative feedback was collected to explore the students' perceptions of the VR simulation. Results: The results indicated a significant increase in the overall empathy and positive attitudes towards mental illness after participating in the in-class VR simulation related to mental illness. Students had a clearer understanding of the patient's experience and difficulties from VR simulation.Conclusions: In-class VR simulation may play a significant role in enhancing empathetic understanding and positive attitudes towards individuals diagnosed with mental illness.