[Is the use of virtual reality in otorhinolaryngology teaching automatically positively rated by students? : A questionnaire-based evaluation among students]. / Wird der Einsatz der virtuellen Realität in der HNO-Heilkunde-Lehre von Studierenden automatisch positiv bewertet? : Eine Fragebogenevaluation bei Studierenden.

BACKGROUND: Analogous to the situation in other disciplines, digital ENT teaching made significant progress during the pandemic. Most ENT clinics nationwide were able to offer a complete virtual teaching program in time. Innovative teaching methods were also used early on. This was recognized in student teaching evaluations. Due to the expansion of virtual reality (VR) in medical teaching, even greater satisfaction should be expected through improved teaching quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surveys were performed with students (n = 180) of the ENT block internship in the summer semester of 2023. The aim of the evaluation was to determine the students' satisfaction with and subjective effectiveness of the newly implemented VR digital teaching method for teaching ear anatomy and coniotomy. A survey was also carried out among resident physicians. RESULTS: The ENT teaching was perceived favorably by the students, with an average rating of 11.7 out of 15. The learning effectiveness and the value of VR in the ENT learning portfolio was evaluated varyingly by the students. The physicians' assessment was different, with a more positive perception. CONCLUSION: Virtual reality represents an innovative component in the teaching portfolio of otolaryngology. This new teaching method is viewed and accepted as a future-oriented tool. Remarkably, the physicians involved voted consistently positively, while the students gave more critical assessments and pointed out limitations in the individual and subjective areas. These findings are in contrast to the further development of innovative teaching methods demanded by student interest groups.

[Use of virtual reality in ENT teaching: an alternative to the conventional anatomic model]. / Einsatz von Virtual Reality in der HNO-Lehre: eine Alternative zum konventionellen Anatomiemodell.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the middle ear requires a complex three-dimensional understanding, the teaching of which is just as important for curricular teaching as for further medical training. OBJECTIVE: The extent to which virtual reality (VR) can be used as an alternative to conventional educational methods for teaching anatomy, physiology, and pathology was examined. The objective was to evaluate a VR-supported teaching method in comparison to conventional learning on an anatomic model. METHODS: The study was conducted as a prospective two-arm single-center trial in the summer semester of 2021 at the University Hospital of Freiburg. During a seminar on the topic of the middle ear, 177 students were randomly assigned to either a control or a study group. Demographic data were collected in advance and a quantitative evaluation regarding competence and personal attitude was performed. After processing the models, the groups were formatively tested and the results were analyzed comparatively. Ultimately, crossover of the models enabled a qualitative comparative evaluation of the models and a renewed quantitative evaluation was carried out. RESULTS: No significant differences between the groups were identified in the formative testing. The evaluations demonstrated increased self-assessment of knowledge competence, a tendency towards a highly positive attitude towards the VR method after completion of the course, and generally beneficial subjective aspects of the VR model. In addition, there was a positive effect and a positive perception of the delivery of anatomic content. CONCLUSION: Use of VR is suitable as an alternative to conventional teaching methods in curricular ENT teaching. The current evidence demonstrates the equality of VR and indicates its great potential for future educational tasks.

[Traditional vs. modern: possibilities and limitations of the new lecture concept in ENT teaching curricula]. / Tradition vs. Moderne: Möglichkeiten und Limitationen eines neuen Vorlesungskonzepts in der curricularen HNO-Lehre.

BACKGROUND: Due to steadily dwindling student attendance, a new blended learning lecture format was piloted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the University Medical Center Freiburg in the winter semester (WS) 2017/18: the ENT 3D series. In order to present complex ENT topics (e.g., middle ear) in a more understandable, appealing, and clinically relevant manner, the clinical disciplines of otorhinolaryngology and radiology cooperated with the preclinical specialty of anatomy. The aim of the study was to evaluate this teaching format and investigate preferences that could encourage students to attend lectures. METHODS: In all lectures, participants of the ENT block internship in the 2017/18 WS were asked about the quality of the lecture using an evaluation card. In addition, the increase in knowledge was examined in each of the newly designed lectures. A final questionnaire asked the students about their preferences regarding teaching methods. RESULTS: Overall, the new courses were not rated better than the regular ones, although the new concept was generally rated positively. It was not possible to attract more lecture attendees. However, the traditional teaching format "lecture" is still regarded as up to date by a defined group of students. CONCLUSION: Despite a principally positive student assessment of a new lecture format, the 3D lectures did not achieve top marks in any category. This can be explained by the accumulation of unexpected student criticisms (quantity of the course content). Thus, the parameters intended as indicators (e-learning, quality of the course, use of modern teaching methods) could not fulfil their task. The result of the evaluation requires critical reflection and, if necessary, partial reorganization of the course (streamlining of content).