The effectiveness of a Metaverse Based Emergency Training Platform for undergraduate medical students

The effectiveness of a Metaverse Based Emergency Training Platform for undergraduate medical students | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article The effectiveness of a Metaverse Based Emergency Training Platform for undergraduate medical students Sana Ben Hammouda, Majed Bouchahma, Maher Maoua, Omer Eladil Abdalla Hamid Mohammed, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8820337/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 6 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Following the successful implementation of a VR anatomy module, this study evaluates the effectiveness of a metaverse-based emergency training platform. The research explores the feasibility of using immersive, multiplayer environments to enhance emergency medical competencies among students in resource-constrained educational settings. A cohort of second-year medical students at the Ibn Al-Jazzar Faculty of Medicine participated in three progressively challenging simulation scenarios: cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), management of moderate asthma exacerbation, and mass-casualty triage using the START method. The platform was developed in Unity 3D, featuring interactive multiplayer avatar collaboration. Students completed pre- and post-simulation questionnaires to assess seven key dimensions: realism, navigation, engagement, memorization, anxiety reduction, confidence, and perceived decision-making under pressure. The platform received high ratings for accuracy and realism, with 90% of participants scoring it as "good" or "excellent." Usability was rated positively by 73% of students. Significant improvements were observed in anxiety reduction and confidence (mean score increased from 2.68 to 4.28) and perceived preparedness (mean 4.41 to 4.76). While students strongly supported the integration of VR as a supplementary tool (mean 4.39 to 4.56), they remained cautious regarding the total replacement of physical labs (mean 3.23 to 3.43). Metaverse-based emergency simulations represent a feasible, scalable, and cost-effective approach to strengthening both technical and non-technical competencies. The findings support a blended learning model where immersive technology supplements traditional clinical training, particularly in environments where physical simulation resources may be limited. Anxiety reduction Confidence Emergency Simulation-based training Interprofessional education (IPE) Metaverse Medical education Virtual Reality Undergraduate medical students Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files PreVirtualRealityEducationalToolClinicalEmergencyLastGoogleForms.pdf EmergencyPostVirtualRealityEducationalToolClinicalLabGoogleForms.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 22 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 17 Apr, 2026 Editor invited by journal 23 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 12 Feb, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 11 Feb, 2026 First submitted to journal 11 Feb, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8820337","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":627873347,"identity":"2b59b822-d0d9-4891-aab0-f0c8827bce99","order_by":0,"name":"Sana Ben 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