Journal of Nursing, Social Studies, Public Health and Rehabilitation X:X | DOI: 10.32725/jnss.2026.009

Virtual reality as an innovative method in teaching healthcare communication

Kristýna Holečková *, Hana Svobodová
Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nursing, Prague, Czech Republic

Introduction: Effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients is key to quality care. Nursing staff are in frequent contact with patients and should have strong communication skills. Case studies, role-playing, simulation with actors, and peer training are traditionally used. Virtual reality offers an innovative way for students to experience realistic scenarios in a safe, controlled environment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse students' perceptions of virtual reality in teaching communication in healthcare, identify the advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality, and obtain feedback from students.

Methods: The study focused on pilot qualitative research involving content analysis of interviews with students who had completed a seminar in communication in healthcare using virtual reality.

Results: Thanks to the qualitative data collection from participants (n = 7), it was found that virtual reality in teaching communication in healthcare is perceived by students as an effective and attractive teaching tool that holds attention, activates each student, can provide a safe environment for training, and creates realistic scenarios. However, during training, there is a lack of physical contact with the patient, the virtual patient does not fully correspond with reality, there is a lack of sophisticated facial expressions and gestures, the technology limits the student's movement, and there are time constraints.

Keywords: Communication; Healthcare; Teaching; Virtual reality
Conflicts of interest:

Ethical aspects and conflict of interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: February 2, 2026; Revised: April 12, 2026; Accepted: May 22, 2026; Prepublished online: May 26, 2026 

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