Use of 360° interactive virtual tours to enhance familiarity of the radiology department

H Vu; E Arruzza; M Chau

doi:10.1016/j.radi.2025.103023

Use of 360° interactive virtual tours to enhance familiarity of the radiology department

Radiography (Lond). 2025 Aug;31(5):103023. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2025.103023. Epub 2025 Jul 12.

Authors

H Vu¹, E Arruzza², M Chau³

Affiliations

¹ UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. Electronic address: Haley.Vu@unisa.edu.au.
² UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. Electronic address: Elio.Arruzza@unisa.edu.au.
³ Faculty of Science and Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia. Electronic address: schau@csu.edu.au.

PMID: 40652904
DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2025.103023

Abstract

Introduction: Traditionally, preparing students for clinical placements in radiography has involved a combination of academic coursework and hands-on practice using X-ray equipment with facilities. However, limited access to clinical environments before placements can make the transition challenging for students. To address this gap, this study aimed to develop and evaluate a 360° virtual tour platform as a supplementary educational tool to enhance students' familiarity with radiology departments and improve their confidence before entering clinical placements.

Methods: A virtual radiology department was created using 360° panoramic photographs of local radiology clinics. To measure the effectiveness of this tool, students completed pre-tour and post-tour surveys assessing their understanding of the clinical setting, familiarity with X-ray room layouts, and confidence in preparing for placements.

Results: 90 % of the students who participated in the study reported the 360° virtual tour was beneficial in improving their confidence in preparing for placements and supplementing their knowledge of the clinical environment. The tour provided them with a clearer understanding of the layout of X-ray rooms, workflow, and essential equipment, helping to reduce anxiety before placements. Overall satisfaction with the virtual tour was high with 100 % of students willing to use it again.

Conclusion: The results suggest that a 360° virtual tour serves as a valuable 'stepping-stone' for students transitioning to clinical practice. This cost-effective and versatile teaching tool can enhance student preparedness and may be adopted as a supplementary resource in radiography education.

Implications for practice: The findings have broader implications for integrating virtual reality tools in healthcare education. Future research should explore its application across various disciplines and assess its long-term impact on student learning outcomes.

Keywords: 360-Degree; Clinical placements; Clinical tours; Digital learning; Higher education; Radiography.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Clinical Competence
Education, Medical, Undergraduate* / methods
Humans
Radiology Department, Hospital*
Radiology* / education
Students, Medical
Surveys and Questionnaires
User-Computer Interface*
Virtual Reality*