Virtual reality boosts empathy in Doctors-in-Training, study finds
NCT ID NCT06351397
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a mixed reality simulation of a medical crisis could increase empathy in anesthesiology trainees. 81 participants wore a headset that added holographic elements to a real training scenario. They filled out empathy surveys before and after the simulation to measure any changes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Mixed reality simulation
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward new ways to train empathy in healthcare professionals using immersive technology.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with no phase, so results may not apply broadly. It measures self-reported empathy, not actual patient outcomes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford
Palo Alto, California, 94303, United States
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