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Optimizing Triage Training: A Comparative Assessment of the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality and On-Site Simulation as Tools to Enhance Knowledge and Operational Performance of Healthcare Staff
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Amirhossein Yadollahi   , Yasin Zangarki Farahani , Morteza Rajabpour Ahangar , Mohammad Pourebrahimi * |
| School of Nursing, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , pourebrahimi62@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (3 Views) |
During military operations and large-scale crises, battlefield triage constitutes one of the most critical pillars of casualty management. Rapid and accurate decision-making in this process not only ensures the survival of the injured but also enables optimal allocation of medical resources and prevents the waste of limited capacities. The importance of triage becomes even more pronounced under unpredictable environmental conditions, intense psychological pressure on healthcare personnel, and equipment constraints -all of which directly affect performance quality. In such circumstances, even minor errors in patient prioritization can lead to severe and irreversible consequences. Therefore, training nursing and medical personnel through innovative and efficient approaches is not merely an educational necessity but a strategic imperative for enhancing defensive and emergency response capabilities. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of two prominent educational methods- Virtual Reality (VR) and In-Situ Simulation- on improving theoretical knowledge and, more importantly, the operational performance of nursing students in executing military triage protocols. The study population consisted of 50 nursing students who underwent training under controlled conditions using standardized protocols. These two educational modalities were selected due to their ability to recreate realistic battlefield conditions and provide near-real experiential learning. The results of this comparative interventional study demonstrated that both training methods significantly improved students’ theoretical knowledge and practical performance (P<0.05). This finding indicates that the integration of modern educational technologies, regardless of modality, can substantially enhance training quality and preparedness among nursing personnel. However, more detailed data analysis revealed that virtual reality outperformed traditional in-situ simulation in both statistical and practical terms. Specifically, VR-based training showed superior effectiveness in enhancing the critical operational component of triage performance -namely, rapid and accurate decision-making under high-stress conditions. Unique features of virtual reality, including unlimited opportunities for repetitive practice, precise simulation of crisis scenarios, and immersive experiential learning, contributed to increased learner confidence and reduced performance-related anxiety. Based on the findings of this study, virtual reality emerges as an innovative, safe, and fully immersive educational platform and represents the most effective tool for training healthcare personnel to make high-stakes decisions in military and crisis environments. The policy implication of this research is clear: policymakers and educational administrators should adopt strategies centered on investment in virtual reality technologies and systematically integrate them into medical and nursing curricula. Such an approach will not only elevate the operational readiness of healthcare personnel to the highest possible level but also ensure more effective responses during crises, ultimately leading to reduced human casualties in battlefield and disaster settings. Moreover, these findings may serve as a model for other domains of emergency medicine and crisis management, contributing to the development of technology-driven educational policies at national and international levels.
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| Keywords: Triage, Virtual reality, Performance, Healthcare personnel, Optimization |
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Full-Text [PDF 331 kb]
(3 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Policy Brief |
Subject:
Marine Medicine
Received: 2026/01/6 | Accepted: 2026/01/29 | Published: 2026/01/30
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