Virtual Reality in Biomedical Education in the sense of the 3Rs

Article 23(2) of EU Directive 2010/63 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes requires staff involved in the care and use of animals to be adequately educated and trained before carrying out procedures. Therefore, the 3Rs (refinement, reduction, and replacement) and knowledge of alternative methods should be part of the education and training itself. For this purpose, the digital learning concept “Virtual Reality (VR) in Biomedical Education” evolved, which successfully combines VR components with classical learning content. Procedures, such as anesthesia induction, substance application, and blood sampling in rats, as well as aspects of the laboratory environment were recorded in 360° videos. The generated VR teaching/learning modules (VR modules) were used to better prepare participants for hands-on training (refinement) or as a complete replacement for a live demonstration; thus, reducing the number of animals used for hands-on skills training (reduction). The current study evaluated users’ experience of the VR modules. Despite little previous VR experience, participants strongly appreciated the VR modules and indicated that they believed VR has the potential to enhance delivery of procedures and demonstrations. Interestingly, participants with previous experience of laboratory animal science were more convinced about VR’s potential to support the 3Rs principle, and endorsed its use for further educational purposes. In conclusion, VR appeared to be highly accepted as a learning/teaching method, indicating its great potential to further replace and reduce the use of animals in experimental animal courses.