AIM To explore the application effect of mobile phone APP based on virtual reality technology (VR) in teaching cardiac examination.

METHODS Ninety-six undergraduates majoring in clinical medicine from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University were selected. They were divided into control group (n=45) and VR teaching group (n=51) based on the students’ option. Traditional teaching model was used for the teaching of cardiac examination in both groups. The students in control group used traditional review method in preparing for the assessment, while the students in VR teaching group prepared for the assessment with the review method of VR mobile phone APP.

RESULTS The students in VR teaching group had significantly higher scores and significantly higher satisfaction with the improvement of learning interest, operation ability and self-study ability than those in control group. The questionnaire survey results showed that the students in VR teaching group were satisfied with the operation process, application experience and teaching effect of mobile phone APP.

CONCLUSION The mobile phone teaching APP based on VR technology, not limited by time and space, enhanced students’ interest in learning cardiac examination and helped them better master the relevant knowledge of cardiac examination, which has a broad application prospect in clinical teaching.