M.E. Research in Northern Ireland - Study Published 2024

Virtual reality education on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis for medical students and healthcare professionals: a pilot study

The impact of the Discover M.E. experience as an educational tool for medical students and primary care-based HCPs, was evaluated by a Masters Psychology student (Tara Anderson) at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), as her final year thesis research project.

The results indicated that participants showed both increased knowledge and empathy following the immersive VR experience, suggesting that the Discover M.E. video, may be beneficial in medical education in increasing both levels of M.E. knowledge and empathy.

Tara Anderson - School of Nursing and Midwifery, Research Assistant, School of Nursing and Midwifery came on board the charity as a volunteer in 2019, to promote the use of Discover M.E. virtual reality headsets for medical students and went on to publish this study in: BMC Medical Education on 17th September 2024. Read full paper HERE

One of the peer reviewers commented: “The present manuscript is a valuable exploration of the potential benefits of VR in medical education, centring on a condition that requires more visibility and understanding in the given healthcare settings. The authors’ contribution is a vital part of recognising and addressing the educational agenda regarding ME/CFS.”