High Immersion, High Acceptance: Exploring the Practicality of Virtual Reality for Enhancing Remote Medical Interpreting Training

The growing demand for medical Spanish-English interpreters has prompted a significant evolution in interpretive modalities, particularly the adoption of remote interpreting. This innovative approach seeks to address the pressing shortage of trained interpreters in the medical field, especially as healthcare systems increasingly integrate diverse populations. Remote interpreting not only enhances accessibility but also necessitates the development of key skills such as interactional management and stress management.

Despite these advancements, current training programs often fall short in integrating realism and simulation—critical components for preparing interpreters to handle the complex, high-stakes environments they will encounter. Medical interpreters frequently encounter challenging linguistic situations that demand intense focus and the development of practical skills similar to those used in real-world settings.

This pilot study, conducted with participants from Peru, investigated the potential of an experimental Virtual Reality (VR) training module, comparing it to traditional video-call simulations. Utilizing pre- and post-tests alongside psychological and performance evaluations, the core objective was to assess the viability of the VR modality and its capacity to enhance trainee acceptance and immersion within the role-play context. Preliminary findings, particularly from qualitative feedback, suggest the VR format successfully achieves significantly higher levels of perceived realism and presence compared to the video-call modality.

Our findings provide an essential first look at the logistical design and practicality of VR module and its impact on user experience. Preliminary results, while not showing significant differences in skill/stress management after one day, confirm that the enhanced realism of the VR environment is highly accepted by trainees. This research suggests that VR’s capacity to induce high immersion is pivotal, justifying a longer, multi-week intervention to fully evaluate if this high acceptance translates into superior skill transfer and retention for remote medical interpreters.