Categories: Blog

Enhancing Dental Education with Immersify: A Case Study from UCLA on Improving Student Clinical Performance

The UCLA School of Dentistry integrated Immersify to address the identified shortfall in their dental students’ ability to prescribe oral medications effectively. UCLA conducted a study to delve into the impact of Immersify on student clinical performance, focusing on Immersify’s innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI), simulation, and gamification to enhance dental education. As a result, the integration of Immersify at UCLA School of Dentistry significantly enhanced dental students’ prescribing skills.

Methods

UCLA utilizes a comprehensive 14-point assessment tool developed by the University of Michigan to evaluate dental students’ clinical skills. For this research in particular, attention was directed towards the category of “Prescribing Oral Medications: Selects appropriate medications and dosages,” where historical data revealed consistent underperformance. Starting in the fall quarter of 2023, fourth-year students were mandated to complete the Oral Medication and Prescribing Module within the Immersify app prior to their clinical rotations.

The module included 47 lessons and 25 multiple-choice quizzes. It also featured a unique simulation where students listened to AI patients and decided on the correct prescription, offering a strong educational foundation. Notably, the integration of Immersify was carried out discreetly, with site preceptors unaware of students’ participation in this educational intervention.

A statistical analysis, employing a two-tailed independent t-test (p<0.05), was conducted to compare preceptor assessment scores between students who engaged with Immersify and those who did not across four consecutive fall quarters.

Results

Analysis of 207 preceptor assessments spanning fall 2020 to fall 2023 revealed compelling insights. Of these, 45 assessments were attributed to students who completed the Immersify module, while 162 assessments served as the comparison group.

Significantly, a notable difference emerged between the two groups. Students who engaged with Immersify showcased a mean preceptor assessment score of x=3.8 (σ=0.815), while their counterparts in the non-Immersify group exhibited a lower mean score of x=3.53 (σ=0.724). The statistical analysis, yielding a t-value of -2.146 (p<0.05), underscored the effectiveness of Immersify in bolstering student clinical performance in prescribing oral medications.

Conclusion

The integration of Immersify at UCLA School of Dentistry yielded statistically significant benefits, particularly in addressing the deficiency in dental students’ prescribing skills. By leveraging Immersify’s interactive modules, students were equipped with enhanced knowledge and proficiency, as evidenced by improved preceptor assessments.

This not only highlights the efficacy of Immersify in enhancing dental education but also underscores its potential to revolutionize learning paradigms across various disciplines. With its seamless blend of AR, AI, simulation, and gamification, Immersify stands as a beacon of innovation, empowering students to excel in clinical settings and beyond. As educational institutions worldwide seek transformative solutions, Immersify emerges as a compelling ally in the pursuit of excellence.

Maria Buitrago-Pinzon