Virtual Reality Simulation in Episiotomy Training

The correct application and repair of episiotomy, which is a frequently used intervention in labor, is important for the psychological and physiological health of the mother after birth. Therefore, it is very important to provide students with the skill of performing episiotomy with the most effective education methods, to reduce their anxiety in this regard and to increase their self-efficacy. Trying to teach suture techniques on sponge, chicken, calf tongue or a soft material is quite limited when the integrity of episiotomy education is considered. Developments in simulation techniques, especially virtual reality glasses that help users experience sensory information such as visual, auditory and movement with real-like experiences, reveal the importance of using technology in health education. Since it does not require additional materials such as calf tongue, sponge, needle holder, etc., it is important for midwifery education to be economical. In addition, the fact that the application can be repeated many times without harming the person affects the anxiety and self-efficacy levels of students before real clinical experience. Within the scope of the study, in order to evaluate the effect of using virtual reality in teaching episiotomy application and repair on students' episiotomy self-efficacy and anxiety levels, midwifery students taking the Normal Birth and Postpartum period course will be divided into three groups during the episiotomy teaching application; one group will practice on calf tongue, one group will practice only with virtual reality, and one group will practice using both. The study data will be collected through the Student Identification Form, State Anxiety Inventory, and Episiotomy Self-Efficacy Scale. The analysis of the data obtained from the research will be done with the SPSS program. It is thought that the study will make a significant contribution to the literature in terms of evaluating the effect of virtual reality glasses on episio