PURPOSE

With the growing demand for shared decision-making and patient-centered care, optimal informed consent (IC) has gained relevance. Virtual reality (VR) has seen significant technological advancements, and its medical applications currently include surgical planning and medical education. This pilot study investigates the feasibility of VR-enhanced informed consent (VR-IC) in neurosurgery to improve preoperative IC and patient satisfaction.

METHODS

We included patients aged 18 to 75 years who were scheduled for skull base meningioma or brain aneurysm surgery between May and December 2023. Exclusion criteria were visual/auditory impairments and severe cognitive/psychiatric disorders. Patients received standard IC followed by VR-IC using patient-specific VR models of their pathology. After an initial demonstration by the surgeon, the patients used the VR station independently. A questionnaire with 18 questions on a 5-point Likert scale assessed the subjective impression of VR-IC.

RESULTS

Ten patients participated in the study, with six (60%) undergoing aneurysm clipping and four (40%) undergoing skull base meningioma resection. The mean age of the participants was 58 years (± 15, range 27 to 75 years), with four female patients (40%). Patients overall rated the VR-informed consent (VR-IC) positively with a mean of 4.22 (± 0.84). There was a better understanding of their pathology (mean 4.30 ± 0.92) and the planned procedure (mean 3.95 ± 1.04). Trust in the surgeon was rated with a mean of 3.47 (± 0.94). Only minimal side effects from the VR experience including dizziness or discomfort were noted (mean 4.60 ± 0.22). None of the participants dropped out of the study.

CONCLUSION

VR-enhanced informed consent is feasible and improves patient understanding and satisfaction without significant side effects. These findings will guide the planning of a randomized controlled trial to validate the benefits of VR-IC in neurosurgery further.