Transforming EMS Education Through Immersive Technology: A Case for Virtual Reality Integration

By: Christopher DeRosa and Matthew Wallace | Article originally published in JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services

The landscape of emergency medical services (EMS) education is evolving. With growing expectations for entry-level competence and an ongoing shortage of EMS providers nationwide, educators are reevaluating how students acquire not just cognitive knowledge but also scene-ready, hands-on clinical competence. Immersive technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), are playing a meaningful role in this transformation.

It is time we reflect on how immersive tools are being used in real classrooms and how they are shaping skills development, engagement and preparedness for tomorrow’s EMS professionals.