Johnston, SashaStrong, GaryKnowles, Steve2023-04-012023-04-012022-12-02Johnston, S. et al, 2022. Virtual reality: the future or a COVID-era plaster? Journal of Paramedic Practice, 14 (12), 504-508.1759-13762041-945710.12968/jpar.2022.14.12.504http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12417/1396The COVID-19 pandemic has placed the UK NHS under considerable stress (NHS Providers and Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), 2021). One consequence of delivering the frontline response was the reduced capacity of UK emergency medical service (EMS) ambulance organisations to provide practical placement opportunities for undergraduate paramedic students (Council of Deans of Health, 2020). Physical distancing requirements (Sørensen et al, 2021) prevented many students from undertaking ‘on-the-road’ ambulance shifts, compromising their learning experience. To ensure that paramedic students received the training required to meet course objectives, a large NHS EMS organisation in South West England secured funding from Health Education England (HEE) to explore whether virtual reality (VR) technology could bridge the gap. Abstract published with permission.enEmergency Medical ServicesCOVID-19Virtual RealityWorkforceParamedic Practice