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Virtual Reality Simulation for Suicide Risk Assessment Training: Prevalence of Adverse Effects

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Abstract

Objective

Virtual reality (VR) simulation is changing the landscape of simulation-based medical education. Immersive VR allows users to interact with a computer-generated environment and digital avatars using a VR headset and controllers. However, current literature regarding the use of immersive VR simulation in psychiatric medical education is sparse. This study describes its use and considerations regarding tolerability.

Methods

At a mental health hospital in Canada, two immersive VR suicide risk assessment (SRA) case simulations were developed. These simulations have participants interview VR patients to characterize their suicide risk, offering a novel and safe way to engage healthcare providers in SRA training. Regarding user tolerability of these VR simulations, the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) was administered to participants after the simulation to characterize any motion sickness symptoms experienced.

Results

Of the 22 participants in this study, the overall SSQ scores demonstrated good tolerability of the VR SRA, with the majority of participants reporting no or minimal simulator sickness symptoms. Moreover, the majority of participants reported being satisfied with this training and that the VR SRA simulation enhanced their learning experience.

Conclusion

These study findings are novel, given the current dearth of data regarding the use of immersive VR in simulation-based psychiatric medical education. Further studies exploring the educational effectiveness of VR SRA in simulation-based psychiatric medical education are indicated.

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Funding

This project was financially supported by the eCampusOntario initiative.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Alexander G. Bahadur, Sanjeev Sockalingam & Petal S. Abdool

  2. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Fabienne Hargreaves, Rachel Antinucci, Sanjeev Sockalingam & Petal S. Abdool

Authors
  1. Alexander G. Bahadur
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  2. Fabienne Hargreaves
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  3. Rachel Antinucci
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  4. Sanjeev Sockalingam
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  5. Petal S. Abdool
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexander G. Bahadur.

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Bahadur, A.G., Hargreaves, F., Antinucci, R. et al. Virtual Reality Simulation for Suicide Risk Assessment Training: Prevalence of Adverse Effects. Acad Psychiatry 48, 57–60 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-023-01799-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-023-01799-1

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