Suicide risk assessment training using an online virtual patient simulation

Abstract

Background: Improving the identification of and intervention with patients at risk for suicide requires innovative training techniques that safely and effectively teach or enhance practitioners' skills. Virtual patient simulations (VPS) can be particularly effective for this purpose because they allow for repetition in skill building as well as a safe space to practice difficult interactions with patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a novel VPS that trains practitioners in suicide risk assessment, as well as to examine pre-post changes in suicide-related knowledge through a pilot of the VPS training. Methods: Practitioners (n=20) were recruited from a Federally Qualified Health Center in the northeastern United States to test the feasibility and acceptability of a VPS suicide risk assessment training. A paired samples t-test was conducted to compare mean differences in practitioners' suicide risk assessment knowledge scores from pre-to post-training, on a scale of 0 to 10. Results: The VPS was feasible to implement, with 18 of 20 participants using the VPS for an average of 21 to 95 minutes, and was acceptable to participants, with an average satisfaction rating of 5.82 out of 7. Participants' knowledge scores improved significantly by an average of 1.86 points from pre-to post-training. Conclusions: The VPS was feasible and acceptable to this sample of practitioners and significantly increased knowledge from pre-to post-training. As such, VPS holds promise as a technique to develop skills in suicide risk assessment.

Study protocol for the implementation and evaluation of the Self-harm Assessment and Management for General Hospitals programme in Ireland (SAMAGH)

“…We conducted an extensive review of the existing evidence of simulation training on self-harm and suicide prevention. Only five peer reviewed published studies were available, addressing self-harm/suicide related knowledge and attitude related outcomes [21][22][23], feasibility of the training [23], teaching learning outcomes [24], and improving gatekeeper behaviour for suicide prevention [25]. The simulation training methods varied from role-play sessions with virtual patients [23], people with lived experience of mental illness [21], simulated emergency medical scenarios with high fidelity mannequins and structured reflective debriefing [22], online role-play simulations with use of emotionally responsive avatars [25], and training using theatre students as simulated standardised patients [24].…”

Training Medical Communication Skills with Virtual Patients: Literature Review and Directions for Future Research

“…Narrative HOLLIE [1], AtRiskInPrimaryCare [2], Dupuy [15], CynthiaY-oungVP [19], Jacklin [28,29], MPathic-VR [21,40], Communicate! [31], Marei [44], Ochs [47], Szilas [63] Narrative + Problem solving Banszki [4,53], NERVE [25,26,37], Maicher [43], Suicide Prevention [48], VSPR [50,52], Richardson [54], CESTOLVRClinic [59], Schoenthaler [60], Washburn [66], UTTimePortal [68,69], Zlotos [70] Unfolding Closed-option HOLLIE [1], AtRiskInPrimaryCare [2], Dupuy [15], MPathic-VR [21,40], NERVE [25,26,37], Jacklin [28,29], Communicate! [31],…”

“…Marei [44], Suicide Prevention [48], VSPR [50,52], Richardson [54], CESTOLVRClinic [59], Schoenthaler [60], Szilas [63], UTTimePortal [68,69], Zlotos [70], Open-option Banszki [4,53], CynthiaYoungVP [19], NERVE [25,26,37], Maicher [43], Washburn [66] Hybrid…”

“…Ochs [47] Feedback Replay feature Dupuy [15], Communicate! [31], Ochs [47], VSPR [50,52], Zlotos [70] Virtual instructor At-Risk in Primary Care [2], Suicide Prevention [48], Schoenthaler [60] Multiple session structure MPathic-VR [21,40]…”

“…The narrative VPs are characterized by a coherent storyline, with a focus on cause-effect decisions that have a direct impact on the evolution of the simulation. These VPs present the patient as more than a mere collection of data and statistics, and devote a certain degree of attention to interpersonal and CynthiaYoungVP [19], Suicide Prevention [48], VSPR [50,52]…”