Comparing the Training Effectiveness of Virtual Reality and Role Play Among Future Mental Health Providers

• Published in: Psychological trauma Vol. 13; no. 6; pp. 657 - 664
• Main Authors: Atuel, Hazel R., Kintzle, Sara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Educational Publishing Foundation 01-09-2021
• Subjects: Ability; Clinical Competence; Cultural Sensitivity; Female; Graduate Students; Human; Humans; Interviewing; Male; Mental Health; Mental Health Personnel; Military Personnel; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Professional Competence; Role Playing; Self Efficacy; Social Work Education; Suicide; Virtual Reality; graduate-level training; virtual client-trainer; military population; clinical skills
• ISSN: 1942-9681; 1942-969X
• DOI: 10.1037/tra0000997

Objective: The present study compares the effectiveness of a standardized peer-to-peer role play (RP) and a virtual client-trainer (VC-T) in training graduate-level students in the development of interviewing and clinical skills related to working with the military population. The study examines each training modality in six areas: (a) self-efficacy, (b) initial engagement, (c) recognizing and responding to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, (d) recognizing and responding to symptoms of suicide, (e) military cultural competence, and (f) overall competence. Method: A quasi-experimental nonequivalent groups study design was used. The sample comprised students enrolled in a graduate-level program (RP = 61; VC-T = 75). Participants completed pretest measures, attended training, and completed posttest measures. Results: Broadly, the findings revealed that RP and the VC-T are equally effective in increasing trainees' self-efficacy, recognition and response to posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, recognition and response to suicide symptoms, military cultural competence, and overall competence. These results suggest that regardless of training modality, trainees demonstrated increased clinical skills and competencies needed for working with the military population. Conclusions: The results suggest that both RP and the VC-T are equally effective, which opens the possibilities of implementing the VC-T as a training tool that has greater reach compared with RP. As more graduate programs offer an online version of their traditional on-ground coursework, the VC-T is an opportunity to have 1 training platform for both on-ground and online students.
Clinical Impact Statement
This study compares a traditional (i.e., role play) with a technologically enhanced (i.e., virtual client-trainer) training modality provided to graduate-level students who are learning to work with the military population in a clinical setting. Results indicate that the training programs are equally effective in increasing clinical skills among students, which suggests the potential of implementing technological training to prepare more students to work with military clients.