title: Avatar-based simulation in the evaluation of diagnosis and management of mental health disorders in primary care.
abstract: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are highly prevalent illnesses, but the literature suggests they are under-detected and suboptimally managed by primary care practitioners (PCPs). In this paper, we propose and use an evaluation method, using digitally simulated patients (avatars) to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning of PCPs and compared it to the traditional use of paper-based cases. Verbal (think-aloud) protocols were captured in the context of a diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning task. Propositional and semantic representational analysis of simulation data during evaluation, showed specific deficiencies in PCP reasoning, suggesting a promise of this technology in training and evaluation in mental health. Avatars are flexible and easily modifiable and are also a cost-effective and easy-to-disseminate educational tool.
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University, USA. Rsatter1@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Satter
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Pierina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Kanav
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kahol
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Vimla L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008603:Mental Health; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000193:education; D011320:Primary Health Care; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy