title: Using virtual worlds for role play simulation in child and adolescent psychiatry: an evaluation study.
abstract: Aims and method To develop and evaluate a novel teaching session on clinical assessment using role play simulation. Teaching and research sessions occurred sequentially in computer laboratories. Ten medical students were divided into two online small-group teaching sessions. Students role-played as clinician avatars and the teacher played a suicidal adolescent avatar. Questionnaire and focus-group methodology evaluated participants' attitudes to the learning experience. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS, qualitative data through nominal-group and thematic analyses. Results Participants reported improvements in psychiatric skills/knowledge, expressing less anxiety and more enjoyment than role-playing face to face. Data demonstrated a positive relationship between simulator fidelity and perceived utility. Some participants expressed concern about added value over other learning methods and non-verbal communication. Clinical implications The study shows that virtual worlds can successfully host role play simulation, valued by students as a useful learning method. The potential for distance learning would allow delivery irrespective of geographical distance and boundaries.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London.
authors.forename: Aaron K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Vallance
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London.
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hemani
authors.affiliation: Springfield University Hospital, London.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: University of the West of Scotland, Paisley.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Livingstone
authors.affiliation: University of Ulster, Derry.
authors.forename: Kerri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McCusker
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toro-Troconis