title: A pilot feasibility study of virtual patient simulation to enhance social work students' brief mental health assessment skills.
abstract: This study presents preliminary feasibility and acceptability data on the use of virtual patient (VP) simulations to develop brief assessment skills within an interdisciplinary care setting. Results support the acceptability of technology-enhanced simulations and offer preliminary evidence for an association between engagement in VP practice simulations and improvements in diagnostic accuracy and clinical interviewing skills. Recommendations and next steps for research on technology-enhanced simulations within social work are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Virtual Reality Clinical Research Lab, Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research, Graduate College of Social Work , University of Houston , Houston , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Micki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Washburn
authors.affiliation: b School of Social Work , Tulane University , New Orleans , Louisiana , USA.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bordnick
authors.affiliation: c Institute for Creative Technologies, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine , University of Southern California , Playa Vista , California , USA.
authors.forename: Albert Skip
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rizzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D008603:Mental Health; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000076142:Virtual Reality; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Integrated care; simulations; technology training; virtual patients; virtual worlds