Acceptability and feasibility of using avatar-based virtual world software as an adjunct to clinical interventions, training, and reflective practice in a medium secure setting: A qualitative interview study.
ProReal
avatar
communication
mentalisation based therapy
therapeutic relationship
virtual world
Journal
Criminal behaviour and mental health : CBMH
ISSN: 1471-2857
Titre abrégé: Crim Behav Ment Health
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9309668
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Dec 2022
Dec 2022
Historique:
received:
03
06
2021
accepted:
24
10
2022
pubmed:
9
11
2022
medline:
7
12
2022
entrez:
8
11
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Relationships are at the core of recovery, particularly in secure services where patients have usually had difficulties with authority figures and can have mentalisation deficits. Early indications are that avatar-based virtual world software may help facilitate communication and emotional expression. To establish the feasibility of using avatar-based virtual world software in a medium secure hospital, adjunctive to standard staff-patient interactions during clinical interventions and staff activities including reflective practice and training; to explore patient, staff participant and facilitator experiences using it. Use of the software was offered across an 89-bedded unit as an optional adjunct to clinical interventions, reflective practice and training sessions. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Volunteer sampling was used. Five patients volunteered and were matched with an equal number of staff facilitators and participants. Eighty four sessions were completed using the avatar software with between 1 and 11 participant(s) per session, totalling 347 participant sessions. No adverse events occurred relatable to the sessions. An overarching theme of 'adding value' emerged, encompassing subthemes such as 'concrete visual presence and imagery', 'mentalisation processes' and 'enhanced focus, depth and problem solving'. Experiences of added value were affected by moderators which were 'power and relationship dynamics', the 'ability to use software', 'practical processes' and 'literacy'. Avatar software is feasible to implement, acceptable to patients and staff and may offer an opportunity to aid mentalisation and reflection. By definition, everyone engaging in this study was a volunteer, even an enthusiast, so it would now be useful to extend evaluation to those who need some encouragement to use avatar software. Research to quantify benefits and establish the cost impact is now indicated, as our findings show it may offer a novel way of connecting with hard-to-reach patient groups.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Relationships are at the core of recovery, particularly in secure services where patients have usually had difficulties with authority figures and can have mentalisation deficits. Early indications are that avatar-based virtual world software may help facilitate communication and emotional expression.
AIMS
OBJECTIVE
To establish the feasibility of using avatar-based virtual world software in a medium secure hospital, adjunctive to standard staff-patient interactions during clinical interventions and staff activities including reflective practice and training; to explore patient, staff participant and facilitator experiences using it.
METHODS
METHODS
Use of the software was offered across an 89-bedded unit as an optional adjunct to clinical interventions, reflective practice and training sessions. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Volunteer sampling was used. Five patients volunteered and were matched with an equal number of staff facilitators and participants.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Eighty four sessions were completed using the avatar software with between 1 and 11 participant(s) per session, totalling 347 participant sessions. No adverse events occurred relatable to the sessions. An overarching theme of 'adding value' emerged, encompassing subthemes such as 'concrete visual presence and imagery', 'mentalisation processes' and 'enhanced focus, depth and problem solving'. Experiences of added value were affected by moderators which were 'power and relationship dynamics', the 'ability to use software', 'practical processes' and 'literacy'.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Avatar software is feasible to implement, acceptable to patients and staff and may offer an opportunity to aid mentalisation and reflection. By definition, everyone engaging in this study was a volunteer, even an enthusiast, so it would now be useful to extend evaluation to those who need some encouragement to use avatar software. Research to quantify benefits and establish the cost impact is now indicated, as our findings show it may offer a novel way of connecting with hard-to-reach patient groups.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
377-388Informations de copyright
© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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