Abstract
BackgroundBehavioral health disorders have steadily increased and been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though behavioral health disorders can be successfully mitigated with early implementation of evidence-based parent management strategies, education for pediatric residents on behavioral health anticipatory guidance has been limited to date, with training challenges compounded by the physical distancing requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual reality (VR) simulations provide an opportunity to train residents on this complex competency by allowing deliberate practice of necessary skills while adhering to current social distancing guidelines.ObjectiveThis study explored the usability of a VR-based behavioral health anticipatory guidance curriculum for pediatric residents.MethodsThis mixed methods study included 14 postgraduate third-year pediatric residents who completed the behavioral health anticipatory guidance VR curriculum. Residents completed the MEC Spatial Presence Questionnaire to assess immersion in the virtual environment. Semistructured interviews were used to elucidate residents’ perspectives on the curriculum’s content and format. The interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis.ResultsQuantitatively, residents reported a high degree of immersion, spatial presence, and cognitive involvement. Most residents (11/14, 79%) agreed or strongly agreed that it seemed as though they took part in the action of the simulation. Qualitatively, two themes emerged from the data: (1) the curriculum expands behavioral health anticipatory guidance and motivational interviewing knowledge and skills and (2) VR technology is uniquely positioned to develop competence. These themes revealed that the curriculum expanded their current level of knowledge and skill, addressed training gaps, and was applicable to all residents. Additionally, residents experienced VR as immersive, feasible, realistic to the clinic setting, and a safe space to practice and learn new skills.ConclusionsPilot data indicates that VR may be an effective tool to teach pediatric residents behavioral health anticipatory guidance, meeting a current gap in medical education training. This VR curriculum is particularly relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic given the increased behavioral health concerns of families.
Highlights
BackgroundThe behavioral health trajectory of children and youth in the United States is troubling [1,2], with 15% of children currently diagnosed with a behavioral health disorder that affects their mental and physical health during childhood and into adulthood [3,4]
Two themes emerged from the data: (1) the curriculum expands behavioral health anticipatory guidance and motivational interviewing knowledge and skills and (2) Virtual reality (VR) technology is uniquely positioned to develop competence
Pilot data indicates that VR may be an effective tool to teach pediatric residents behavioral health anticipatory guidance, meeting a current gap in medical education training
Summary
BackgroundThe behavioral health trajectory of children and youth in the United States is troubling [1,2], with 15% of children currently diagnosed with a behavioral health disorder that affects their mental and physical health during childhood and into adulthood [3,4]. The development of behavioral health disorders may be mitigated with the implementation of evidence-based parenting strategies that address typical childhood behaviors. The COVID-19 pandemic has limited traditional sources of caregiver support, such as social networks, pediatric primary care remains a safe and trusted setting to address behavior concerns and decrease parental stress using evidence-based behavioral health anticipatory guidance [7]. Despite its potential for significant impact on childhood health, curricula that effectively train providers on administering behavioral health anticipatory guidance have been limited to date, providing an opportunity to use novel technology to address this educational gap. Though behavioral health disorders can be successfully mitigated with early implementation of evidence-based parent management strategies, education for pediatric residents on behavioral health anticipatory guidance has been limited to date, with training challenges compounded by the physical distancing requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual reality (VR) simulations provide an opportunity to train residents on this complex competency by allowing deliberate practice of necessary skills while adhering to current social distancing guidelines
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