Usability of mental illness simulation involving scenarios with patients with schizophrenia via immersive virtual reality: A mixed methods study

OBJECTIVES: Schizophrenia is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses contributing to national burden worldwide. It is well known that mental health nursing education, including clinical placement, is still insufficient to reach the optimal level of competency in nursing students. This study suggests a new form of mental health virtual reality (VR) simulation that is user-friendly and engaging to improve education about schizophrenia, thereby improving its treatment. METHOD: A mixed-methods study was conducted with a total of 60 nursing students, using 360-degree videos of five different scenarios reflecting clinical symptoms of schizophrenia patients and related treatment tasks delivered via head-mounted displays (HMDs). We used a 17-item quantitative questionnaire and a 7-item open-ended qualitative questionnaire to evaluate the ease of use and usefulness of the VR simulation program and to identify areas where further improvement is required. RESULTS: The VR simulation program was perceived as useful and exciting. Participants stressed that the high realism of the simulation increased their engagement in and motivation to learn about mental health nursing. Some participants made suggestions, such as further refining the picture and sound quality in order to achieve satisfactory educational outcomes. CONCLUSION: VR simulation using 360-degree videos and HMDs could serve as an effective alternative form of clinical training in mental health nursing. Education could be enhanced by its benefits of being engaging and exciting, as reported by this study’s participants.