The role of extended reality technology in healthcare education: Towards a learner-centred approach.

The use of extended reality (XR) technologies is growing rapidly in a range of industries from gaming to aviation. However, how this technology should be implemented in healthcare education is not well-documented in the literature. Learner-driven implementation of educational technology has previously been shown to be more effective than a technology-driven approach. In this paper we conduct a narrative literature review of relevant papers to explore the role of XR technologies in learner-driven approaches to healthcare educatio. This paper aims to evaluate the position of XR technologies in learner-centred pedagogical models, determine what functions of XR technologies can improve learner-centred approaches in healthcare education, and explore whether XR technologies can improve learning outcomes in healthcare education. We conclude that XR technologies have unique attributes that can improve learning outcomes when compared to traditional learning methods, but there is currently a shortfall in learner-centred implementation of XR technologies in healthcare education, where these technologies have the capacity to cause a paradigm shift.

Embodying self-compassion within virtual reality and its effects on patients with depression.

BACKGROUND: Self-criticism is a ubiquitous feature of psychopathology and can be combatted by increasing levels of self-compassion. However, some patients are resistant to self-compassion. AIMS: To investigate whether the effects of self-identification with virtual bodies within immersive virtual reality could be exploited to increase self-compassion in patients with depression. METHOD: We developed an 8-minute scenario in which 15 patients practised delivering compassion in one virtual body and then experienced receiving it from themselves in another virtual body. RESULTS: In an open trial, three repetitions of this scenario led to significant reductions in depression severity and self-criticism, as well as to a significant increase in self-compassion, from baseline to 4-week follow-up. Four patients showed clinically significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that interventions using immersive virtual reality may have considerable clinical potential and that further development of these methods preparatory to a controlled trial is now warranted. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None. COPYRIGHT AND USAGE: © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence.

A Moderate Dose of Alcohol Does Not Influence Experience of Social Ostracism in Hazardous Drinkers.

Anecdotal and correlational evidence suggests a relationship between social ostracism and alcohol dependence. Furthermore, a recent fMRI investigation found differences in the neural correlates associated with ostracism in people with alcohol dependence compared to healthy controls. We predicted that acutely administered alcohol would reduce the negative effects of social ostracism. Alcohol (0.4 g/kg) or matched placebo was administered to a sample of 32 hazardous drinkers over two sessions in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. In each session, participants were exposed to an ostracism event via the computerized ball passing game, "Cyberball." In order to quantify the effects of ostracism, the fundamental needs questionnaire was completed twice on each testing session; immediately after (i) social inclusion and (ii) social exclusion. Ostracism caused robust changes to scores on the fundamental needs questionnaire, in line with previous literature. Alcohol administration did not influence the effects of simulated social ostracism, which was supported by a Bayesian analysis. Exploratory analyses revealed a negative relationship between age and ostracism induced fundamental needs threat across both sessions. In conclusion, a moderate dose of alcohol did not influence experience of simulated social ostracism in hazardous drinkers. Further research is needed to establish the effects of alcohol administration on social ostracism using different doses and populations of alcohol users.