TY  - JOUR
AU  - Albright, Glenn
AU  - Khalid, Nikita
AU  - Shockley, Kristen
AU  - Robinson, Kelsey
AU  - Hughes, Kevin
AU  - Pace-Danley, Bethany
PY  - 2021
DA  - 2021/4/29
TI  - Innovative Virtual Role Play Simulations for Managing Substance Use Conversations: Pilot Study Results and Relevance During and After COVID-19
JO  - JMIR Form Res
SP  - e27164
VL  - 5
IS  - 4
KW  - simulations
KW  - behavior change
KW  - motivational interviewing
KW  - virtual humans
KW  - role play
KW  - substance use
KW  - prevention
KW  - alcohol
KW  - public awareness
KW  - innovation
KW  - interview
KW  - COVID-19
KW  - pilot study
KW  - simulation
KW  - communication
KW  - problem solving
AB  - Background: Substance use places a substantial burden on our communities, both economically and socially. In light of COVID-19, it is predicted that as many as 75,000 more people will die from alcohol and other substance use and suicide as a result of isolation, new mental health concerns, and various other stressors related to the pandemic. Public awareness campaigns that aim to destigmatize substance use and help individuals have meaningful conversations with friends, coworkers, or family members to address substance use concerns are a timely and cost-effective means of augmenting existing behavioral health efforts related to substance use. These types of interventions can supplement the work being done by existing public health initiatives. Objective: This pilot study examines the impact of the One Degree: Shift the Influence role play simulation, designed to teach family, friends, and coworkers to effectively manage problem-solving conversations with individuals that they are concerned about regarding substance use. Methods: Participants recruited for this mixed methods study completed a presurvey, the simulation, and a postsurvey, and were sent a 6-week follow-up survey. The simulation involves practicing a role play conversation with a virtual human coded with emotions, a memory, and a personality. A virtual coach provides feedback in using evidence-based communication strategies such as motivational interviewing. Results: A matched sample analysis of variance revealed significant increases at follow-up in composite attitudinal constructs of preparedness (P<.001) and self-efficacy (P=.01), including starting a conversation with someone regarding substance use, avoiding upsetting someone while bringing up concerns, focusing on observable facts, and problem solving. Qualitative data provided further evidence of the simulation’s positive impact on the ability to have meaningful conversations about substance use. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that conversation-based simulations like One Degree: Shift the Influence that use role play practice can teach individuals to use evidence-based communication strategies and can cost-effectively reach geographically dispersed populations to support public health initiatives for primary prevention. 
SN  - 2561-326X
UR  - https://formative.jmir.org/2021/4/e27164
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/27164
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33848972
DO  - 10.2196/27164
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/27164
ER  -