ArticlePloS one2025
Evaluation of a novel virtual reality training intervention to address implicit bias among healthcare workers, using an implementation science framework.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
14 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundThere is a link between racial bias and poor health outcomes among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We aimed to design and evaluate a novel pilot virtual reality (VR) training program to reduce racial bias among healthcare providers in a university healthcare system.
methodsCULTIVATE (Combatting Unequal Treatment in Healthcare Through Virtual Awareness in Empathy) is a mixed-methods study utilizing virtual reality (VR) training to enhance healthcare providers' empathy towards racially and linguistically discordant patients. Participants included White-identifying clinical providers and graduate-level healthcare students, excluding those not engaged in direct patient care, BIPOC providers, and individuals unable to participate in VR training. Empathy was measured using a situational empathy scale and the Jefferson Empathy Scale (JSE) before and after the intervention, which comprised two VR modules, empathy assessments, and a qualitative interview. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework to evaluate the program. The RE-AIM model will structure a framework for understanding virtual reality's utility in future healthcare practice.
resultsReach: 30 adults participated, mostly women (n = 21), 47% were physicians, and 8% had no prior implicit bias training. Eighteen participants completed pre- and post-VR empathy assessments and interviews. Effectiveness: There was no significant difference in mean JSE scores pre- (120.7) and post-intervention (122.2), but qualitative data indicated increased emotional responses. Adoption: Participants endorsed the intervention with a mean score of 8 (SD = 2) on a 10-point Likert scale for recommending it to others. Implementation: The program followed the pre-designed protocol. Maintenance: Participants reported improved clinical empathy towards BIPOC patients in qualitative analyses.
conclusionsIn this pilot study, participants found VR training to be acceptable and feasible. A larger sample needs to participate in the intervention to determine effectiveness. Qualitative results demonstrated that VR training enhanced empathy.
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