Virtual reality training to improve lethal means safety counseling with rural Veterans
Expanding Provider Capacity to Prevent Rural Veteran Suicide: Virtual Reality Lethal Means Safety Training
This project tests whether virtual reality training helps healthcare providers who serve rural Veterans feel more confident and comfortable talking about suicide prevention and safe storage of firearms and medications.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Texas at Arlington Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Arlington, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT07219355 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized trial will compare an immersive VR simulation to a 2D video training to teach lethal means safety counseling for rural Veterans. Healthcare providers serving rural Veterans will be randomly assigned to use a Meta Quest 3 VR headset to practice counseling with a virtual Veteran avatar or to watch a matched 2D video training. Participants complete online surveys before the training, immediately after, and three months later to measure confidence, comfort, intention to use counseling skills, and user experience. The project builds on prior feasibility work with VR-based Veteran suicide assessment and aims to test whether the immersive approach produces greater changes in provider behavior-related outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are English-speaking healthcare providers (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, case managers) aged 18 or older who serve rural Veterans in Texas and can use VR equipment.
Not a fit: People who are not healthcare providers, providers who do not serve rural Veterans in Texas, or individuals with medical conditions that prevent safe VR use (e.g., severe motion sickness, certain cardiac or neurological conditions, incompatible implanted devices, or pregnancy per study exclusion) are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the training could increase the number of providers who routinely discuss safe storage of firearms and medications with rural Veterans, which may reduce access to lethal means and lower suicide risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior VET-SAVR research showed VR delivery of Veteran suicide training was feasible and acceptable, but randomized comparisons of immersive VR versus video for lethal means counseling are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 or older * healthcare providers serving rural Veterans in Texas (e.g., physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, healthcare case managers) * English-speaking * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Self-reported pregnancy * History of motor or balance disorders * Color blindness * Neurological or cognitive disorders * Cardiovascular issues that may be worsened by VR use * Use of cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, or hearing aids incompatible with VR equipment * Significant discomfort in virtual reality environments (e.g., severe motion sickness, vertigo)
Where this trial is running
Arlington, Texas
- University of Texas at Arlington — Arlington, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Donna L. Schuman, PhD, LCSW — University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work
- Study coordinator: Donna L. Schuman, PhD, LCSW
- Email: donna.schuman@uta.edu
- Phone: 817-272-3181
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.