Virtual Reality for Gun Violence Prevention
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to help clinicians learn how to discuss safe firearm storage with caregivers, especially when children are present. An automated virtual reality intervention allows clinicians to practice these conversations with virtual characters and receive instant feedback to improve their skills. The trial seeks doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who work with children and are proficient in reading and writing English. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity for clinicians to enhance their communication skills in a safe, innovative environment.
Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that this virtual reality intervention is safe for clinicians?
Research shows that the automated virtual reality tool for firearm safety counseling is easy to use. One study found that this tool helped clinicians improve their skills and confidence when discussing firearm safety, indicating its effectiveness and safety for users.
Another study found that participants found the virtual reality program practical and well-received. No major safety issues or negative effects were reported. These results suggest that the virtual reality tool is safe for clinicians and enhances their counseling skills.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it introduces an innovative approach to gun violence prevention by using an automated virtual reality (VR) intervention. Unlike traditional counseling methods, this VR intervention allows clinicians to practice firearm safety counseling interactively with virtual characters. The real-time feedback from the VR system aims to enhance behavior change and improve the mastery of counseling skills, providing a unique and engaging learning experience that could lead to more effective communication about firearm safety.
What evidence suggests that this virtual reality intervention is effective for firearm safety counseling?
Research shows that virtual reality (VR) can help doctors enhance their skills in discussing gun safety. In this trial, participants will use an automated VR intervention to practice firearm safety counseling skills. Studies have found that homes with locked and unloaded guns have a lower risk of deadly accidents. The VR program allows doctors to practice these conversations in a virtual environment, interacting with virtual people and receiving instant feedback. This method aims to change behavior and improve counseling skills. Early results suggest it could be an affordable way to reduce gun violence and save lives.12467
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for clinicians who want to improve their skills in counseling caregivers of pediatric patients about safe firearm storage. There are no specific inclusion or exclusion criteria provided, suggesting that it may be open to a wide range of healthcare professionals interested in this training.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Virtual Reality Intervention
Clinicians complete a screen-based automated virtual reality training intervention to learn firearm safety counseling skills
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for effectiveness and skill retention after the intervention
Extended Follow-up
Participants engage in a standardized patient encounter to assess fidelity to the virtual reality intervention components
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- An Automated Virtual Reality Intervention to Support Firearm Safety Counseling
Trial Overview
The study is testing an automated virtual reality intervention designed to train clinicians on how to effectively counsel on firearm safety. The VR technology simulates real-life scenarios and provides feedback using artificial intelligence.
How Is the Trial Designed?
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Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
The automated virtual reality intervention allows clinicians to deliberately practice firearm safety counseling skills through verbal interactions with virtual characters with receipt of immediate feedback to support behavior change and mastery learning.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
Lead Sponsor
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Collaborator
Citations
Project Details
PROJECT SUMMARY Studies have identified a lower fatality risk in households that secure their firearms locked and unloaded when compared to those where ...
Preventing Gun Violence Among Youth
This project will develop an innovative and brief hospital-based virtual reality violence intervention and conduct a rigorous randomized control trial to ...
An Automated Virtual Reality Intervention to Enhance ...
The automated virtual reality intervention allows clinicians to deliberately practice firearm safety counseling skills through verbal ...
4.
meridian.allenpress.com
meridian.allenpress.com/jgme/article/16/6/740/504422/Feasibility-and-Acceptability-of-a-Virtual-RealityFeasibility and Acceptability of a Virtual Reality Curriculum ...
Objective To describe a novel screen-based VR curriculum on firearm safety counseling and report feasibility and acceptability outcomes, ...
5.
news.vcu.edu
news.vcu.edu/article/2025/09/vcu-researcher-receives-3m-for-study-of-how-virtual-reality-can-prevent-youth-violenceVCU researcher receives $3M for national study of how virtual ...
If successful, the study could establish a cost-effective model for reducing firearm violence and saving lives nationwide. Early intervention ...
A Randomized Trial of Virtual Reality Training to Improve ...
A VR intervention using deliberate practice improved residents' skills and confidence related to firearm safety counseling.
Virtual Reality Intervention to Support Clinicians' Firearm ...
Overview. The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the efficacy of REACH Firearm Safety in a sample of pediatric residents.
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