Journal article
Design and Development of a Virtual Standardized Patient to Support Suicide Safety Planning Among US Veterans and Military Personnel
International journal of human-computer interaction, Vol.42(10), pp.7032-7048
2026
DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2025.2555704
Abstract
Virtual Standardized Patients (VSPs) are computer-based training simulations that expand access to experiential, evidence-based mental health training at low cost and scale. This paper presents three phases of user-centered design studies to develop a VSP for Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD). VA and DoD mental health staff, trainees, and subject matter experts participated in qualitative interviews, prototype usability testing, and beta testing. Results identified key design features for effective training. Usability ratings of the prototype and beta were good, with higher ratings among trainees. Critical improvements were made to performance feedback, and users helped refine dialog clarity and training tasks. The resulting SPI VSP is now poised for a pilot randomized trial to evaluate training outcomes relative to routine training. If effective, it may provide a scalable, cost-effective way to improve dissemination of a promising suicide prevention intervention.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Design and Development of a Virtual Standardized Patient to Support Suicide Safety Planning Among US Veterans and Military Personnel
- Creators
- Aaron M. Norr - VA Northwest NetworkJanelle Nguyen - VA Puget Sound Health Care SystemJennifer June - TIAG, Seattle, WA USAHeather Schacht Reisinger - University of IowaKatelyn A. Reger - Gonzaga UniversityThomas B. Talbot - Creative Technologies (United States)Albert A. Rizzo - Creative Technologies (United States)Greg M. Reger - VA Puget Sound Health Care System
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International journal of human-computer interaction, Vol.42(10), pp.7032-7048
- DOI
- 10.1080/10447318.2025.2555704
- ISSN
- 1044-7318
- eISSN
- 1532-7590
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 17
- Grant note
- W81XWH-10-2-018,1 / Military Suicide Research Consortium - Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs R21MH123840 / National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 09/24/2025
- Date published
- 2026
- Academic Unit
- Center for Social Science Innovation; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984969109402771
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