Virtual Reality Training to Reduce Workplace Violence in Healthcare

Details

• Personal Author:
  Clay CJ ; Hochmuth JM ; Wirth, Oliver
• Description:
  Violence against nurses and other healthcare workers is a significant and escalating concern, impeding the provision of safe and effective healthcare services. A majority of nurses experience some kind of violence, including physical and nonphysical assaults during their careers. The consequences of workplace violence extend beyond individual trauma, leading to increased burnout, turnover, and significant financial costs for healthcare systems. Training programs focused on workplace violence prevention (WVP) have become ubiquitous, with elements like situational threat assessment, de-escalation techniques, and physical skills. Studies show that experiential components, such as role play, enhance the effectiveness of these trainings. Virtual Reality (VR) offers a promising solution by providing immersive, interactive training environments that enhance decision-making, physical coordination, and team dynamics. In this article we discuss how VR simulations can replicate real-world settings, allowing healthcare workers to practice and master violence prevention and management skills in a controlled, safe environment. We also describe how VR is scalable and cost-effective, enabling widespread adoption within and across organizations with minimal logistical challenges. Integrating VR into WVP training programs could significantly improve training outcomes, reduce the need for physical and chemical restraints, and ultimately enhance the overall safety and quality of healthcare services. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Health Personnel Mental Health Nervous System Occupational Health Safety Staff Development Violence Workplace
• Keywords:
  Health Care Workers Mental Health Nurses Training Violence Prevention Virtual Reality Workplace Violence
• ISSN:
  0161-2840
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Denver Region [OSHA] ; Philadelphia Region [OSHA] ; Utah ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  2-11
• Volume:
  46
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20070456
• Citation:
  Issues Ment Health Nurs 2025 Jan; 46(1):2-11
• Contact Point Address:
  Casey J. Clay, Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, Utah State University, 2865 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-2865
• Email:
  Casey.clay@usu.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Issues in Mental Health Nursing
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:0552b7d6250117be043f2ab623235b9f3f41685f9704e56699474bc1d236766ac944abb4f17b8688c45cfa5480637781125de07fd23805f7e6bcc057aa014b32
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208660/cdc_208660_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.16 MB ]