Effectiveness of a Combined e-Learning and Virtual Reality Training Program for Healthcare Providers in Rheumatology

Background: Leading experts on placebo and nocebo effects agree that healthcare providers should be trained to effectively leverage expectancy effects in clinical practice. However, these practices have rarely been implemented with many healthcare providers lacking the expertise to fully take care of patient expectancies. Thus, we developed an e-Learning course and a virtual training tool that trains healthcare professionals across all disciplines to communicate with patients in a manner that maximizes placebo effects and minimizes nocebo effects.

Aim: The current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined e-Learning course and Virtual Reality training at improving expectancy-based communication within the department of rheumatology.

Method: Dutch healthcare providers (n= 52) working across rheumatology departments in the Netherlands will be stratified on specialization (e.g., rheumatologist, physician assistant, nurse specialist, medical resident or medical researcher) and randomized to either the intervention (e-Learning + VR training) or the control group (no training + e-Learning knowledge exam). The effect of the training is evaluated by a pre-post self-evaluation of clinicians (main outcome: SE12) and patient evaluations (N= 884) (secondary outcome: QQPPI).

Participants: Healthcare providers participating in the study must be active and working in the rheumatology department. Additionally, they must see patients on a regular basis.

Patients must be 18 years or older and require a mastery of spoken and written Dutch.

Intervention tools: for the communication training consists of an e-Learning course with 6 modules, including: 1) Optimizing patient-provider relationship, 2) discussing expectations, 3) discussing the treatment rationale, 4) discussing risks and side-effects, 5) explain placebo and nocebo effects and 6) expectancy-based communication during tapering. The course also includes seven case-by-case study questions and a knowledge exam consisting of 15 randomized questions at the end of the course. Participants are required to pass the test with a minimal grade of 7.

The Virtual Reality app consists of 2 modules with each a separate virtual avatar representing a patient. The app incorporates A.I. generated dialogue that is bound to the topic of the case. The training is supported by a feedback system at the end of a playthrough and is designed for multiple playthroughs in order to create a 'learning by experience' effect.

Main outcomes: The primary outcome will be determined by comparing the scores of the two study groups on the validated self-evaluation questionnaire 'SE-12' before and after the intervention.

The secondary outcome will be determined by comparing the scores of the two groups on the validated patient-evaluation questionnaire 'QQPPI'.

Exploratory outcomes: Additional outcome measures will include comparing the average scores of the intervention and control groups on the e-Learning knowledge exam, as well as tracking the score progression of healthcare providers across multiple sessions of the Virtual Reality app.

After the conclusion of the study, the control group will be offered the same training as the intervention group.