[New Educational Tool for 3D Simulation of Auditory Hallucinations, Co-Created with Voice Hearers: Pilot Study with Psychiatry Residents].

Abstract

Objective Therapeutic relationship is a cornerstone in the treatment of schizophrenia. However, certain personal factors on the part of psychiatrists can hinder it, notably the lack of experience with auditory hallucinations. Such factors can lead to a decrease in empathy and, consequently, a negative alteration in the therapeutic relationship. Previous studies have shown that auditory hallucination simulators have a positive impact on mental health professionals. Yet, to our knowledge, no such test has been conducted on the psychiatry resident population. To address this gap, a research team was formed, including voice hearers, psychiatrists, acoustical engineering researchers, qualitative research experts, and actor-authors. This team collaboratively created the first three-dimensional voice simulator (3DV simulator) using binaural sound reproduction technology. The objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the reaction of psychiatry residents to this 3DV simulator. Methods In this exploratory and descriptive study, psychiatry residents (n=12) were included and invited to listen to the 3DV simulator for 15 minutes. Empathy was assessed before and after the 3DV simulation using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE©), a scale to evaluate empathy in healthcare professionals. Following the simulation, participants were invited to participate in a brief semi-structured interview consisting of an open-ended and general question about their experiences, along with additional questions. Results Participants (83.3%) found the 3DV simulator interesting and useful. They perceived the simulation as an aid to better understand the patients' experience and to better identify with their lived realities. Our study did not find a statistically significant difference in the total JSPE© score before and after the simulation (p = 0.797). Conclusion This article addresses the need to enhance the empathy of psychiatry residents towards individuals suffering from auditory hallucinations. One uniqueness of this pilot project is how the simulator was designed collaboratively by a multidisciplinary and inclusive team involving voice hearers throughout the research process. The results of this pilot study presented in this article underscore the necessity of continually improving educational interventions to support the development of empathy among psychiatry residents. They also suggest that the 3DV simulator was well-received by the residents, encouraging the conduct of larger-scale studies.