The Aim
The aim of this project was to develop 360-degree virtual reality (VR) videos as a training and educational tool to help reduce racialised inequities and discriminatory practice in health and social care services. The 360-degree videos enable managers and staff to ‘walk in the shoes of’ racially minoritised staff in occupational roles most affected by racism, discrimination and other workplace adversity in an approach that aims to be engaging, empathic and experiential.
What has happened so far?
The TIDES study collaborated with Maudsley Learning and the KCL Virtual Reality Research Lab to create 360-degree VR videos that authentically depicted the lived experiences of racially minoritised healthcare practitioners.
The 360-degree videos were informed by synthesis of in-depth qualitative interviews conducted before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interviews during Phase 1 of the project explored NHS staff experiences of discrimination, bullying and harassment in the workplace. Interviews during Phase 2 explored how COVID-19 and the response to the pandemic affected ethnic inequalities in mental health and occupational outcomes amongst NHS health and social care practitioners, and the processes through which inequalities were produced, maintained and resisted.
Using selected interview transcripts from Phase 1 and 2 based on an aggregation of commonly occurring experiences, a scriptwriter was hired to create the dialogue, characters and storylines for three 360-degree videos.
Once scripts were completed, Maudsley Learning cast professional actors based on character briefs provided by the TIDES team. The film crew, actors and clinical professionals from Maudsley Learning worked together to workshop the scripts and ensure the dialogue felt realistic and flowed well.
After filming, the footage underwent three cycles of edits based on feedback from the TIDES core team and Maudsley Learning specialists. Throughout the process of creating the videos, we maintained an ongoing consultation process with the TIDES core team, NHS Peer Researchers and the TIDES Advisory and Stakeholder Opinion Groups.
Three videos were produced to reflect a range of discriminatory experiences reported by racially minoritised healthcare practitioners.
What's next?
We have piloted the 360-degree videos as a training and educational tool within two London-based NHS Trusts. Results from the pilot study will be published shortly and used to inform the wider rollout of this simulation training across the health and social care sector.