Simulation learning for psychosis-focused care in social work education
A scoping review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21495722 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Amar Ghelani (0000-0002-9602-9347, University of Toronto, corresponding author), Tin D Vo (0000-0002-5909-7789, University of Toronto), Rachel Antinucci (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), Yoonhee Lee (0000-0002-5746-0775, University of Toronto), Ashley Haywood (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), Petal Abdool (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), Petal S Abdool (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-32 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social Work Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0261-5479 • E-ISSN: 1470-1227 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/02615479.2026.2617502 |
| OpenAlex | W7127046609 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 57 |
Social workers play a critical role in services for people with psychosis, though relevant training for students and practitioners is understudied. Simulation learning offers evidence-based experiential methods for teaching clinical competencies in mental health practice. This scoping review maps and synthesizes the literature on simulation learning for psychosis-related skill development from various healthcare disciplines to examine the potential for integration in social work education. We identified 19 articles that investigated psychosis-focused simulation learning using simulated participants (n = 11), virtual reality (n = 4), hearing voices exercises (n = 4), and role plays (n = 1). Most studies were conducted in the United States and evaluated the effects of hospital-based simulations with nursing students. Teaching methods used alongside simulations were heterogenous and reflected multiple objectives and learning outcomes, though most included a debriefing process. Psychosis-focused simulations improved participants’ clinical confidence, competence, communication skills, assessment capacity, knowledge, and other skills. Many enjoyed the training and believed the skills developed were transferable to practice. This article offers avenues for integration in social work education, with further research needed to address discipline-specific competencies. Situating simulations in community settings while incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles can ensure students are equipped to meet the complex needs of service users with psychosis
Social care · Social learning · Work-based learning · Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints · Simulation-Based Education in Healthcare · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
PRESS Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies
Scoping reviews
Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews
Toward a Critical Approach to Simulation-Based Social Work Education
Social Work Education and Training in Mental Health, Addictions, and Suicide
Differing knowledges
Service user involvement in social work education
Engaging Nursing Students in Mental Health Concepts Through Multiple Teaching Modalities
Efficacy Testing of a Multi-Access Metaverse-Based Early Onset Schizophrenia Nursing Simulation Program
Simulation in Social Work Education
Social Work’s Scope of Practice in Primary Mental Health Care
Simulating the Other in Social Work Pedagogy
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Scoping studies
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |