Table 1.

Brief summaries of virtual reality simulations used in the study

Simulation	Scenario	Scene purpose	Scene written description
1	A patient with a weapon approaching a ward staff on the corridor/room - “Chelsea Cosh”/Millwall Brick	To demonstrate de-escalation of situation without the need to use restrictive practices	Staff member encounters patient with a weapon in day room
2	A patient confronting, shouting and screaming at a ward staff	To introduce learner to a spontaneous situation that may occur on a ward	Conversation between colleagues about an escalated patient who is angry that another patient has taken their cigarettes and isn’t giving them any back
			They are distressed that their needs are not being seen to and the ward staff are gesturing that they will be with them soon
3	Experience of being a patient under observation - filmed from a patient’s perspective	To give user/learner the experience of being under supervision or observation	Filmed from perspective of patient (1st person). Clinical worker talking to camera explaining that they are being placed under observation
4	Conflict over restricted area. Dealing with conflict over access to a locked fridge/restricted area	For learners to understand/empathise with frustrations around patients trying to do day to day tasks	Set in ward communal area/kitchen. Patient enters and is attempting to make a cup of tea