Hanggi, Sara (2019) Influence of Virtual Reality Induced Emotion State on Diagnostic Error. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Negative valence-high arousal emotion states experienced by doctors are implicated in diagnostic error incidence, though this association is not well understood. The current experimental pilot study employed a Virtual Reality (VR) induction to examine the impact of emotion state on diagnostic decision-making. A convenience sample (N = 65) was randomly assigned to an experimental condition using an alien abduction film to elicit acute negative valence-high arousal emotion states; or neutral condition, using guided mindfulness to maintain baseline emotion states. Self-reported valence (PANAS scores) and general state of arousal (Skin Conductance Level) provided a measure of participants emotion state. Diagnostic decision-making was assessed using a hypothetical blood test task. A one-way ANOVA showed no statistically significant effect of VR condition on the proportion of diagnostic errors (p = .077), or average completion time (in seconds) per task (p = .197). Effect size of findings was small. Exploratory analysis with negative binomial regression showed that every 1-unit increase of negative affect predicted a 12.6% increase in the total number of errors on the blood test task (95% CI, 1.006 to 1.261, p = .039). Limitations included a small convenience sample and unsuccessful VR emotion induction. It is critical that future research clarify the causal relationship between negative valence-high arousal emotion states and diagnostic error. Such knowledge could inform the development of targeted interventions that improve doctor’s wellbeing and increase patient safety.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Michael Ireland |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Sep 2025 04:10 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Sep 2025 04:10 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | virtual reality; diagnostic error; emotion state; decision-making |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52379 |
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