Design and Implementation Considerations for Virtual Reality in Human Services

Abstract

The special issue of the Journal of Technology and Human Services. The special issue titled Design and Implementation Considerations for Virtual Reality (VR) in Human Services aims to provide crucial considerations, strategies, findings, and lessons learned for researchers or clinicians looking to imbed VR technology into their practice. This special issue highlights the challenges and barriers when developing VR technologies, including hard-to-reach populations, collaborating with other disciplines, and navigating situations such as distance learning and new safety protocols posed by COVID-19. In addition, the special issue discusses the importance of ethically developing VR to address these challenges and how VR technology can be both designed and implemented in a fashion that is forward looking, effective, and leveraged beyond "technology for technology's sake." As highlighted in the six articles featured in this special issue, there are numerous design and implementation considerations when developing VR tools for human services. This special issue highlights the importance of using evidence-based theories to guide the development of VR technologies within the realm of human services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)