Design, Development, and Evaluation of an AI-driven Virtual Patient System in Communication Skills Training for Healthcare Professionals: Convergent Mixed Method

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Abstract

This study's purpose was to determine the effectiveness of an artificial-intelligence (AI)-driven virtual patient system in communication skills training for healthcare professionals. Convergent mixed method was adopted for this study. Twenty-four first-year nursing students voluntarily participated. Our results suggest that the average self-efficacy score was significantly higher after participants had the virtual patient intervention. Participants felt they were in the actual clinical room and talking to a real patient. The real-time conversation allowed them to converse with patients just like in the real-world situation. Further, participants stated that the AI-driven training system promotes their confidence through the real-time responses from the patients. The findings show the potential value of this AI-driven virtual patient system for nursing students to practice communication skills.

Authors

• Yuanyuan Gu, University of Missouri

• Xinhao Xu, University of Missouri

• Shangman Li, University of Missouri

• Hao He, Emporia State University

• Yupei Duan, University of Missouri

• Jhon Bueno-Vesga, Pennsylvania State University

• Sue Yun Fowler, University of Missouri

• Hillary L. Claunch, University of Missouri

• Jason Snyder, University of Missouri