“Using a computer simulation for teaching communication skills: A blinded multisite mixed methods randomized controlled trial” by Frederick W. Kron, Michael D. Fetters, Mark W. Scerbo, Casey B. White, Monica L. Lypson, Miguel A. Padilla, Gayle A. Gliva-McConvey, Lee A. Belfore, Temple West, Amelia M. Wallace, Timothy C. Guetterman, Lauren S. Schleicher, Rebecca A. Kennedy, Rajesh S. Mangrulkar, James F. Cleary, Stacy C. Marsella, and Daniel M. Becker. Patient Education and Counseling, vol. 100, no. 4, 2017, pp. 748-759.
Objectives To assess advanced communication skills among second-year medical students exposed either to a computer simulation (MPathic-VR) featuring virtual humans, or to a multimedia computer-based learning module, and to understand each group experiences and learning preferences. Methods A single-blinded, mixed methods, randomized, multisite trial compared MPathic-VR (N=210) to computer-based learning (N=211). Primary outcomes: communication scores during repeat interactions with MPathic-VRs intercultural and interprofessional communication scenarios and scores on a subsequent advanced communication skills objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare outcomes. Secondary outcomes: student attitude surveys and qualitative assessments of their experiences with MPathic-VR or computer-based learning. Results MPathic-VR-trained students improved their intercultural and interprofessional communication performance between their first and second interactions with each scenario. They also achieved significantly higher composite scores on the OSCE than computer-based learning-trained students. Attitudes and experiences were more positive among students trained with MPathic-VR, who valued its providing immediate feedback, teaching nonverbal communication skills, and preparing them for emotion-charged patient encounters. Conclusions MPathic-VR was effective in training advanced communication skills and in enabling knowledge transfer into a more realistic clinical situation. Practice implications MPathic-VRs virtual human simulation offers an effective and engaging means of advanced communication training.
Keywords: Simulation, Computer simulation, Computer-based conversational agent, Healthcare communication, Doctor-patient relationship, Communication training, Intelligent tutoring systems, Knowledge transfer, Training transfer, Nonverbal communication, Inter-professional communication, Intercultural communication, Cultural competence, Human-computer interaction, Breaking bad news, Virtual Human, Reflection on action, Reflection in action, Mindful practice, Mixed methods research
BibTeX entry:
@article{KRON2017748,
author = {Frederick W. Kron and Michael D. Fetters and Mark W. Scerbo
and Casey B. White and Monica L. Lypson and Miguel A. Padilla and
Gayle A. Gliva-McConvey and Lee A. Belfore and Temple West and
Amelia M. Wallace and Timothy C. Guetterman and Lauren S.
Schleicher and Rebecca A. Kennedy and Rajesh S. Mangrulkar and
James F. Cleary and Stacy C. Marsella and Daniel M. Becker},
title = {Using a computer simulation for teaching communication skills:
A blinded multisite mixed methods randomized controlled trial},
journal = {Patient Education and Counseling},
volume = {100},
number = {4},
pages = {748-759},
year = {2017},
issn = {0738-3991},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0738399116304943}
}
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