Virtual simulation tools for communication skills training in healthcare professionals: an integrative review of the literature (Preprint)

Abstract

Abstract Background: Knowledge of virtual simulation and its uses in training health professionals and students is still growing rapidly. Objective: The objective of this current study was to carry out an integrative review to identify the virtual simulation tools currently available and aimed at training communication skills in healthcare professionals from the level of students up to post-graduate personnel in clinical practice. Methods: This review was carried out in June 2023 by collecting data from the MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases. Results: We found 35 articles that had developed and/or applied a virtual environment for training communication skills aimed at patients, in which 24 different learning tools were identified. Most had been developed to independently train communication skills in English, either generally or in the specific context of medical history (anamnesis) interviews. Many of these tools had used a virtual patient that looked like a person and had the ability to vocally respond. Almost half of the tools analysed allowed the person being trained to respond orally using natural language. Of note, not all of these studies described the technology they had used in detail. Conclusion: Many different learning tools with very heterogeneous characteristics are being used for the purposes of communication skills training. Continued research will still be required to develop virtual tools that include the most advanced features in order to achieve high-fidelity simulation training.

the objective of this study was to review the current academic literature to identify the virtual simulation tools used to train communication skills in student and professional healthcare personnel.

This review was carried out in June 2023 by collecting data from the MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases.

We found 35 articles that had developed and/or applied a virtual environment for training communication skills aimed at patients, in which 24 different learning tools were identified. Most had been developed to independently train communication skills in English, either generally or in the specific context of medical history (anamnesis) interviews. Many of these tools had used a virtual patient that looked like a person and had the ability to vocally respond. Almost half of the tools analysed allowed the person being trained to respond orally using natural language. Of note, not all of these studies described the technology they had used in detail.

Many different learning tools with very heterogeneous characteristics are being used for the purposes of communication skills training. Continued research will still be required to develop virtual tools that include the most advanced features in order to achieve high-fidelity simulation training.

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