Virtual Patients as a Tool for Communication Training : A Pilot Study

Sammanfattning

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine dental students’ perceptions of the use ofvirtual patients as a tool for communication training in dental education. Material and Method: This pilot study was conducted among final-year dentalstudents at Malmö University. 59 students were invited, nine students participatedvoluntarily. Participants interacted individually with a virtual patient in two sessionsseparated by two weeks. Between the sessions, the prompt that was used to generatethe virtual patient’s responses, was refined. After each interaction, studentscompleted a questionnaire evaluating their perceptions of the virtual patient. Results: Students generally reported positive perceptions of the virtual patient. Ratings increased in the second evaluation compared to the first, particularlyregarding realism, usefulness for communication training and similarity to realpatient conversations. Students were also more likely to recommend the virtualpatient after the prompt refinement. Open-ended responses emphasized the value ofpracticing communication in a safe environment, while also noting limitations suchas occasional robotic responses and delays in interaction, which affected thecommunicative flow. Conclusion: This study concludes that dental students recognize VPs as acomplementary tool that could be used for communication training. It does nothowever replace real life patients, but can be useful for developing communicationskills, in a controlled educational environment. Further research with a larger sampleinvolved in the evaluation process, is needed to evaluate long-term educational