Randomized Controlled Trial

. 2017 Apr;100(4):748-759.

doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2016.10.024. Epub 2016 Oct 29.

Using a computer simulation for teaching communication skills: A blinded multisite mixed methods randomized controlled trial

Frederick W Kron¹, Michael D Fetters², Mark W Scerbo³, Casey B White⁴, Monica L Lypson⁵, Miguel A Padilla⁶, Gayle A Gliva-McConvey⁷, Lee A Belfore 2nd⁸, Temple West⁹, Amelia M Wallace¹⁰, Timothy C Guetterman¹¹, Lauren S Schleicher¹², Rebecca A Kennedy¹³, Rajesh S Mangrulkar¹⁴, James F Cleary¹⁵, Stacy C Marsella¹⁶, Daniel M Becker¹⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: fredkron@umich.edu.
² Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: mfetters@umich.edu.
³ Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA. Electronic address: mscerbo@odu.edu.
⁴ Department of Medical Education, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. Electronic address: cw4xz@virginia.edu.
⁵ Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: mlypson@med.umich.edu.
⁶ Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA. Electronic address: mapadill@odu.edu.
⁷ Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA. Electronic address: glivaga@evms.edu.
⁸ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA. Electronic address: lbelfore@odu.edu.
⁹ Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA. Electronic address: westt@evms.edu.
¹⁰ Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA. Electronic address: wallacam@evms.edu.
¹¹ Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: tguetter@umich.edu.
¹² Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: lschlei@med.umich.edu.
¹³ Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA. Electronic address: rkenn014@odu.edu.
¹⁴ Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: rajm@umich.edu.
¹⁵ Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, 53706, USA. Electronic address: jfcleary@wisc.edu.
¹⁶ Department of Computer Science, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. Electronic address: marsella@ccs.neu.edu.
¹⁷ Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. Electronic address: dmb2y@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

PMID: 27939846
PMCID: PMC5385273
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2016.10.024

Randomized Controlled Trial

Using a computer simulation for teaching communication skills: A blinded multisite mixed methods randomized controlled trial

Frederick W Kron et al. Patient Educ Couns. 2017 Apr.

. 2017 Apr;100(4):748-759.

doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2016.10.024. Epub 2016 Oct 29.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: fredkron@umich.edu.
² Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: mfetters@umich.edu.
³ Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA. Electronic address: mscerbo@odu.edu.
⁴ Department of Medical Education, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. Electronic address: cw4xz@virginia.edu.
⁵ Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: mlypson@med.umich.edu.
⁶ Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA. Electronic address: mapadill@odu.edu.
⁷ Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA. Electronic address: glivaga@evms.edu.
⁸ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA. Electronic address: lbelfore@odu.edu.
⁹ Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA. Electronic address: westt@evms.edu.
¹⁰ Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA. Electronic address: wallacam@evms.edu.
¹¹ Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: tguetter@umich.edu.
¹² Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: lschlei@med.umich.edu.
¹³ Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA. Electronic address: rkenn014@odu.edu.
¹⁴ Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA. Electronic address: rajm@umich.edu.
¹⁵ Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, 53706, USA. Electronic address: jfcleary@wisc.edu.
¹⁶ Department of Computer Science, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. Electronic address: marsella@ccs.neu.edu.
¹⁷ Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. Electronic address: dmb2y@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

PMID: 27939846
PMCID: PMC5385273
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2016.10.024

Abstract

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's 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-VR's 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-VR's virtual human simulation offers an effective and engaging means of advanced communication training.

Keywords: Breaking bad news; Communication training; Computer simulation; Computer-based conversational agent; Cultural competence; Doctor-patient relationship; Healthcare communication; Human-computer interaction; Intelligent tutoring systems; Inter-professional communication; Intercultural communication; Knowledge transfer; Mindful practice; Mixed methods research; Nonverbal communication; Reflection in action; Reflection on action; Simulation; Training transfer; Virtual Human.

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Conflict of interest statement

OTHER DISCLOSURES

Frederick Kron serves as president and Michael Fetters has stock options in Medical Cyberworlds, Inc., the entity receiving SBIR II grant funds for this project—the University of Michigan Conflict of Interest Office considered potential for conflict of interest, and concluded that no formal management plan was required.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Participant flow through the MPathic-VR trial

**Figure 2**
Experience flow through the MPathic-VR computer simulation and the Computer-Based Learning control

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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Using a computer simulation for teaching communication skills: A blinded multisite mixed methods randomized controlled trial

Affiliations

Using a computer simulation for teaching communication skills: A blinded multisite mixed methods randomized controlled trial

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

References

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Other Literature Sources

Research Materials