Evaluation of a Theory-Based Virtual Counseling Application in Nursing Education

Comput Inform Nurs. 2023 Jun 1;41(6):385-393. doi: 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000999.

Abstract

Effective communication skills in nursing are necessary for high-quality nursing care, but given the decline in nursing students' attitudes and their low self-confidence in effective communication with patients, a participatory and experiential training method is needed. Therefore, a virtual counseling application was developed using artificial intelligence and a three-dimensional avatar to facilitate learning of communication skills. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this theory-based virtual intervention on nursing students' learning attitudes, communication self-efficacy, and clinical performance. A longitudinal quasi-experimental study was conducted. Ninety-three undergraduate nursing students received virtual patient trainings with four clinical scenarios over 2 years. Data were analyzed using McNemar test and analysis of variance. Virtual patient training improved students' learning attitudes toward communication skills for scenarios involving the pregnant woman (20.4%, P = .03) and depressed patient (17.1%, P = .01) and enhanced perceived self-efficacy for scenarios involving the pregnant woman (22.6%, P = .002) and stressed nursing student (18.3%, P = .002). Students received lower clinical communication scores for pediatric, obstetric, and medical practicums compared with a previous cohort who received no training. Overall, this virtual counseling application can provide a valuable and cost-effective communication learning resource for the nursing curriculum.

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Child
  • Clinical Competence
  • Counseling
  • Education, Nursing* / methods
  • Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate* / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Students, Nursing* / psychology