Innovative AI ‘Virtual Patient’ Developed by Ex-NHS Surgeon for Remote Medical Training
AI-Powered Virtual Patient Revolutionizes Remote Training for Healthcare Professionals
A former NHS surgeon has developed an AI-driven “virtual patient” designed to maintain and enhance the skills of medical professionals during a period when traditional in-person training is largely suspended. Dr. Alex Young, a qualified orthopaedic and trauma surgeon, founded Virti to leverage advanced technologies for immersive training experiences tailored for both novice and experienced healthcare workers.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely limited in-person training to mitigate transmission risks, healthcare institutions in the UK and US have started adopting this innovative virtual patient system. Medical staff at facilities like the Bristol NHS Foundation Trust are utilizing this technology to continue their education and skill development.
The virtual patient employs Natural Language Processing (NLP) and ‘narrative branching,’ enabling medical professionals to engage in realistic clinical scenarios. Trainees can interact with the virtual patient via tablets, desktop computers, or immersive VR/AR headsets for a more engaging training experience.
Dr. Young stated, “Our collaboration with healthcare organizations over the years has been crucial, but the pandemic has introduced unique challenges that our technology aims to address. It is no longer feasible to gather a large group of medics in a room for hands-on training. Our virtual patient offers a highly realistic, repeatable experience that provides real-time feedback, allowing both clinicians and students to continuously develop essential skills.”
Some training scenarios implemented with the virtual patient involve delivering bad news, comforting distressed patients, and effectively communicating through personal protective equipment (PPE). Virti’s technology was also instrumental during the height of the pandemic by training NHS staff in critical frontline skills, including safe PPE usage, navigating unfamiliar intensive care environments, and ventilator operation.
Tom Woollard, a Clinical Skills and Simulation Tutor at West Suffolk Hospital, reported, “We utilized Virti’s technology in our intensive care unit to train staff brought in to manage the COVID-19 surge. The training videos we created and uploaded have been valuable tools for nursing staff, physiotherapists, and Operational Department Practitioners (ODPs) to acclimate to new conditions and reduce anxiety. This technology has enabled us to reach a wider audience and deliver previously intensive training that is now impractical due to social distancing.”
By using speech recognition, NLP, and ‘narrative branching,’ the virtual patient provides a realistic simulation of typical patient responses, including speech, body language, and demeanor. The AI system offers immediate feedback, allowing users to learn and improve their communication skills. With over 70 percent of complaints against healthcare professionals attributed to poor communication, this virtual patient solution could enhance patient care and decrease the time spent addressing complaints.
Virti’s innovative approach has been rightfully acknowledged as one of TIME’s best inventions of 2020.
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