SimFlow.aiMedical students studying at universities and hospitals practice speaking to patients using artificial intelligence (AI).
Dr Chris Jacobs, a GP at Merchiston Surgery in Swindon, is using AI with his students at the Great Western Hospital as well as at the University of Bristol and the University of Bath.
Students are presented with a database of options and can then speak to and get responses from an AI patient with realistic faces and voices.
“If we can create more competent communicators, we hope to have happier patients and doctors,” Jacobs said.
He said students often have to practice with each other or book days with actors, but AI adds to what they can use and also means students can learn more at home.
“What’s special is that it has many layers where we create real emotions, real patients that doctors, nurses and students can all safely practice with as many times as they want to become more proficient,” he added.
He said poor communication between patients and staff can not only mean patients don’t get everything they need, but it can also cost the NHS money.
“There’s the relationship building, there’s sometimes the lack of detail we get from a patient that creates a misdiagnosis,” he said.
The AI patients are created using a specialized system called SimFlow.ai that develops the simulations.
Jacobs said he wants to see AI used more widely in health care.
“I think we need to continue to innovate, we need to try to bring that into health care, but also take a position of looking at outcomes,” he added.
“We’re taking an evidence-based approach. It’s not just about here’s the technology, here we go. (It’s) here’s the technology, does it work? And that’s what we’re trying to answer at Great Western Hospital.”