Virtual patient educational intervention for the development of shared decision-making skills: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Shared decision-making (SDM) involves a healthcare professional and a patient forming a congruent partnership, within which information is shared and decisions are made which align with the patient’s values. SDM does not occur to the extent it ought to; SDM requires practice. Virtual reality could help facilitate this practice. OBJECTIVE: To pilot an interactive, high-fidelity virtual patient (VP) who simulates SDM within a primary care consultation. METHOD: Academic pharmacists and doctors were recruited from the Keele University. Participants completed prequestionnaires and postquestionnaires. RESULTS: 18 participants (14 pharmacists and 4 medical doctors) completed the study. 89% (n=16) suggested the VP was ‘enjoyable’ or ‘highly enjoyable’ to use and 72% (n=13) suggested it was ‘very accessible’. There were diverse views about the way in which the user made their reply to the VP with ratings ranging from ‘very poor’ (n=2) to ‘very good’ (n=5); the modal rating was indifference (n=7). It seemed the multiple choice system caused the participants to feel restricted but it was unclear why those who liked the system did so. CONCLUSIONS: The VP was found to be enjoyable and thought-provoking. The data suggest that this type of intervention could be useful at many different stages of a professional’s career although the multiple-choice conversation style may be too restrictive for more experienced consulters.