The virtual standardized patient. Simulated patient-practitioner dialog for patient interview training

We describe the Virtual Standardized Patient (VSP) application, having a computerized virtual person who interacts with medical practitioners in much the same way as actors hired to teach and evaluate patient assessment, diagnosis, and interviewing skills. The VSP integrates technologies from two successful research projects conducted at Research Triangle Institute. AVATALK provides natural language processing, emotion and behavior modeling, and composite facial expression and lip-shape modeling for a natural patient-practitioner dialog. Trauma Patient Simulator provides case-based patient history and trauma casualty data, real-time physiological modeling, interactive patient assessment, 3-D scenario simulation, and instructional record-keeping capabilities. The VSP offers training benefits that include enhanced adaptability, availability, and assessment.