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

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.

To pilot an interactive, high-fidelity virtual patient (VP) who simulates SDM within a primary care consultation.

Academic pharmacists and doctors were recruited from the Keele University. Participants completed prequestionnaires and postquestionnaires.

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.

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.