91探花

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AI-tool for conversation training in health care

Research project
Active research
Project period
2024 - 2026
Project owner
The Institute of Health and Care 91探花s, Sahlgrenska Academy, University 91探花 and Region V盲stra G枚taland (VGR)

Financier
Inovationsfonden VGR, Innovationsfonden inom Omr氓de 2 vid SU och Fouui-r氓det vid Pykoskliniken SU samt Centrim f枚r personcentrerad v氓rd vid g枚teborgs universitet (GPCC).

Short description

In collaboration between an innovation project initiated by Sahlgrenska Univeristy Hospital, the Palliative Center, and GPCC, conversation training for healthcare professionals is being developed and tested using an AI tool. The overall aim is to explore learning processes and the effects of conversation training using the AI tool, as well as if and how it can support healthcare professionals' skills in communicating with patients.

Longer description

The focus of the conversation training is on practicing person-centered dialogues in areas that healthcare professionals may find challenging. Based on the results from the project's planning phase, there is potential for later inclusion of students in professional education programs (both undergraduate and advanced/specialist training) as well as care staff within elderly care services. Initially, development will be conducted within three healthcare areas: psychiatric care, palliative care, and primary care.

The development was initially based on ChatGPT, and over time, the technical foundation has been further developed into a prototype, which has shown promising results in initial tests. The current development focuses on enhancing functionality, flexibility, and usability, which includes avatars linked to patient cases, optimization of the avatars' voices, and feedback to healthcare professionals after completing conversations. The possibility of making the tool openly accessible is being explored, with the aim of supporting broader utilization and further development through additional collaborations.

The innovation and research processes are integrated and proceed iteratively. 

The project is structured into three phases:

I. Initial Phase: This phase involves the development of patient cases for conversation training (approximately five per healthcare area), prompts for feedback to participants undergoing conversation training and assessment of the relevance and authenticity of the cases and the conversation training, conducted by an expert group.

II. Feasibility Testing: This phase evaluates the relevance and feasibility of the conversation training tool and the planned evaluation design. Healthcare professionals from psychiatric care, palliative care, and primary care will test the AI conversation training tool for approximately two weeks per group. 

After the training, participants will be invited to a focus group discussion to share their experiences. The collected data will be analyzed using interpretative descriptive methods. To assess feasibility for a subsequent effectiveness evaluation, participants will also complete self-assessment questionnaires, including a scale for self-efficacy (SE12), reflective practice (RPQ), and person-centred practices (PCPI-S). 

III. Evaluation of Training Effects: This phase will assess the effects of the conversation training on healthcare professionals, focusing on their confidence in conducting conversations and their attitudes toward reflection. The specific evaluation design will be developed based on the results from Phase II.

Researchers

Emma Forsgren, PhD, Researcher, University 91探花 Center for Person-Centered Care (GPCC), Institute of Health and Care 91探花s, Sahlgrenska Academy, Project Manager 

Jesper Fransson, Innovation Manager, Region V盲stra G枚taland (VGR) 

Joakim 脰hl茅n, professor, researcher, University 91探花 Center for Person-Centered Care (GPCC), Institute of Health and Care 91探花s, Sahlgrenska Academy, Scientific Leader 

Malin Bengtsson, Doctoral Student, University 91探花 Center for Person-Centered Care (GPCC), Institute of Health and Care 91探花s, Sahlgrenska Academy,

Stina Nyblom, Researcher, Region V盲stra G枚taland (VGR) 

Ramona Schenell, Researcher, Elderly and Health Care Administration City 91探花 

Catarina Wallengren, PhD, Researcher, Center for Person-Centered Care at the University 91探花 (GPCC), Department of Care 91探花s and Health, Sahlgrenska Academy

Ylva H氓rd av Segerstad, Researcher, University 91探花 Center for Person-Centered Care (GPCC), Department of Applied IT, Dept. KLIK, University 91探花

Jakob Wenzer, Patient Co-Researcher 

Louise Wetterling, Innovation Manager, Region V盲stra G枚taland (VGR)