“Sarah’s answers are more consistent with the intended history that we want the students to get out of the scenario,” she added.
Ms Samson, who led the development project, said the avatar provided a “safe space” for students to practise without being under the pressure and spotlight of clinical practice in a real-life scenario.
She hopes the virtual patient will eventually be part of education tools to help train students in areas such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
“Students have told us it will help to build their confidence, especially for those who are maybe earlier on in the programme, and they enjoyed the activity,” she said.
“There’s a potential if we could optimise the technology to work particularly with occupational therapy on therapeutic modes of conversation.”