A new program in Pitt\u2019s Institute for Bioethics aims to study and improve communication between patients and clinicians.<\/p>\n
Pitt recently launched the Humanistic Communication in Medicine Program<\/a>, which is dedicated to researching patient-centered communication in medicine. The program seeks to address the lack of structured training for clinicians in communication skills <\/a>by researching techniques, improving current curriculum and developing AI-training platforms.<\/p>\n Rene Claxton, director of the Humanistic Communication in Medicine Program, said many physicians haven\u2019t received structured training in communication skills<\/a>, which are critical for patient care. Better communication<\/a> reduces overtreatment, improves patient satisfaction and supports equitable care for patients in marginalized communities, according to Claxton.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen clinicians communicate well, patients make decisions that align with their own values and goals, so these benefits are humanistic, clinical and economic as well,\u201d Claxton said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Douglas White, director of the Institute for Bioethics<\/a>, said the program focuses on turning ethical principles of patient care, such as establishing trust and centering patients\u2019 lived experience as a factor in treatment, into concrete, teachable skills.<\/p>\n \u201cAs AI takes over more of the analytical work<\/a> in medicine, what becomes irreplaceable is the human side,\u201d White said. \u201c[It is] the ability to sit with a patient who is frightened, to help a family make impossible decisions, to build real trust. Medical schools have an obligation to train for that, and Pitt is going to lead the way.\u201d<\/p>\n Program faculty developed an AI-powered platform that allows clinicians to practice communication skills with virtual patients and coaching, according to White. He said the platform will make training more accessible to clinicians.<\/p>\n \u201cWe now have technology that makes large-scale training possible in a way it simply wasn\u2019t before,\u201d White said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Claxton, who has previously researched<\/a> patient-centered communication in medical education, said traditional training<\/a> in patient communication relies on simulating patient encounters with trained actors and coaching from faculty with expertise. However, she said this model is difficult to implement as a standardized curriculum across schools due to limitations on the volume of patient simulations that can be run.<\/p>\n \u201cOur program is trying to build infrastructure to address the scalability problem,\u201d Claxton said. \u201cWe try to use AI to develop virtual patients and coaches. One of the benefits we\u2019re seeing is it gives more volume of practice in a low-stress environment for the learner.\u201d<\/p>\n Claxton emphasized that the platform would not replace human interaction but rather enhance current curriculums.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re trying to make humans better at talking to each other by giving them more opportunities to practice,\u201d Claxton said. \u201cStudents can practice with AI-powered tools and then work with [in person] simulated patients and faculty clinicians for further coaching.\u201d<\/p>\n