Nursing Communication Education Support System with the Function of Reflection

Abstract

In this study, we developed a reflection function in the nursing communication education support system such that users could experience nursing student and patient roles via an embodied avatar in a virtual hospital room. This function allows users to learn communication skills from each person's perspective after role playing. We conducted a system evaluation experiment that involved 10 pairs of nursing students role playing. In comparison with the conventional system, a significant difference was recognized at the significance level of 5％ in the items of “Were you able to clarify issues through communication?” and “Were you conscious of your behavior?”, and the reflection function was highly evaluated. Furthermore, to confirm the effect of this system, a questionnaire was administered after a communication exercise with a simulated patient. Results highlighted the effectiveness of the system because by using the system, a significance level of 5％ was obtained for the item “Were you able to feel a sense of unity with the simulated patient?”