Web-Based AI-Driven Virtual Patient Simulator Versus Actor-Based Simulation for Teaching Consultation Skills: Multicenter Randomized Crossover Study.

Background: There is a need to increase health care professional training capacity to meet global needs by 2030. Effective communication is essential for delivering safe and effective patient care. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may provide a solution. However, evidence for high-fidelity virtual patient simulators using unrestricted 2-way verbal conversation for communication skills training is lacking. Objective: This study aims to compare a fully automated AI-driven voice recognition-based virtual patient simulator with traditional actor-based consultation skills simulated training in undergraduate medical students for differences in developing self-rated communication skills, student satisfaction scores, and direct cost comparison. Methods: Using an open-label randomized crossover design, a single web-based AI-driven communication skills training session (AI-CST) was compared with a single face-to-face actor-based consultation skills training session (AB-CST) in undergraduates at 2 UK medical schools. Offline total cohort recruitment was used, with an opt-out option. Pre-post intervention surveys using 10-point linear scales were used to derive outcomes. The primary outcome was the difference in self-reported attainment of communication skills between interventions. Secondary outcomes were differences in student satisfaction and the cost comparison of delivering both interventions. Results: Of 396 students, 378 (95%) completed at least 1 survey. Both modalities significantly increased self-reported communication skills attainment (AI-CST: mean difference 1.14, 95% CI 0.97-1.32 points; AB-CST: mean difference 1.50, 95% CI 1.35-1.66 points; both P<.001). Attainment increase was lower for AI-CST than AB-CST (by mean difference 0.36, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.13 points; P=.04). Overall satisfaction was lower for AI-CST than AB-CST (8.09 vs 9.21; mean difference -1.13, 95% CI -1.33 to -0.92 for AI-CST vs AB-CST; P<.001). The estimated costs of AI-CST and AB-CST were £33.48 (US $42.22) and £61.75 (US $77.87) per student, respectively. Conclusions: AI-CST and AB-CST were both effective at improving self-reported communication skills attainment, but AI-CST was slightly inferior to AB-CST. Student satisfaction was significantly greater for AB-CST. Costs of AI-CST were substantially lower than AB-CST. AI-CST may provide a cost-effective opportunity to build training capacity for health care professionals.