Ryan Leona, Coleman Sean, Zimmermann Triinu, Coyne Rory, Broadbent Elizabeth, Browne Anne, O'Donoghue Grainne, Quigley Fiona, Worlikar Hemendra, Connolly Cornelia, Crotty Michael, Birney Susie, Conlan Owen, Walsh Jane C, O'Keeffe Derek
School of Psychology University of Galway Galway Ireland.
Health Innovation via Engineering Laboratory University of Galway Galway Ireland.
Obes Sci Pract. 2025 Jul 8;11(4):e70083. doi: 10.1002/osp4.70083. eCollection 2025 Aug.
Rising global obesity rates demand effective weight management strategies from general practitioners (GPs). However, time constraints, training gaps, and low confidence often impede GPs' ability to conduct weight-based conversations. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an AI-driven Virtual Human (VH) obesity education and communication-skills training tool, specifically designed to address these challenges and enhance obesity education and communication-skills among GPs.
A pilot feasibility study with a pre-post survey design evaluated the impact of the VH tool on knowledge, self-efficacy, empathy toward patients with obesity, and confidence in clinical consultations. Participant perceptions, trust, and intention to use the VH tool were explored. Paired-sample -tests were conducted to evaluate within-group mean differences. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate feasibility and acceptability.
A total of 22 GPs were recruited. Despite some attrition, significant improvements were observed in knowledge ( = 0.006), self-efficacy ( = 0.001), and combined empathy and confidence scores ( = 0.002). Alongside these improvements, participants demonstrated positive perceptions of the tool, high trust in the VH, and a strong intention to implement the learned strategies.
This pilot study demonstrates the potential of an AI-driven VH tool to enhance GP obesity education and communication skills. The observed improvements in key outcomes support the potential of VH technology in medical education on obesity. To further establish the efficacy and explore the broader applicability, future research should focus on larger, controlled trials across various provider groups. Overall, these preliminary observations highlight a promising avenue for enhancing the skills of a wider range of providers in the obesity treatment space.
全球肥胖率不断上升，这就要求全科医生（GP）制定有效的体重管理策略。然而，时间限制、培训差距和信心不足常常阻碍全科医生进行基于体重的沟通。这项试点研究评估了一种人工智能驱动的虚拟人（VH）肥胖教育和沟通技能培训工具的可行性和初步效果，该工具专门设计用于应对这些挑战，并提高全科医生的肥胖教育水平和沟通技能。
一项采用前后调查设计的试点可行性研究评估了VH工具对知识、自我效能感、对肥胖患者的同理心以及临床咨询信心的影响。探讨了参与者对VH工具的看法、信任度和使用意愿。进行配对样本t检验以评估组内平均差异。使用描述性统计来评估可行性和可接受性。
共招募了22名全科医生。尽管有一些人员流失，但在知识（P = 0.006）、自我效能感（P = 0.001）以及同理心和信心综合得分（P = 0.002）方面均观察到显著改善。除了这些改善之外，参与者对该工具表现出积极的看法，对VH高度信任，并强烈打算实施所学策略。
这项试点研究证明了人工智能驱动的VH工具在提高全科医生肥胖教育和沟通技能方面的潜力。在关键结果方面观察到的改善支持了VH技术在肥胖医学教育中的潜力。为了进一步确定疗效并探索更广泛的适用性，未来的研究应侧重于针对不同医疗服务提供者群体的更大规模的对照试验。总体而言，这些初步观察结果突出了一条有前景的途径，可用于提高肥胖治疗领域更广泛医疗服务提供者的技能。
