Student and lecturer perceptions of the use of an AI to improve communication skills in healthcare: an interview study

Background and objectives Communication is a complex skill and key component for professionals in health care. Complex skills are best learned through experimental learning like role plays or simulated patient encounters. The aim of the present study is to explore how students and lecturers assess the conditions under which the use of an AI-based feedback system can promote the learning process. Methods An interview study with health profession students and lecturers was conducted using a qualitative descriptive design. Recorded audio data was transcribed and evaluated by structuring qualitative content analysis using deductive and inductive coding. The research process was conducted and continually reflected by an interprofessional research team. Ethical approval was obtained. Results Using qualitative content analysis, four major themes were identified. These are “conditions”, “communication scenarios”, “AI-based learning platform” and “debriefing”. Lecturers and students welcome the idea of AI providing feedback on verbal and para-verbal aspects. To implement AI-based feedback into a teaching programme AI functionality should be adaptable to the specific situation. Lecturers and students highlighted that AI could be particularly valuable for speech qualities which are often difficult for humans to assess. AI could give freedom to focus on additional aspects of the conversation by documenting desirable speech qualities. Lecturers and students prefer for the AI-based feedback to be given at the end of rather than within the role play. Furthermore, they wish for communication scenarios to be analysed repeatedly in order to track progress. Conclusion Practicing in a safe environment and receiving competent credible feedback, with lecturers trained in facilitation, is a prerequisite for the entire learning progress.The integration of an AI-based feedback system should be characterised by both flexibility of the AI application and standardisation of the communication scenario.