Future Developments in E-Simulations for Learning Soft Skills in the Health Professions

Abstract

New interaction modes involving avatars in 3D virtual worlds and also software for interpreting facial and voice expressions are recognised for their potential use in soft skills training in professions such as medicine. Doctor to patient communication is becoming a vital element in the transition from cure to care, and communication skills training needs continual revision and development. A series of projects examined in this chapter articulate instructional strategies that rely on controlling communicative parameters such as emotional states. In one project, the natural coach/mentor was complemented by a semi-realistic 3D “Intelligent Virtual Agent”. Pedagogical scenarios like “learning by modeling” rest upon doctors’ and nurse practitioners’ competencies to classify patients’ emotions and various existential crises. The project formulated the method to derive and structure ontologies for emotions and affective behaviors and the outcome is a confrontation between advanced media and instructional strategies. In terms of communicative strategy, the doctor-patient interaction is a precursor to the wider field of professional communication, and needs dedicated methods to consolidate best practices in ontologies for life-long learning.

Social networking for web-based communities

“…With the same indication Lefebvre (2007) indicate that social networking is not a new way to 'reach' people -it is an 'attract and join' space'. Previously, users need to interact and communicate with others via several platforms from telephone, face to face, or traditional methods to obtain their needs (Kommers, 2011 ). However, currently the situation is different as users can interact and acquire the information via the Internet or social networking sites by asking their friends or internet users regarding his/her needs.…”