Author ORCID Identifier

0000-0002-6887-0446

Document Type

Case Study

Disciplines

Nutrition, Dietetics, 5.3 EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES

Publication Details

Integrating Digital Technologies; Communicating with the Virtual Patient: Student Perceptions of GenAI in Dietetic Training, Grangegorman, 2026.

doi:10.21427/g003-pk61

Abstract

Background: Communication skill development is a key component of dietetic education. Traditional teaching methods such as role play and simulated consultations are effective but resource intensive. Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) may provide an accessible supplementary tool for communication skills practice. This initiative aimed to explore dietetic students’ experiences of using a GenAI simulated patient consultation as a revision aid to support communication skill development.

Methods: This evaluation involved second-year BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics students undertaking the Professional Practice and Communications module. Following six face-to-face communication workshops, students completed a GenAI simulated consultation involving a 56-year-old male recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Students received a guidance document, system prompt, and self-assessment tool. Pre- and post-activity evaluations were completed via Microsoft Forms.

Results: All students (n=22) completed the activity, and >90% agreed or strongly agreed that the simulation was useful and recommended its continued use. Students valued the opportunity for low-pressure practice, reflection, and increased confidence. The ability to review consultations retrospectively was highlighted as particularly beneficial. However, students also identified limitations, including unrealistic responses, lack of emotional depth, and absence of non-verbal communication cues.

Conclusion: Students perceived GenAI simulated consultations as a useful adjunct to traditional communication training, supporting confidence and reflective learning. However, they recognised that GenAI should complement rather than replace real patient interaction. Further work will explore platforms with enhanced verbal and visual interaction capabilities.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21427/g003-pk61

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

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