Virtual patients train doctors to communicate better
NCT ID NCT07409233
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested an online program called SOPHIE that uses virtual patient scenarios to help clinicians improve their communication skills. 51 clinicians and trainees were randomly assigned to either the simulation training or standard educational materials. Their communication performance was then assessed in simulated encounters. The study did not involve real patients or medical treatments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- SOPHIE Simulation Training (online virtual patient scenarios)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a scalable, low-cost way to train clinicians in communication skills without needing real patients.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage educational study with only 51 participants. It measures simulated performance, not real-world patient outcomes, so benefits may not translate to actual clinical care.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, 14620, United States