Keele University in the United Kingdom has developed a “virtual patient,” created by a computer, to help train the pharmacists of the future. Students in the university’s School of 11 work with the “patient” to gain experience in effective communication and decision-making.
Students talk with the “patient” directly or by typing questions into a computer. The “patient” responds verbally or with gestures to indicate 12 such as pain, stress or anxiety. As a result, students are forced to communicate clearly 13 that the “patient” understands them completely. The Virtual Patient can also be used to explore various medical situations. For example, the “patient” can be programmed to be allergic to certain medicine and can 14 serious reactions if student learners are not aware of the situation. This kind of practice allows students to learn from mistakes in a safe environment that would not be 15 with textbooks alone. The unique system can both be used in a classroom setting or for distance learning.
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