AHCI RESEARCH GROUP

Publications

Papers published in international journals,
proceedings of conferences, workshops and books.

OUR RESEARCH

Scientific Publications

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2025

Zhu, X. T.; Cheerman, H.; Cheng, M.; Kiami, S. R.; Chukoskie, L.; McGivney, E.

Designing VR Simulation System for Clinical Communication Training with LLMs-Based Embodied Conversational Agents Proceedings Article

In: Conf Hum Fact Comput Syst Proc, Association for Computing Machinery, 2025, ISBN: 979-840071395-8 (ISBN).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Clinical communications, Clinical Simulation, Communications training, Curricula, Embodied conversational agent, Embodied Conversational Agents, Health professions, Intelligent virtual agents, Language Model, Medical education, Model-based OPC, Patient simulators, Personnel training, Students, Teaching, User centered design, Virtual environments, Virtual Reality, VR simulation, VR simulation systems

@inproceedings{zhu_designing_2025,

title = {Designing VR Simulation System for Clinical Communication Training with LLMs-Based Embodied Conversational Agents},

author = {X. T. Zhu and H. Cheerman and M. Cheng and S. R. Kiami and L. Chukoskie and E. McGivney},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105005754066&doi=10.1145%2f3706599.3719693&partnerID=40&md5=4468fbd54b43d6779259300afd08632e},

doi = {10.1145/3706599.3719693},

isbn = {979-840071395-8 (ISBN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

booktitle = {Conf Hum Fact Comput Syst Proc},

publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},

abstract = {VR simulation in Health Professions (HP) education demonstrates huge potential, but fixed learning content with little customization limits its application beyond lab environments. To address these limitations in the context of VR for patient communication training, we conducted a user-centered study involving semi-structured interviews with advanced HP students to understand their challenges in clinical communication training and perceptions of VR-based solutions. From this, we derived design insights emphasizing the importance of realistic scenarios, simple interactions, and unpredictable dialogues. Building on these insights, we developed the Virtual AI Patient Simulator (VAPS), a novel VR system powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) and Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs), supporting dynamic and customizable patient interactions for immersive learning. We also provided an example of how clinical professors could use user-friendly design forms to create personalized scenarios that align with course objectives in VAPS and discuss future implications of integrating AI-driven technologies into VR education. © 2025 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).},

keywords = {Clinical communications, Clinical Simulation, Communications training, Curricula, Embodied conversational agent, Embodied Conversational Agents, Health professions, Intelligent virtual agents, Language Model, Medical education, Model-based OPC, Patient simulators, Personnel training, Students, Teaching, User centered design, Virtual environments, Virtual Reality, VR simulation, VR simulation systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

2024

Scott, A. J. S.; McCuaig, F.; Lim, V.; Watkins, W.; Wang, J.; Strachan, G.

Revolutionizing Nurse Practitioner Training: Integrating Virtual Reality and Large Language Models for Enhanced Clinical Education Proceedings Article

In: G., Strudwick; N.R., Hardiker; G., Rees; R., Cook; R., Cook; Y.J., Lee (Ed.): Stud. Health Technol. Informatics, pp. 671–672, IOS Press BV, 2024, ISBN: 09269630 (ISSN); 978-164368527-4 (ISBN).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 3D modeling, 3D models, 3d-modeling, adult, anamnesis, clinical decision making, clinical education, Clinical Simulation, Computational Linguistics, computer interface, Computer-Assisted Instruction, conference paper, Curriculum, Decision making, E-Learning, Education, Health care education, Healthcare Education, human, Humans, Language Model, Large language model, large language models, Mesh generation, Model animations, Modeling languages, nurse practitioner, Nurse Practitioners, Nursing, nursing education, nursing student, OSCE preparation, procedures, simulation, Teaching, therapy, Training, Training program, User-Computer Interface, Virtual Reality, Virtual reality training

@inproceedings{scott_revolutionizing_2024,

title = {Revolutionizing Nurse Practitioner Training: Integrating Virtual Reality and Large Language Models for Enhanced Clinical Education},

author = {A. J. S. Scott and F. McCuaig and V. Lim and W. Watkins and J. Wang and G. Strachan},

editor = {Strudwick G. and Hardiker N.R. and Rees G. and Cook R. and Cook R. and Lee Y.J.},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85199593781&doi=10.3233%2fSHTI240272&partnerID=40&md5=90c7bd43ba978f942723e6cf1983ffb3},

doi = {10.3233/SHTI240272},

isbn = {09269630 (ISSN); 978-164368527-4 (ISBN)},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

booktitle = {Stud. Health Technol. Informatics},

volume = {315},

pages = {671–672},

publisher = {IOS Press BV},

abstract = {This project introduces an innovative virtual reality (VR) training program for student Nurse Practitioners, incorporating advanced 3D modeling, animation, and Large Language Models (LLMs). Designed to simulate realistic patient interactions, the program aims to improve communication, history taking, and clinical decision-making skills in a controlled, authentic setting. This abstract outlines the methods, results, and potential impact of this cutting-edge educational tool on nursing education. © 2024 The Authors.},

keywords = {3D modeling, 3D models, 3d-modeling, adult, anamnesis, clinical decision making, clinical education, Clinical Simulation, Computational Linguistics, computer interface, Computer-Assisted Instruction, conference paper, Curriculum, Decision making, E-Learning, Education, Health care education, Healthcare Education, human, Humans, Language Model, Large language model, large language models, Mesh generation, Model animations, Modeling languages, nurse practitioner, Nurse Practitioners, Nursing, nursing education, nursing student, OSCE preparation, procedures, simulation, Teaching, therapy, Training, Training program, User-Computer Interface, Virtual Reality, Virtual reality training},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}