Researchers tested a new virtual reality training program called VITAL-COMS to help doctors, nurses, and dietitians have better conversations about weight with patients. The study included 31 healthcare workers who practiced talking to virtual patients about weight-related topics. After the training, participants felt much more confident in their communication skills and spent twice as long having meaningful conversations with patients. Nearly all participants said they would recommend this type of training to other healthcare professionals, suggesting virtual reality could be a powerful tool for improving how medical staff discuss sensitive topics like weight.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether virtual reality training could help healthcare workers have better, more comfortable conversations about weight with their patients
  • Who participated: 31 healthcare professionals from the UK, including doctors, nurses, and dietitians who completed online training sessions
  • Key finding: Healthcare workers felt significantly more confident talking about weight after training, and their practice conversations became twice as long and more meaningful
  • What it means for you: If your healthcare provider has had this type of training, they may be better equipped to discuss weight concerns in a supportive, non-judgmental way

The Research Details

This was a pilot study where researchers tested their virtual reality training program with healthcare professionals over several months. Participants watched educational videos and then practiced having conversations with computer-generated patients in two different scenarios. The training sessions were conducted online through video calls, making it accessible to healthcare workers in different locations. Before and after the training, participants rated their own confidence levels and communication skills using standardized questionnaires.

This approach is important because it allows healthcare workers to practice difficult conversations in a safe environment where they can make mistakes and learn without affecting real patients. The virtual patients can respond consistently, giving all trainees the same learning experience.

While this study shows promising results, it was relatively small with only 31 participants and didn’t have a control group for comparison. The researchers measured participants’ own opinions about their skills rather than having independent observers rate their performance.

What the Results Show

Healthcare workers showed significant improvement in how confident they felt about discussing weight with patients. Their self-rated communication skills improved substantially after the training. The length of their practice conversations also doubled, suggesting they were more willing to engage deeply with patients about weight concerns. In one scenario, conversations went from about 4 minutes to over 6 minutes on average, while in another scenario they increased from 3.6 to 5.7 minutes.

Nearly all participants (97%) said they would support using this type of training more widely in healthcare settings. Most participants (84%) reported feeling emotionally engaged with the virtual patients, suggesting the simulation felt realistic and meaningful. Only a small minority (13%) said they would prefer different types of training methods.

This study addresses a well-known problem in healthcare - many medical professionals report feeling unprepared to discuss weight with patients, and patients often feel judged during these conversations. Previous research has shown that better communication training is needed, and this study suggests virtual reality could be an effective solution.

The study was small and didn’t compare the virtual reality training to other types of training or to no training at all. Participants rated their own improvement, which might not reflect their actual skills with real patients. The study also only followed participants for a short time, so we don’t know if the benefits last long-term.

The Bottom Line

Healthcare systems should consider incorporating virtual reality communication training for staff who discuss weight with patients. This type of training appears to build confidence and improve conversation quality in a supportive learning environment.

Patients who struggle with weight-related health issues may benefit if their healthcare providers receive this type of training. Healthcare administrators and medical educators should pay attention to these results when planning professional development programs.

The improvements in confidence and communication skills appeared immediately after training, but more research is needed to understand how long these benefits last and whether they translate to better real-world patient interactions.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the quality and frequency of healthcare conversations about weight, noting whether providers seem comfortable and supportive during these discussions
  • Use the app to prepare questions and talking points before medical appointments that might involve weight discussions, helping you advocate for respectful, productive conversations
  • Monitor your comfort level and satisfaction with healthcare provider communications about weight over time, noting improvements in the quality of these interactions

This research focuses on training healthcare professionals and does not provide medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers about weight-related health concerns and treatment options.