Enhancing Culturally Sensitive Care: An AI-Driven Interactive Simulation Game for Nursing Students to Address Health Disparities and Improve Communication Skills

Abstract :

Introduction: The importance of cultural competence development in undergraduate nursing education is well recognized.1 Yet many nurses report feeling unprepared to communicate effectively with culturally diverse patients, hindering efforts to address health disparities and improve outcomes.2,3

Methods: Using a competency-based approach, 114 undergraduate nursing students engaged in an AI-driven avatar video simulation, created using Synesthesia and PowerPoint, to enhance implicit bias awareness and cultural competence through patient engagement and therapeutic communication. Students were randomly divided into ten groups, each given distinct scenarios. After the simulation, they participated in small group discussion, class-wide discussion, debriefing, and a voluntary anonymous survey.

Results: The survey assessed the game's impact on students using a 1-5 Likert scale and a comments section. 26 students participated, averaging scores of 4.7 for self-efficacy around bias, 4.6 for improving transcultural communication, 4.5 for navigation of difficult scenarios, 4.8 for ensuring a safe learning space, 4.3 for realistic scenario portrayal, and qualitative responses: “It was surprising to hear some of my classmates' experiences. I wish we got to have more of these conversations in nursing school” and “Really like[d] it! It made me think about what I would say in that situation.”

Conclusion: By utilizing a free-trial version of the AI-avatar online software and PowerPoint, we efficiently created an engaging and immersive simulation experience without the added costs of hiring actors, renting locations, or traditional virtual simulation creation. These findings suggest AI-driven simulation can be an effective tool to develop culturally competent communication skills in undergraduate nursing education.

Please include a short summary of your presentation that highlights why an attendee would want to participate in your session.: Newly graduated nurses often feel unprepared to communicate effectively with culturally diverse patients. Utilizing artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance competency-based learning around transcultural communication can engage and prepare students to address health disparities and improve outcomes when caring for diverse populations.