{
  "abstract": "Background\n\nEffective communication is essential in nursing, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly integrated into nursing education.Methods\n\nThis phenomenological study explores how ChatGPT-supported virtual patient scenarios influence nursing students' empathy and communication skills. Third-year nursing students enrolled in a Family Health Nursing elective interacted with a virtual patient through predefined ChatGPT prompts simulating a counseling session. Data were collected through focus group interviews and online reflective diaries.Results\n\nThematic analysis revealed three themes: \"Unrealistic empathy and communication experience\", \"Solution-oriented and effective communication experience\", \"Communication and empathy awareness: Future communication strategies and professional preparation\" CONCLUSIONS: Although participants perceived ChatGPT-supported virtual patient communication as providing a less realistic communication and empathy experience than real patient interactions, they also reported that ChatGPT's interaction style offered a structured and solution-oriented communication experience. Furthermore, the ChatGPT-supported virtual patient communication experience was perceived as helping students make reflection and self-assessment about communication and empathy, and identify areas for improvement before interacting with real patients. These findings suggest that ChatGPT-supported virtual patient communication cannot replace real patient encounters, but it can serve as a complementary educational tool that encourages reflective learning and prepares nursing students for subsequent clinical communication experiences.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Fundamentals of Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Akdeniz University, Campus 07070, Konyaaltı, Antalya, Turkey. ayseguldogdu@akdeniz.edu.tr.",
    "Public Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ayşegül Korkmaz Doğdu",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-1842-3194"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Ayşe Dağistan Akgöz",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-2933-3402"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5jxggre7m92qv.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1186/s12912-026-05448-4",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13670500",
  "id": "5jxggre7m92qv",
  "issns": [
    "1472-6955"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42875769",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2718|Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221167486",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13670500?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13670500",
  "pmid": "42875769",
  "published": "2026-10-09",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5jxggre7m92qv.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:00Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42875769",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42875769"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2718|Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Exploring nursing students' communication experiences with artificial intelligence-supported virtual patients: a qualitative study.",
  "title_text": "Exploring nursing students' communication experiences with artificial intelligence-supported virtual patients: a qualitative study.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:00Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5jxggre7m92qv",
  "venue": "BMC nursing",
  "versions": []
}