Exploring nursing students' communication experiences with artificial intelligence-supported virtual patients: a qualitative study.
- 1Fundamentals of Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Akdeniz University, Campus 07070, Konyaaltı, Antalya, Turkey. [email protected].
- 2Public Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Abstract
Background
Effective communication is essential in nursing, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly integrated into nursing education.Methods
This 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
Thematic 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.
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BibTeX
@article{dogdu2026exploring,
title = {{Exploring nursing students' communication experiences with artificial intelligence-supported virtual patients: a qualitative study.}},
author = {Ayşegül Korkmaz Doğdu and Ayşe Dağistan Akgöz},
journal = {BMC nursing},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1186/s12912-026-05448-4},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42875769},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Exploring nursing students' communication experiences with artificial intelligence-supported virtual patients: a qualitative study.
AU - Ayşegül Korkmaz Doğdu
AU - Ayşe Dağistan Akgöz
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/09
JO - BMC nursing
DO - 10.1186/s12912-026-05448-4
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42875769
AB - Background Effective communication is essential in nursing, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly integrated into nursing education.Methods This 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 Thematic 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.
SN - 1472-6955
ER -