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MedChat

MedChat AI-powered virtual patient simulation for medical education

MedChat

Harnessing AI for Communication Training in Medical Education

Project Overview

MedChat is an AI-powered virtual patient platform developed by Einbrain Lab to help medical students master one of the most challenging aspects of clinical care: delivering bad news. Through natural language conversations, students interact with a realistic virtual patient in emotionally charged scenarios, building empathy, clarity, timing, and emotional intelligence in a safe, controlled, and fully repeatable environment.

Early pilot results have been promising, demonstrating measurable improvements in student confidence and communication competence. Looking ahead, the project is advancing toward full VR-based virtual patient systems to create even more authentic and emotionally engaging training experiences in lifelike clinical settings.

Team & Partnership

Einbrain Lab — Dr. Donggil Song

SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
Zhao, Y., Nelson, K., Song, D., & Zarutskie, P.

Publications & Presentations

📄 Journal Article

*Chiu, J., *Castro, B., *Ballard, I., Nelson, K., Zarutskie, P., Olaiya, K., Song, D., & Zhao, Y. (2025). Exploration of the role of ChatGPT in teaching communication skills for medical students: A pilot study. Medical Science Educator, 35, 1871–1882. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-025-02394-9

🎤 Presentations

  • Zhao, Y., Nelson, K., Zarutskie, P., Olaiya, K., Song, D., *Castro, B., *Chiu, J., & *Ballard, I. (2025, Apr.). Exploration of utilizing artificial intelligence for medical students communication skills learning. Educating Leaders 2025, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), Arlington, Texas.
  • *Castro, B., *Chiu, J., *Ballard, I., Olaiya, K., Song, D., Nelson, K., Zarutskie, P., & Zhao, Y. (2024, Mar.). Exploration of utilizing artificial intelligence for medical students communication skills learning. 12th Annual Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) Southwest Regional Conference Research Symposium, Houston, Texas.
  • *Chiu, J., *Castro, B., *Ballard, I., Song, D., Olaiya, K., & Zhao, Y. (2023, Sep.). Evaluate perceived learning and confidence levels in delivering difficult news using artificial intelligence-based activity. Annual Student Research Day, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas.
  • Zhao, Y., Nelson, K., Song, D., & Zarutskie, P. (2026, Mar.). Harnessing AI for Communication Training in Medical Education: Pilot to Practice. Engage-Ed Conference 2026, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas.

* Student author/presenter

Why MedChat Matters

The Challenge

Medical students rarely get safe, repeatable opportunities to practice delivering bad news before facing real patients — a high-stakes skill requiring empathy, clarity, and structure under emotional pressure.

Our Solution

MedChat places students in AI-driven virtual patient encounters — starting with screen-based simulation and advancing toward full VR immersion — offering scenario-based practice and evidence-based feedback via the SPIKES framework.

The Impact

Pilot results show measurable gains in student confidence and communication competence — bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world clinical practice.

MedChat in Action

Female medical student communicating with virtual patient through big screen

A medical student engages in a simulated patient consultation through a large immersive display. The AI virtual patient responds naturally in emotionally charged scenarios, creating a realistic clinical encounter that builds confidence and communication skill before entering the clinic.

Training Scenarios

Collaboration between Einbrain Lab and SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine — student wearing VR device to communicate with virtual patient

Institutional Collaboration: Einbrain Lab and SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine partner to bring VR-based communication training directly into medical education — combining clinical expertise with cutting-edge AI and XR technology.

Medical student communicating with virtual patient through VR and receiving feedback on communication skills

VR Simulation & Feedback: A student interacts with the virtual patient in VR while the system evaluates communication in real time, providing structured, actionable feedback aligned with the SPIKES framework.

Female medical student communicating with virtual patient through VR and receiving feedback on communication skills

Inclusive Practice: MedChat supports all learners with adaptive AI responses and personalized feedback — helping each student develop their unique communication voice with confidence.

Key Features

AI Virtual Patient

Students converse naturally with a realistic AI patient in emotionally charged clinical scenarios, developing empathy, clarity, and timing in a safe, repeatable environment.

SPIKES-Based Feedback

Receive structured, personalized feedback aligned with the SPIKES framework — the gold standard for breaking bad news — after every simulation session.

Path to VR

The next phase advances into full VR immersion — lifelike clinical environments with heightened emotional presence and realism to push training fidelity even further.

MedChat is transforming how future physicians learn to communicate.

Einbrain Lab in partnership with SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine | Contact: einbrainlab@gmail.com