Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition that demands timely recognition and intervention. Delays in identifying sepsis and initiating treatment are associated with poor patient outcomes, including the risk of death. To address this critical issue, it is essential to ensure that healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, who are often the first point of contact with patients, are well-trained to recognize and respond to sepsis in a time-sensitive manner.
However, internationally, it has been observed that both nurses and nursing students often have limited knowledge of sepsis. Equipping nursing students entering the workforce with adequate knowledge and skills to assess patients, recognize symptoms, escalate care, and initiate initial sepsis management is vital to reduce delays in treatment.
This article discusses the findings of a randomized controlled trial study that explored the impact of AI-powered training on nursing students’ sepsis knowledge, communication skills, and sepsis care performance. Nursing students play a crucial role in patient care, and their ability to recognize sepsis symptoms and provide timely interventions is of paramount importance. To improve their preparedness, a randomized controlled trial study was conducted with 64 nursing students.
These students were randomly assigned to two groups; one group underwent sepsis team training with an AI-powered doctor (AI-powered group). At the same time, the other received training from medical students using virtual reality simulation (human-controlled group). Both groups were evaluated through simulation-based assessments after the training, and their sepsis knowledge and self-efficacy in interprofessional communication were assessed both before and after the study interventions.Â
The study found that both the AI-powered and human-controlled groups demonstrated significant improvements in communication knowledge following the training. This improvement highlights the effectiveness of both training methods in enhancing students’ understanding of effective communication in healthcare settings. The importance of solid communication skills cannot be overstated in healthcare, as it directly impacts patient care and safety.Â
Additionally, both groups also showed a significant increase in self-efficacy in interprofessional communication after the training. This finding indicates that students in both groups felt more confident in their ability to communicate effectively within an interprofessional healthcare team. Effective communication is crucial for coordinating care and responding to sepsis efficiently.Â
When it comes to sepsis care knowledge, the AI-powered group demonstrated a significant improvement from baseline, while the human-controlled group did not show the same level of improvement. This result suggests that AI-powered training can be particularly effective in enhancing students’ understanding of sepsis care.
Recognizing and managing sepsis requires a deep understanding of the condition, its symptoms, and the appropriate interventions. The AI-powered training excels in this aspect. In terms of sepsis care performance, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Both the AI-powered and human-controlled groups demonstrated similar abilities in managing sepsis during the simulation-based assessments. This finding suggests that, when it comes to practical application, both training methods were equally effective.Â
Interestingly, while there were no significant differences in sepsis care performance, the AI-powered group achieved statistically significantly higher sepsis knowledge scores than the human-controlled group. This result suggests that AI-powered training can be particularly effective in enhancing theoretical knowledge. Nursing students in the AI-powered group seemed to have a deeper understanding of sepsis, which is a critical foundation for their future clinical practice.Â
Regarding interprofessional communication performance, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Both AI-powered and human-controlled training methods proved equally effective in improving students’ communication skills. Effective communication is essential for collaborating with other healthcare professionals in a clinical setting, and the results suggest that both training methods adequately prepare students in this regard.Â
Despite the similar performance in interprofessional communication, the human-controlled group reported a significantly higher level of self-efficacy in interprofessional communication compared to the AI-powered group. Self-efficacy reflects an individual’s confidence in their ability to perform a specific task. This finding suggests that, while both training methods enhanced communication skills, students in the human-controlled group felt more confident in their ability to apply these skills in real-world clinical situations.Â
The study’s results indicate that AI-powered doctors are equal to human-controlled virtual reality simulations in terms of sepsis care and interprofessional communication performance. This supports the feasibility of implementing AI-powered doctors to scale up sepsis team training.
However, future innovations in this area should focus on improving the sociability of AI-powered doctors to enhance users’ interprofessional communication training. Additionally, blending AI-powered training with human-controlled virtual reality simulation could optimize clinical performance in sepsis care and interprofessional communication.Â
In the quest to improve sepsis recognition and response, the training of nursing students is a critical step. This study demonstrates the potential of AI-powered training to enhance students’ sepsis knowledge and communication skills, ultimately contributing to more effective patient care.
The findings highlight the importance of well-rounded training programs that incorporate both AI-powered and human-controlled elements to prepare nursing students for the complexities of healthcare practice. As the field of healthcare continues to evolve, embracing technological advancements and innovative training methods will be vital to improving patient outcomes in conditions like sepsis.Â
Journal ReferenceÂ
Liaw SY, Tan JZ, et al. Artificial Intelligence Versus Human-Controlled Doctor in Virtual Reality Simulation for Sepsis Team Training: Randomized Controlled Study. J Med Internet Res. 2023 Jul 26;25:e47748. doi: 10.2196/47748.Â
