Enhancing Nonverbal Communication through Technology

项目摘要 这个职业发展奖将使我能够发展必要的技能，进行和领导生物医学 信息学干预，解决整个医疗保健的关键健康通信问题。贫困 医疗保健沟通是一个严重公共卫生问题，与医疗错误、可避免的患者 伤害和死亡、次优健康结果和患者满意度低（1-11）。科学目的是 健康信息学研究的主要目的是：1）研究计算机非语言信息的中介作用 使用虚拟人软件MPathic-VR进行沟通培训; 2）完善非语言的概念模型 交流; 3）开发和测试虚拟环境中非语言交流的自动评估 人类软件虚拟人-智能的、基于计算机的会话代理-使医疗保健成为可能 专业人士通过参与和积极的学习经验来发展沟通技巧：实践 沟通行为;接受对他们的认知、语言和非语言行为的评估反馈; 然后结合反馈再次练习。最近结束的一项虚拟人软件的试验 发现证据表明，相对于基于计算机的控制， 模块条件然而，之前对虚拟人软件数据的分析并没有专门调查 该软件是如何提高非语言沟通技能的。本研究的目的1是了解 如何通过对虚拟人试验数据进行二次分析来改善非语言行为， 方法.因为非语言交流是交流的一个重要方面， 评估，目标2将开发一个新的概念模型的非语言沟通，通过采访， 20供应商基于这些结果，Aim 3将增加一个自动化的非语言交流行为 评估和反馈机制，以MPathic-VR和进行有效性检查与30名医学生。 我的总体职业目标是成为一名独立的调查员，专注于应用计算机和 信息科学，以改善卫生环境中的生物医学信息的传播，我将 通过实现四个培训目标来完成：1）分析语言和非语言交流，2）分析 二元数据，3）将虚拟人技术应用于沟通干预，以及4）获得高级技能 在格兰特写作。指导团队在基于信息的干预措施、健康 传播调查和混合方法研究。此外，密歇根大学和 家庭医学系提供世界一流的研究基础设施，为早期职业生涯提供强有力的支持 研究人员通过确定的方案和课程。完成本研究并提出培训目标 是开展严格的R 01干预研究的关键。这项工作也是必要的发展一部小说 MPathic-VR系统中的场景，可以在未来的干预中进行测试，它将提供 在语言和非语言交流中进行互动培训所需的知识。

Project Summary This career development award will enable me to develop the necessary skills to conduct and lead biomedical informatics interventions that address crucial health communications issues throughout healthcare. Poor healthcare communication is a serious public health issue that is linked to medical errors, avoidable patient harm and death, suboptimal health outcomes, and low patient satisfaction(1-11). The scientific aims of this health informatics research are to: 1) investigate the mediating influence of computer based nonverbal communication training using virtual human software—MPathic-VR; 2) refine a conceptual model of nonverbal communication; and 3) develop and test an automated assessment of nonverbal communication in the virtual human software. Virtual humans—intelligent, computer-based conversational agents—enable healthcare professionals to develop communication skills through an engaging and active learning experience: practicing communication behavior; receiving assessment feedback on their cognitive, verbal, and nonverbal behaviors; and then practicing again incorporating feedback. A recently concluded trial with the virtual human software found evidence of improved verbal and nonverbal communication skills relative to a computer-based control module condition. However, previous analyses of virtual human software data did not specifically investigate how the software led to improvement in nonverbal communication skills. Aim 1 of this study is to understand how nonverbal behavior improved by conducting a secondary analysis of virtual human trial data using mixed methods. Because nonverbal communication is an important, but often unaddressed, aspect of communication assessment, Aim 2 will develop a new conceptual model of nonverbal communication through interviews with 20 providers. Based on those results, Aim 3 will add an automated nonverbal communication behavior assessment and feedback mechanism to MPathic-VR and conduct a validity check with 30 medical students. My overall career goal is to become an independent investigator focused on applying computer and information sciences to improve dissemination of biomedical information in health settings, which I will accomplish by achieving four training goals: 1) analyze verbal and nonverbal communication, 2) analyze dyadic data, 3) apply virtual human technologies to communication interventions, and 4) obtain advanced skills in grant writing. The mentoring team is experienced with informatics-based interventions, health communication investigations, and mixed methods research. In addition, the University of Michigan and the Department of Family Medicine offer a world-class research infrastructure with strong support for early career investigators through defined programs and courses. Completing this research and the proposed training goals is critical to developing a rigorous R01 intervention study. This work is also necessary for developing a novel scenario within the MPathic-VR system that can be tested in a future intervention, and it will provide the knowledge needed to advance interactive training in verbal and nonverbal communication.