Abstract
Background
Rising global obesity rates demand effective weight management strategies from general practitioners (GPs). However, time constraints, training gaps, and low confidence often impede GPs' ability to conduct weight-based conversations. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an AI-driven Virtual Human (VH) obesity education and communication-skills training tool, specifically designed to address these challenges and enhance obesity education and communication-skills among GPs.
Methods
A pilot feasibility study with a pre-post survey design evaluated the impact of the VH tool on knowledge, self-efficacy, empathy toward patients with obesity, and confidence in clinical consultations. Participant perceptions, trust, and intention to use the VH tool were explored. Paired-sample t-tests were conducted to evaluate within-group mean differences. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate feasibility and acceptability.
ResultsA total of 22 GPs were recruited. Despite some attrition, significant improvements were observed in knowledge (p = 0.006), self-efficacy (p = 0.001), and combined empathy and confidence scores (p = 0.002). Alongside these improvements, participants demonstrated positive perceptions of the tool, high trust in the VH, and a strong intention to implement the learned strategies.#
Conclusions
This pilot study demonstrates the potential of an AI-driven VH tool to enhance GP obesity education and communication skills. The observed improvements in key outcomes support the potential of VH technology in medical education on obesity. To further establish the efficacy and explore the broader applicability, future research should focus on larger, controlled trials across various provider groups. Overall, these preliminary observations highlight a promising avenue for enhancing the skills of a wider range of providers in the obesity treatment space.
Rising global obesity rates demand effective weight management strategies from general practitioners (GPs). However, time constraints, training gaps, and low confidence often impede GPs' ability to conduct weight-based conversations. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an AI-driven Virtual Human (VH) obesity education and communication-skills training tool, specifically designed to address these challenges and enhance obesity education and communication-skills among GPs.
Methods
A pilot feasibility study with a pre-post survey design evaluated the impact of the VH tool on knowledge, self-efficacy, empathy toward patients with obesity, and confidence in clinical consultations. Participant perceptions, trust, and intention to use the VH tool were explored. Paired-sample t-tests were conducted to evaluate within-group mean differences. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate feasibility and acceptability.
ResultsA total of 22 GPs were recruited. Despite some attrition, significant improvements were observed in knowledge (p = 0.006), self-efficacy (p = 0.001), and combined empathy and confidence scores (p = 0.002). Alongside these improvements, participants demonstrated positive perceptions of the tool, high trust in the VH, and a strong intention to implement the learned strategies.#
Conclusions
This pilot study demonstrates the potential of an AI-driven VH tool to enhance GP obesity education and communication skills. The observed improvements in key outcomes support the potential of VH technology in medical education on obesity. To further establish the efficacy and explore the broader applicability, future research should focus on larger, controlled trials across various provider groups. Overall, these preliminary observations highlight a promising avenue for enhancing the skills of a wider range of providers in the obesity treatment space.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e70083 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-10 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Obesity Science and Practice |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 8 Jul 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 31 Aug 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2025 The Author(s). Obesity Science & Practice published by World Obesity and The Obesity Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Data Availability Statement
The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this studyare available within the article. Raw datasets are available from thecorresponding author upon reasonable request. The study materials(i.e., measures, scripts) are available on the Open Science Framework(OSF) repository, https://osf.io/c24sm/files/osfstorage.Funding
This work was supported by the Science Foundation Ireland Center for Research Training in Digitally-Enhanced Reality (D-REAL) under Grant 18/CRT/6224.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Science Foundation Ireland | |
| Science Foundation Ireland | 18/CRT/6224 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
-
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
Keywords
- obesity
- virtual human
- training
- general practice
- health communication
- Artifical intelligence
- medical education
- person-centred care
- Artificial intelligence
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