JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There has been a call to improve training for healthcare professionals (HCPs) on communicating about overweight and obesity for at least ten years. Progress has been made on recognizing the impact of weight stigma and in pharmacotherapeutics, but challenges remain in standardizing the quality of HCP–patient discussions. In other chronic conditions, emphasizing patient-centered communication has helped to improve patient support, such as in diabetes care. However, few weight-related communication studies exist to address the practical skills needed to improve standards. One potential way is using the recent advances in technology such as 3D virtual learning. 3D virtual learning offers a safe and immersive way to acquire the practical skills that benefit from sensitive and compassionate reflection and feedback. VITAL-COMS (Virtual training and assessment for communication Skills) is a new virtual simulation digital training tool to address training gaps for healthcare professionals in weight-related communication, nutrition knowledge, complexities of weight and weight stigma.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of VITAL-COMS to improve how healthcare professionals communicate about weight in healthcare settings.

Methods:

A mixed-method pre and post study examined the feasibility of a scenario-based virtual simulator to improve weight-related communication skills for HCP. Participants were students recruited from healthcare courses or UK-based dietitians, nurses and doctors recruited via social media. Analysis examined improvements pre and post training using a weight-related communication skills self-assessment questionnaire, along with participant feedback via a feasibility questionnaire and reflective practice interviews.

Results:

The study was completed by 31 participants; student and practicing dietitians, nurses and doctors. Pre and post training scores showed improvement with statistical significance (p=0.001). Most participants reacted positively (97%) to using VITAL-COMS. The reflective practice interviews highlighted the neglected relationship between effective weight-related communication skills and appropriate care provided for patients living with obesity.

Conclusions:

This study has shown that VITAL-COMS is a fit for purpose, innovative digital training tool and acceptable for teaching evidence-based weight-related communication skills. It has potential to enhance weight-related communication skills amongst HCPs.