Computerized medical training system

Abstract

A method of medical training includes presenting a user with a medical scenario within a medical simulation in which the user plays a physician. The medical scenario includes an interaction between the user and a patient. Performance data corresponding to the user is identified. The identified performance data is based at least in part on an action of the user during the interaction between the user and the patient. The user is evaluated based at least in part on the identified performance data to determine whether the user has achieved a training goal within the medical simulation. The training goal is intended to improve a medical skill of the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of assessing an interpersonal interaction between a first user and a second user, comprising:
 capturing, via a first input device, user input from the first user, wherein the first input device includes an audio input device to capture verbal input and an imaging input device to capture non-verbal input, and wherein the user input from the first user comprises a plurality of emotional components and a plurality of cognitive components of the first user's participation in the interpersonal interaction;   capturing, via a second input device, user input from the second user, wherein the second input device includes an audio input device to capture verbal input and an imaging input device to capture non-verbal input, and wherein the user input from the second user comprises a plurality of emotional components and a plurality of cognitive components of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction;   using a computer operably coupled to both the first input device and the second input device to assess an aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction using the captured user input from the first user and the captured user input from the second user; and   providing feedback to the first user regarding the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first input device is located with the first user and the second input device is located with the second user, and wherein the first user and the second user are not co-located. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction comprises a trustworthiness of the first user as perceived by the second user. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction comprises an emotion demonstrated by the second user. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction comprises a level of the second user's truthfulness in the interpersonal interaction. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the feedback comprises an evaluation of an impact of the first user's participation in the interpersonal interaction on the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction comprises a behavior exhibited by the second user. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the imaging input device of first input device and the imaging input device of second input device comprises a video capture device. 
     
     
         9 . A system for assessing an interpersonal interaction between a first user and a second user, the system comprising:
 a first input device configured to capture user input from the first user, wherein the first input device includes an audio input device to capture verbal input and an imaging input device to capture non-verbal input, and wherein the user input from the first user comprises a plurality of emotional components and a plurality of cognitive components of the first user's participation in the interpersonal interaction;   a second input device configured to capture user input from the second user, wherein the second input device includes an audio input device to capture verbal input and an imaging input device to capture non-verbal input, and wherein the user input from the second user comprises a plurality of emotional components and a plurality of cognitive components of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction; and   an assessment processor configured to receive as input the captured user input from the first user and the captured user input from the second user, to assess an aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction using the captured user input from the first user and the captured user input from the second user, and to provide feedback to the first user regarding the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction.   
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the imaging input device of the first input device and the imaging input device of the second input device comprises a video capture device. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction comprises a trustworthiness of the first user as perceived by the second user. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction comprises an emotion demonstrated by the second user. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction comprises a level of the second user's truthfulness in the interpersonal interaction. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction comprises a behavior exhibited by the second user. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the feedback comprises an evaluation of an impact of the first user's participation in the interpersonal interaction on the aspect of the second user's participation in the interpersonal interaction. 
     
     
         16 . A method for providing a first individual with emotional state feedback of a second individual engaged in an interpersonal interaction with the first individual, the method comprising:
 receiving, via a plurality of sensors, input from the second individual comprising at least one action of the second individual selected from the group consisting of: a body language input, a facial expression input, a verbal input;   computing an emotional state of the second individual from the input from the second individual received via the plurality of sensors using a computer operably coupled to the plurality of sensors; and   providing feedback to the first individual indicating the emotional state of the second individual.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises an audio sensor to capture audible input and an imaging sensor to capture non-audible input. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of sensors are mounted on a first input device carried by the first individual. 
     
     
         19 . A system for providing a first individual engaged in an interpersonal interaction with feedback concerning an emotional state of a second user engaged in the interpersonal interaction, the system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors to detect audible and visual behaviors of the second individual;   one or more processors in operable communication with the plurality of sensors and configured to automatically:
 monitor the audible and visual behaviors of the second individual by receiving data from the plurality of sensors; 
 compute an emotional state of the second individual based on the audible and visual behaviors of the second individual; and 
 provide feedback to the first individual indicating the computed emotional state of the second individual. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the audible and visual behaviors of the second individual are selected from the group consisting of: body language, facial expressions, and verbal expressions.