Implementation of Artificial Intelligence-Powered Patient Simulation for Communication Training in a Telehealth Transitional Care Program.

INTRODUCTION Effective communication during care transitions is essential for patient safety and quality outcomes. Telehealth-based transitional care programs decrease 30-day readmissions and improve patient satisfaction, yet staff frequently report the need for structured communication training. Artificial intelligence (AI)-supported simulation may offer a scalable training method for health care settings with limited simulation resources. This study evaluates whether AI-powered simulation training improves communication performance during real telehealth patient encounters.

Methods

This quality improvement initiative was conducted within a hospital-based transitions of care program (June 2025-December 2025). Sequential implementation included rubric validation (Lawshe Content Validity Index), AI platform testing, online modules, and individualized AI simulation across 3 patient pathways (inpatient, postoperative, and emergency department). Pathway-specific rubrics demonstrated excellent interrater reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient = 0.91 to 0.97). Weekly communication performance was tracked using run charts and statistical process control; balancing measures included call duration and calls per hour.

Results

Fifteen of 17 eligible staff completed role-specific simulation. Communication performance was assessed across 468 recorded patient calls. Total rubric scores improved: inpatient by 24% (P < 0.001), postoperative by 19% (P < 0.001), and emergency department by 37% (P < 0.001). Statistical process control analysis demonstrated special cause variation with sustained median shifts across all pathways.

Conclusions

AI-powered simulation training was associated with meaningful and sustained improvements in patient-provider communication during real-world telehealth encounters. Findings support AI simulation as a scalable, practical training method for telehealth programs.