Technological Advances in Communications Training: The Emergence of Veterinary DialogueTrainer as a Leading Interactive Teaching Tool

This chapter introduces technological advances in simulation-based training (SBT) that allow learners to engage with avatars in low-stakes yet realistic online environments. One product in particular, Veterinary DialogueTrainer (VDT) , demonstrates how learners can apply evidence-based communication theory to virtual dialogue exchanges. Each virtual dialogue is a customizable role-play in which learners have countless opportunities to engage with avatars that provide scripted responses. To mitigate the paucity of diversity among simulated clients, the VDT team has developed a wide range of avatars to choose from. This creates the possibility of testing participants’ responses when faced with similar simulations with different avatars. Biases in healthcare are commonplace. These can be assessed using VDT.