A Computer-generated Digital Patient for Oral Interview Training in Pharmacy

This paper outlines the development of an image model and its sy nthesis with a speech engine and facial interaction for a virtual patient. The simulation is for a pharmacy patient used by pharmacy students as a training aid for patient consultation at three Australian universities. The patient is simulated by a 3D talking head. The development of the final virtual patient image model is achieved in three stages: Building a personalized 3D face model; animation of the face model; and speech driven face synthesis. The image was used in conjunction with a training artificial intelligence module that created several scenarios in which the student's oral interview ability was assessed in students. Some student evaluation on the image and speech realism is also presented.