Effect of AI-Supported Virtual Patient Chatbot Training on Nursing Students' Self-Perceived Clinical Decision-Making and Gynecological Cancer Knowledge

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of structured case-based training delivered through an artificial intelligence-supported educational virtual patient chatbot platform on nursing students' gynecological cancer knowledge and self-perceived clinical decision-making. Third-year undergraduate nursing students who had completed the Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing course were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group or an assessment-only wait-list control group. The intervention group completed five AI-supported virtual patient training scenarios during a two-week access period, followed by a common virtual patient assessment. The control group completed the same virtual patient assessment without access to the training scenarios during the study assessment period. Knowledge and self-perceived clinical decision-making were assessed at baseline and immediately after the assigned study procedures. Virtual patient performance was assessed once at the final assessment.