Embodied Conversational Virtual Patients

2011 ◽  
pp. 254-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick G. Kenny ◽  
Thomas D. Parsons
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Virtual Patients ◽  
Conversational Agents ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Cognitive Realism ◽  
And Training

Recent research has established the potential for computer generated virtual characters to act as virtual patients (VP) for the assessment and training of novice clinicians in interpersonal skills, interviewing, and diagnosis. These VPs are embodied interactive conversational agents who are designed to simulate a particular clinical presentation of a patient’s illness with a high degree of consistency and realism. In this chapter we describe the architecture developed for virtual patients, and the application of the system to subject testing with virtual patients that exhibit a set of clinical conditions called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The primary goal of these conversational agents was evaluative: can a VP generate responses that elicit user questions relevant for PTSD categorization? The results of the interactions of clinical students with the VP will be discussed. This chapter also highlights a set of design goals for increasing the visual, physical and cognitive realism when building VP systems including the design of the language, scenarios and artwork that is important when developing these characters. Finally, future research directions and challenges will be discussed for conversational virtual patients.

scholarly journals Treatment of adult post-traumatic stress disorder using a future-oriented writing therapy approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginald D. V. Nixon ◽  
Leonard W. Kling
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Ptsd Severity

AbstractThe aim of this pilot study was to test whether a future-oriented expressive writing intervention is able to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity and associated symptoms such as depression and unhelpful trauma-related beliefs. In an uncontrolled pre-/ post-design participants attended 8 weeks of manualized therapy. Assessment was undertaken pre- and post-treatment, and participants also completed a 3-month follow-up assessment. Of the 17 participants who began therapy, 13 were treatment completers. Results indicated a significant decrease in PTSD severity, depression and unhelpful trauma-related cognitions from pre- to post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up. Clinically meaningful change was more modest; however, three participants reported PTSD remission at 3-month follow-up. It is concluded that expressive writing with a focus on achieving future goals and personal change may have some utility in reducing post-traumatic stress but future research will need to investigate this with greater methodological rigour before firm conclusions can be made.

scholarly journals Prolonged exposure as early intervention in an emergency department context: lessons learned from a terminated RCT.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Bragesjö ◽  
Filip Arnberg ◽  
Erik Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Target Sample Size ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Event Based ◽  
High Degree

Abstract Objective The main purpose of the trial was to test if a brief trauma focused cognitive-behavior therapy (prolonged exposure; PE) provided within 72h after a trauma could be effective in decreasing the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), replicating and extending findings from an earlier trial. After a pilot study (N=10), which indicated feasible and deliverable study procedures and interventions, we subsequently launched an RCT with a target sample size of 352 participants randomized to either three sessions PE or non-directive support. Due to an unforeseen major reorganization at the hospital, the RCT was discontinued after 32 included participants. Results In this paper, we highlight obstacles and lessons learned from our feasibility work, relevant for preventive psychological interventions for PTSD in emergency settings. One important finding was the high degree of attrition: only 78% and 34% respectively came back for the two months and six-months assessments. There were also difficulties in reaching eligible patients immediately after the event. Based on our experiences, we envisage that alternative models of implementation might overcome these obstacles, for example, with remote delivery of both assessments and treatment, combined with multiple recruitment procedures. Lessons learned from this terminated RCT are discussed in depth.

Prevalence and Mediating Factors of Post-Traumatic Stress in Professional Fire-Fighters

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (13) ◽  
pp. 1261-1265
Author(s):  
Allison Watters ◽  
Kevin Hamilton ◽  
J. Patrick Neary ◽  
Gregory Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Fire Fighters ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Routine Work ◽  
Post Traumatic

Previous studies on Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) in fire-fighters have typically examined group responses to unusual and traumatic events. In this study, symptoms of PTS were observed in a group of urban Canadian firefighters during routine operations in the context of typical daily work. Participants completed a PTS questionnaire as well as a workplace health questionnaire which assessed environmental and contextual factors in addition to personal health. Elevated levels of PTS were observed in 18.1% of the 105 fire-fighters studied. Those who reported elevated symptoms also reported more concern for financial issues, more worries and more concern about needing physical exercise and support services. These results indicate that emergency response professionals such as fire-fighters can develop elevated levels of PTS in the context of routine work. The findings also suggest that the development of PTS involves a complex relationship between characteristics of stressors, work related variables and other contextual factors specific to the individuals affected. Complex models are needed to account for these types of interactions, particularly in chronically stressful occupational settings. Strategies for mitigating symptoms of PTS are discussed and suggestions for future research are offered

The School Counselor's Role in Supporting Military-Connected Youth

2021 ◽  
pp. 175-192
Author(s):  
Taqueena Sharell Quintana
Keyword(s):  
School Counselors ◽  
Emotional Development ◽  
Educational Experiences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Emotional Development ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Transitional Challenges ◽  
K 12 ◽  
High Degree ◽  
And Training

Throughout their K-12 educational experiences, military-connected youth often face a high degree of uncertainty and mobility due to their parent's service. These transitions often create stressors that impact the academic and social-emotional development of children and adolescents from military families. Because of their position and training, school counselors play an important role in addressing the educational needs of military-connected youth. Within this chapter, the author discusses military culture, describes the transitional challenges in which military-connected youth experience and highlights ways in which school counselors can utilize interventions to support this unique population. Recommendations and suggestions for future research are also explored.

PTSD in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Population

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Wawrzyniak ◽  
Samir Sabbag
Keyword(s):  
Minority Health ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Treatment As Usual ◽  
Bisexual And Transgender ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Lgbt Populations ◽  
Sexual Minority Health

The emerging field of sexual minority health has begun to highlight the differential impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons. This chapter addresses the higher prevalence of PTSD among LGBT persons and examines the biological underpinnings of PTSD in this population. The chapter also presents risk factors for PTSD experienced by LGBT individuals. It concludes with treatment recommendations. Treatment for PTSD in LGBT populations, in addition to treatment as usual for any patient, should recognize and acknowledge the patient’s sexual identity in forming a treatment plan. Future research in this field should aim to incorporate heterosexual controls as a reference group for comparison, where applicable.

Conversational agents in business: A systematic literature review and future research directions

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 100239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Bavaresco ◽  
Diórgenes Silveira ◽  
Eduardo Reis ◽  
Jorge Barbosa ◽  
Rodrigo Righi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Conversational Agents ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Future Research Directions

Frontline Service Technology infusion: conceptual archetypes and future research directions

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne De Keyser ◽  
Sarah Köcher ◽  
Linda Alkire (née Nasr) ◽  
Cédric Verbeeck ◽  
Jay Kandampully
Keyword(s):  
Service Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Frontline Employees ◽  
Conversational Agents ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Frontline Service

PurposeSmart technologies and connected objects are rapidly changing the organizational frontline. Yet, our understanding of how these technologies infuse service encounters remains limited. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to update existing classifications of Frontline Service Technology (FST) infusion. Moreover, the authors discuss three promising smart and connected technologies – conversational agents, extended reality (XR) and blockchain technology – and their respective implications for customers, frontline employees and service organizations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a conceptual approach integrating existing work on FST infusion with artificial intelligence, robotics, XR and blockchain literature, while also building on insights gathered through expert interviews and focus group conversations with members of two service research centers.FindingsThe authors define FST and propose a set of FST infusion archetypes at the organizational frontline. Additionally, the authors develop future research directions focused on understanding how conversational agents, XR and blockchain technology will impact service.Originality/valueThis paper updates and extends existing classifications of FST, while paving the road for further work on FST infusion.

Readiness to reconcile and post-traumatic distress in German survivors of wartime rapes in 1945

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Eichhorn ◽  
N. Stammel ◽  
H. Glaesmer ◽  
T. Klauer ◽  
H. J. Freyberger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Therapeutic Process ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Rape Survivors ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Traumatic Distress

ABSTRACTBackground:Sexual violence and wartime rapes are prevalent crimes in violent conflicts all over the world. Processes of reconciliation are growing challenges in post-conflict settings. Despite this, so far few studies have examined the psychological consequences and their mediating factors. Our study aimed at investigating the degree of longtime readiness to reconcile and its associations with post-traumatic distress within a sample of German women who experienced wartime rapes in 1945.Methods:A total of 23 wartime rape survivors were compared to age- and gender-matched controls with WWII-related non-sexual traumatic experiences. Readiness to reconcile was assessed with the Readiness to Reconcile Inventory (RRI-13). The German version of the Post-traumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS) was used to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology.Results:Readiness to reconcile in wartime rape survivors was higher in those women who reported less post-traumatic distress, whereas the subscale “openness to interaction” showed the strongest association with post-traumatic symptomatology. Moreover, wartime rape survivors reported fewer feelings of revenge than women who experienced other traumatization in WWII.Conclusions:Our results are in line with previous research, indicating that readiness to reconcile impacts healing processes in the context of conflict-related traumatic experiences. Based on the long-lasting post-traumatic symptomatology we observed that our findings highlight the need for psychological treatment of wartime rape survivors worldwide, whereas future research should continue focusing on reconciliation within the therapeutic process.

scholarly journals Neuroimaging resilience to trauma: convergent evidence and challenges for future research

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Norbury ◽  
M. Mercedes Perez-Rodriguez ◽  
Adriana Feder
Keyword(s):  
Functional Imaging ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Neural Circuitry ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Neuroimaging Study ◽  
Human Participants ◽  
Two Bodies ◽  
Methodological Difficulties

Resilience, or the phenomenon of successful adaptation following significant trauma exposure, is a complex, multidimensional, and dynamic process. To date, research on neural mechanisms involved in human resilience has comprised of two major research streams – involving individuals with childhood and adulthood trauma exposure, respectively. Although there are systematic differences in how both trauma and resilience have been defined across these two bodies of research, some striking regions of convergence emerge when considering the literature as a whole. Here, we review functional imaging studies from across these two research streams, alongside discussion of some of the methodological difficulties involved in quantifying both trauma and resilience in human participants. Due to the broad scope of this literature, we restrict the scope of our narrative to several key domains where studies from across these two bodies of work implicate common neural circuitry. These areas of convergence include brain networks implicated in emotion regulation, responses to rewards, and cognitive control. Further, we briefly review functional imaging evidence related to proposed mechanisms underlying resilient outcomes: namely active coping, cognitive reappraisal and successful fear extinction. Finally, we also touch upon several ongoing issues in neuroimaging study design and analysis that will need to be addressed in order to enable us to harness insight from such studies to improve treatments for – or, ideally, guard against the development of – debilitating post-traumatic stress syndromes.

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