Have you ever had a medical problem so embarrassing that you were reluctant to tell your doctor about it? Despite frequent reminders not to be afraid because “doctors have heard it all and seen it all”, we still end up telling little white lies in an attempt to make the dreaded conversation slightly less awkward. But what if you were given the choice to talk to a ‘virtual human’ about your problems instead?
Much research has explored the question of how to encourage patients to answer honestly and in more detail during medical interviews, particularly for sensitive or embarrassing issues. Health care professionals are expected to foster honesty by establishing rapport with their patients with various verbal and non-verbal techniques – for example, saying “uh huh” at the right times, performing the occasional head nod, and otherwise giving the impression of sympathy during conversations. Scientific literature also shows two psychological barriers preventing patients from answering medical questions truthfully.
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