Over the past few years, the project has been progressively developed through a co-design process involving researchers, patients, family members, healthcare professionals, and undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students in the development and testing of a simulation-based learning (SBL) model using AI-generated avatars for training in difficult conversations. The results from these studies indicate that the model is perceived as realistic, pedagogically valuable, and capable of enhancing confidence, preparedness, and communication competence in emotionally complex conversations.

In parallel, an evaluation instrument designed to measure participants’ experiences of the simulation has been translated into Swedish and validated for use in this context. The work has also resulted in a short-form version of the questionnaire, creating favourable conditions for systematic follow-up and evaluation in clinical practice. The development of both the educational model and the measurement instrument means that the project is now ready to take the next step from an educational setting to clinical implementation.

During 2027, the focus will therefore be on further developing, implementing, and evaluating the SBL model for clinically active healthcare professionals working in both adult and paediatric oncology care. The work will be carried out in collaboration between hospital-based and municipal healthcare services to ensure that the model addresses the challenges healthcare professionals encounter across different care contexts. New scenarios and avatars will be developed based on the needs of the participating services, including conversations with seriously ill children, adolescents, parents, and siblings. The model will subsequently be implemented and evaluated with regard to usability, learning outcomes, perceived confidence, communication competence, and its potential for long-term integration into routine professional development programmes.

This continuation represents an important step from the development and pilot phase to the implementation and dissemination phase, with the overall aim of establishing a sustainable, scalable, and evidence-based educational model for training in difficult conversations within oncology and palliative care.