R
ole-playing games (RPGs) and simulations (SIMs) are some of the
most engaging types of games because they place players in various
immersive situations. Participants can succeed or fail at their quests
depending on how they respond to situations and challenges. They can also
learn from their mistakes and increase their experience the more they play.
This type of game logic is now being integrated with various technologies to
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potentially life-saving conversations.
Kognito is a health simulation company that designs scenarios and virtual
human training solutions that hone conversational skills to improve patient
interactions. Their scenarios help patients navigate possible treatments by
conversing with an avatar called a “virtual human.”
“We started around 10 years ago and have around 90 employees composed of
instructional designers, writers, behavioral psychologists, and software
engineers,” said Ron Goldman, co-founder and CEO of Kognito. “We’re not
trying to be the Google or WebMD for healthcare training. We apply technology
and game logic to create simulations. We track and analyze decisions people
make as well as user feedback to help us get better.”
Kognito has engaged more than one million users and currently has three key
applications: Patient Screening and Intake, Coaching, and Role-Play
Conversations. By creating a library of scenarios based on game logic and the
science of human emotions, Kognito’s simulations can train users to say the
right words at the right time.
Similar to other online corporate training services, scenarios unfold in on-
screen role-play conversations with virtual humans, the avatars that serve as
practice patients. Users can assume various roles ranging from teachers who are
talking to students showing signs of psychological distress or healthcare
providers discussing delicate medical issues with patients.
While the advantages of simulation-based training are evident for healthcare,
it’s easy to see how they could also be applied across other business disciplines,
such as customer relationship management (CRM), help desk solutions, and
human resources (HR).
