Pri-Med + Xuron Case Study
Transforming Obesity Care Through AI-Powered Motivational Interviewing Simulation
FINDING CRITICAL OPPORTUNITIES
Challenge
Obesity conversations remain among the most challenging in primary care. Clinicians struggle with stigmatizing language, lack confidence in motivational interviewing techniques, and often avoid weight discussions entirely—missing critical opportunities for patient-centered lifestyle interventions. Traditional obesity education focuses on clinical guidelines but rarely addresses the communication skills needed to have effective, non-judgmental conversations that motivate lasting behavior change.
Solution
An interactive virtual patient simulation combining evidence-based motivational interviewing training with hands-on practice. Clinicians engage with an AI patient to practice person-first language, OARS techniques, and collaborative goal-setting—receiving immediate feedback on their communication approach.
18
Simulation Sessions
16
Unique Completers
832
Patients/ Month Impacted
208
Patients/Week Reached
EXPERIENCE SNAPSHOT
Experienced Practitioners
50% of participants had ≥20 years in practice, bringing substantial clinical experience to the simulation.
Primary Care Focus
72% physicians with 56% from family medicine, ensuring direct relevance to frontline obesity care.
Diverse Settings
Balanced representation across community hospitals (28%), private practice (28%), and other care settings.
SEE THE DIFFERENCE
Outcomes
The simulation reveals that while clinicians excel at creating structured plans and gathering information, they struggle most with connecting lifestyle changes to meaningful health benefits—a critical component of motivational interviewing that drives patient engagement and behavior change.
Delivered Impact
Confidence Surge
Comfort with key skills in obesity conversations rose 12–28%, with the largest jump in creating SMART plans (3.17 → 4.06 out of 5).
Skill-Specific Insights
Average simulation performance was 3.29 / 5, with strongest scores in SMART planning (3.65) and weaker scores in linking lifestyle changes to disease benefits (2.67)—giving clear, targeted coaching opportunities.
Language Mastery
Correct use of preferred, person-first terminology improved from 66.7% to 88.9%, and the share of clinicians who felt very or extremely confident using person-first language increased from 44.4% to 61.1%.
Patient Impact
Clinicians rated the simulation’s educational value at 3.89 / 5 and estimated that about 13 patients per clinician would benefit from improved obesity conversations in the following week.
Why it Matters
This AI-powered simulation transforms obesity care by building clinician confidence in person-first language and motivational interviewing techniques. The hands-on practice reveals specific skill gaps while dramatically increasing comfort levels, enabling more effective, stigma-free conversations that drive meaningful patient behavior change.
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- Complete methodology and participant demographics
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