�۶�app

While technical procedures can be mastered in a classroom setting, soft skills — effectively communicating treatments to patients and caring for their emotional needs — are difficult to develop before students start receiving hands-on experience in real-world settings. 

�۶�app’s School of Nursing is partnering with to use AI to learn these skills. Cedarville was selected as one of only 163 educational institutions in the United States to partner through the Bodyswaps and Meta health care education grant. This initiative provides higher education institutions with access to award-winning virtual reality (VR) platforms that deliver realistic simulations and AI-powered feedback focused on soft skills development. 

Bodyswaps' innovative software enables students to engage in realistic patient interactions and view those encounters from the patient’s perspective. With the use of VR headsets, students can safely immerse themselves in clinical scenarios, gaining valuable experience and learning from mistakes without any risk to patients.  

The grant allows students to "swap" roles with patients and receive personalized, real-time feedback on critical communication skills, including eye contact, body language and overall effectiveness. At the same time, they build essential communication, teamwork and leadership skills essential to thriving in the health care world. 

“This software offers our students a unique opportunity to step into someone else’s shoes and see interactions from the patient’s perspective,” said Nate Kincaid, assistant professor of nursing at �۶�app. “At Cedarville’s Health Sciences Center, we equip students with the technical skills needed for a wide range of procedures. Bodyswaps enhances that training by helping students develop the soft skills that can significantly impact a patient’s experience and overall care.” 

Bodyswaps’ immersive technology empowers students to think critically, act independently as health care professionals and strengthen their decision-making skills through repeated practice. Unlike traditional clinical or lab experiences — where a skill might only be performed once or twice — VR enables students to repeat procedures as many times as needed, building confidence and achieving true mastery of countless procedures. 

“We plan to integrate Bodyswaps’ technology across �۶�app’s school of nursing, school of pharmacy, the physician assistant (PA) program and other health care disciplines in the future,” said Kincaid. “Our goal is to introduce this innovative tool early in students’ academic journeys, particularly targeting freshmen and sophomores, to enhance their learning and professional development before they step into a clinical environment.” 

With the help of the Bodyswaps and Meta health care education grant, �۶�app’s aspiring health care professionals will be further prepared to step into any health care realm with confidence.  

�۶�app, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.