University of Rochester researchers are developing an online virtual patient called **SOPHIE (Standardized Online Patient for Healthcare Interaction Education)** to help doctors improve their communication skills with late-stage cancer patients. This need arises as 68% of such patients misunderstand the severity of their disease or their life expectancy, affecting decision-making about treatment. SOPHIE is built upon nearly 400 recorded conversations between late-stage cancer patients and their doctors, analyzed by palliative care expert Ronald Epstein. Algorithms applied to these conversations help assess a physician’s communication clarity, focusing on aspects like lecturing vs. using positive words for better patient understanding. SOPHIE’s practice sessions, scripted using Epstein’s physician communication training protocol, were tested by nine practicing oncologists. Feedback suggests the system is effective and natural, providing potential for low-cost, global communication training. The team plans to fine-tune SOPHIE and, upon proving its efficacy, use it for first-year students at the Medical Center.