Nurses can now navigate patients with prostate cancer to a virtual simulation for guidance on all aspects of the disease, from screening to treatment. Plus, providers can interact with Nathan, the simulation avatar, in a clinical encounter to help improve their consultation skills when discussing screening and treatment decisions with men. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released this resource after launching its popular simulation for patients with breast cancer.
Nathan is programmed with a series of questions, and users can select from a list of responses to tailor the conversation to best meet their needs, including:
- What do I need to know about prostate cancer?
- Do I need to get screened for prostate cancer?
- How do I talk to my doctor about my diagnosis?
- What are my treatment options?
Nathan even has a patient history: He’s a former truck driver who had a prostate cancer scare and now regularly screens for the disease. He encourages men to ask their providers about screening and tries to mitigate any embarrassment around this conversation.
The software is most compatible with Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browsers.
Nathan was developed through a collaboration between CDC, the health simulation company Kognito, and National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. CDC also offers statistics, health tips, and educational videos on prostate cancer.