Mariano Wechsler, DPT, and Vincent Ann, DPT have been awarded a 2026-2027 Innovations Funding grant from the Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators. Their project, “Integrating AI-Simulated Patients Into the DPT Curriculum for Competency-Based Interview Skills Training,” will introduce AI-enabled simulated patient encounters into the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum.
This innovative approach is designed to enhance competency-based training in clinical interviewing, strengthen communication skills, and provide structured, real-time feedback to support learner growth.
As physical therapists increasingly practice in complex, patient-centered environments, strong interviewing skills are foundational to delivering high-quality care. By leveraging artificial intelligence within a safe learning environment, Drs. Wechsler and Ann aim to create scalable, accessible opportunitiesto help students build confidence and clinical reasoning.
The project is co-sponsored by the UCSF Department of Physical Therapy and is part of the Academy’s 2026-2027 Innovations Funding cohort, which awarded 24 grants totaling more than $440,000 to advance educational excellence across UCSF.
More information about the project can be found here.