Medical students often learn to ask questions such as “Tell me where it hurts” with live actors who are following prepared scripts. But this is expensive and the University of Florida (UF) has developed a new way to teach the subtle art of the patient-doctor interview.

This news release, “UF’s Virtual Reality ‘Patient’ Teaches Bedside Manners to Medical Students,” tells us more about DIANA, which stands for “DIgital ANimated Avatar” and is a life-sized image of a young woman. Her image, completed by a simulation of a doctor’s office, is projected in front of a student who can interview her.

So far, the method has only been used by two dozens students, but results are promising. Read more for other details, pictures and references about DIANA.