Standardized, Virtual Patient, and Other Role-Play-Based Learning Approaches for Smoking Cessation Counseling in Health Care Education: A Scoping Review Protocol

Valentin Nadasan; Corina Eugenia Budin; Florin Stoica-Buracinschi; Ștefan-Marius Mărușteri; László-Barna Iantovics

doi:10.2478/amma-2025-0035

Valentin Nadasan George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures
Corina Eugenia Budin Department of Pathophysiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
Florin Stoica-Buracinschi Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
Ștefan-Marius Mărușteri Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
László-Barna Iantovics Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amma-2025-0035

Keywords: smoking cessation, health education, role-play, standardized patients, virtual patients, scoping review, Generative Artificial Intelligence Virtual Patient

Abstract

Smoking cessation counseling is a critical component of healthcare education, yet the effectiveness of different role-play-based learning approaches remains insufficiently investigated. The objective of this scoping review is to systematically map the existing evidence on the use of role-play-based learning approaches—including standardized patients, virtual patients, and other simulation methods—for training healthcare students and professionals in smoking cessation counseling.

The review will follow the methodology for scoping reviews. Searches will be conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, IEEE Xplore for peer-reviewed English-language articles involving healthcare students or professionals, role-play-based learning approaches addressing tobacco cessation. Two reviewers will independently screen and chart the data.

Findings will be presented through summary tables outlining intervention characteristics, target populations, educational settings, and outcomes, complemented by narrative descriptions highlighting key benefits, limitations, and implementation factors. Additionally, thematic mapping will be used to synthesize insights relevant to the development of virtual patient applications. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.