

AI-Powered Healthcare Simulation for Patient De-Escalation & Communication
Healthcare professionals are facing a surge in emotionally charged, unpredictable patient encounters. Aggression, frustration, and heightened anxiety are showing up across clinical settings, from emergency departments to primary care, creating real consequences for safety, morale, and retention. Traditional communication and de-escalation training has not kept pace. Scripted scenarios and generic role-play rarely capture the nuance, pressure, or emotional complexity clinicians face in real moments of escalation.
As a result, even highly skilled caregivers often feel unprepared when tensions rise. In those critical moments, they need more than classroom concepts. They need confidence, emotional resilience, and the ability to respond with empathy under stress. Without realistic, repeatable practice that adapts to their actions, both staff and patients remain at risk.
EmpathIQ was built to close this gap. It recreates real behavior, real emotion, and real consequences in a safe, AI-driven simulation where clinicians can build the skills that matter most without the fear of making the wrong move.
75% of workplace violence incidents in the U.S. occur in healthcare settings. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nearly 90% of nurses report experiencing verbal or physical violence from patients or visitors. Source: American Nurses Association
63% of nurses report feeling burnt out and emotionally exhausted. Source: National Council of State Boards of Nursing
What is EmpathIQ?
EmpathIQ is Oakwood’s AI-driven patient de-escalation simulation designed to help clinicians strengthen empathy, communication, and confidence during high-stress interactions. Built on Microsoft Azure and grounded in proven clinical communication frameworks, it recreates realistic patient scenarios that adapt in real time to a clinician’s tone and responses – delivering safe, repeatable, and measurable practice that directly supports better patient care and a more resilient workforce.

Evidence-Based Clinical Frameworks
Rooted in proven models such as PEARLS and ABCD to reinforce effective communication, trust-building, and de-escalation strategy.

Real-Time, Individualized Insight Reports
Each simulation generates a personalized PDF summarizing strengths, improvement areas, and recommended next steps.

AI-Adaptive Simulation
Dynamic, text-based conversations that shift based on tone, sentiment, empathy, and response patterns.

Enterprise-Ready Infrastructure
Microsoft Azure–hosted, HIPAA-aligned, and scalable for deployment across units, departments, or multi-facility care networks.
Anticipated Outcomes
By turning every interaction into measurable, adaptive practice, EmpathIQ gives healthcare organizations a clearer view of how communication skills develop and where support is needed most. The impact isn’t theoretical – it shows up in patient experience, staff resilience, safety, and overall culture. Below are the outcomes organizations can expect when EmpathIQ becomes part of their training model.
Improved Patient Experience
More empathetic, consistent clinician responses.
Stronger Workforce Resilience
Repetition + guided feedback reduce stress and burnout.
Sustainable Culture Change
Reinforces empathy, accountability, quality of care.
Operational Insight
Aggregated data shows training impact and cultural progress.
Enhanced Safety & Trust
Fewer escalation incidents and stronger patient relationships.
Data-Driven Development
Real-time insights fuel coaching and curriculum improvement.
