Practice before the encounter.
AI patient simulation that gives medical students and residents realistic practice in difficult conversations, oral presentations, and clinical reasoning—with feedback to improve.
Free for every program
All courses, unlimited assignments and reporting, with no per-learner fees. Why it's free
Read video transcript
This transcript includes dialogue and descriptions of key visual information.
An illustrated learner in a white coat speaks with a patient.
Narrator: She studied the framework, but barely practiced the conversation.
Patient: Are the biopsy results back?
Learner: Yes, the biopsy shows cancer.
Patient: Oh. I wasn't expecting that.
Background music begins and continues through the rest of the video. The learner prepares using a ForTheWards conversation simulation on a laptop.
Narrator: What if she could practice before walking into that room?
Narrator: With ForTheWards, students can rehearse structured conversations like SPIKES,
Narrator: get feedback, and try again.
Simulated patient: Are the biopsy results back?
Learner: Yes, the biopsy shows cancer.
Simulated patient: Oh. I wasn't expecting that.
The feedback screen identifies a missed step: the learner shared the result before checking what the patient understood. It suggests asking, “What is your understanding so far?”
Narrator: She can see the missed step and try the conversation again.
Simulated patient: Are the biopsy results back?
Learner: Before we discuss them, what is your understanding so far?
Simulated patient: That there was a spot on my lung.
The learner returns to an in-person conversation with the patient.
Narrator: Then she brings that practice into the room.
Patient: The scan was concerning. What did the biopsy show?
Learner: What have you been told so far?
Patient: Only that they found a spot on my lung.
Learner: Would it be okay if I explain the results and then answer your questions?
Patient: Yes, please.
Narrator: Practice beforehand helps programs make more of limited standardized patient time.
Narrator: Students can use that time for feedback, refinement, and harder conversations.
In a later patient-care conversation, the learner listens to a patient concerned about her children.
Narrator: And that preparation carries into patient care.
Patient: I understand the treatment. I'm worried about how I'll take care of my kids.
Learner: So your biggest worry is how your family will manage.
Patient: Exactly.
Learner: Let's talk through that together.
Narrator: ForTheWards: better prepared for the conversations that matter.
- Demos need no account
- Runs in your browser
- 260+ practice cases
Supported by
Education should be accessible to all.
ForTheWards was built by a physician so every learner can practice difficult clinical conversations, not just those at well-funded programs.
Free to use
No per-learner fees, subscriptions or sales contracts. Every course, assignment and report is open to the programs we work with.
Open about costs
The AI voices, conversations and feedback cost about $1–2 per hour of learner practice. Programs that can help cover it are welcome to, but it never stands between a learner and practice.
We set you up
Medical school, residency, hospital or other training program: tell us who you teach and we will create your accounts and help you get started.
Need something your curriculum covers that the library doesn't? Tell us what your learners should practice and we'll work on courses with you.
Suggest a coursePractice that fits your curriculum.
Breaking Bad News
Share difficult news honestly, respond to emotion, and agree on supported next steps.
View course
Goals of Care
Explore patient values, discuss care choices, and bring unresolved decisions to the team.
View course
Handoffs & Cross-Cover
Practice clear handoffs, prioritize overnight tasks, and communicate plans for cross-cover.
View course
Oral Presentations & Clinical Reasoning
Present key findings, explain your reasoning, and propose next steps to your supervisor.
View course
From program setup to learner progress.
Staff easily set up learners and assignments
Add learners and faculty, organize learners into cohorts for easier management, and assign courses that fit your curriculum. Guided onboarding helps you get started.
Video transcript
Using fictional demonstration data, a staff member uploads a CSV roster and creates learner accounts, edits a learner’s student ID, names an assignment, selects a course collection and cohort, and sets the assignment dates. The full application window, navigation, scrolling, and waiting time stay visible throughout one continuous recording. Email notifications are disabled for these demo accounts.
- 0:00Manage learners and assignments in one place.
- 0:06Add learners in bulk with a CSV file.
- 0:14Upload a roster and review the details.
- 0:21Welcome emails are optional.
- 0:28Create learner accounts from your roster.
- 0:34Find learners by name, email, or student ID.
- 0:41Update learner details anytime.
- 0:49Save changes, then move on to assignments.
- 0:57Create an assignment for your learners.
- 1:04Give the assignment a clear name.
- 1:10Choose courses or collections built for your institution.
- 1:18Assign to groups of learners using cohorts.
- 1:25Choose start and due dates.
- 1:32Assignment emails and reminders are optional.
- 1:40Your assignment is ready to manage.
Learners are emailed assignments and log in securely through their email
Learners follow their sign-in link, open their assignment, and start practicing. Feedback helps them reflect and try again.
Video transcript
A fictional learner opens an assignment email in a test inbox, follows its course link, requests a secure sign-in email, and confirms sign-in to return to the assignment. They review an earlier illustrative attempt’s feedback and skill breakdown, then choose Retry Scenario, read the briefing and assessment expectations, and finish at Start conversation. The full application views and navigation stay visible in one continuous recording. The accounts and emails use the local demo environment; a patient conversation is not recorded.
- 0:00Receive assignment details by email.
- 0:06See the assigned scenarios and due date.
- 0:12Follow the email link to your assignment.
- 0:15Enter the email address registered by your institution.
- 0:20Request a secure sign-in link. No password needed.
- 0:25Return to your inbox and open the newest sign-in email.
- 0:33Use your personal sign-in link to continue.
- 0:40Confirm your sign-in and return to the assignment.
- 0:44See your scenarios and previous practice progress.
- 0:52Open feedback from an earlier practice attempt.
- 0:56See what went well and what to improve.
- 1:02Learn from specific moments and suggested alternatives.
- 1:07Explore feedback for each assessed skill.
- 1:15Retry a scenario to put feedback into practice.
- 1:19Read the scenario and your role before starting.
- 1:24Review the available information and assessment expectations.
- 1:30Start the conversation when you are ready.
Admin can track learner progress and usage in real time
See who has finished and who needs follow-up. Review attempt summaries and download reports while learner conversations stay private from faculty.
Video transcript
A faculty member opens an assignment report from the assignment list in one continuous recording. The fictional assignment has six learners: three completed, two in progress, and one not started. They review each learner’s completion and attempt count, compare participation and average time by scenario, open the PDF and Excel download options, and view the exported assignment report.
- 0:00Open an assignment to review progress.
- 0:07See completion and attempts at a glance.
- 0:14Track participation and time by scenario.
- 0:22Find a learner to review their progress.
- 0:30Review completed scenarios and attempt counts.
- 0:42Learner conversations stay private from faculty.
- 0:53Return to the full group to compare progress.
- 0:59Export reports as PDF or Excel.
- 1:08Review the assignment report in one document.
- 1:15Explore the report’s scenario-by-scenario detail.
Frequently asked questions
Is ForTheWards really free?
Yes. There are no per-learner fees, subscriptions or sales contracts. Running the AI does cost money, and we are open about how much. See why it's free.
Can I use ForTheWards on my own?
Anyone can try the demo scenarios without an account. Full courses, assignments and saved feedback are available through participating schools and programs, so ask your program to contact us.
How do we get our program started?
Email us and we will set up your institution. Choose an institutional liaison to manage your program. They can upload learners from a CSV file, add faculty accounts, and manage access from the administrative dashboard. Guided onboarding walks them through setup, and new assignments take just a few minutes. Optional welcome emails let users know their accounts are ready.
What do learners need to use ForTheWards?
A phone or computer with a current web browser, an internet connection, and a microphone. Learners sign in through a secure link sent to their registered institutional email—no password or software installation needed.
Can courses fit our existing curriculum?
Yes. Use the existing course library or tell us what your learners need to practice, and we will work with you on courses and scenarios that fit your existing curriculum.
Who develops and reviews the educational content?
Scenarios are designed by a physician board-certified in internal medicine, with AI support for supporting details. Automated checks assess structure and consistency, and every scenario is trialled before publication. Learn about ForTheWards.
What learner information can faculty see?
Faculty can review completion, scenario attempts, time spent, and summary scores. Learners’ conversation transcripts and narrative feedback are private from faculty. Authorized ForTheWards administrators retain limited access as described in our Privacy Policy.
Want ForTheWards for your learners?
Email us about your school, hospital or program. We'll set up your accounts and help you get started. No sales process, just a conversation about what your learners need.