The virtual patient project

Using low fidelity, student generated online cases in medical education

Abstract

This paper reports on an in-progress study of low-fidelity virtual patients (VPs) created by and for medical students at the University of New South Wales. Its goals were to advance the diagnostic reasoning and patient management skills of all participating students.

Methods: Two groups of volunteers from among the University’s fifth-year medical students were trained in the use of software programs that enabled them to produce virtual patients. The cases they subsequently created were then reviewed for accuracy by clinical specialists, and are soon to be trialled with more junior student readers.

Results: Student authors, who came to the project with varying levels of technical confidence and ability, were all able to create interesting and engaging cases. Thus far they have produced eleven VPs, and qualitative analysis indicates positive impacts for their confidence in diagnostic pathways, treatment options and consolidation of knowledge. Quantitative analysis of changes in their clinical reasoning abilities is ongoing.

Conclusion: Given the success of the project, it is highly likely that student-created virtual patients will become an optional assessment task for senior medical students in the future, with the added benefit that this will develop a bank of VPs for future use in the program.