AN EVALUATION OF MEDICAL STUDENT ASSESSMENT USING VIRTUAL PATIENTS

Sophie Vaughan, Tristan Bate, Emily Conradi,
and Jonathan Round
Department of Medical Education
St George’s, University of London
UK

Virtual patients are interactive computer-based applications designed to mimic aspects of patient management. They can be used in assessment of students and professionals, but their use is neither widespread nor well researched. This project aimed to evaluate aspects of assessment virtual patient (AVP) design by creating a suite of AVPs and testing them with medical students. Analysis of performance was complemented with focus groups. Students completed the six cases taking 5–22 minutes for each one and scoring 75–100%. Feedback was very positive as students felt the cases tested their knowledge and management abilities well. A branched design was deemed more appropriate for final years and a linear approach for less experienced students. With these findings we are now developing cases for incorporation into summative final examinations.

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