The replacement of ‘paper’ cases by interactive online virtual patients in problem-based learning

Abstract

St George's University of London (SGUL) has a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum for its undergraduate medicine course, using traditional paper-based patient cases. To counter the limitation that paper cases are linear and do not allow students to explore the consequences of decisions, interactive online virtual patients (VPs) were developed which allowed students to consider options as the cases unfold, and allow students to explore the consequences of their actions. A PBL module was converted to VPs, and delivered to 72 students in 10 tutorial groups, with 5 groups each week receiving VPs with options and consequences, and 5 groups receiving online VPs but without options. A comprehensive evaluation was carried out, using questionnaires, and interviews.Both tutors and students believed that the ability to explore options and consequences created a more engaging experience and encouraged students to explore their learning. They regretted the loss of paper and neither group could see any value in putting cases online without the options. SGUL is now adapting its transitional year between the early campus years and the clinical attachment years. This will include the integration of all technology-based resources with face-to-face learning and create a more adaptive, personalised, competency-based style of learning.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Terry Poulton

TERRY POULTON is the Associate Dean for e-Learning Unit, and Project Director for a number of EC- and JISC-funded grants based on the development and curriculum embedding of interactive VPs.

Emily Conradi

EMILY CONRADI is the e-Projects Manager for the e-Learning Unit at St George's University of London. She is responsible for several grant-funded VP projects focussed on their design and development.

Sheetal Kavia

SHEETAL KAVIA is the e-Projects technologist for the e-Learning Unit at SGUL. Her focus is on the development of VPs, especially for PBL scenarios, and VP for immersive virtual worlds.

Jonathan Round

JONATHAN ROUND is a Consultant Paediatrician and Senior Lecturer at SGUL and is researching intensive care in Oncology patients. He works with the eLearning unit in the development of VPs and their rational use in clinical medicine.

Sean Hilton

SEAN HILTON is the Deputy Principal and Professor of Primary Care at SGUL