As time goes by: Stakeholder opinions on the implementation and use of a virtual patient simulation system

Figures & data

Table

Practice points

VPS should either allow extensive editing by end users or be a subject of post-implementation development by the institution of origin. Authenticity extends well beyond the design of the interface, to encompass the realism of the case scenarios and nature/quality of feedback. Accountability of creators/users is a must for sustainable VPS development. Maintenance costs, staff development, and post-implementation activities in general should be the focus of further research.

Table 1.  Comparison of Web-SP characteristics and implementation modalities in Colombia and Sweden

	Educational setting			Web-SP
	Curricular integration	Program type	Sites	Implementation type	Case scenarios	Language
Colombia	Y	1	1	Adoption	Real life	Spanish
Sweden	N	3	2	Creation and adoption	Not real life	Swedish or English

Table 2.  Friedman's test and Kendall's W test by variable group (n = 39)

Variable	Friedman's Chi-squared	df	p-value	Kendall's W^a
Implementation process	78.3	6	<0.001	0.34
Post-implementation activities	26.5	6	<0.001	0.11
Intended curricular use	107.1	6	<0.001	0.46
Use in different educational settings	115.1	6	<0.001	0. 50

Note: ^aKendall's coefficient of concordance.

Figure 1. Median rank score of responses for the variable “implementation process” (where 1 is least important; 7, most important).

Figure 2. Median rank score of responses for the variable “post-implementation activities” (where 1 is least important; 7, most important).

Figure 3. Median rank score of responses for the variable “intended curricular use” (where 1 is least important; 7, most important).

Figure 4. Median rank score of responses for the variable “use in a different educational setting” (where 1 is least important; 7, most important).

Figure 5. Screenshots from the English version of Web-SP, illustrating the physical exam and lab sections.