Decision PBL: A 4-year retrospective case study of the use of virtual patients in problem-based learning

Abstract

Background: In 2009, St George’s University of London (SGUL) replaced their paper-based problem-based learning (PBL) cases with virtual patients for intermediate-level undergraduate students. This involved the development of Decision-Problem-Based Learning (D-PBL), a variation on progressive-release PBL that uses virtual patients instead of paper cases, and focuses on patient management decisions and their consequences.

Methods: Using a case study method, this paper describes four years of developing and running D-PBL at SGUL from individual activities up to the ways in which D-PBL functioned as an educational system.

Results: A number of broad issues were identified: the importance of debates and decision-making in making D-PBL activities engaging and rewarding; the complexities of managing small group dynamics; the time taken to complete D-PBL activities; the changing role of the facilitator; and the erosion of the D-PBL process over time.

Conclusions: A key point in understanding this work is the construction and execution of the D-PBL activity, as much of the value of this approach arises from the actions and interactions of students, their facilitators and the virtual patients rather than from the design of the virtual patients alone. At a systems level D-PBL needs to be periodically refreshed to retain its effectiveness.

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the contributions of many of the SGUL tutors, and particularly the D-PBL virtual patient case authors; Dr Jonathan Round, Dr Alex Higton, Dr Sheetal Sirohi, Dr Keelyjo Hindhaugh, Dr Hannah Cock, Dr Kathy Boursicot, Dr Helen Mason, Dr Nihil Chitalia and Dr Arnold Somasunderam.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest with respect to this paper.

The G4 Project was funded by a 1-year grant and a further 1-year extension, from the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) Curriculum Transformation Programme, to co-fund the D-PBL implementation from 2008 to 2010.