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Random comparison of 'virtual patient' models in the context of teaching clinical communication skills
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posted on 2001-09-01, 00:00 authored by Margaret BearmanMargaret Bearman, B Cesnik, M LiddellAIMS: Two types of virtual patient designs can be distinguished: a 'narrative' structure and a 'problem-solving' structure. This study compares the same virtual patient with two different structures within the domain of communication skills. METHODS: Two virtual patients were constructed around the same case, one emphasizing a narrative and one a problem-solving model. Use of these packages was trialled with undergraduate medical students over 2 years. Students were randomly assigned to tutorials using the virtual patients, and their communication skills were compared with baseline performance by a separate group. Outcome was assessed by evaluation of an interview with a simulated patient. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the three groups in overall communication skills. However there was a significant improvement in the communication skills of the narrative group when compared only with the problem-solving group. Additionally, various aspects of communication skills, such as use of open-ended questions and appropriate language, showed significant differences between the three groups. CONCLUSION: There is some evidence to support the value of a narrative design for virtual patients which are to be used to teach communication skills, which encourages further investigation.
History
Journal
Medical educationVolume
35Issue
9Pagination
824 - 832Publisher
John Wiley & SonsLocation
Chichester, Eng.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0308-0110Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2001, Blackwell Science LtdUsage metrics
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Keywords
Analysis of VarianceClinical CompetenceCommunicationComputer-Assisted InstructionEducation, MedicalHumansProblem SolvingSocial SciencesScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineEducation, Scientific DisciplinesHealth Care Sciences & ServicesEducation & Educational Researchcomputer-assisted instruction, methodsdiagnosis, computer-assisted, methodsproblem-solvingAnovacomparative studyEducation
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