Needs analysis for virtual patients: a report from the eViP programme

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Needs analysis for virtual patientsa report
from the eViP programme

• David Davies, The University of Warwick, UK
• Chara Balasubramaniam, St Georges, University of
  London, UK
• Sören Huwendiek, University of Heidelberg,
  Germany
• Bas De Leng, Maastricht University, The
  Netherlands

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Overview

• eViP is creating a bank of repurposed and
  enriched multicultural VPs from across Europe
• Need to understand the current use of VPs
• Need to determine future acceptance of eViP
  product to identify the marketplace
• Conducted an international survey to gather
  evidence

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Survey methodology

• Paper-based survey
• AMEE 08 Prague
• Online via SurveyMonkey
• Awareness via
• MedEdPortal
• MedBiquitous VP working group
• UK Higher Education Academy and other national
  email lists
• Results pooled and analysed

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Survey structure

• Background to the purpose of the survey
• Current use of virtual patients, including
  educational settings, use in assessment etc
• Potential future use of VPs including perceived
  barriers, curriculum areas best suited to VPs,
  etc
• A collection of VPs including some outline
  business and licensing models
• Information about respondent

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Results

• 216 survey responses from 156 institutions
• Contributions from USA, Europe, Asia Australia
• Summary of results in conference paper
• Full report on eViP web site
• http//www.virtualpatients.eu

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Are VPs used somewhere in your curriculum?
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Which educational scenarios use VPs?
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Educational level where VPs are used
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Where do your VPs come from?
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Have you conducted any evaluation of VPs?
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Will you use VPs in the future?
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Yes

• modern way to enrich curriculum
• more students with less training time
• an important way of standardization
• there aren't many 'real' patients available for
  every student
• VPs are needed to ensure uniform exposure to
  patients across teaching sites and throughout the
  year

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No

• Patient actors suffice and I believe are more
  spontaneous
• I don't consider it promotes learning
• It's not realistic enough

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What educational approaches best suit VPs?
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What curriculum areas are best suited to VPs?
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Would be be willing to share your VPs?
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Main perceived barrier excluding time?
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On what cost basis should VPs be available?
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How much should VPs cost (in Euros)?
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Take home messages

• VPs are being used currently but more so in the
  future
• Independent learning PBL are perceived as most
  relevant educational scenarios
• All curriculum areas are suitable for a VP
  approach
• More evaluation of VP approach is needed
• Cost is most important factor
• but institutions should pay
• People are willing to share VPs

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Next steps
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Thank you!

• http//virtualpatients.eu