Problem-solving in virtual environment simulations prior to direct instruction for differential diagnosis in medical education: An experimental study
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Author / Producer
Date
2023-01-23
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Background
Despite acquiring vast content knowledge about the functioning of the human body through university teaching, medical students struggle to transfer that knowledge to one of the core disciplinary practices – differential diagnosis. The authors aimed to overcome this problem by implementing computer-based virtual environment simulations in medical education courses.
Methods
In an experimental study, the authors compared problem-solving in medical computer-based virtual environment simulations prior to instruction with an instruction-first approach. They compared the effects on isomorphic testing and transfer performance of clinical knowledge and clinical reasoning skills as well as evoked learning mechanisms. The study took place in spring 2021 with undergraduate medical students in the scope of a medical trajectory course. Due to Corona-Virus-19 measures participants completed all study activities remotely from home.
Results
The authors did not find any learning activity sequence to be superior to the other. However, when looking at the two learning activities individually, they found that problem-solving in computer-based virtual environment simulations and direct instruction might be equally effective for learning content knowledge. Nevertheless, problem-solving in computer-based virtual environment simulations with formative feedback might be more effective for learning clinical reasoning skills than mere instruction.
Conclusions
The findings indicate that problem-solving in computer-based virtual environment simulations might be more effective for learning clinical reasoning skills than mere theoretical instruction. The present study has a high level of ecological validity because it took place in a realistic setting where students had to perform all learning and testing tasks autonomously.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
12
Pages / Article No.
61
Publisher
F1000 Research
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Clinical knowledge; Clinical reasoning skills; Learning activity sequencing; Problem-solving prior to instruction; Situated learning; Transfer
Organisational unit
09590 - Kapur, Manu / Kapur, Manu
01637 - Medizinausbildung ETH / Medical Education ETH