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Utilization and acceptance of virtual patients in veterinary basic sciences - the vetVIP-project.
Christin Kleinsorgen1, Marta Kankofer2, Zbigniew Gradzki3
1University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, E-Learning Department, Hannover, Germany.
GMS Journal for Medical Education
|June 7, 2017
Summary
Veterinary virtual patients in basic sciences enhance student motivation. Implementation varied across universities, with students preferring native language materials and peak usage before exams.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medical Education
- Biochemistry and Physiology Instruction
Background:
- Problem-based and case-based learning are increasingly used in veterinary education.
- The EU-funded vetVIP project aimed to create virtual patients for basic science instruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the implementation, utilization, and acceptance of virtual patients in veterinary basic sciences.
- To analyze student reactions to online, case-based learning materials.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative data (user-log-files) and qualitative data (questionnaires, focus groups) were collected.
- Student usage and acceptance of optional online learning material were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Implementation and acceptance varied significantly between Budapest, Hannover, and Lublin.
- High voluntary student usage (>70%) in Hannover and Lublin contrasted with <1% in Budapest.
- Students preferred virtual patients in their native language and developed at their own university.
- Peak utilization occurred before summative examinations, supporting the 'assessment drives learning' principle.
Conclusions:
- Veterinary virtual patients are effective for presenting integrative clinical case scenarios in basic sciences.
- Virtual cases can increase student motivation for learning veterinary basic sciences.
