Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 26, 2025
08:08
Simulator Training for Endovascular Neurosurgery
Published on: May 6, 2020
4.0K
Effective virtual patient simulators for medical communication training: A systematic review
Jihyun Lee1, Hyungsin Kim2, Kwan Hoon Kim3
1Department of Dental Education, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
Medical Education
|March 13, 2020
Summary
Virtual patients (VPs) enhance medical communication skills training. Effective VP training relies on well-designed instructional interventions and human feedback, not just technology.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Health Professions Education
- Communication Skills Training
Background:
- Virtual patients (VPs) are increasingly used in medical education.
- Few studies have explored VP features and effectiveness for communication skills training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review VP-based medical communication skills training systems.
- To identify features of successful VP training cases.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines (2006-2018).
- Data extraction on instructional design, technological design, and evaluation.
- Quality assessment using MERSQI and QualSyst criteria.
Main Results:
- 14 studies reviewed; mostly quantitative, involving undergraduates.
- Common scenarios: history taking, delivering bad news.
- Effective features: instructional interventions (tutorials, debriefs), scaffolding, human feedback.
Conclusions:
- VP training offers a safe, affordable environment for communication skills development.
- Instructional interventions are crucial for optimal VP use and learning outcomes.
- Technology alone does not guarantee effective learning.
