Virtual patient simulation platforms challenging traditional CME: Identification of gaps in knowledge in the...

As any other aspect of contemporary life, an old and established field of CME undergoes a transformation into a "digital age." Virtual patient simulation (VPS) has shown to be an interactive and efficient way of engaging healthcare professionals (HCP) in continuing medical education. VPS can identify gaps in knowledge and improve competence, using engaging, online tools. The Edocate VPS Platform has been developed by a group of physicians, education experts, and computer specialists. In this communication, we report the experience of several hundreds of HCP using the Edocate VPS application in the fields of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and hyperlipidemia. The Edocate VPS application, displaying both simple and complex clinical situations, was presented to an international group of HCPs who had the task to perform physical exams, order lab and imaging tests, update the medical record with the right diagnoses, prescribe medications, and perform long-term follow-up through multiple visits. The HCPs received personalized, guideline-based, feedback on their actions. The analytical capabilities of the Edocate VPS platform run very deep and allow in-depth analysis of learners' competence in achieving the best outcomes, while teaching to apply a personalized approach, avoiding side effects of medications, and providing instantaneous access to the most current references in the field. The data collected from the program has shown significant gaps in knowledge and adherence to guidelines in the areas of management of T2DM and hyperlipidemia. Only about 50% of all participants achieved guideline-compatible glycemic control - namely HbA1c below 7%. Furthermore, only 41% of practicing physicians and 23% of family medicine residents achieved levels of LDL below 70 mg/dl in their virtual patients. In conclusion, the data presented in this communication strongly suggests that this novel simulation platform can enable medical organizations to create immersive VPS cases for their primary educational and CME efforts.