Development of an Interactive, Patient Case-Based Training Tool for Medical Professional Continuing Education

Patient case-based simulation is a valuable tool for medical education and professional medical training. The use of patient simulations is limited in the real world by a reliance on live actors or expensive, manikin-based experiences. These experiences are limited in reach, may be inconsistent due to variation in actors, and are expensive to implement. We developed an online case simulation that reproduces many elements of the traditional live-action simulation while incorporating advantages of computer delivery, including immediate feedback on clinical choices, consistency across users, and 24/7 availability. The Patient Case Simulation was presented using an interface based on a typical Electronic Medical Record to be familiar to the medical professional audience. The simulation experience followed the standard sequence of events in a typical encounter between a medical professional and patient in a clinic setting. We conducted formative testing with over 250 users, and a summative test with 35 users. We were able to develop and refine a successful case presentation format. Results and lessons learned are presented.