Advantages and difficulties of virtual patient scenarios implementation in the eyes of international students (results of anonymous survey)

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The article shows the results of an anonymous survey of international students on the effectiveness of virtual patient scenarios implementation as the process of problem-based learning at the final courses of the undergraduate training of medical professionals. The purpose of the study was to analyze the advantages and difficulties of using linear and branched virtual patient scenarios in the development of clinical thinking, professional competencies and decision-making skills of future doctors. The survey results showed that the most significant advantages of virtual scenarios were considered by students to be the realism of clinical situations, the safety of the educational environment, the possibility of clinical thinking developing, the practical focus of training, as well as the formation of independent decision-making skills. The team work, the development of professional discussions and an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of clinical cases. It was found that branched scenarios contributed to a greater extent to the development of students' autonomy, reasoned defense of their own position and responsibility for the clinical decisions made, while linear scenarios provided for more structured group interaction. Among the main difficulties, respondents noted the lack of anamnestic and laboratory data in cases, the difficulty of reaching consensus during group discussion, as well as an insufficient level of communication skills for conducting a reasoned discussion. At the same time, a small part of students indicated a lack of basic knowledge, which may indicate a sufficient level of previous professional training of graduates.The results confirm the feasibility of integrating virtual patient scenarios into the modern educational process as an effective tool for the formation of clinical thinking, professional reflection and practical competencies of future doctors. At the same time, the optimal approach is to combine simulation technologies with traditional forms of clinical training.