Virtual patient for simulation training: survey of teaching in undergraduate Health courses

Abstract

The use of the virtual patient as an educational tool for undergraduate health students, as well as its dynamization in the educational process, has brought great challenges and possibilities. The present research aimed to analyze publications that deal with the use of the virtual patient for simulation training for learning and training of health students, prioritizing training for clinical care. The methodology used was the narrative literature review. The English descriptors "virtual patient", "simulation training", "medical education" were selected, with a search applied in the Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrievel System Online (MEDLINE/PubMed), SCOPUS and Web of Science databases, in the time interval from 2015 to July 2020. A total of 236 articles were collected and 23 studies were selected for content analysis based on the exclusion criteria. The results were synthesized into four thematic categories: a) use of the virtual patient and its dynamization in the educational process; b) applications in the use of the virtual patient; c) effectiveness in the use of the virtual patient; d) limitations and challenges in the use of the virtual patient. It was concluded that simulation training using the virtual patient is effective, in conjunction with the theoretical teaching offered by Higher Education institutions. This contributes to increasing students' attention, confidence, logical reasoning, decision-making and motivation, and feedback from the simulator itself and/or the educator is essential.