title: Virtual patients in continuing medical education and residency training: a pilot project for acceptance analysis in the framework of a residency revision course in pediatrics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Virtual patients (VPs) are a one-of-a-kind e-learning resource, fostering clinical reasoning skills through clinical case examples. The combination with face-to-face teaching is important for their successful integration, which is referred to as "blended learning". So far little is known about the use of VPs in the field of continuing medical education and residency training. The pilot study presented here inquired the application of VPs in the framework of a pediatric residency revision course.
  
  
  METHODS
  Around 200 participants of a pediatric nephology lecture ('nephrotic and nephritic syndrome in children') were offered two VPs as a wrap-up session at the revision course of the German Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ) 2009 in Heidelberg, Germany. Using a web-based survey form, different aspects were evaluated concerning the learning experiences with VPs, the combination with the lecture, and the use of VPs for residency training in general.
  
  
  RESULTS
  N=40 evaluable survey forms were returned (approximately 21%). The return rate was impaired by a technical problem with the local Wi-Fi firewall. The participants perceived the work-up of the VPs as a worthwhile learning experience, with proper preparation for diagnosing and treating real patients with similar complaints. Case presentations, interactivity, and locally and timely independent repetitive practices were, in particular, pointed out. On being asked about the use of VPs in general for residency training, there was a distinct demand for more such offers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VPs may reasonably complement existing learning activities in residency training.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of General Pediatrics, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of General Pediatrics, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hanebeck
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of General Pediatrics, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oberle
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of General Pediatrics, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of General Pediatrics, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Choukair
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of General Pediatrics, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Burkhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tönshoff
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of General Pediatrics, Heidelberg, Germany ; University of Bern, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Education, Department of Assessment and Evaluation, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sören
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huwendiek
mesh_terms: D000295:Adolescent Medicine / Q000193:education*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009398:Nephrology / Q000193:education; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: blended learning; continuing medical education; medical education; residency training; virtual patients