In this trial, undergraduate medical students will be randomised to undergo training using a virtual reality simulator (BodyInteract®) or a standard small-group interactive discussion of a clinical scenario. Adherence to current clinical recommendations will be considered as primary outcomes for this study.
Objective: To assess whether a virtual reality simulator might facilitate learning and improve adherence to current clinical guidelines. Methodology: A double-masked randomised trial will be held among students at the School of Medicine of the Universidad Andres Bello. Participants will be randomised to receive training using a clinical virtual simulator (Body Interact®, Body Interact Inc, Austin, TX) designed to review key concepts in Cardiology. Students allocated to the control group will receive a small-group discussion lasting up to 60 minutes in which key topics regarding the same clinical condition will be reviewed as well. Main outcomes include the overall performance in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) that will be reviewed by an expert panel prior to its implementation and adherence to specific recommendations in current national guidelines. This OSCE will be held 15 days after the educational session has taken place. Analyses will be undertaken under the intention to treat principle and missing data will be handled using multiple imputation techniques.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
50
Interactive medical case delivered using touch-sensitive screens in small group sessions.
Small group discussion led by a physician.
Hospital de Simulación, Universidad Andrés Bello
Viña del Mar, Región de Valparaíso, Chile
Number of participants with passing grades in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Number of participants with marks over 60% in an OSCE.
Time frame: 2 weeks after attending the educational session.
Marks attained in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Marks attained in an OSCE depicting the clinical scenario described in educational sessions. In this examination, the implementation of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions will score marks that will then be compared between groups.
Time frame: 2 weeks after attending the educational session.
Adherence to guideline recommendations
Adherence to specific recommendations in national guidelines relevant to the diagnosis and management of the clinical condition being studied.
Time frame: 2 weeks after attending the educational session.
Time to solve the clinical scenario
Time required to solve the clinical scenario depicted in the Objective Structured Clinical Examination
Time frame: 2 weeks after attending the educational session.
Time to deliver specific interventions
Time required to implement specific diagnostic and therapeutic interventions relevant to the clinical scenario
Time frame: 2 weeks after attending the educational session.
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