Learners' Critical Thinking Processes when using Virtual Patient Cases.

Abstract

Virtual patients (VP) are interactive computer simulations used in health education to increase student exposure to a variety of clinical cases and to develop critical thinking skills. Interdisciplinary student teams developed five VP cases focused on providing education in family planning. The cases pose questions that are complex and ill-defined to promote critical thinking. In Fall 2011-Spring 2012 we will conduct a laboratory study to examine whether complexity of virtual patient case impacts learners' critical thinking.