Comparison of Knowledge Retention after the Use of a Virtual Patient versus a High-Fidelity Physical Simulator and Traditional Training

Abstract

Aim: This research assesses the effect of a virtual patient simulation platform CyberPatient (CP) compared to a high-fidelity physical simulator SimJunior (SJ) and traditional bedside training (TBT) on knowledge retention and competencies in a health education environment. Material: A total of 143 fifth-year medical students were randomly assigned to three groups: TBT-Group (n = 55) received traditional education; CP-Group (n = 44) was trained with a virtual patient platform CyberPatient; and SJ-Group (n = 44) was trained us-ing a high-fidelity simulator SimJunior. Educational content for all groups included competencies on pediatric asthma. Methods: Students’ level of knowledge acquisition was measured with a multiple-choice question test (MCQ) administered before the application of educational methods (Assessment I), immediately after completion of pediatric asthma training (Assessment II), and knowledge retention was measured two