Maryam Mardani1, Sajjad Cheraghian2, Soheyl Khaje Naeeni2, Nahid Zarifsanaiey3. 1. Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 2. School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 3. Virtual School, and Center of Excellence for e-Learning in Medical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of virtual patient-based training on the clinical decision-making ability of dental students. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study with pretest and posttest design was conducted on 76 (2015 admitted) dental students of Shiraz Dental School in 2018-2019. The study samples were randomly divided into 2 groups: intervention (web-based virtual patient training = 36) and control (face-to-face case-based training, n = 40). The data collection tools in this study included a questionnaire consisting of 2 sections: demographic information and procedural knowledge. The key-feature test was used to measure procedural knowledge and problem-solving ability in students. Content validity was confirmed by 7 faculty members. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS Statistics version 23.0. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the samples, Independent-t test was used to compare the scores between the 2 groups, and repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess the effect of time on the training provided. P < 0.05 was considered as the acceptable significance level. RESULTS: The mean clinical-decision-making score in the intervention group (11.3 ± 88.88) was more than the control group (8.2 ± 45.54) in Posttest 1 (1 week after intervention), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Besides, the scores in the control group (8.2 ± 45.54) rose more significantly than the intervention group (11.3 ± 0.86) in Posttest 2 (1 month after intervention) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of the present research showed that application of virtual patient (VP)-based training can improve learning and clinical decision-making ability of dental students. Moreover, group discussions in physical classrooms should be held alongside VP programs in order to ensure the maximum retention of the topics learned.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of virtual patient-based training on the clinical decision-making ability of dental students. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study with pretest and posttest design was conducted on 76 (2015 admitted) dental students of Shiraz Dental School in 2018-2019. The study samples were randomly divided into 2 groups: intervention (web-based virtual patient training = 36) and control (face-to-face case-based training, n = 40). The data collection tools in this study included a questionnaire consisting of 2 sections: demographic information and procedural knowledge. The key-feature test was used to measure procedural knowledge and problem-solving ability in students. Content validity was confirmed by 7 faculty members. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS Statistics version 23.0. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the samples, Independent-t test was used to compare the scores between the 2 groups, and repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess the effect of time on the training provided. P < 0.05 was considered as the acceptable significance level. RESULTS: The mean clinical-decision-making score in the intervention group (11.3 ± 88.88) was more than the control group (8.2 ± 45.54) in Posttest 1 (1 week after intervention), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Besides, the scores in the control group (8.2 ± 45.54) rose more significantly than the intervention group (11.3 ± 0.86) in Posttest 2 (1 month after intervention) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of the present research showed that application of virtual patient (VP)-based training can improve learning and clinical decision-making ability of dental students. Moreover, group discussions in physical classrooms should be held alongside VP programs in order to ensure the maximum retention of the topics learned.
Authors: Ana Suárez; Alberto Adanero; Víctor Díaz-Flores García; Yolanda Freire; Juan Algar Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-18 Impact factor: 4.614