A pilot study to integrate an immersive virtual patient with a breast complaint and breast examination simulator into a surgery clerkship

BackgroundWe aimed to determine if an immersive virtual patient (VP) with a breast complaint and a breast mannequin could prepare third-year medical students for history-taking (HT) and clinical breast examination (CBE) on a real patient.MethodsAfter standardized instruction in breast HT and CBE, students (n = 21) were randomized to either an interaction with a VP (experimental) or to no VP interaction (control) before seeing a real patient with a breast complaint. Participants completed baseline and exit surveys to assess confidence regarding their HT and CBE skills.ResultsStudents reported greater confidence in their HT (Δ value = 1.05 ± 1.28, P < .05) and CBE skills (Δ value = 1.14 ± .91, P < .05) and less anxiety when performing a CBE (Δ value = −.76 ± 1.10, P < .05). The VP intervention group had a significantly higher mean HT confidence than the control group at the conclusion of the study (4.27 ± .47 vs 3.50 ± .71, respectively, P < .05).ConclusionsA single interaction with a VP with a breast complaint and breast mannequin improves student confidence in breast HT during a surgery clerkship.