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

Abstract Background We 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. Methods After 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. Results Students reported greater confidence in their HT (Δ value=1.05 ± 1.28, P P P P Conclusions A single interaction with a VP with a breast complaint and breast mannequin improves student confidence in breast HT during a surgery clerkship.