The research question is whether the addition of a non-obligatory virtual patient module is worth the effort in terms of improvements in students' knowledge, skills and satisfaction.
Half of the students were randomly assigned to an experimental group and given voluntary access to a virtual patient module consisting of six cases presenting BLS-AED knowledge and skills.
Conductance and pressure signals were acquired using a dual field 5F 12-electrode pigtail PV catheter (Millar Instruments, Houston, TX) connected to a Leycom CFL-512 console (CD Leycom, Zoetermeer, Netherlands) via a TC-510 (Millar) pressure control unit and a patient module (CD Leycom) as previously described [ 19].
For the measurement of production losses, the patient modules of the PROductivity and DISease Questionnaire (PRODISQ) will be used [ 47- 49].
Prior to the implementation of the DMP, these patient modules were offered throughout the province but not used widely.
Formal elements included a required reading assignment [ 28], standardized patient modules containing a cultural component, and lectures.
For the measurement of production losses, the patient modules B, C, D and E of the PROductivity and DISease Questionnaire (PRODISQ) will be used [ 68, 69].
Active learning exercises such as role plays, simulated patient interviews, Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE's) [ 75, 76], and virtual patient modules [ 71] may be utilized to allow residents to practice and develop interview skills and "scripts" to use in patient encounters.
To qualify practice nurses to do so, practice nurses from the intervention group will participate in the well established educational course "Treatment of long term patients - module diabetes" ("Betreuung von Langzeitpatienten - Modul Diabetes").
