Assessing a virtual scenario-based training system for enhancing clinical reasoning and communication in dental education

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a virtual scenario-based clinical reasoning training system to improve clinical reasoning and communication skills among dental students. METHODS: Seventy fourth year dental students, who had previously completed dental basic science courses and theoretical components of clinical dentistry courses, engaged in a four-week clinical communication and reasoning training programme using the virtual scenario-based clinical reasoning training system. All students underwent a communication skills and clinical reasoning assessment before and after using this virtual training system, and their scores, including each module and total scores, were compared using Paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. The level of significance was P < 0.05. Students were asked to provide feedback through a survey to identify the usability and their perceived benefits or drawbacks of this system. RESULTS: After using the virtual scenario-based clinical reasoning training system four times with different cases, students’ scores in all modules (history-taking, examination, diagnosis, and treatment) and total scores improved significantly (P < 0.05). Post-training clinical reasoning competence scores (86.13 ± 1.79) were significantly higher than pre-training scores (74.66 ± 2.18), and communication skills also showed significant enhancement (P < 0.05). The average System Usability Scale (SUS) score was 70.14 ± 4.96, indicating above-average system usability. Most students were satisfied with the system (92.86%), acknowledged its advantages of innovative and interesting lectures and effectiveness in improving clinical reasoning (71.43%) and communication skills (67.14%). CONCLUSION: The application of the virtual scenario-based clinical reasoning training system in clinical communication and reasoning training programme can improve students’ clinical reasoning and communication skills.