537-P: Virtual Patient Simulation Assesses the Levels of Competency and Improves Performance of Advance Practice Providers in the Field of Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: A high level of medical knowledge of Advanced Practice Providers is extremely important to secure their role in the contemporary healthcare environment. Continuing Medical Education is the key element in improving their skills and level of competency. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that a mobile and desktop VPS application that provides a self-propelled simulation of disease progression and the effects of treatments, would allow precise assessment of providers’ medical knowledge. Methods: We used the Edocate® virtual patient simulation (VPS) platform to compare the level of competency in treating patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems in two groups of nurse practitioners: diabetes-trained (DNP) and family medicine-trained (FNP). All participants completed the same VPS case before being asked to address a second case with similar problems, thus enabling us to assess improvement in their knowledge as well. For each case, the NPs received personalized and detailed feedback on their actions. Results: DNP were significantly more likely to achieve good glycemic control (78.6% vs. 46.8% in the FNP cohort), control of hyperlipidemia (57.1% vs. 40.0%), control of blood pressure (78.5% vs. 46.6%), and were more likely to use SGLT2i or GLP1 RA in patients with cardiovascular problems (78.4% vs. 66.7%). Both groups improved their performance markedly while working with their second patient, reaching levels of competency in key clinical areas between 83 and 100% in both groups. Conclusion: Working with the VPS, DNP demonstrated a higher level of medical knowledge in diabetes and cardiovascular disease management than FNP. However, training with the VPS platform significantly improved the levels of competency in both groups supporting the notion that virtual simulation provides excellent tools for enhancing providers’ knowledge, critical for their real practice skills. Disclosure I.Iancu: None. R.Shental: None. L.Zehavi: None. B.Draznin: None.