Medical students find translating lessons from traditional lectures to caring for trauma patients challenging. We assess whether adding video-based virtual flashcards and videos of augmented reality-based trauma patients in an online learning environment improves performance. We performed a between-subject experimental study. Thirty-five medical students were randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups. The control group viewed a traditional online lecture. The experimental group viewed the same online lecture and received virtual flashcard training. Each virtual flashcard consisted of a video of a virtual patient, and examination questions about diagnoses, treatment, and disposition. The experimental group also viewed a video of a physician coach providing an expert assessment of the virtual patient. Simulation-based assessment was used to measure performance and knowledge. The evaluation consisted of the following 3 scenarios: a video of a simulated patient followed by multiple-choice questions, a free-text examination, and the writing of a Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan note. Differences in performance for 3 measures (diagnoses, therapeutic interventions, and disposition) were assessed for pre-post change in accuracy. For these 3 measures, we used a binary logistic regression model. We assessed perceptions of performance and the training experience with a survey. The training intervention statistically significantly improved accuracy for diagnosis (P = 0.01) and self-reported performance (P < 0.01) compared with the control group. The themes for the experience were engaging, innovative, and valuing the expert's assessment, with 17 of 19 positive statements. Adding virtual flashcards to traditional training significantly improved diagnostic accuracy while being engaging and innovative.
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