In other guides, we covered the basics of using the VCE™ web app, including how to navigate the interface and perform essential actions like creating sessions. Now, we’ll dive deeper into the learning experience of the platform - how to effectively run and facilitate sessions as a clinician. This section goes beyond the mechanics of clicking through the app; it focuses on the strategies and best practices that will help you lead successful and impactful sessions.
Preparation
1. Create session and encourage pre-learning
When creating a session, we recommend to provide as much detailed information as possible to help students prepare effectively. The more context and materials you share upfront, the better equipped your students will be for the live session.
Note: administrators on the VCE™ platform can assist in editing and uploading content to sessions.
Session information
While setting up the session, start in the first tab, ‘Overview,’ and include a clear summary, a detailed description, and any relevant learning materials or visuals. In the 'Details' tab, you can provide more information about the session, the practice, and what students will learn. Use this space to describe the session objectives, such as improving diagnostic skills or practising patient communication. Clear objectives guide students in their preparation and help them focus on key areas during the live clinical experience.
Once you publish the session or whenever you update the session page, the information will be automatically shared with students. You can always go back to the page and edit.
Pre-session communication
Additionally, consider sending a brief note to your students before the session. A quick reminder or encouraging message can make a significant difference in how well-prepared students feel, setting a positive tone for the upcoming session.
2. Ensure you're ready to run sessions
Before running your session, it's essential to confirm that everything is set up correctly. Even if you’ve done a session before and have used the hardware and devices on your local network, it’s important to double-check that everything can connect through our platform. If this is your first time or you need a refresher, please see our Getting Started section. Even if you're familiar with the setup, always connect and test all the hardware beforehand:
Plan your session
Consider the patient condition you'll be addressing. What camera perspectives will you need? Which corresponding cameras are required? Will there be an examination involving smart glasses or other medical devices?Gather the right hardware
Ensure you have all the necessary equipment. These devices might be in use by colleagues or stored away.Set up and test all hardware
Connect all the hardware and test everything in the Device Manager. Make sure all devices are functioning correctly and that all the platform’s tests turn out positive.Bonus: Run a test session
In the Device Manager, we check that you can run a VCE™ session (peer-to-peer). For extra assurance, start a test session. Remember to disconnect and stop this test session before beginning the real session.
Running a session: the 3 phase structure
The Introductory Phase
The introduction phase offers an opportunity to connect with your students before the patient joins the session. Use this time to break the ice, verify everybody is set up, and guide students through what they can expect in the session.
Tip: In addition to sharing the session content and ways to interact, use the introduction to remind students of the key principles of a VCE session. They should be in a quiet room and keep their cameras on at all times. This helps maintain the session's focus and ensures a professional, engaging environment for everyone involved.
A clear and structured introduction sets the stage for effective learning by:
Verifying everyone is on board
While waiting for all students to arrive, take the opportunity to break the ice. Be creative! Some clinicians ask each student a simple question, giving everyone a chance to speak and ensuring all technical aspects are functioning. It's crucial that all students can talk and see your streams.Set interaction and engagement rules
Discuss how students should engage in the session. Should they address you directly as the clinician, or is it better for them to use the chat? Clearly setting these expectations can help increase student engagement.Activating prior knowledge
Help students connect new information with what they already know. Activating prior knowledge is key for building on existing cognitive frameworks, which facilitates deeper understanding and retention.Establishing learning goals
Outline the objectives of the session during the introduction. Make it clear what students are expected to achieve by the end of the session. This helps set expectations and clarifies the purpose of the activities that follow, enhancing student motivation and engagement.Guiding attention and providing a mental map
A well-structured introduction directs learners' attention to the most important concepts and information, helping them focus on key points without becoming overwhelmed. By providing a "mental map" of how the session will proceed, you help students organise and integrate new information, reducing cognitive load and preventing confusion. This clarity allows students to concentrate on processing and learning the material effectively.
The Consultation Phase
The consultation phase is the core of your interaction with the patient, where students observe and engage based on the guidelines set during the introductory phase.
To ensure a successful session, please consider the following:
Introduce the patient to the setting & students
If you haven’t already done so, brief the patient on the setup and introduce them to the students, if necessary. This helps create a comfortable environment for both the patient and the students. Students are visible at all times in the VCE™ web app.Structure the session
Divide the consultation into clear segments, such as patient history, examination, diagnosis, and treatment planning. After each segment, we recommend to pause, briefly summarise key points, ask reflective questions and allow students time to process the information.Involve students
Encourage active participation by inviting students to take on different roles, such as leading the history-taking or developing a treatment plan. This hands-on involvement allows them to apply their knowledge in a practical setting.Incorporate medical device streams
Leverage the platform’s ability to connect with digital medical devices like stethoscopes, otoscopes, dermatoscopes, or ophthalmoscopes to provide students with real-time insights during the consultation.Question and test students
Keep students engaged by asking knowledge-check questions or presenting scenario-based challenges throughout the consultation. For instance, you could ask them to interpret symptoms or suggest the next steps in the consultation. A facilitator can assist by managing these interactions in the chat, while you focus on the patient.
Research insight: You might be hesitant to allow students to speak during a consultation, but research on the VCE™ platform shows that patients are generally in favour of student interaction. They understand that students are still learning and appreciate their involvement. You can read more about this research here.
Additionally, consider these strategies to enhance the learning experience:
Give immediate feedback
As students interact with the patient, provide immediate feedback using the platform’s tools like chat. Highlight good decisions and gently guide them on areas for improvement. This reinforces learning in real-time.Don’t forget any students
Ensure all students have the opportunity to participate. If someone hasn’t spoken up, gently invite them to share their thoughts, fostering an inclusive learning environment.Foster active learning
Pair verbal explanations with relevant visuals, such as images or diagrams, to reinforce understanding. For example, when describing a physical exam finding, showing an anatomical image can help students grasp the concept better.
Tip: You can share your screen at any time with the attendees. In the consultation phase you can use the crop screen functionality to share only the relevant parts of your screen, minimising distractions and keeping the focus on essential information.
The Debrief Phase
The debrief phase provides an opportunity to reconnect with your students online, without the patient present. This phase is crucial for addressing any lingering questions from the consultation and checking in on students’ well-being, especially after impactful sessions. Also, if you missed a question during the consultation, the debrief will give you the chance to respond.
Tips for a structured debrief:
Replay key segments
After the consultation, replaying important parts with commentary can reinforce learning. This encourages students to reflect on the consultation and solidify their understanding. Relating this back to the learning goals set during the introduction phase can further enhance their learning.Encourage reflective practice
Invite students to summarise the case after the consultation. This helps reinforce their learning and gives them practice in presenting clinical information—an essential skill for their careers. Alternatively, consider engaging students in a group reflection session by asking questions like “What went well?” or “What could be improved next time?” to promote critical thinking and discussion.Offer and receive constructive feedback
When providing feedback, focus on specific strengths and areas for improvement. Tie your feedback to particular moments in the session to make your suggestions clear and actionable. You can also encourage students to offer constructive feedback to each other, fostering a supportive learning environment and helping them develop their critical thinking skills.
Learning scenarios for medical students
The VCE™ platform offers tailored learning experiences that meet the specific needs of medical students at different stages of their education. The scenarios below illustrate how the platform enhances learning through virtual simulations, real-time data integration, and interactive case studies, providing a foundation in early years and advancing to specialised clinical skills.
Year 1: Foundation in Biomedical Science
Human Anatomy and Physiology
The VCE platform can provide virtual dissections and real-time physiological monitoring through IoT-enabled devices, allowing students to observe and interact with anatomical structures and physiological processes. Multi-angle camera views offer an immersive experience, making the learning of complex systems more accessible and engaging.Biochemistry
Students can simulate biochemical reactions and metabolic processes on the VCE platform, observing real-time data on how these processes affect human health. The platform can also provide virtual case studies linking biochemical pathways to clinical conditions, helping students understand the clinical relevance of biochemistry.Cell Biology
The platform can offer virtual microscopy labs where students examine cell structures and functions in high resolution. This can be integrated with real-time data analytics to study cellular responses to various stimuli, giving students a deeper understanding of cellular processes and their implications in disease.Introduction to Biomedical Science
Through the VCE platform, students can virtually tour clinical laboratories and observe biomedical science professionals at work. This experience helps them understand the role of biomedical science in healthcare, from diagnostics to research, setting a strong foundation for their future studies.
Year 2: Intermediate Biomedical Science
Pathology
The VCE platform allows students to explore virtual histopathology labs, where they can analyse digital slides of diseased tissues. They can interact with case studies that provide real-time diagnostic data, helping them connect histological findings with clinical symptoms and diagnoses.Pharmacology
Students can participate in virtual simulations of drug administration, observing real-time effects on virtual patients. The platform’s integration with IoT devices allows monitoring of vital signs and other biomarkers, helping students understand drug mechanisms, therapeutic effects, and adverse reactions.Genetics
The VCE platform can simulate genetic testing and analysis, allowing students to explore the genetic basis of diseases. Virtual case studies can demonstrate the impact of genetic variations on patient health, helping students apply their genetic knowledge in a clinical context.Immunology
Students can follow virtual patients with immune-related conditions, using the platform to observe how the immune system responds to pathogens, autoimmune disorders, and treatments. Real-time data from IoT-enabled devices can enhance understanding of immune responses and their clinical implications.
Year 3: Specialisation and Applied Biomedical Science
Clinical Microbiology
The VCE platform can simulate the diagnostic process for infectious diseases, including virtual microbiology labs where students perform cultures and sensitivity tests. Students can observe how microorganisms interact with the human body and the impact of antimicrobial therapies, all within a controlled virtual environment.Haematology
Students can use the VCE platform to analyse virtual blood samples, observing how different haematological conditions affect blood cells. The platform can simulate clinical scenarios involving blood disorders, helping students apply their knowledge in diagnosing and managing these conditions.Medical Imaging
The VCE platform offers virtual access to medical imaging technologies, such as MRI and CT scans, allowing students to view and interpret images of various conditions. Interactive simulations can help students understand the role of imaging in diagnosis and treatment planning.Clinical Biochemistry
Through virtual labs, students can perform biochemical tests on virtual patients, analysing results to diagnose and monitor diseases. The platform can integrate real-time data analytics, helping students understand the clinical significance of biochemical markers.
Final Year: Research and professional practice
Research Methods
The VCE platform allows students to design and conduct virtual clinical trials, collecting and analysing data in a realistic setting. This experience helps students develop strong research skills, from hypothesis generation to data interpretation and presentation.Clinical Placement/Professional Practice
Virtual placements on the VCE platform can simulate real-world clinical environments, providing students with the opportunity to engage in patient care and multidisciplinary teamwork. This prepares them for the transition to professional practice by allowing them to apply their accumulated knowledge in complex, real-life scenarios.Advanced Biomedical Science Topics
The VCE platform can offer specialised modules where students explore cutting-edge topics like personalised medicine, regenerative medicine, or advanced diagnostics. Virtual interactions with leading experts and real-time case studies help students stay at the forefront of biomedical science.Dissertation/Research Project
The platform can support students in their final research projects by providing virtual labs, patient data, and access to global research networks. This allows them to conduct high-quality research, even remotely, and gain insights from a broader range of clinical cases and data.
If you need further assistance, you can:
Use the support tool (bottom right) in the VCE™ web app to ask a specific question. It has many more solutions for you.
If you don’t find what you need, send us a message through the same tool.