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

Abstract 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.