This Virtual Patients lesson is relevant for medical students and professionals working in health care. In this lesson, a young patient in a hospital with severe abdominal pain is submitted to an acute abdomen procedure. What blood tests and other examinations are needed? How to interpret a large number of laboratory values? What is the differential diagnosis? You have to decide about a neurological examination. Is the option of an occupational intoxication worthwhile to be elaborated?
The lesson contains 32 cards, which guide you through the phases of diagnosing the patient and educates you about the risks, possible consequences, and treatments. The cards of the lesson provide descriptive texts and various medical data. Often, cards present a task or question. After sending an answer, feedback is given. After passing all cards, you will get a red or green mark (enough correct answers). If you are following a regular course in Munich, a tutor can give comments. Certain terms are explained. The lesson is given in English and Spanish.
General information about Virtual Patients & Work
The series of cases for medical students and physicians-in-training for Occupational Medicine has been developed by the Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine at the LMU university (Munich, Germany). The cases, developed in 2006-2013, are still present-day in many countries, and useful for education. Nevertheless, cases might be not up-to-date or valid everywhere, for example regarding diagnostic procedures, risk assessment tools, therapeutic interventions, or figures like incidence rates. Differences may be caused by differences in time periods, contextual conditions, or populations. Discussion about such aspects in a group, with a colleague, or with a teacher, is an essential part of the learning experience.
Practical. Clicking the link below connects to the Casus website. Make an account going to ‘/Register/’. Use your e-mail address as LOGIN, fill in a personal password. When registration is completed, LOGIN again, select if needed the English language (see, under your name, ‘Options’, ‘Language’). Go to ‘Player’, you see ‘Courses available’, select ‘Virtualpatient-Work.Net – English course’. Select the case ‘Stomach cramps and anemia’. You can complete a case once. Changing answers after completing is not possible.
