Integration of virtual patients in education of veterinary medicine

Problem based learning, utilizing simulations and virtual reality tools represents one of the approaches integrated into the education of medicine to prepare medical students for both the bedside teaching and their later clinical praxis. On the other side, implementation of innovative didactic materials may be useful also for veterinary medicine students. Thus, veterinary topics can be introduced and explained in the form of virtual cases, helping students to understand relationships between theory and practical application of their decisions. Simulations and virtual cases are also used to assess students' clinical reasoning skills. Therefore, our work is aimed on integration of modern simulation tools into education process at University of veterinary medicine and pharmacy in Košice, Slovakia. Inspired by our colleagues from Faculty of Medicine in Košice and respecting our requirements we were able to specify appropriate methods and to introduce the first veterinary virtual patient to our students.