Development of virtual patient cases to enhance student understanding of the impact of social determinants of health in British Columbia

TitleDevelopment of virtual patient cases to enhance student understanding of the impact of social determinants of health in British Columbia
Faculty/College/UnitMedicine
StatusCompleted
Duration1 Year
Initiation04/01/2012
Completion05/15/2014
Project Summary

This Proiect uses a web-based interactive simulated Iearning environment to teach health Profession students about the social determinants of health. Faculty and health profession students will develop six virtual patient cases that will:

  • Present learners with opportunities to better understand the health disparities among vulnerable populations in British Columbia from social, cultural, and geographical contexts;
  • Challenge the learner to address the social determinants of health in planning interventions such as an interview, physical examination, investigation, or treatment;
  • Allow students to explore their role as patient advocate, learn how to reduce or eliminate health disparities, and learn how to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations across British Columbia; and
  • Address barriers to accessing appropriate health related services.

The content and design of the virtual cases will be flexible to allow easy integration into all health professional education at UBC as a mandatory part of the curricula.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2012/2013
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorGurdeep Parhar
Year 1: Funded Amount85,960
Year 1: Team Members

Gurdeep Parhar, Associate Dean, Equity and Professionalism, Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine
Brenda Loveridge, Associate Dean, Health Professions, Faculty of Medicine
Karen Joughin, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine
Sue Murphy, Associate Head, Clinical Education, Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine
Michael Lee, Curriculum Coordinator, MOT Program, Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine
Dave Lampron, Director, Technology Enabled Learning, Faculty of Medicine
Joanne Walton, Professor, Faculty of Dentistry
Lynda Eccott, Coordinator, Inter-Professional curriculum, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Cathryn Jackson, Clinical Course Leader, Nursing, Faculty of Applied Science
Leah Walker, Co-Director, Aboriginal Peoples' Health, Family Practice
Svetlana Kishchenko, Instructor, Masters Program, Population and Public Health