eCREST (the Electronic Clinical Reasoning Educational Simulation Tool) is an online training aid for a range of clinical professionals. We developed this novel educational resource to support diagnostic skills in current and future health care professionals.
eCREST was informed by our research to understand GPs’ diagnostic decision making. To date, it has been used with medical students, physician associate students, pharmacy students and qualified pharmacists. As primary care teams broaden, eCREST may have a role with a range of both future and current clinical professionals.
On eCREST, students access hypothetical (simulated) patient cases, via a virtual ‘waiting room’. Students can watch videos of patients describing their symptoms and review their medical history, their medications, and their lifestyle notes. The information that students obtain is determined by what options they select (e.g. through question menus, virtual ‘examinations’, or bedside tests).
At the start of each case, students are asked to select initial diagnoses for the patient. Importantly, they are then prompted to review their initial diagnoses and are given the option to make any changes at intervals during the case.
Once the student is happy that they have enough information, they are asked to give their final selection of diagnoses, select an initial management plan for the patient, and decide on a follow-up plan for the patient.
