Interprofessional development of virtual patient cases: experiences and lessons learned – a qualitative study / Entwicklung interprofessionller virtueller Patient:innenfälle: Erfahrungen und lessons learned – eine qualitative Studie

Hollweg, Wibke; Korn, Clara; Wängler, Fiona; Behrend, Ronja

doi:10.2478/ijhp-2025-0012

Abstract

Question/objective

Expertise from multiple professions is often required to solve complex problems in healthcare. This requires interprofessional clinical decision-making processes, which should be learned during training. Interprofessional digital patient cases offer the opportunity to train clinical reasoning.

As part of the HEDS project at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, interprofessional virtual patient cases were developed by interprofessional case development teams. The aim of the study was to document the findings and experiences of the case developers to inform future interprofessional case development.

Methods

Seven individual interviews with case developers from different professions were conducted and qualitatively analyzed (Kuckartz & Rädiker 2022). The case developers were asked about their experiences in interprofessional case development using a semi-structured interview guide.

Results

The findings offer insights into personal experiences as well as lessons learned regarding content, structure and collaboration during the development of interprofessional virtual patient cases. Although interprofessional case development is described as laborious and time-consuming, the overall conclusion is positive. The personal knowledge gain and added value in terms of content are summarized as worthwhile.

Discussion

Given the need to strengthen interprofessional education and digital transformation in healthcare, technology-supported learning in an interprofessional context is essential. Preparing students for collaborative and digital healthcare during their education is a crucial goal for the future. Recommendations from this study may be support future developments of interprofessional virtual patient cases in interprofessional education.

References

Behrend, R., Herinek, D., Kienle, R., Arnold, F., & Peters, H. (2021). Entwicklung interprofessioneller Ausbildungsziele für die Gesundheitsberufe an der Charité –Universitätsmedizin Berlin–Eine Delphi-Studie. Das Gesundheitswesen, 84(06), 532–538. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1341-1368
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Behrend, R., Mette, M., Partecke, M., Reichel, K., & Wershofen, B. (2019). Heterogeneous learning cultures in interprofessional education: A teacher training. GMS Journal for Medical Education, 36(3), Doc24. https://doi.org/10.3205/zma001232
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bernhard-Banza, D. (2024). Machtverhalten in der interprofessionellen Zusammenarbeit zwischen ärztlichem und pflegerischem Fachpersonal. In: U. Walkenhorst, M. R. Fischer (eds.), Interprofessionelle Bildung für die Gesundheitsversorgung. (pp. 1–9) Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65420-0_8-1
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Boettcher, A. M., Cording, L., Käuper, K. M., & Busch, S. (2016). Think outside the box–Interprofessional collaboration starts in the mind of teachers. International Journal of Health Professions, 3(1), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijhp-2016-0008
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bogossian, F., New, K., George, K., Barr, N., Dodd, N., Hamilton, A. L., ... & Taylor, J. (2023). The implementation of interprofessional education: a scoping review. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 28(1), 243–277. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-022-10128-4
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Braun, L. (2024). Psychologische Sicherheit in der interprofessionellen Zusammenarbeit. In U. Walkenhorst, & M. R. Fischer (Eds.), Interprofessionelle Bildung für die Gesundheitsversorgung (pp. 1–11). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65420-0_6-1
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Buring, S. M., Bhushan, A., Broeseker, A., Conway, S., Duncan-Hewitt, W., Hansen, L., & Westberg, S. (2009). Interprofessional education: definitions, student competencies, and guidelines for implementation. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 73(4), 59. https://doi.org/10.5688/aj730459
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Charité – Universitätsmedizin, Berlin. (2024). HEDS - Strengthening digital action and decision-making skills. Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Retrieved September 23, 2025. https://heds.charite.de/en/
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Bierman, R., Ewers, M., & Lehmann, Y. (2018). Mustercurriculum Patientensicherheit : multiprofessionelle Ausgabe / Redaktion: Rebecca Bierman, Rosalind Ievins, Rosemary Sudan; Geleitwort zur deutschsprachigen Version: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Michael Ewers, MPH, Dr. Yvonne Lehmann, Dipl. PflGw. Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Retrieved September 23, 2025. https://igpw.charite.de/fileadmin/user_upload/microsites/m_cc01/igpw/Forschung/Health_Professions_Education/PAMM/WHO_Mustercurriculum_Patientensicherheit_DEUTSCH_2018.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cichon, I., & Nock, L. (2024). Interprofessionalität im Gesundheitswesen als soziale Innovation – Systemwandel durch Bildung, Netzwerke und institutionelle Förderung. In U. Walkenhorst & M. R. Fischer (Eds.), Interprofessionelle Bildung für die Gesundheitsversorgung (pp. 1–8). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65420-0_17-1
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Connor, D. M., Durning, S. J., & Rencic, J. J. (2020). Clinical reasoning as a core competency. Academic Medicine, 95(8), 1166–1171. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000003027
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cook, D. A., Stephenson, C. R., Gruppen, L. D., & Durning, S. J. (2023). Management reasoning: empirical determination of key features and a conceptual model. Academic Medicine, 98(1), 80–87. https:/doi.org/10.1097/acm.0000000000004810
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Deloitte (2024) Future of Health Deutschland: Szenarien 2035. Online verfügbar unter: https://www.deloitte.com/de/de/Industries/life-sciences-health-care/research/future-of-health.html. Retrieved September 26, 2025
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dieterich, J. (2023). Fallbasierter Unterricht in den Gesundheitsberufen In: Darmann-Finck I. & Sahmel K.-H. (2023) Pädagogik im Gesundheitswesen, Springer Reference Pflege-Therapie – Gesundheit, Berlin: 379–402. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-66832-0_19
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Djaharuddin, I., Aras, I., Masadah, R., Yusuf, I., Idris, I., Rasyid, H., & Nelwan, B. (2023). Factors influencing the implementation of interprofessional collaborative practice in teaching hospital setting: A mixed-method study. Journal of Advances in Medical Education & Professionalism, 11(4), 213. https://doi.org/10.30476/JAMP.2023.98987.1821
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dresing & Pehl GmbH. (n.d.). Audiotranskription: Transkription und Übersetzung von Audio und Video. Audiotranskription.de. https://www.audiotranskription.de/ Retrieved September 26, 2025
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383. https://doi.org/10.2307/2666999
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Edmondson, A. C. (2004). Psychological Safety, Trust, and Learning in Organizations: A Group-Level Lens. In R. M. Kramer & K. S. Cook (Eds.), Trust and distrust in organizations: Dilemmas and approaches (pp. 239–272). Russell Sage Foundation.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Evans, S. M., Ward, C., & Reeves, S. (2019). Online interprofessional education facilitation: A scoping review. Medical Teacher, 41(2), 215–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2018.1460656
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ewers, M., & Walkenhorst, U. (2019). Interprofessionalität in den DACH-Ländern – eine Momentaufnahme. In: M. Ewers, E. Paradis, & D. Herinek (eds.) Interprofessionelles Lernen, Lehren und Arbeiten (pp. 20–37). Beltz Juventa, Weinheim.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Fąferek, J., Cariou, P. L., Hege, I., Mayer, A., Morin, L., Rodriguez-Molina, D., ... & Kononowicz, A. A. (2024). Integrating virtual patients into undergraduate health professions curricula: a framework synthesis of stakeholders' opinions based on a systematic literature review. BMC Medical Education, 24(1), 727. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05719-1
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Foronda, C., MacWilliams, B., & McArthur, E. (2016). Interprofessional Communication in Healthcare: An Integrative Review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 25(15–16), 2068–2080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2016.04.005
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Frenk, J., Lincoln, C., Zulfiqar, A., Koppel, I., Cohen, N., Crisp, N., & Zurayk, H. (2010). Health professionals for a new century: transforming education to strengthen health systems in an interdependent world, Lancet (London, England), 376(9756), 1923–1958. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61854-5
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Glasl, F. (2013). Konfliktmanagement: Ein Handbuch für Führungskräfte, Beraterinnen und Berater (10. ed). Haupt Verlag.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Glässel, A. (2024). Fallbasiertes Lernen zur Förderung von narrativer Kompetenz in der interprofessionellen Ausbildung von Gesundheitsberufen. In: Walkenhorst, U., Fischer, M. (eds) Interprofessionelle Bildung für die Gesundheitsversorgung. (pp. 1–12) Springer Reference Pflege – Therapie – Gesundheit. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65420-0_21-1
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Glässel, A., & Hippold, I. (2024). Exploring patient perspective: using narrative DIPEx interviews and the ICF model for interprofessional learning. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 5, 1424370. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2024.1424370
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Grosser, J., Bientzle, M., & Kimmerle, J. (2020). A literature review on the foundations and potentials of digital teaching scenarios for interprofessional health care education. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10), 3410. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103410
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gummesson, C., Sundén, A., & Fex, A. (2018). Clinical reasoning as a conceptual framework for interprofessional learning: a literature review and a case study. Physical Therapy Reviews, 23(1), 29–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/10833196.2018.1450327
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Guraya, S. Y., & Barr, H. (2018). The effectiveness of interprofessional education in healthcare: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Kaohsiung journal of medical sciences, 34(3), 160–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kjms.2017.12.009
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hafford-Letchfield, T., Dayananda, A., & Collins, D. A. (2018). Digital storytelling for interprofessional collaborative practice to develop quality and service improvements. Social Work Education, 37(6), 804–812. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2018.1484087
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Handgraaf, M., Dieterich, S., & Grüneberg, C. (2016). Interprofessional Education – Structural and Didactical Challenges. Int J Health Prof, 3(1), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijhp-2016-0005
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hege, I., Adler, M., Donath, D., Durning, S. J., Edelbring, S., Elvén, M., ... & Wiegleb Edström, D. (2023). Developing a European longitudinal and interprofessional curriculum for clinical reasoning. Diagnosis, 10(3), 218–224. https://doi.org/10.1515/dx-2022-010310.1515/dx-2022-0103
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hollweg, W., & Heinzelmann, B. (2024). Kontinuum zur interprofessionellen Zusammenarbeit von Gesundheitsberufen: vom Bedarf der Patient: innen über die Zusammenarbeit in der Praxis zur Auswahl geeigneter interprofessioneller Lehr-/Lernformate. In: U. Walkenhorst, & M. Fischer (eds.). Interprofessionelle Bildung für die Gesundheitsversorgung (pp. 1–15). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65420-0_4-1
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Huesmann, L., Sudacka, M., Durning, S. J., Georg, C., Huwendiek, S., Kononowicz, A. A., ... & Hege, I. (2023). Clinical reasoning: what do nurses, physicians, and students reason about. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 37(6), 990–998. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2023.2208605
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kiesewetter, J., Fischer, F., & Fischer, M. R. (2017). Collaborative clinical reasoning – a systematic review of empirical studies. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 37(2), 123–128. https://doi.org/10.1097/ceh.0000000000000158
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kong, L., Briggs, E., & Xyrichis, A. (2025). What is the effect of different interprofessional education teaching strategies on healthcare professions students' interprofessional learning outcomes? A systematic narrative review. Nurse Education in Practice, 83, 104255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104255
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kramer-Jackman, K. L., Sabata, D., Gibbs, H. D., Bielby, J., Bucheit, J., Bloom, S., & Shrader, S. (2017). Creating an online interprofessional collaborative team simulation to overcome common barriers of interprofessional education. International Journal of Health Professions, 4(2), 90–99. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijhp-2017-0022
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kruse, J. (2015). Qualitative Interviewforschung. Weinheim: Beltz Juventa.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kuckartz, U., & Rädiker, S. (2022). Qualitative Inhaltsanalyse: Methoden, Praxis, Computerunterstützung: Grundlagentexte Methoden (5. ed.). Beltz Juventa.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Layland, A. (2018). Why is trust important for effective healthcare teams? British Journal of Healthcare Management, 24(2), 61–63. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjhc.2018.24.2.61
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lestari, E., Rahmawatie, D. A., & Wulandari, C. L. (2023). Does online interprofessional case-based learning facilitate collaborative knowledge construction? Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 85–99. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S391997
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nock, L. (2020). Interprofessionelles Lehren und Lernen in Deutschland – Entwicklung und Perspektiven. Robert Bosch Stiftung, Stuttgart.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Packard, K., Chelal, H., Maio, A., Doll, J., Furze, J., Huggett, K., ... & Qi, Y. (2012). Interprofessional team reasoning framework as a tool for case study analysis with health professions students: A randomized study. Journal of Research in Interprofessional Practice and Education, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.22230/jripe.2012v2n3a96
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Prescher, T., Wiesner, C., & Weimann-Sandig, N. (2021). Interprofessionelle Fallbesprechung braucht eine Lernkultur. Pflegezeitschrift, 74(3), 42–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41906-020-0982-6
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Räbiger, J., & Beck, E. M. (2017). Interprofessionelles Lernen als Voraussetzung für interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit. In: P. Hensen, & M. Stamer (eds.). Professionsbezogene Qualitätsentwicklung im interdisziplinären Gesundheitswesen: Gestaltungsansätze, Handlungsfelder und Querschnittsbereiche (pp. 157–169). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-17853-6_6
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Reeves, S., Xyrichis, A., & Zwarenstein, M. (2017). Teamwork, collaboration, coordination, and networking: Why we need to distinguish between different types of interprofessional practice. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 32(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2017.1400150
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Salas, E., Sims, D. E., & Burke, C. S. (2005). Is there a “big five” in teamwork? Small group research, 36(5), 555–599. https://doi.org/10.1177/1046496405277134
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Schley, S., & Buchwald, L. (2022). Wie zufrieden sind Studierende mit der digitalen Lehre? Eine empirische Studie zum Einfluss von Motivation und Studierverhalten. Ludwigsburger Beiträge Zur Medienpädagogik, 22, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.21240/lbzm/22/10
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Schmitz, C., Berchtold, P., Cichon, I., Klapper, B., & Amelung, V. E. (2020). Stand und Zukunft der interprofessionellen Zusammenarbeit in Deutschland. Die Zukunft der Arbeit im Gesundheitswesen. MWV, Berlin, 183–198. https://college-m.ch/wp-content/uploads/IPZ_Zukunft_der_Arbeit_e-Offprint.pdf Retrieved September 26, 2025.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Simonsohn, A., Fischer, M., & Berndt, M. (2024). Interprofessionelles Lernen: Potenziale nutzen! In: Walkenhorst U, Fischer M (Hrsg.) Interprofessionelle Bildung für die Gesundheitsversorgung, (pp. 1–17). Springer Berlin, Heidelberg. Pflege – Therapie – Gesundheit. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65420-0_21
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sottas, B., & Kissmann, S. (2016). „Interprofessionelle Teams sind effizienter und senken die Kosten“–Zur Evidenzlage bei einem kontroversen Innovationsthema. Innovationen in der Gesundheitswirtschaft, 44–56. https://www.curaviva.ch/files/DBOMKWX/evidenzlage_interprofessionelle_teams__artikel__sottas__2016.pdf Retrieved September 26, 2025.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sturm, H., Flatz, A., Zyriax, B. C., Bau, A. M., & Beyer, A. (2022). Zum Stand interprofessioneller Zusammenarbeit in der Gesundheitsversorgung. MVF, 15(04), 2022. http://doi.org/10.24945/MVF.04.22.1866-0533.2428
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Thistlethwaite, J. E., Davies, D., Ekeocha, S., Kidd, J. M., MacDougall, C., Matthews, P., ... & Clay, D. (2012). The effectiveness of case-based learning in health professional education. A BEME systematic review: BEME Guide No. 23. Medical Teacher, 34(6), e421–e444. https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2012.680939
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Thistlethwaite, J. E., Forman, D., Matthews, L. R., Rogers, G. D., Steketee, C., & Yassine, T. (2014). Competencies and frameworks in interprofessional education: A comparative analysis. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 28(2), 131–138. https://doi.org/10.1097/acm.0000000000000249
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Van Diggele, C., Roberts, C., Burgess, A., & Mellis, C. (2020). Interprofessional education: tips for design and implementation. BMC Medical Education, 20(Suppl 2), 455. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02286-z
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wagner-Menghin, M. (2025). Metakognition und formatives Feedback beim interprofessionellen Lehren und Lernen – eine klärende Übersicht. In: Interprofessionelle Bildung für die Gesundheitsversorgung (pp. 1–16). Springer Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65420-0_41-1
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wagner, F. L., Sudacka, M., Kononowicz, A. A., Elvén, M., Durning, S. J., Hege, I., & Huwendiek, S. (2024). Current status and ongoing needs for the teaching and assessment of clinical reasoning–an international mixed-methods study from the students and teachers perspective. BMC Medical Education, 24(1), 622. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05518-8
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Walkenhorst, U., & Hollweg, W. (2022). Interprofessionelles Lehren und Lernen in den Gesundheitsberufen. In: I. Darmann-Finck, KH., & KH. Sahmel (eds.) Pädagogik im Gesundheitswesen (pp. 303–318). Springer Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-66832-0_18
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Weber, T., & Hoffmann, H. (2016). The subjective experience of collaboration in interprofessional tutor teams: A qualitative study. GMS journal for medical education, 33(2), Doc25. (2366–5017). https://doi.org/10.3205/zma001024
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
West, M. A. (2012). Effective teamwork: Practical lessons from organizational research. John Wiley & Sons. https://download.e-bookshelf.de/download/0000/5962/42/L-G-0000596242-0026941836.pdf Retrieved September 26, 2025.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wissenschaftsrat (2012). Empfehlungen zu hochschulischen Qualifikationen für das Gesundheitswesen. Wissenschaftsrat Köln. https://www.wissenschaftsrat.de/download/archiv/2411-12 Retrieved September 26, 2025.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article