Virtual Practice, Real Results: The Power of Virtual Patient Simulation
September 15, 2025 | HcSimWeek25, MedSims, Virtual Simulation
Simulation has never been more vital in medicine than it is today. As increasing numbers of physicians turn to large language models for clinical answers1, the real differentiator isn’t just access to information—but mastery of critical thinking and real-world medical reasoning. In an era where clinical experience cannot be replaced, award-winning platforms like Medscape’s MedSims offer an immersive, safe, interactive space to refine judgment, build decision-making confidence, and ensure that next-level care is more than just theoretical.
Virtual patient simulation is a popular CME choice for clinicians, with 65% of Medscape members saying they liked or liked it a lot, and 35% citing they used it on a weekly to monthly basis2. As of February 2024, over 1.2 million learners have treated virtual patients with MedSims, collectively making more than 5.5 million treatment decisions. They ordered 8 million tests, made 1.8 million diagnoses, and made 3 million consults, referrals, or non-medication decisions. In addition, the rationales behind more than 2.6 million clinical decisions were captured3.
For the 33 MedSims programs developed since 2022, an average of 221 engaged learners have participated in the outcome assessments. Those programs have shown a pre-assessment average of 40% and post of 68% with a +70% increase in performance across all learning objectives4.
Virtual patient simulation platforms like MedSims are ideal solutions for showcasing real-world clinical practice scenarios and improving differential diagnosis techniques. The MedSims platform captures every decision point and rationale for specific treatment selections, such as dosing, frequency, and administration decisions. MedSims’ safe learning environment enhances physicians’ competence and confidence. The platform is designed to promote effective point-of-care decisions, examine supporting rationales, and improve patient outcomes.
“Virtual patient simulation, which immerses and engages clinicians in an authentic and practical learning experience, can significantly improve decision-making of physicians and ultimately improve patient outcomes,” said Katie Lucero, PhD, Chief Impact Officer at Medscape Education.
In 2020, an independent analysis of 5 MedSims activities by The Calibre Institute for Quality Medical Education gave MedSims VPS a superior instructional design score, noting its “high potential to engage physicians and lead to improvements in clinical practice and outcomes.”5
Evidence of MedSims proven impact is featured in 74 poster publications since 2014 including a win at Best Practice in Learner Outcomes Award from NAMEC (National Association of Medical Education Companies) in 2022 with patients with a type 2 diabetes program. The outcomes study showed that within the study sample of 157 clinicians, 25% of clinicians had more patients with T2D who received a glycemic control treatment indicated for CV risk prevention (GLP-1 RA). Ultimately, those 25% of clinicians represented 7,747 patients with T2D in a 6mos period; 6% more patients with T2D received the benefits of GLP-1 RAs after education in the intervention group. The intervention group was 4 times more likely to use GLP-1 RAs with patients with T2D than the matched comparison group (logistic regression)6.
For more information about Medscape’s Virtual Patient Simulation capabilities please sign up here.
References
- Blease CR, Locher C, Gaab J, Hägglund M, Mandl KD. Generative artificial intelligence in primary care: an online survey of UK general practitioners. BMJ Health & Care Informatics. 2024;31:e101102.
- Medscape Member Survey July 2024
- Medscape Internal data 2022-2024
- Medscape internal data 2025
- Calibre CE Instructional Design Rating Scale™. Calibre Institute for Quality Medical Education. 2020.
Medscape Internal Analysis 2022
About Medscape Education
Medscape Education is the leading online platform for continuing medical education (CME) and continuing education (CE), trusted by millions of healthcare professionals worldwide. With more than 30 speciality-specific learning destinations, it offers thousands of free, accredited courses for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. Medscape Education delivers high-impact, evidence-based education designed to support clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and keep healthcare professionals current in a rapidly evolving medical landscape.
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