basics of creating a virtual patient

Basics of creating a Virtual Patient

Centre for Medical & Healthcare Education

eLearning Unit

Steven Malikowski & Chara Balasubramaniam

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OverviewThis lesson will introduce you to the most basic ideas of creating a virtual patient (VP). You should contact Steven (smalikow@sgul.ac.uk) or Chara (cbalasub@sgul.ac.uk) to arrange more advanced training for creating VPs.

This introduction contains the following sections:

1.Installing Vue

2.Adding a node

3.Writing node labels

4.Adding a link

5.Writing node text

6.Changing a node’s color

7.Zooming in and out in Vue

Installing VueVue is a shareware program used to create VP.

To create or re-purpose a VP, you will need to download and install Vue on your computer, using the URL below.

http://vue.tufts.edu/download/

After viewing this URL, you will need to click the link called “Sign up for new account.”

Vue OverviewWhen you run view for the first time, focus on the three toolbar icons in the upper-left corner, which are circled here.

Creating a NodeOf the three icons mentioned, the middle icon is used to create boxes in view, which are called “nodes” in Virtual Patients.

After you click this icon, you can draw a box in the main Vue Window, as shown here.

The example below also shows you can add a title to a node. This is done by double-clicking in the node, and then, typing a name.

Creating more nodesAfter you create a few nodes, a shape that resembles a VP introduction and decision starts to appear, as shown here.

Connecting NodesNext, you need to show the progression of the case, by linking the nodes together. This is done with the line tool, as shown below. To create a link from one node to another, click on the line tool icon. Then, drag your mouse from one node to another.

You can ignore, or delete, any text called “labels” in the middle of nodes.

Like any computer file, you should save often. Files in Vue are saved like files in any other program, by choosing save from the file menu or pressing control-s.

Zooming in & outAs you create more nodes, you will need to zoom in and out. This is done by clicking the magnifying glass icon in the toolbar and choosing the option to zoom in or out.

Once you have chosen this option, you can click in the main window to zoom in or out. You can also draw a box around any part of the main window, to zoom to that box.

Adding TextThe labels to nodes, which have been added so far, should only be considered as titles for any part of the case.

The details or story in each node is entered in the “notes” for a node. You view these notes by right clicking on a node and choosing “Add Notes.”

Adding TextThe labels to nodes, which have been added so far, should only be considered as titles for any part of the case.

The details or story in each node is entered in the “notes” for a node. You view these notes by right clicking on a node and choosing “Add Notes.”

After you choose “Add Notes”, a box will appear where you can add text. You should add the details or story for a node in this box.

When you are finished adding text, just click on another node.

The Correct PathAn important part of creating a VP is showing the correct path. This is done by changing the colour of nodes on this path.

Nodes on the correct path should be appear in yellow. Nodes on the incorrect path should remain in the default colour, which is orange.

To change the colour of a node, right click on one and choose “Format”.

Showing the Correct PathAn important part of creating a VP is showing the correct path. This is done by changing the colour of nodes on this path.

Nodes on the correct path should be appear in yellow. Nodes on the incorrect path should remain in the default colour, which is orange.

To change the colour of a node, right click on one and choose “Format”.

A box will appear showing several formatting options. To change the colour, click the “Fill” button. Then, click on the box for yellow.

Summary• Vue is avialble at

http://vue.tufts.edu/download/ • The most common tools are

circled here.• Labels are entered by clicking in

the middle of a node.• Connecting arrows are made by

1) Clicking on the linking tool, 2) Clicking on a node, and 3) Clicking on a node to link to.

• The magnifying glass icon is used to zoom in or out.

• Text is entered by right-clicking on a node and choosing “Add Notes”.

• Nodes on the correct path should appear in yellow.

• If you have questions, contact Steven (smalikow@sgul.ac.uk) or Chara (cbalasub@sgul.ac.uk)

• Existing VPs: Example 1 and example 2