Introduction.

Stroke is a prevalent and time-dependent pathology. Its complete initial management is a mandatory competence of the general practitioner in Chile. In the context of traditional clinical teaching, there are few opportunities for practice at that moment of the evolution of cases. The objective was to evaluate the effect of a remote virtual simulation program, synchronous with debriefing, for the initial management of stroke in fifth year medical students.

Subjects and methods.

Quantitative, quasi-experimental study. Five sessions were conducted on separate days in groups of three students. Each session consisted of three virtual simulation scenarios of increasing complexity, administered remotely, with individual performance recording and group debriefing. Reliability was calculated and the Wilcoxon test for related samples with p < 0.05 was used as statistically significant to compare pre and post course questionnaires.

Results.

Improvement in the diagnosis and initial pharmacological management of stroke was observed between the first and third cases. Participants stated that the simulator experience created opportunities for simulated clinical practice and promoted the development of communication training (p < 0.005). Satisfaction with the program measured after completion of the course showed a high degree of average agreement.

Conclusions.

Virtual simulation applied in a deliberate practice program, with instructor-guided debriefing has improved competencies for the initial management of stroke in undergraduate medical students and was highly valued by the students.

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