Transforming Healthcare Education at New Britain High School with Body Interact
At New Britain High School (NBHS), the Health Academy team is leading a new era of healthcare education. With programs in Biomedical Science, Healthcare Science, and Nursing Assistant training, the Academy has long been committed to providing hands-on, technology-driven learning experiences. The adoption of Body Interact has elevated this mission, creating a powerful bridge between classroom learning and real-world healthcare practice.
From Inspiration to Implementation
The journey began at a HOSA conference, where Darlene Clark first encountered Body Interact. Recognizing its potential to revolutionize student engagement and critical thinking, they quickly secured administrative support and integrated the platform into their teaching. Two years later, Body Interact has become an essential tool in the Academy’s curriculum.
How Students Learn with Virtual Patients
Students at NBHS use the platform both individually on personal devices and collectively through classroom big-screen sessions. Immersive simulations challenge them to perform patient assessments, make decisions under pressure, and reflect on their reasoning. Faculty have also adapted Body Interact as an assessment framework, using rubrics focused on “claim, evidence, and reasoning” to evaluate performance.
Impact on Student Learning and Confidence
The impact has been profound. Students consistently report high levels of motivation, mentioning the realism of the scenarios as a key factor in their engagement. Educators have observed improvements in clinical reasoning, confidence during patient interactions, and readiness for clinical placements. For many learners, Body Interact provides a safe environment to practice, make mistakes, and grow before stepping into real healthcare settings.
As Darlene Clark notes:
“Students are progressing toward stronger clinical reasoning skills and do really appreciate the realism and instant feedback”
Looking Ahead: Expanding Immersive Learning
Looking ahead, the NBHS Health Academy is looking forward to increasing their usage. By combining immersive learning with data-driven feedback, the program is equipping students with the critical thinking skills and confidence they need to succeed in healthcare careers.
