> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://support.geekymedics.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# How do I access the SCA Virtual Patients (AI patients)?

AI-powered virtual patients are available for most of our [pre-made SCA cases](https://app.geekymedics.com/purchase/gp-cases/). These are designed to help you practise your consultation and clinical reasoning skills in a simulated GP setting.

[Watch a demo here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmAiv-Sm208)

Virtual patients are intended for **solo use**. If you’d prefer to practise with others, check out [Group Practice Mode for SCA cases](/en/article/how-do-i-set-up-group-practice-mode-for-sca-cases-and-circuits-rqydih/).

|| All users can talk to our virtual patients using **text**, free of charge. Spoken **audio** and face-to-face **video** consultations use [AI credits](/en/article/what-are-ai-credits-124hbwj/).
---

## Interacting with the SCA virtual patients

To get started:

1. Open an SCA case
2. Choose the **Virtual patient** option

|| If this option isn’t shown, the case doesn’t currently support a virtual patient.

You’ll then be asked how you’d like to consult:

| Mode | What it does | Cost |
| ---- |
| **Text** | Type messages back and forth | Free |
| **Audio** | A real-time spoken conversation | 4 AI credits, up to 15 minutes |
| **Video** | Face-to-face with a video avatar | 15 AI credits, up to 10 minutes |

You can also choose the consultation language on the same screen.
---

## What happens during the case

SCA virtual patient cases run in stages:

1. **Instructions** - the candidate instructions, giving you time to review the case scenario
2. **Consultation** - talk to the patient
3. **Marking** - click **End consultation**, then choose **AI marking** or **Self mark**

Finish with **Complete station** to save your attempt and see your results against the SCA marking domains.
---

## Why can’t I start a video consultation?

Video mode is a subscriber perk. As well as having enough AI credits, you’ll need an [SCA cases subscription](https://app.geekymedics.com/purchase/gp-cases/) or a plan that includes it. It’s also only available on cases that have a patient avatar set up.
---

Still have questions? Feel free to get in touch - we're happy to help.