> ## 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 Virtual Patients (AI patients)?

AI-powered virtual patients are available for many of our [pre-made OSCE stations](https://app.geekymedics.com/osce-stations/), and you can also create your own.

You can interact with these virtual patients to practise communication and clinical reasoning skills. [Watch a demo here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmAiv-Sm208).

Virtual patients are designed for **solo use**. If you’d prefer to practise with your study partners, check out our [Group Practice Mode](/en/article/how-do-i-set-up-group-practice-mode-for-stations-and-circuits-87k6bf/).

|| 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/).
---

## Finding stations with virtual patients

The quickest way is to open **OSCE stations & virtual patients** in the sidebar and choose **Virtual patients**. This lists every station that supports one.

Virtual patients are available for several types of station, including:

* History taking
* Long cases
* Examination
* Counselling
* Telephone and video consultations
---

## Starting a consultation

Open the station and choose **Virtual patient**. If the Virtual patient option isn’t visible, the station does not currently support this feature.

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 station

Virtual patient stations run in stages:

1. **Instructions** - the candidate instructions, describing the scenario and what you’re expected to do (e.g. take a focused history)
2. **Consultation** - talk to the patient
3. **Marking** - click **End consultation**, then choose **AI marking** or **Self mark**
4. **Questions** - if the station has examiner questions, you’ll work through these after marking

Finish with **Complete station** to save your attempt and see your results.
---

## Can I make my own virtual patient?

**Yes**! When you create or edit a station (or [generate one using AI](https://app.geekymedics.com/osce-stations/generate/)), choose a **practice mode**:

* **Classic + virtual patient** - practise the station either way
* **Virtual patient only** - a dedicated virtual patient station
* **Classic only** - no virtual patient

Your patient script does all the work, so the more detail you provide in the patient instructions, the better the result.

* The virtual patient modes only unlock once your patient instructions are at least **500 characters**
* They’re available for history taking, examination, counselling, long case, telephone and video consultation stations
* You can update or improve the script at any time by editing the patient instructions

|| Virtual patients aren’t available for Nursing OSCE (NMC ToC) stations.