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Syllabus Recommendations Kit*
*some assembly required--copy and paste relevant information into your syllabus
I. General Syllabus Information
What is the Shadow Health Digital Clinical Experience™ (DCE)?
Shadow Health provides a clinical simulation designed to improve your health assessment skills in a safe learning environment. You will examine digital patients throughout the course that are accessible online 24/7. Once you register, you will have lifetime access to the technology.
A. Information for your Required Materials section
Shadow Health. (2016). Digital Clinical Experience (Version 4.0) [Software]. Available from
For registration and purchase
- Registration directions:
- Enter Course PIN - [include your unique course PIN here]
- [Include cost and payment method]
Login page:
Technical requirements
- Review requirements:
- Tablets and mobile devices are not currently supported.
- Recommended web browser is Google Chrome.
Shadow Health Support:
- Contact Shadow Health with any questions or technical issues regarding Shadow Health before contacting your instructor.
- Support is available at
II. Assignment Options
The assignment options allow students to choose which attempt to turn in or to reopen an assignment attempt. Enabling alternative assignment options may add to the time students spend completing an assignment. The tables on the following pages listthe average time students will spend in the Patient Exam for each assignment per assignment setting. Depending on your assignment expectations, your students may go beyond the average time.
A. Default setting
What your students need to know: The first assignment attempt you make is the one considered for grading and feedback.
Assignment / Estimated Time for Patient Exam*DCE Orientation / 20 min
Conversation Concept Lab / 40 min
Health History** / 90-120 min
HEENT / 70-90 min
Respiratory Concept Lab / 25 min
Respiratory / 60-80 min
Cardiovascular Concept Lab / 25 min
Cardiovascular / 60-80 min
Abdominal Concept Lab / 25 min
Gastrointestinal / 60-80 min
Musculoskeletal / 60-80 min
Neurological / 70-90 min
Mental Health / 70-90 min
Focused Exam: Cough / 60-80 min
Focused Exam: Chest Pain / 60-80 min
Focused Exam: Abdominal Pain / 60-80 min
Comprehensive Assessment / 160-180 min
*If you are using the Post Exam Activities, add 15-45 minutes. These times are averages and may differ depending on your expectations for student work.
**If you are using the Information Processing activity in the Health History assignment, add 30 minutes
B. Alternative option: Flexible Turn In
This option allows students to turn in an assignment attempt of their choosing. Directions on how to enable this option:
What your students need to know: Here is a link about how to turn in an attempt of your choice:
Assignment / Estimated Time for Patient Exam*DCE Orientation / 20 min
Conversation Concept Lab / 40 min
Health History / 185 min
HEENT / 125 min
Respiratory Concept Lab / 25 min
Respiratory / 90 min
Cardiovascular Concept Lab / 25 min
Cardiovascular / 85 min
Abdominal Concept Lab / 25 min
Gastrointestinal / 95 min
Musculoskeletal / 95 min
Neurological / 80 min
Mental Health / 130 min
Focused Exam: Cough / 80 min
Focused Exam: Chest Pain / 90 min
Focused Exam: Abdominal Pain / 80 min
Comprehensive Assessment / 170 min
*If you are using the Post Exam Activities, add 15-45 minutes. These times are averages and may differ depending on your expectations for student work.
C. Alternative option: Allow Reopening
This option allows students to reopen an assignment attempt before the due date. (Note: As the instructor, you may reopen an attempt for a student at any time.) Directions on how to enable this option:
What your students need to know: Here is a link about how to reopen an attempt:
Assignment / Estimated Time for Patient Exam*DCE Orientation / 20 min
Conversation Concept Lab / 40 min
Health History / 170 min
HEENT / 115 min
Respiratory Concept Lab / 25 min
Respiratory / 75 min
Cardiovascular Concept Lab / 25 min
Cardiovascular / 75 min
Abdominal Concept Lab / 25 min
Gastrointestinal / 85 min
Musculoskeletal / 100 min
Neurological / 105 min
Mental Health / 110 min
Focused Exam: Cough / 85 min
Focused Exam: Chest Pain / 95 min
Focused Exam: Abdominal Pain / 75 min
Comprehensive Assessment / 250 min
*If you are using the Post Exam Activities, add 15-45 minutes. These times are averages and may differ depending on your expectations for student work.
III. Grading
Please make sure that all students and participating faculty members are aware of the expectations for student performance. The following is a suggested visual of how percentages for assignments can be broken down. Please fill in the blanks with percentages appropriate to your course. For suggestions for Expectations for Passing, please review the example grading rubrics in the Faculty Resource Center:
[The table below can be edited, copied, and pasted]
Assignment / Graded Weight(percentage of coursework) / Expectations for Credit / Assignment Options
Health History
Body System Concept Labs (x3) / Completed / Not Attempted
Body Systems (x7)
Focused Exams (x3)
Comprehensive Assessment