For students

A free virtual patient simulation you can play in your browser

Differential is a patient simulator for medical, nursing and PA students. You run a short clinic shift, see real-feeling patients, and make the calls yourself. 73 cases so far. No account required.

Start a quick shift →

About four patients, 5–8 minutes.

How it works

  1. Step 1
    Talk to the patient
    Ask questions in your own words and hear their story.
  2. Step 2
    Order tests
    Pick the tests you think you need and read the results.
  3. Step 3
    Make a plan
    Choose medications and what happens next.
  4. Step 4
    See how it turns out
    Find out how each patient did, with teaching notes at the end.

More than a medical game

It plays like a game, but the cases are built around standard clinical guidance, from strep throat to chest pain. It's a low-pressure way to practice history taking, choosing tests and treatment before you see real patients. It's for practice and learning, not medical advice.

Try a case

See all 73 cases