Development and Evaluation of a Wearable Simulator System

Abstract

Background: Peer physical examination is a clinical teaching-learning approach used for decades because of the convenient sample of peers for practicing. However, this approach has limitations when learning to assess abnormalities and threatens psychologically safe learning. A wearable simulator system was designed for learning physical examination skills to minimize ethical and learning challenges.

Sample: The sample consisted of fifty prelicensure nursing students and ten faculty in an upper Midwest university.

Method: The wearable simulator was constructed into a vest with RFID tags and ribcage landmarks. An observational, evaluative design was used for participants to rate seven categories during a one-hour evaluation session of the wearable simulator worn by a standardized patient trained to portray an individual with pneumonia.

Results: Satisfaction was rated highly among participants. More than 80% of student participants indicated the wearable simulator promotes privacy and reduces embarrassment.

Conclusion: The wearable simulator system offers a promising teaching-learning alternative with scenario-specific auscultation and palpation feedback to provide a safe, repeatable, and consistent simulation experience.

Keywords: health assessment; physical exam; privacy; psychological safety; simulation; wearable.

Figure 1.

An illustration of the wearable health examination simulation system and interactive stethoscope tool.

Figure 2.

Locations of RFID tags inside the wearable simulator