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Evaluation of Simulated Clinical Breast Exam Motion Patterns Using Marker-Less Video Tracking
David P Azari1, Carla M Pugh1, Shlomi Laufer1
1University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI.
Human Factors
|November 8, 2015
Summary
Marker-less video tracking effectively evaluates clinical breast examination (CBE) skills by analyzing hand movements. Most physicians demonstrated thorough, rather than efficient, examination patterns during simulated screenings.
Area of Science:
- Medical education technology
- Clinical skills assessment
- Biomechanical analysis
Background:
- Current clinical breast examination (CBE) techniques lack standardization.
- Objective evaluation of hands-on clinical skills is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of marker-less video tracking for assessing clinical skills during simulated CBEs.
- To develop kinematic measures for quantifying temporal and spatial patterns in CBEs.
Main Methods:
- Experienced physicians performed simulated CBEs with various pathologies.
- Marker-less video tracking analyzed single-hand motion during examinations.
- Four kinematic measures (time pressing, time searching, area covered, distance explored) were developed.
Main Results:
- Kinematic measures varied across simulated lesions, differentiating examination techniques.
- Exams were categorized as sporadic, localized, thorough, or efficient based on spatiotemporal characteristics.
- The majority of exams were thorough (78% temporal, 91% spatial); few were both temporally and spatially efficient (5.9%).
Conclusions:
- Marker-less video tracking can objectively discriminate between different CBE techniques.
- This technology can quantify the transition from general searching to specific probing during exams.
- Findings suggest marker-less kinematic tracking is a valuable tool for clinical skills training and assessment.
