Analysis of eye-tracking behaviours in a pediatric trauma simulation

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Emergency Medicine
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Eye-tracking technology captures detailed eye movements, including fixations, offering a novel metric for attention.
• The utility of eye tracking in high-stress environments like trauma care remains largely unexplored.
• Visual fixation patterns can serve as a proxy for attentional focus during critical patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of implementing eye tracking in a pediatric trauma simulation.
• To characterize the visual fixation behaviors of pediatric emergency medicine physicians during simulated trauma care.
• To explore the potential of eye tracking for quality improvement in pediatric trauma management.

Main Methods:

• Head-mounted eye-tracking devices were used during a standardized pediatric trauma simulation.
• Sessions were video recorded, with visual fixations defined as >0.2 seconds.
• Fixation data, including start time, duration, and area of interest, were analyzed from seven participants.

Main Results:

• Eye tracking was found to be feasible in the simulated trauma setting.
• Physicians directed 35% of their eye fixations towards the patient mannequin.
• Significant attention was also allocated to monitors (16%) and other team members (13%).

Conclusions:

• Eye tracking is a viable tool for studying physician attention in pediatric trauma simulations.
• Physician attention during simulated trauma is predominantly directed towards the patient.
• Eye tracking data can offer valuable insights for enhancing pediatric trauma care protocols and training.