A Novel Haptic Cardiac Simulator: Mixed Methods Pilot Evaluation in Medical Students and Educators

Area of Science:

• Medical Education Technology
• Cardiology Training
• Haptic Feedback Systems

Background:

• Cardiac auscultation is a critical clinical skill that requires extensive practice.
• Developing proficiency in auscultation can be challenging for medical learners.
• Multisensory learning tools offer a promising avenue for skill acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of the Haptic Heart iPhone app, which simulates heart sounds and murmurs using haptic vibrations.
• To explore medical students' and educators' perceptions of using haptic technology for learning cardiac auscultation.
• To gather insights for future development of haptic-based educational resources.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving clinical-year medical students and cardiology educators using the Haptic Heart app.
• Participants completed a modified Evaluation of Technology-Enhanced Learning Materials questionnaire.
• Qualitative feedback on authenticity and usefulness was collected from educators, alongside free-text responses from all participants.

Main Results:

• High positive ratings were received from both students and educators regarding the app's quality and learning utility.
• Students overwhelmingly agreed the app supported learning needs and would influence clinical practice.
• Educators noted the resource's novelty and innovation, with minor concerns about audio quality when using stethoscopes.

Conclusions:

• Smartphone-based haptic technology shows significant potential as a tool in medical education.
• The Haptic Heart app was perceived as an innovative resource for learning cardiac auscultation.
• Future research should expand haptic patterns and assess learning effectiveness.