Improving auscultatory proficiency using computer simulated heart sounds

Aslinda Hassan ,Hanan Salah El-Deen Mohamed El-Halawany

doi:10.34105/j.kmel.2016.08.030

Aslinda Hassan , Hanan Salah El-Deen Mohamed El-Halawany

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.34105/j.kmel.2016.08.030

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Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of 'Heart Sounds', a web-based program on improving fifth-year medical students' auscultation skill in a medical school in Egypt. This program was designed for medical students to master cardiac auscultation skills in addition to their usual clinical medical courses. Pre- and post-tests were performed to assess students' auscultation skill improvement. Upon completing the training, students were required to complete a questionnaire to reflect on the learning experience they developed through 'Heart Sounds' program. Results from pre- and post-tests revealed a significant improvement in students' auscultation skills. In examining male and female students' pre- and post-test results, we found that both of male and female students had achieved a remarkable improvement in their auscultation skills. On the other hand, students stated clearly that the learning experience they had with 'Heart Sounds' program was different than any other traditional ways of teaching. They stressed that the program had significantly improved their auscultation skills and enhanced their self-confidence in their ability to practice those skills. It is also recommended that 'Heart Sounds' program learning experience should be extended by assessing students' practical improvement in real life situations.

Highlights

While the health care field is moving toward embracing the notion of clinical best practices, there are considerably few studies discussing the structure, process and content of how to best educate health care providers
The mean of post-test increased significantly in all groups than the mean of pre-test, the value of (Sig.) is highly significant in all groups. This analysis suggests that medical students' expereince with 'Heart Sounds' program has a positive impact on their auscultation skills as it appears in their perforamce in the post-test
We notice an over all improvement in the preformance of both male and female fith year medical students in post-test

Summary

Introduction

While the health care field is moving toward embracing the notion of clinical best practices, there are considerably few studies discussing the structure, process and content of how to best educate health care providers. It would appear, that educational processes have changed very little over the years, and even emerging advances in technology often have become prisoners of academic norms and traditions. Classroom practices continue to be dominated by delivery of lectures by instructors in class. More than 30 years of research point to the limitations associated with unidirectional learning via in-class lectures, including lack of student attention and limited opportunities to develop essential skills (Bligh, 2000)

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