International Journal of Healthcare Simulation

Background:

Simulation has been identified as one of the principles to improve patient safety ^[1]. To increase and advance the research with eye-tracking and simulation, the researcher piloted a longitudinal, exploratory study of eye movement. Eye tracking is considered a novel method in assessing gaze behaviour in simulation has the potential to teach novices expert eye gaze ^[2,3].

Aim:

The aim of this study was to explore the gaze patterns of healthcare students when assessing an HPS.

Simulation activity outline:

A longitudinal study was conducted between 2014 and 2015 at three different time points (3, 6 and 12 months) with a final transfer study (with or without a patient monitor).

Method:

The study was conducted in a simulated environment with student paramedics and operating department practitioners (N = 6). Participant eye movements were measured whilst participants assessed a simulated patient with and without a monitor.

Results:

The images represent the gaze behaviour of 1 participant at testing phase 1 (Figure 1) and phase 3 (Figure 2). The gaze pattern changes and the participant demonstrates a more holistic approach when assessing a patient in phase 3 without monitor 3.

Figure 1:

Phase 1.

Figure 2:

Phase 3.

Implications for practice:

Encourage the use of an algorithm from the end of the bed to recognize a deteriorating patient and teach simulation with the HPS monitor switched into the off mode. Training through the observation of gaze patterns may help develop the design of simulation alongside augmented or mixed reality technology for the future.