Abstract
We studied the significance of teaching bed-side cardiologic examination skills using “Ichiro”, the new cardiology patient simulator developed by Takashina. The subjects were 75 third-year nursing college students. Examination skills were evaluated by a test before and after the 90 minutes lesson using “Ichiro”. These were marked out of 30, which consisted of 15 points for inspection and palpation, and 15 points for auscultation.
Scores for the inspection and palpation test were 10.8±1.9 points before the lesson and 13.3±1.2 points after the lesson, and scores for the auscultation were 11.3±3.4 and 12.7±2.8 points, respectively. Accordingly, the total scores were 22.1±4.1 points before the lesson and 26.0±3.4 points after the lesson. It is confirmed that scores after the lesson were significantly better than those before the lesson. Furthermore, the degree of improvement in the test regarding inspection and palpation was significantly better than that of auscultation. In addition, there were significant correlation between the scores before the lesson and after the lesson.
In the past, the education on physical assessment was mainly dependent upon OJT (on the job training), however, it is suggested that it can be done at basic nursing skills education. Furthermore, it is conceived that the level and ability of the students should be taken into account to teach cardiological examination skills effectively using “Ichiro”
