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Reconstructing a head to neck manikin with online tutorial to teach palpation skills: Experts Feedback
GBC Seed Funding
Palpation is a key skill in physical assessment. During palpation, the practitioner uses their sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, organ location, size as well as swelling. Currently, palpation skills are taught using textbook readings, online videos demonstration and occasionally students practicing on healthy student. We reviewed the literature and ascertained that a head to neck palpation manikin does not exist. Learning how to palpate the glands and lymph nodes in the head to neck region is paramount, yet it can be difficult to teach and evaluate students. Students’ have no real sense of how much force they should use for gland identification. Moreover, there is no information in the literature on the correct time and pressure exertion during palpation.
The applicants, who are simulation lab experts, are collaborating with GBC Mechanical Engineering Design students (Capstone project) to construct a soft-skin adjustable (normal and abnormal glands) head to neck manikin with 13 pressure sensors strategically located to accurately reflect actual glandular landmarks. Palpation experts will be utilized to provide data as to the “normal” range, that is, measuring the touch depth required to accurately reflect best practices. The proposed SEED project will compliment this ongoing work by creating and evaluating an online tutorial to accompany the manikins’ palpation. The final outcome will be a validated palpation training system. Once students mastered the skill they can then be exposed to abnormal pathologies in the head to neck.
The benefits of this multidisciplinary project aligns with GBC 2020 strategy. We are leveraging technology methods with this soft tissue head to neck manikin construction. We are preparing diverse learners for success. We will provide students (nursing and dental assistant) to practice palpation skills with selected case studies (normal and abnormal glands) and immediate feedback. In addition, both the research assistance are provided with experience in research and mentorship in simulation and modular design.
Partner
- GBC Seed Funding
Principal-investigator
- Michael Eliadis
Centre
- Community Wellness, Health & Education
Project-year
- 2017
- 2018