A proposal of evaluation method using a pressure sensor for supporting auscultation training

Japanese medical education has been focused on improving clinical skills lately. In clinical training, there are many training such as medical interview, palpation, and auscultation. However, assessment points of these training are not quantified. Therefore, it is difficult for a trainer to check clinical skills and attitudes of student doctors objectively. Auscultation is a fundamental skill, but it is difficult to assess objectively and, therefore, difficult to give appropriate feedback. In this paper, we proposed an evaluation method for auscultation pressure using a pressure sensor for a purpose of supporting auscultation training, which is one kind of clinical training. In addition, we implemented a prototype system, and collected pressure values during an actual doctor’s examination. Moreover, We discussed feature extraction method for supporting auscultation training from the collected data. Furthermore, we described that the proposed method is useful as one of ways for supporting the auscultation training.