Eau Claire, Wis. (July 19, 2023) – Realityworks, Inc., a leader in experiential learning solutions, is proud to announce that its Wearable Auscultation Trainer has been proven effective in a University of Minnesota (UNM) study. Findings were published in the international, peer-reviewed journal “Clinical Simulation in Nursing,” volume 81.
The study, titled “Development and Evaluation of a Wearable Simulator System,” aimed to determine whether a wearable simulator vest constructed with RFID tags and ribcage landmarks helped minimize ethical and learning challenges during auscultation and palpation practice scenarios between students. The simulator used in the study was Realityworks’ internally developed Wearable Auscultation Simulator.
The results of the study demonstrated that the Wearable Auscultation Simulator not only helps students learn to accurately identify and interpret various heart and lung sounds, but offers a technologically advanced option for providing repeatable, diverse, and realistic learning opportunities with scenario-specific auscultation and palpation feedback. What is more, over 80% of student participants and 90-100% of faculty participants agreed or strongly agreed that the system promoted privacy and reduced embarrassment.
“We’re thrilled that the value of our Wearable Auscultation Simulator was confirmed by this research study,” said Realityworks Health Science Education Product Manager Molly Kellgren, PhD, RN. “Our gut instincts were that wearable simulators provide the best of both worlds: the flexibility of programmable simulators with the realism of standardized patients. Now we have data to support that.”
Realityworks’ auscultation trainers were awarded Gold in the 2022 Better Future New York Design Awards for their creative and innovative design. They are part of a line of differentiated training tools for health science programs, including nursing, medical assisting, sports medicine, and emergency medical services. For more information on Realityworks’ health science products, visit www.realityworks.com.
This effort was funded by a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Interactive Digital Media (IDM) award (R44GM13772) to Realityworks, Inc and Innovative Design Labs, Inc from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For more information on the study, please visit Development and Evaluation of a Wearable Simulator System – Clinical Simulation In Nursing (nursingsimulation.org)
About Realityworks, Inc.
Established over 20 years ago, Realityworks, Inc. is dedicated to creating experiential learning tools that engage students, help educators teach needed skills and provide career exploration opportunities. Realityworks comprehensive learning solutions combine curriculum with hands-on learning tools, student activities and assessments to create innovative classroom-based learning environments that make a difference. These solutions are used in middle, secondary and post-secondary schools to address a variety of Career & Technical Education pathways, including health & human services, health sciences, welding and trade skills, agriculture education, sex education and more. With simulators in more than 70 percent of U.S. school districts and programs in more than 90 countries around the world, Realityworks has made a worldwide impact on the lives of youth all over the world. For more information, visit www.realityworks.com, or call toll-free 800-830-1416.
About Innovative Design Labs Inc.
Innovative Design Labs is a research and development business based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was founded in 2010 with the goal of creating affordable and effective products to improve people’s lives. IDL specializes in developing technology from initial concept to manufacturing for medical, consumer and education markets. Our projects involve cross-institutional teams that combine talent and expertise from leading hospitals, rehabilitation centers, academic institutions, and industry partners. For more information, visit www.idl.tech, or call 612-567-8554.