An Opportunity to See the Heart Defect Physically: Medical Student Experiences of Technology-Enhanced Learning with 3D Printed Models of Congenital Heart Disease.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is increasingly used in medical education and paediatric cardiology. A technology-enhanced learning (TEL) module was designed to accompany 3D printed models of congenital heart disease (CHD) to aid in the teaching of medical students. There are few studies evaluating the attitudes and perceptions of medical students regarding their experience of learning about CHD using 3D printing. This study aimed to explore senior medical students' experiences in learning about paediatric cardiology through a workshop involving 3D printed models of CHD supported by TEL in the form of online case-based learning. A mixed-methods evaluation was undertaken involving a post-workshop questionnaire (n = 94 students), and focus groups (n = 16 students). Focus group and free-text questionnaire responses underwent thematic analysis. Questionnaire responses demonstrated widespread user satisfaction; 91 (97%) students agreed that the workshop was a valuable experience. The highest-level satisfaction was for the physical 3D printed models, the clinical case-based learning, and opportunity for peer collaboration. Thematic analysis identified five key themes: a variable experience of prior learning, interplay between physical and online models, flexible and novel workshop structure, workshop supported the learning outcomes, and future opportunities for learning using 3D printing. A key novel finding was that students indicated the module increased their confidence to teach others about CHD and recommended expansion to other parts of the curriculum. 3D printed models of CHD are a valuable learning resource and contribute to the richness and enjoyment of medical student learning, with widespread satisfaction. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-023-01840-w.

Utility of 3D Printed Models Versus Cadaveric Pathology for Learning: Challenging Stated Preferences.

Introduction: 3D printing has recently emerged as an alternative to cadaveric models in medical education. A growing body of research supports the use of 3D printing in this context and details the beneficial educational outcomes. Prevailing studies rely on participants' stated preferences, but little is known about actual student preferences. Methods: A mixed methods approach, consisting of structured observation and computer vision, was used to investigate medical students' preferences and handling patterns when using 3D printed versus cadaveric models in a cardiac pathology practical skills workshop. Participants were presented with cadaveric samples and 3D printed replicas of congenital heart deformities. Results: Analysis with computer vision found that students held cadaveric hearts for longer than 3D printed models (7.71 vs. 6.73 h), but this was not significant when comparing across the four workshops. Structured observation found that student preferences changed over the workshop, shifting from 3D printed to cadaveric over time. Interactions with the heart models (e.g., pipecleaners) were comparable. Conclusion: We found that students had a slight preference for cadaveric hearts over 3D printed hearts. Notably, our study contrasts with other studies that report student preferences for 3D printed learning materials. Given the relative equivalence of the models, there is opportunity to leverage 3D printed learning materials (which are not scarce, unlike cadaveric materials) to provide equitable educational opportunities (e.g., in rural settings, where access to cadaveric hearts is less likely).

Content analysis of child user and carer perspectives of ankle-foot orthoses.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of ankle-foot orthoses is primarily focused on biomechanical performance, with comparatively less studies pertaining to users' quality of life and experiential factors. OBJECTIVES: To investigate how child users regard acquisition and use of ankle-foot orthoses through the perspectives of child users, parents/carers and practitioners. STUDY DESIGN: Inductive content analysis of secondary data. METHODS: Child user and parent/carer perspectives, as communicated by them and by practitioners, were collected from online platforms and formal publications. Data and themes were analysed through an inductive approach. Investigator triangulation was used to increase trustworthiness and reduce bias. RESULTS: We found and analysed 223 data points from 30 informal online platforms and 15 formal publications. These data clustered into five key themes relating to user experience with ankle-foot orthoses, including materials, structure, aesthetics, service and impact. Child users had mixed opinions about ankle-foot orthoses, reporting satisfaction with the functional improvements resulting from ankle-foot orthosis wear, while noting negative feelings from the experience of acquiring and using the device. CONCLUSION: This research suggests that considering the five themes in ankle-foot orthosis provision could improve the child user experience, inform future ankle-foot orthosis design, and improve clinical outcomes.

Human Factors and User Experience Issues with Ventricular Assist Device Wearable Components: A Systematic Review.

Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) provide continuous mechanical circulatory support during in- and out-of-hospital care. However, limitations of the external wearable components influence patient quality of life. There is insufficient understanding of the issues with such components that combines a holistic viewpoint from both human factors and user (including patient and caregiver) experience perspectives. This paper comprehensively details the issues with VAD wearable systems and proposes a way for human-centered design to bridge the gap, addressing such issues synergistically. Through the review the authors investigated: the user issues caused by wearable components of VADs, and how human factors issues correlate to the VAD user experience. A Boolean search ("ventricular assist" AND "human factors" AND "experience") for peer-reviewed studies published between 2008 and 2018 returned 338 titles, with 35 relevant studies selected using a PRISMA process for inclusion in cross-study analysis and synthesis. This paper provides design recommendations for the issues found in the literature. Four key focus areas to inform the future design of VAD wearable components were identified-'Power Supply', 'Wearability and Travel Freedom', 'The Female Experience' and 'Intuitive Handling'. Using design to drive innovation could result in VAD wearable components which better meet or exceed users' quality of life goals.

A Comparative Content Analysis of Digital Channels for Ventricular Assist Device Patients, Caregivers, and Healthcare Practitioners.

This article seeks to review and analyze the emergence of digital channels designed for ventricular assist device (VAD) patients, caregivers, and practitioners and to understand how such digital channels support the user experience of VAD implantation. Following a content analysis methodology, the authors investigated 16 digital channels designed for VAD patients, caregivers, and practitioners, with data being analyzed thematically. Competitor Positioning Matrix diagrams were created to visually represent the landscape of digital channels that support VAD stakeholders. These matrices identified opportunities and potential areas for improvement in future VAD digital channel design, with an emphasis on interactivity coupled with intelligence and focus along the various stages of the VAD patient journey. Innovation in digital channels has the potential to reduce burden on all users by enabling communication, self-management, and remote monitoring. Digital channels can be information enhanced for point of care, function as a decision support tools or be used to empower patient-caregiver pairs to be more sufficient with self-management, while enabling communication with their practitioner.

Nursing Challenges in Interactions With Patients Receiving Mechanical Circulatory and Respiratory Support.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical circulatory and respiratory support (MCRS) systems provide short- to long-term life support for patients with severe cardiac or respiratory failure. Whereas the challenges of patients with these lifesaving systems are well understood, the challenges faced by nurses of patients receiving MCRS remain relatively unidentified. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated the challenges and experiences of MCRS nurses, with the aim of informing the design of future interventions. DESIGN: A qualitative approach was taken to develop an in-depth understanding of the emotional issues nurses experience in their daily interactions with patients. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Nine MCRS nurses ranging in clinical experience were recruited from Australian hospitals. METHODS: Participants were divided into 3 focus groups, with design prompts being used in the focus groups to facilitate discussion. Data from these focus groups were analyzed through a thematic analysis protocol. RESULTS: The nurses' accounts were clustered around 2 themes, including (1) patient connection and (2) compassion vitality and fatigue. Each theme elicits a conflicting compromise that MCRS nurses face daily. CONCLUSION: The challenges of nurses who support patients with MCRS are complex, multifaceted, emotionally stimulating, and exhausting. We therefore contributes a set of design criteria to support such nurses, setting a direction for future research.