The Problem
Clinical reasoning and auscultation skills are key for medical students to learn. Combining digital stethoscopes with live streaming allows students to listen to live auscultations of real patients in the classroom, and use what they're hearing in real time to practice diagnostic reasoning. PNWU was looking for tools to help power their academic curriculum.
The Solution
Eko digital stethoscope technology, combined with the Eko App and live streaming software, was introduced into the classroom.
- Eko technology can be used to teach students in large classrooms, small group settings such as bedside rounds, or remotely.
- Students download the free Eko App to capture and save heart sound recordings.
- Students can access live streaming auscultations from any device and operating system through a secure link.
- Students listen with headphones to maintain high-quality heart sounds.
The Outcome
Utilizing Eko in the lecture hall, PNWU faculty feels like students grasp the big picture of auscultation and screening better. Live streams are more true-to-life compared to simulated heart sounds, so students can connect what they hear with where the stethoscope is placed and better grasp the diagnostic reasoning. Eko's software doesn't require students to have a subscription (populating in a PHI/PII protected web browser), which offers a sustainable and repeatable solution for PNWU.
"Eko has been a helpful tool that allows us to broadcast live auscultation sounds to a large group of medical students to help them better grasp auscultation and its role in diagnostic reasoning."
Benjamin Wilson, MD
Assistant Professor Family Medicine