Gaze of Kampo specialists during simulated dynamic abdominal examinations: A cross‐sectional study using a wearable eye tracker

Abstract

AimWe aimed to clarify the characteristics of the Kampo specialists' gaze during Kampo abdominal examinations on simulated patients and obtain suggestions for improving medical students' gaze during Kampo medicine abdominal examinations.MethodsWe recorded and quantitatively evaluated the gazes of eight Kampo specialists and six medical students using a wearable eye tracker during abdominal examinations of simulated patients.ResultsWhen specific sites were observed during abdominal examinations, the Kampo specialists' gaze toward the simulated patient's face was significantly higher than that of the medical students (mean = 1.019, 95% highest density interval: 0.159–2.050). A significant difference was also observed between the two populations regarding the specific sites observed. The medical students' gaze durations toward the simulated patient's eyes (mean = −2.696; 95% highest density interval: −4.961 to −0.744), face (mean = −1.881; 95% highest density interval: −3.353 to −0.691), upper limbs (mean = −1.707; 95% highest density interval: −2.932 to −0.500), and lower limbs (mean = −2.555; 95% highest density interval: −4.730 to −0.654) were significantly longer than those of Kampo specialists.ConclusionsThe medical students' gazes were dispersed; those of Kampo specialists were focused and of short durations. These findings suggest that Kampo specialists quickly collect essential diagnostic information and look away from the patient's face to concentrate on considering the Kampo medicine diagnosis. Teaching Kampo specialists' gaze techniques in Kampo medicine education could lead to improvements in the gaze of medical students during abdominal examinations.