What is the Core Skills Trainer?
The Core Skills Trainer is a new approach to teaching the hands-on skills used by health professionals, developed by The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, in collaboration with SenseGraphics.
Using The Core Skills Trainer, healthcare trainees can practice individual 'core' manual and perceptual skills that involve the sense of touch, by playing computer games that use force-feedback (haptic) technology. A force-feedback device allows the student to 'actually feel' the objects in the games and tracks hand movements.
Each of the eight games in the trainer focuses on a different manual or perceptual skill involving touch that is important in clinical practice. These skills were identified by practicing veterinarians and doctors, and include working out how soft or hard an object is, what size it is, and being able to use a controlled amount of pressure. Together, the complete set of core skills (see right) form the 'building blocks' for many different clinical examinations and procedures that involve the sense of touch or manual dexterity (such as palpation or surgery).
It's a new way of learning to listen to your sense of touch!
Veterinary Student
Haptic Technology
The Core Skills Trainer uses a force-feedback haptic device, which can simulate the sensations of touching and interacting with the objects in the game and track hand movements in 3D space. Subtle changes in 'feel' such as firmness and texture can be perceived using the device.
The Core Skills Approach
Most training simulators are designed to teach a single, specific procedure. Instead, the Core Skills Trainer aims to teach the component skills common to many different procedures involving the sense of touch and motor skills (e.g. palpation or surgery). Additionally, the skills are taught in an abstract games environment, so students don't need any prior theoretical knowledge to start practicing. This means that students can start improving their skills early in the curriculum and keep practicing whenever needed in preparation for clinical work.
The overall aim is for students to 'collect' all core skills (i.e. eventually have played all 8 games successfully) and the trainer is designed to encourage such an approach.
Clinical Relevance
In-game instructions highlight the clinical relevance of each core skill and offer examples of procedures where the skill is used.
Competitive
High scores tables appeal to students' competitive nature and encourage them to practice and improve their manual skills, but also offer the option to remain anonymous.
Track Progress
Students can view their progress through the trainer and identify skills which they need to improve.
Fun
The skills training is provided in a simple, yet fun games environment to engage and appeal to learners.
Easy to use
With built-in tutorials and demos, students can use the trainer independently and in their own time, without the need for an instructor to be present.
A Complete Package
The Core Skills Trainer is available as a complete package, including all the necessary software, hardware and support to get started. Please contact us for more information.