The Mechanisms Responsible for Improved Information Transfer in Avatar-Based Patient Monitoring: Multicenter Comparative Eye-Tracking Study

Abstract

This eye-tracking study uncovered that the way the avatar-based technology integrates the vital sign information into a virtual patient model enabled parallel perception of multiple vital signs and was responsible for the improved information transfer. For example, a single look at the avatar's body can provide information about: pulse rate (pulsation frequency), blood pressure (pulsation intensity), oxygen saturation (skin color), neuromuscular relaxation (extremities limp or stiff), and body temperature (heatwaves or ice crystals). This study adds a new and higher level of empirical evidence about why avatar-based monitoring improves vital sign perception compared with conventional monitoring.