Seeing from the eyes of the beholder: an innovative approach for learning through reflection in graduate nursing education

1. To provide an opportunity for 1st year graduate students to conduct patient interviews &, after viewing themselves from the patient’s perspective, reflect on elements of the interview, use of specific techniques,... [ view full abstract ]

1. To provide an opportunity for 1st year graduate students to conduct patient interviews &, after viewing themselves from the patient’s perspective, reflect on elements of the interview, use of specific techniques, noting strengths & weaknesses

2. To better align our teaching practices with the Constructiveness Theory, & allow students to improve interviewing skills by incorporating patient perspectives, faculty devised a program, introducing a potentially powerful form of learning. The program was developed around the use of wearable smart technology with video recording capabilities positioned on a mock-standardized patient.
- Google Glass™, developed by Google, is a small wearable technological device with an optical head-mounted display. Google Glass™ has many functions similar to that of a smartphone, including video recording capabilities allowing the wearer to record what they see. Once the recording of the event takes place, the video can be uploaded to a computer screen for video/audio viewing.
Students entered the examination room and began the interview, for 15 minutes. Once completed, the student was escorted to a classroom & responded to a four open ended questions. Questions asked the student to reflect on their perceptions of the interview process, strengths and limitations of the interview, & areas perceived as needing improvement. The student was escorted to another viewing room where they watched the recorded video from the Google Glass device. After viewing themselves, students completed the same set of four open ended questions.


3. Students were able pinpoint specific areas needing improvement related to interview techniques including intonation, body language, eye contact etc. Students were able to do this without having to rely on recall or an external observer. The closeness, face to face, captured many details that would be missed if a camera were simply placed in a room

4. This is an innovative and sustainable learning experience using user friendly technology. A learning experience that is inexpensive, worthwhile and based on theory provides future avenues for programs in nursing. Students have an opportunity to “practice” in a safe environment, more importantly reflect, and have the opportunity for increasing competence prior to the actual patient interaction.