Pediatric Anesthesia Providers’ Perspective on the Real-Life Implementation of the Philips Visual Patient Avatar: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The Philips Visual Patient Avatar represents an alternative method of patient monitoring that, according to computer-based simulation studies, enhances diagnostic accuracy and confidence and reduces workload. After its clinical integration, we assessed pediatric anesthesia providers’ perspectives on this technology. This is a single-center qualitative study, conducted at the University Hospital Zurich using in-depth individual interviews. We aimed to identify the advantages and limitations of the Visual Patient Avatar in pediatric anesthesia and to assess children’s and parents’ reactions from caregivers’ perspectives. Thematic analysis was used to identify the dominant themes. Fourteen members of the institution’s pediatric anesthesia team were interviewed. The most prevalent themes were children’s positive reactions towards the Visual Patient Avatar (92.9%) and enhanced speed in problem identification (71.4%). Additionally, 50% of participants reported finding the Visual Patient Avatar useful for diverting children’s attention during anesthesia induction, and 50% suggested that its vital sign thresholds should be adaptable for different age groups. The study revealed that the Visual Patient Avatar was recognized as a tool in pediatric anesthesia, enabling prompt identification of underlying issues and receiving positive feedback from both children and parents. The most commonly voiced wish for improvement in the study was the ability to customize the Visual Patient Avatar’s thresholds for different age groups.

Qualitative Exploration of Anesthesia Providers’ Perceptions Regarding Philips Visual Patient Avatar in Clinical Practice

“…Hereby, a subgroup of participants expressed a desire for more gradient differentiation of certain parameters, such as the color gradient of the oxygen saturation display (Participants 17, 18, and 21). While previous qualitative studies have highlighted this particular theme [35], with users suggesting that a higher level of differentiation would provide more visual information and a more complete representation of patient status, the Visual Patient Avatar is not intended to replace conventional patient monitoring as a quantification tool. Instead, the technology is designed to complement traditional vital-sign displays by providing a prompt initial evaluation of the patient status and to quickly guide the caregiver to the correct conventionally displayed parameter that requires attention.…”