Motivating pediatric patients in spirometry: how 3D incentives improve performance
Spirometry tests are essential for diagnosing and managing respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD. However, getting accurate results can sometimes be a challenge—especially when working with pediatric patients. Children often struggle with completing the test correctly due to the effort required and difficulty understanding the instructions.
At Medikro, we’ve developed a fun and effective solution to this challenge: 3D Incentive Screens.
What is the incentive screen?
The incentive screen is designed to encourage children (and even adults) to exhale with maximal effort during the spirometry test. It features an interactive, 3-dimensional animation that responds to their exhalation, making the process more engaging and motivating.
Using visual feedback during a test helps younger patients understand the process better and feel more confident about their performance. When they can see the effect of their effort through the animation, they are more likely to give their best effort, resulting in more accurate spirometry readings.
Meet Freddie the Frog
Freddie the Frog is the current character in the incentive feature. Freddie lives at his favorite pond and is waiting for strong exhalations to leap onto a lily pad across the water. If the exhalation is powerful enough, Freddie successfully makes the leap. But if it’s not, he splashes into the water instead!
This gamified element makes spirometry fun for children and ensures more accurate and reliable results by motivating them to perform the test correctly.
The importance of this feature extends beyond entertainment—by encouraging maximal exhalation, the test gathers more reliable data for clinicians, leading to more effective diagnoses. This is particularly crucial in pediatric settings where full cooperation from younger patients is harder to achieve.
Pro tip for end users: ensuring Freddie jumps!
Freddie’s leap depends on the patient’s inhalation being deep enough before exhalation. To get Freddie to crouch and leap, the inhalation must reach at least 50% of the session’s best Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). This built-in quality feature encourages deeper inhalation, helping clinicians gather the most reliable data.
If there’s one tip for end users, it’s to ensure patients inhale deeply before exhaling to trigger Freddie’s jump!
Customizable settings for better control
The incentive screen includes customizable options, allowing healthcare professionals to tailor the experience to their patient’s needs. From adjusting the screen size to setting a targeted exhalation time (FET), the system offers flexibility in test administration.
Additionally, healthcare professionals can set Success Flags to monitor how well the patient’s exhalation meets pre-defined criteria. These flags provide instant feedback on the screen, clearly indicating whether the patient’s performance meets the required standards.
The ability to customize these settings allows the spirometer to be adapted to the needs of each patient, whether they are a child learning how to perform the test or an adult requiring more motivation to complete the examination. This versatility makes it an essential tool for practices serving diverse patient populations.
Why the incentive screen matters
The incentive screen is not just a fun tool; it plays a critical role in ensuring patients perform spirometry tests correctly. By motivating children to exert maximal effort, clinicians can collect more accurate data, leading to better diagnoses and treatment plans.
For young patients who may be intimidated by medical tests, turning the spirometry test into a game with Freddie the Frog reduces anxiety and makes the experience enjoyable. And it’s not just for kids—any patient needing extra motivation can benefit from this feature.
Conclusion
At Medikro, we’re committed to improving the spirometry testing experience for both patients and healthcare professionals. With innovative tools like the 3D Incentive Screen, we help make respiratory diagnostics simpler, more accurate, and even fun!
To learn more about how Medikro’s spirometers and incentive screens can support your practice, contact us for a demo.