2009 Volume 26 Issue 3 Pages 104-109
Abdominal palpation is a necessary technique, particular to Japanese Kampo medicine, based on the theory that physiological changes in illness will manifest themselves in the abdomen. Because this technique is used widely in clinical practice for all kinds of conditions, a suitable way of teaching this technique to doctors is called for. To this end, we have developed an abdominal palpation educational simulator, which we call the Fukushin Simulator, consisting of 6 abdominal models exhibiting the typical disease patterns of excessive strain of abdominal muscles (Fukuchokukinkincho), stiffness and rigidity below the heart (Shinkahiko), fullness in the chest and hypochondrium (Kyokyokuman), lower abdominal fullness (Shofukukoman), lower abdominal numbness (Shofukufujin), and abdominal fluid congestion (Shinkabushinsuion). Fourteen Kampo educators in medical faculties in Japan tested the models and then responded to a questionnaire. The results show that, while abdominal fluid congestion was considered to be unsatisfactory in its current form, the other 5 models were all considered to be satisfactory. Evaluators' comments included advice on specific points that could be improved and ideas for future directions, along with opinions to the effect that this simulator could be of great use as an educational tool. In this study, 85.7% of respondents expressed interest or great interest in the simulator, while 78.6% considered it useful or very useful, leading us to believe that it may have a large role to play in educational settings.