The Eko Core Digital Stethoscope has the capability to transform acoustic sounds into electronic signals, enhancing the listening experience through amplification. These electronic signals can be processed and converted into digital format for transmission to a personal computer or laptop. The device is designed for healthcare professionals requiring precise listening to body sounds in environments with background noise, or those routinely examining patients for irregularities.

As telemedicine becomes more prevalent, digital stethoscopes could become essential tools.  They offer superior sound quality, data recording capabilities, and support telemedicine applications, contributing to more accurate diagnoses, better patient monitoring, and increased access to healthcare expertise. However, it remains crucial to address the challenges and potential drawbacks of digital stethoscopes, including the initial investment, ongoing updates and upgrades, ensuring proper usage, and issues related to reliability and battery life.

An internal evaluation was conducted to explore the device’s potential, with the possibility of expanding it into a larger project.

Expressions of interest were sought to identify participants interested in evaluating and testing the device.  Once participants were identified, devices were dispatched to them for a 1012 week testing phase.  Set up information was provided, including a Quick Start Guide with instructions on downloading the accompanying App.  Additionally, a video link was shared, offering further guidance on utilising the Digital Stethoscope.

Following the testing phase, participants were invited to take part in a semi structured interview. Interviews took place in November and December 2023, and were hosted on Microsoft Teams, lasting approximately 15 – 25 minutes.  A list of interview questions was employed in interviews to ensure a uniform and consistent approach across all interviews.

Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis techniques were used to identify common themes across participants.

17 Eko Core Digital Stethoscope devices were distributed to general practitioners and other health professionals from across the NENC region who expressed an interest in testing the device. From interviews conducted, the most common reason for wanting to test out the device was centred around interest in trying new technology and in exploring whether new innovations can make a difference in practice.  This highlighted the eagerness for some primary care clinicians to engage with new technologies to improve upon already embedded devices.   The device found its primary usage in general practice settings for patient consultations. This outcome is unsurprising, considering that 64.4% of the allocations were designated for general practitioners.

Based on feedback received:

• The device recording feature was the most utilised aspect.

• The primary benefits of opting for a digital stethoscope over an analogue one appeared to centre around sound quality.

• It was considered that the Eko Digital Stethoscope had superior sound quality compared to a traditional stethoscope, emphasising its potential benefits in noisy hospital environments.

• A further benefit of the device was based around the ability to support with education and training of clinical staff.

Over three quarters of participants intend to continue to use the device and see its potential.

The overarching objective was to evaluate the potential of the Eko Digital Stethoscope device, gather user experiences, and determine its value within the system.   Suggested benefits include:

• There is the potential for the device playing an active role in teaching and training scenarios, which was a recurring theme in interviews that could be advantageous for trainee GPs and others.

• The recording facility being used on occasion in GP consultations.

• It might provide reassurance to patients when recordings are reviewed, potentially eliminating the need for unnecessary prescriptions, such as antibiotics.

• Possible use of the device in other settings, e.g., virtual wards and care homes.

• This device being used in paediatric healthcare settings, especially when working with children to build rapport.

HI NENC conducted an evaluation of the Eko Core Digital Stethoscope as part of the NENC Digital Pioneers programme.  The evaluation was overseen by the HI NENC Digital Transformation Project Manager with support from the HI NENC Evaluation Unit.  While HI NENC did not receive funding for the evaluation, Redmoor Health, a trusted NHS partner, provided 20 Eko Core Digital Stethoscopes for the purpose of the evaluation.

Eko Health has been sent a copy of the Evaluation Report.  Future/spread and adoption will depend on whether they would like HI NENC to test further devices.

EKO-evaluation-report-May-2024.pdf (healthinnovationnenc.org.uk)