Obtaining Harvey places the University among an elite fraternity of medical institutions. In the past three decades physicians have become so dependent on technology, such as echocardiograms and CAT scans, in the diagnosis of medical conditions, that the emphasis on the development of well-honed bedside diagnostic skills has waned. Harvey allows students to learn to assess the many physical findings associated with patients with cardiovascular diseases prior to their clinical clerkships. During a physical examination, a student can obtain Harvey's blood pressure, and assess bilateral jugular venous wave forms, carotid, brachial and femoral arterial pulses, precordial movements, heart sounds, and respirations to make the appropriate diagnosis. Harvey spends most of his time in a lab setting on the ground floor of the Academic Center, where students in small groups are instructed by a physician on the cardiovascular examination of the normal patient and several of the more common heart diseases.
Students also have the opportunity to work independently with the unit.
Harvey with its self-assessment slides sequentially guide the learner through each cardiovascular disease and conclude with a summary and review of the case. With the UMedic system, the student gains skill in assessing the wide range of diseases which Harvey portrays. Harvey is also used for large group instruction in the classroom. UMedic, a computer assisted interactive instruction system in cardiovascular physical diagnosis, was purchased by the University two years ago. Both UMedic and Harvey may be used independently or together to enhance cardiovascular physical diagnosis skills.