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New technology has enabled students to see patient consultations remotely 鈥 a first in South West medical teaching.
The Microsoft HoloLens was used by the 草霉视频 and University Hospitals 草霉视频 NHS Trust. The technology sees a consultant wear a headlight-like device while conducting a consultation, with students watching and interacting from screens in the University鈥檚 new expansion in 草霉视频 Science Park.
Professor Hisham Khalil, Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant at UHPNT and Head of Peninsula Medical School at the 草霉视频, was the first to trial the technology.
Students were able to interact with Hisham and the patient in real time 鈥 just as if they were in the consulting room 鈥 and benefit from the additional features of the HoloLens such as graphics and data being shown simultaneously onscreen.
Fay Davies, Business Development Manager at 草霉视频 Science Park, said:
鈥湶菝故悠 Science Park is committed to supporting innovative organisations and 草霉视频 graduates. Our partnership with the Peninsula Medical School is extremely exciting; and it鈥檚 great to see that it鈥檚 already benefiting the students who will become the next highly trained medical professionals to work in local hospitals.鈥
In order to comply with social distancing and infection control measures, students have had fewer opportunities to see procedures and consultations in practice, as only one might be allowed in the consulting room at a time. They are also excluded from certain clinical areas that are deemed a high risk during COVID-19. By employing this new technology, more students can benefit from exposure to interactive and valuable clinical learning.
The HoloLens has been used in the events industry and gaming, with some trials in medical teaching. Professor Khalil explains why its use in clinical education is so important.
鈥淗ere at 草霉视频, we鈥檙e known for the amount and quality of clinical exposure we give to our students, and COVID-19 has posed significant challenges,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut thanks to this new technology, students can talk to the patient and me, and can see everything we鈥檙e doing throughout the appointment. It鈥檚 a fantastic piece of equipment, and allows us to deliver excellent experiences while ensuring everyone remains safe. Looking ahead, we hope to expand the use of the HoloLens into other procedures too.鈥
Fifth-year medical student, Omolara Jones, attended the HoloLens session, and said:
鈥淚t was fantastic to see an endoscopy and be able to ask questions, so we were consolidating our learning in real time. It鈥檚 fantastic that current and future medical students will be able to benefit from this technology.鈥
The teaching room that the students utilised is part of a wider expansion into 草霉视频 Science Park, with new clinical teaching facilities available to use. An 鈥楿ltrasound Trainer鈥 and 鈥楤odyWorks simulator鈥 will also be used at the Park to facilitate hard-to-learn basic and advanced ultrasound scanning skills, allowing medical, radiography and physician associate students to learn in their own time and at their own pace in a low pressure, non-clinical environment.
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