RealWear, a pioneer in wearable computing, is transforming student learning in the Trauma and Orthopaedic Department at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
The department has deployed RealWear’s head-mounted tablets and software to increase student exposure to real-time operating theatre procedures from a surgeon’s viewpoint. This new approach enhances learning quality, provides a safer training environment, and addresses space limitations in traditional placements.
The technology also offers opportunities for interprofessional learning and could be used to observe the entire patient journey, making a significant contribution to tackling skills shortages across the NHS.
- The Trauma and Orthopaedic Department of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has deployed RealWear head-mounted tablets and software to enhance student learning and create a safer theatre training environment.
- The deployment of RealWear allows the Department to increase the number of students experiencing orthopaedic operating theatre procedures in real-time from the surgeon’s perspective, optimising the quality of their learning.
- The use of RealWear wearables has enabled the Department to accommodate a diverse group of students from various disciplines and universities, providing them with an immersive and interactive learning experience.
Revolutionising Medical Training with Wearable Technology
The Trauma and Orthopaedic Department of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is taking a giant leap in medical training. In a move that promises to transform the learning experience for medical students, the department has begun deploying RealWear head-mounted tablets and software. What’s the goal? To significantly enhance student learning and create a safer environment for training in the operating theatre.
Addressing the Skills Shortage in the NHS
This innovative step comes at a crucial time. As part of an NHS England Workforce Plan, the Trust has been tasked with addressing the chronic skills shortage affecting the NHS, which as of March 2023, had over 112,000 vacancies across its workforce. With about 400,000 people depending on their services in Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and parts of County Durham, the need to expand student practice placements was of utmost importance.
Traditional methodologies, however, were not up to the task. The operating theatre’s restrictive space and safety regulations made it impossible to accommodate the increased number of students. This limitation was hampering the learning procedure and knowledge transfer, as visual observation is a key part of the learning process for medical students.
Finding the Perfect Fit: RealWear Navigator 500
The department sought a solution that would allow them to share the surgeon’s point of view with a larger number of students. They found it in the RealWear Navigator 500. This hands-free wearable device, running Microsoft Teams, was crucial in overcoming the limitations of traditional learning. It was light, comfortable to wear for extended periods, and boasted an easily adjustable camera.
Using this technology, students can now observe detailed procedures from the surgeon’s perspective. This immersive, life-like experience has greatly amplified the quality of their learning.
The Impact of RealWear on Medical Education
With a RealWear device, the surgeon performs live surgery while the students observe and interact in real time from a separate room. Students can ask questions, request a closer view of specific aspects, and engage in a deeply interactive learning experience. As a result, the department has created vast new opportunities for teaching and learning.
“Since deploying RealWear wearables, we can now provide more individuals with operating theatre experience in a single day than we typically would in an entire year, while giving them a significantly enhanced learning opportunity,” said Nick Cooke, consultant in trauma and orthopaedics at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
Final Thoughts
The initiative by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust highlights the potential of technology in revolutionising medical education. By integrating RealWear’s wearable technology into their training, they’ve significantly enhanced the learning experience for their students.
But more than just enhancing the learning experience, the deployment of RealWear devices is helping to tackle the broader issue of skills shortages in the NHS. It’s a perfect example of how innovative thinking and the right technology can transform the education sector and potentially solve long-standing challenges.
Looking ahead, the hope is that as more Trusts and medical institutions embrace this technology, it can be used to observe the complete patient journey, from outpatient consultations to post-operative recovery. This will not only enrich medical training but also foster a holistic understanding of patient care.
FAQ
Q: What is the purpose of the deployment of RealWear head-mounted tablets and software by the Trauma and Orthopaedic Department of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust?
A: The deployment of RealWear head-mounted tablets and software enables the Department to increase the number of students who can safely experience orthopaedic operating theatre procedures in real-time from the surgeon’s point of view while enhancing the quality of their learning.
Q: Why did the Department choose RealWear over other devices?
A: The Department chose RealWear as its preferred choice because of the lightweight headset’s adjustable point-of-view camera, video stabilisation, and precision zoom features. These features allow students to vividly observe procedures from the same perspective as the surgeon, greatly enhancing their learning experience.
Q: How does the RealWear device benefit students during surgical procedures?
A: Wearing the RealWear device, students can observe live surgeries from the surgeon’s perspective and ask questions in real time. The device’s built-in speakers and microphone enable the surgeon to respond to the students’ inquiries. The interactive nature of this experience enhances the learning opportunity for students.
Q: How has the deployment of RealWear impacted the number of students who can participate in operating theatre experiences?
A: Since deploying RealWear wearables, the Department can provide more individuals with operating theatre experience in a single day than they typically would in an entire year. This technology has allowed the Department to accommodate a diverse group of students, including those training to be paramedics, radiographers, and physiotherapists, among others.
Q: What other benefits have been observed from using RealWear in the healthcare setting?
A: The use of RealWear devices has opened up opportunities for teaching and learning that the Department wouldn’t have otherwise had. It has allowed students from 11 disciplines and 6 universities to interact with surgeons and view the entire theatre experience. Additionally, paramedics can use the technology to connect with specialists and Emergency Departments, providing real-time visual information about patients before they arrive at the hospital.
Q: Are there plans to expand the use of RealWear devices beyond the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust?
A: While space limitations currently prevent the Trust from accommodating all interested individuals in a single lecture theatre, there is interest in the technology from other trusts. The potential for deploying RealWear devices beyond the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is being considered.
