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Augmented reality game changer in orthopedic surgical training

Posted on by Redazione Fastbrain Engineering srl

Augmented reality, RealWear wearable devices allow students to observe orthopedic surgical procedures up close in the operating rooms of the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. Devices that show themselves, once again, to be true game changers in the healthcare sector as well. But not only that. The use of RealWear-branded devices, in addition to being a concrete help in the field of medical training have also proved useful in addressing a serious shortage of personnel.

Accelerating inclusive learning

Oct. 11, 2023, in London, the Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust announced the use of RealWear wearable tablets to accelerate student learning in an inclusive way and improve safety in operating room training sessions. A technology solution that allows all students to observe orthopedic surgeries in real time from the surgeon’s perspective, providing an immersive experience and streamlining the learning process.

Addressing the skills shortage in the NHS

The introduction of RealWear is part of the Workforce Plan announced in 2023 by NHS England, aimed at addressing the chronic skills shortage in the health care system, which had more than 112,000 vacancies as of March 2023. The North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, which provides health care to about 400,000 people, has taken action to expand the number of training placements, thereby meeting the growing demand for medical specialties.

RealWear solutions to reach more students

Traditional internship practices in the operating room were limited by space and safety issues, which prevented many students from effectively witnessing procedures. Before the adoption of RealWear, only a limited number of students could enter the operating room and observe fragments of procedures. With the introduction of the device, the department was able to broadcast the surgeon’s view in real time to a larger number of students, positioned in a separate room but able to follow the surgery on a monitor. An inclusive modality that left no one behind, making every student a participant.

Above: Nick Cooke, trauma and orthopedics consultant at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, wears a RealWear health wearable solution to accommodate a diverse group of students, including those preparing to become paramedics, radiology technicians and physical therapists.

Technical characteristics of the RealWear Navigator® 500 device.

The RealWear Navigator® 500 device was chosen for its unique features, such as light weight and ease of use. With its adjustable camera and video stabilization, surgeons can wear the device comfortably for long sessions, conveying every detail of the procedure clearly. The zoom capability and image quality give students the opportunity to closely follow every aspect of the surgery, greatly enhancing the training experience.

Real-time interaction, interaction and immersive learning

The use of the RealWear device has radically transformed the approach to training. Students can not only observe the procedure in real time, but also interact with the surgeon, asking questions and requesting a focus on specific details of the procedure. This type of interactive learning has been described as a true “game changer” by the Trust’s medical staff, who can now train many more students in less time, providing them with a superior educational experience.

Wearing a RealWear device, the surgeon performs the procedure live while students observe and ask questions as they “see” through the surgeon’s eyes. Students can ask questions during the procedure, and the surgeon can answer them through the device’s built-in speakers and microphone. Students can also request a closer look at specific aspects, making the experience highly interactive. This initiative has opened up tremendous teaching and learning opportunities that the department would not otherwise have had.

Results and future prospects

According to trauma counselor Nick Cooke, adoption of the device has led to an exponential increase in the number of students interested in this learning modality. The Trust has already received requests from students at other institutions and plans to further expand the use of the technology nationwide. The ability to observe not only surgery but also the entire patient journey, from outpatient visits to post-operative rehabilitation, represents a promising future for the use of wearable devices in healthcare.

An unexpected advantage: support for paramedics

During the interdisciplinary training sessions, an additional benefit emerged: paramedics used the device to connect with specialists and emergency departments, sharing the patient’s condition in real time before arrival at the hospital. This is an approach that can improve communication between different disciplines, creating a holistic view, thus as comprehensive as possible, of the patient’s care pathway. The implementation of RealWear devices has revolutionized the educational process in medical settings, overcoming logistical limitations and offering students an unprecedented immersive experience. Finally, the technology proves particularly useful in addressing the shortage of qualified personnel, enabling large-scale hands-on training and opening up new perspectives for the future of medical education.

The advantages of the RealWear device:

– Real-time observation from the surgeon’s point of view; – Training opportunities for more students; – Interactive learning with live questions; – Immersive experience due to video quality and zoom; – Interdisciplinary applications, also useful for paramedics and other professionals; – Reduction of space and safety barriers in the operating room; – Potential for use along the entire patient pathway. This case study demonstrates how technological innovation in healthcare can accelerate learning and improve the quality of training, opening up new opportunities to address the challenges of skills shortages in the NHS.

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References: https://www.realwear.com/press-releases/realwear-offers-students-birds-eye-view-of-orthopaedic-surgical-procedures-in-operating-theatres-at-north-tees-and-hartlepool-nhs-foundation-trust https://www.nth.nhs.uk/news/trust-deploys-surgery-livestreaming-technology/ Featured image source: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Other images: © RealWear Inc, 2024

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