Virtual Clinical Experience
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Virtual Clinical Experience: An innovative approach to preparation for clinical environments
IRAS ID
300212
Contact name
Jane Kirby
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
There is an acute need to train more doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals in the NHS. Clinical encounters with patients are essential to all clinical training. However, increasing numbers of learners and changes in healthcare delivery have resulted in insufficient access to clinical encounters. This challenge was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic but was present before and will remain after it has resolved.
Changes in healthcare delivery during the pandemic forced innovation in medical education. To compensate for the absence of seeing patients face-to-face, some NHS settings live-streamed consultations to medical students. Evidence suggests patients are generally positive towards participating in clinical training, but acceptability of the shift from the traditional face-to-face model to the virtual has not been explored.
This application applies to the second phase of a project, funded by Health Education England, to develop and evaluate a remote learning platform facilitated by the use of Smart Glasses in consultations, enabling clinicians to consult with patients while connecting with students remotely.
Phase 1 comprised the development of the remote learning platform. This was tested with simulated patients, clinical educators and medical students from the University of Leeds. Patient involvement materials were developed in conjunction with expert patient groups.
Phase 2 is an evaluation of the platform and its use. Central to this are multi-stakeholder perspectives, including ethical issues relating to patient involvement, consent and safety, as well as educational value to clinicians and students. The mixed methods approach will use surveys and interviews with students, clinicians and patients. Findings will be used to develop best practice guidelines for NHS and higher education organisations interested in developing or implementing similar experiences.
General practices approved as University of Leeds undergraduate education and training sites, their patients, primary care clinicians treating them and medical students will be invited to participate.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NE/0190
Date of REC Opinion
28 Sep 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion