Smart glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technology company Vuzix Corporation announced that their glasses have been chosen to support a new partnership between the Global Health Education Group (GHEG) and the University of Leeds, one of the largest and most acclaimed higher education institutions in the U.K., according to a press release.
The University of Leeds has been developing an online learning tool aimed at increasing the accessibility, scale and quality of clinical training opportunities for healthcare students. GHEG, alongside university partners, has been working to create the world's first hybrid medical school.
"We believe that the effective use of augmented reality and remote access, such as provided by Vuzix smart glasses, alongside in-person learning and clinical practice, will be crucial in enabling millions more healthcare workers to be trained affordably and to a high standard, in turn providing millions more people with better access to healthcare and able to live longer, healthier lives," said GHEG Co-Founder and CEO Gideon Shimshon.
According to the press release, Vuzix's smart glasses will be a part of a new learning platform jointly created by GHEG and the University of Leeds, which will make it possible for large groups of healthcare and medical students to engage in clinical placements simultaneously, regardless of physical distance. For example, a patient and clinician could be in one location while students, who would be wearing smart glasses, can be in another. Students would also be able to see the patient through their glasses and hear their heart and chest sounds through an e-stethoscope. In addition, the usage of an e-otoscope will allow students to study patients' ears. Students will also be enabled by AR technology to interact as though they themselves were performing an examination, and they will even be able to interact with and ask questions to the patient.
The implementation of Vuzix's technology is meant to alleviate the current shortage of clinical placement opportunities, which can create bottlenecks. The new learning style will also expand clinical training and placement opportunities in hard-to-reach locations and settings.
"We are thrilled to be part of such an important and sorely needed solution that can significantly help address the large shortage of qualified medical practitioners," said Vuzix President and CEO Paul Travers. "The use of AR smart glasses within healthcare continues to expand around the world. Vuzix smart glasses are ideal for a broad range of applications that span education, surgeries and OR management among other things."
