We are taking teaching to the next level by livestreaming surgery from the surgeon’s point of view to healthcare students.
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has deployed RealWear assisted reality technology in the form of a camera and microphone headset, boosting not only the numbers of students to receive theatre experience but also the effectiveness of their learning.
Previously, the Trust could accommodate a limited number of students in theatre at any one time and they were often on the side lines with a limited view of the surgery in progress. Since the new technology was employed in January 2023, the Trust has seen nearly 200 students take part – the equivalent of around five years’ worth of students who would previously take on theatre experience training.
Seeing what the surgeon sees
The training is led by consultant in trauma and orthopaedics Nick Cooke and head of nursing education Jean Angus and currently covers orthopaedic surgery – specifically hip and knee replacements, Nick’s specialty.
With a point-of-view camera and precision zoom, students not only see exactly what the surgeon sees but the headset also offers scope for two-way communication. Students can ask questions and the surgeon can answer in real-time as they perform surgery.
Nick said: “One of the things we find with surgery is it’s difficult to give the students the same experience that they would hopefully gain if they were in my place.
“This whole project has opened up a massive opportunity and it’s a really good learning experience – getting everyone to appreciate their role in the patient journey.
“And theatres is quite a fun place to work. We’ve had lots of good feedback about students being able to see what an operation is and being able to talk to a surgeon directly – it can be quite daunting for them in a traditional setting.”
Together Nick and Jean facilitate the training – with Nick wearing the headset in theatre and Jean leading students in live discussion while the operation is livestreamed to the dedicated learning space.
“No barriers”
Students – including medical students, nurses, paramedics, radiographers and more – taking part in this learning experience also take part in an operation brief and debrief to learn more around the need for surgery and the tools and implants used during hip and knee replacements.
Jean said: “Entering a theatre can be intimidating for students, but this technology removes that barrier. We can show them the theatre environment and the instruments used.
“But the really important part of this teaching is Nick himself. He’s explaining to people what he’s doing, answering questions and also maintaining that rapport and banter with me and the students – all while performing surgery. It takes an enormous amount of skill to be able to do what he does.
“It’s amazing how this technology and our teaching brings the students out of their shells – there are no barriers.”
Health Education England North East and North Cumbria granted the Trust funding for this project.
Currently implemented in orthopaedic surgery, the Trust is now looking to roll out the headsets to other areas such as trauma and maternity surgeries – with a caesarean section livestream planned in the coming weeks.