Evaluation on the impact of Augmented Reality solutions to support Musculoskeletal (MSK) services
The MSK team at Malvern Community Hospital and Robert Jones Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, will be engaged with remotely monitoring body movement and gait using an Augmented Reality Solution from Talkout VR called VRSS. The solution will enable:
- the observation of progress in improvements in gait and movement remotely
- the clinician to have direct input to the service user on how physical exercises may enhance the ease of movement.
The evaluation will consider the following:
- The ease of use and delivery of sensors to users
- The user acceptance by both the service user and the clinician of the new technological approach
- User reported improvement in completion of recovery exercise
- The variation between connectivity modules of Broadband, 4G and 5G settings
- The cost benefit impact of this care model approach including reduction of travel time and impact of early intervention and identification.
This study is research that aims to evaluate the experience and use of an augmented reality tool. This tool is designed to provide live visual connectivity, supported by digitally enhanced movements, enabling the clinician to monitor, intervene and advise patients remotely. Using the benefits of enhanced connectivity reducing the need for service users and their carers to travel to fixed clinical locations.
The data collected is mainly post-intervention (post tool use) and quantitative in nature, focussing on the effectiveness of the service pathway (performance in real world conditions). Clinicians and service users will be selected based on geographical location. Comparison between those who are on fixed broadband, mobile 4G & 5G and clinics are achievable through a survey of the users.
Clinicians and service users will be introduced to the Augmented Reality platform during patient recruitment exercise activities (at various sites). Service users outside of the geographical boundaries of testbed site will be excluded unless considered as a baseline opportunity.
Recruitment will be driven by a data analysis of service users meeting the inclusion criteria of receiving gait and mobility services within the geographical location.
It is suggested that this case study addresses the following research questions:
- How important is the stability and modality of 5G connectivity to enabling clinical decision making remotely through Augmented Reality platforms?
- How effective is the new service model in reducing costs to the system in travel time, workforce availability and subsidiary system costs through early intervention?
- What are the patient and clinician benefit through this new service model?
- What are the user reported improvements in completing the exercises remotely?
- Are there any differences in connectivity reliability between Broadband, 4G and 5G for this care model?
More specifically:
- What is the level of user acceptance for the service model for the clinicians and the service users / carers?
- What is the level of engagement with the new service model and how long does this continue through the trial?
- Is there a demand to revert to original clinical model or not?
- What added value if any does the clinician perceive that the platform gives to their care delivery experience?