The CSL were delighted to invite Anna Kiernan on campus recently in April. Anna is based in Croom Orthopaedic Hospital and is a Candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner in pain management. She recently secured funding to invest in a Microsoft Halo Lens 2 headset device and associated software and kindly offered to demonstrate its use to the department.
Microsoft HoloLens 2 is a mixed reality head-mounted ergonomic and holographic device, developed and manufactured by Microsoft. It comes complete with enterprise-ready and immersive learning applications to increase user accuracy and output.
Anna began the presentation by explaining the difference between augmented and virtual reality. (The Halo Lens being an augmented reality device). AR uses a real-world setting while VR is virtual only. AR users can control their presence in the real world but VR requires a headset device. AR can be accessed with a smartphone. AR enhances both the virtual and real world while VR only enhances a fictional reality.
At present there are a number of existing apps that partner with the device, HoloPatient and HoloScenarios are the recommended apps for clinical skills development and HoloHuman, Insight Heart, Insight Lung, Insight Kidney, DICOM XR Library all focus on anatomy and physiology. For the purpose of the demonstration, Anna used the HoloPatient app in conjunction with the headset. The person navigating the headset is in control of the patient’s condition and their subsequent deterioration. Students can then via the app, observe clinical cues, infer a diagnosis, collect data and debrief with other students. This is suitable for single or multiple group sessions.
Scenarios and conditions covered on the HoloPatient app include;
- Burns
- Heart failure
- Parkinsons
- Anaphylaxis
- Stroke
- Septic shock
- Trauma
- Asthma
- Hip fracture
- Domestic violence
- Covid 19
- Pre-eclampsia
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Myocardial infarction
- COPD and
- Sexual assault.
We would like to thank Anna for visiting campus, talking us through the Halo Lens and letting us demonstrate the headset. We look forward to welcoming her again at a future date.
