VCE™ is built for healthcare education and training. It integrates data streams from cameras and medical devices to create an interactive, front-row clinical experience for students and trainees. It features a built-in learning structure that facilitates real-time interaction between clinicians, patients, and students.

By streaming from multiple camera angles and medical devices, the platform allows users to observe clinical scenarios from various perspectives, enhancing their experience. This multi-angle approach, coupled with real-time communication and feedback, empowers learners to develop critical thinking, decision-making, and technical skills within a safe and controlled environment.

VCE™ is designed for ease of use and seamlessly integrates with existing equipment and environments. The platform is secure by design making it safe for educational and training use. Its adaptability makes it an ideal tool for a wide range of settings, from community clinics to advanced hospital training centres.

A teaching session in the VCE™ platform is an interactive learning experience where students observe whilst online and participate real-time in a real clinical setting. During the sessions, students can communicate directly with clinicians, patients and peers. The aim is to replicate the hands-on experience of clinical practice in a virtual environment, engaging students as if they were present in person.

VCE™ sessions can involve real or simulated patients, depending on the clinicians teaching objectives. Students can take part in a real consultation, offering them a realistic pacing of a live clinical setting. However, clinicians often extend the sessions to provide thorough instruction, ensuring students fully grasp the material and have an opportunity to ask questions. After each session students receive a certificate of participation.

Virtual clinical experiences are divided into 3 phases to enhance the learning experience for students: introduction, consultation, debrief.

The introductory phase on the VCE™ platform offers an opportunity to connect with your students without the patient being in the room. We encourage you to use this time to walk the students through the session they are about to take part in and share what students can learn.

During a live consultation, the platform streams video from multiple cameras, such as smart glasses, and combines these with real-time medical device data. This setup provides students with a front-row experience, allowing them to closely observe the history-taking part of the consultation as well as any necessary examinations. Students can interact with the clinician and patient through voice communication and participate in real-time discussions with their peers via chat, ensuring that the interaction between the clinician and patient remains undisturbed.

After the consultation, a debriefing phase consolidates the learning experience. The debrief phase also supports student reflection and assessment, ensuring all aspects of the session are properly integrated with administrative and governance processes.

Additionally, the platform offers the opportunity to share pre-learning materials so students arrive well prepared.

Tip: For detailed guidance on managing each phase of a session, including tips on student engagement, interaction, and effective session management, refer to the 'Running and facilitating sessions (as a clinician)' guide.

The VCE™ platform leverages a variety of devices to create an immersive and comprehensive learning experience. These devices include:

The platform uses cameras to provide a multi-angle perspective on both the clinician and the patient. This setup typically includes:

The platform integrates data or visual streams from various medical devices to enhance the learning experience. These include:

The platform also supports screen sharing to provide access to multiple medical data sources, depending on the patient and case. This feature allows clinicians to share lab results, imaging studies, electronic health records, and other relevant data with students in real-time, offering a comprehensive view of the patient’s condition and the clinical decision-making process.

Tip: For optimal performance with multiple streams and devices, check the 'Hardware and connection requirements' guide.

Accessibility
Participants can join from any location, making it easier for students to access and engage in clinical education.

Interactive learning
The platform supports live interactions, enabling students to ask questions, participate in discussions, and receive feedback during the session.

Comprehensive perspective
Multiple camera angles and integrated medical device data provide a detailed view of clinical procedures, enhancing students’ understanding.

Streamlined learning
​Virtual sessions condense learning into focused, structured sessions, typically lasting about an hour. This streamlined approach is more effective than spending a full morning walking around a practice, allowing students to absorb and retain information more quickly. Additionally, it eliminates the need for transportation, saving time and resources.

Adaptability
Suitable for various educational settings, from small group sessions to larger classroom environments.