The VCE™ platform is designed to enhance clinical practice and education by integrating various devices to support a wide range of use cases in medical training and practice. The platform offers flexibility in setup, allowing users to tailor the experience to their specific clinical goals, locations, and the needs of students and professionals. Below is a structured explanation of the primary use cases supported by the VCE™ platform, along with recommended configurations for optimal performance.
Use case 1: Primary care/community setting
Scenario description
In this setting, the interaction between the patient and the clinician is crucial. The VCE platform facilitates this interaction by enabling clinicians to use multiple perspectives and a range of medical devices to conduct consultations. The session is divided into two parts: history taking and examination.
Recommended configuration
1. History taking and conversation
Audio and video interface with students:
Device: Computer with microphone and speakers running VCE web app in Google Chrome.
Overview perspective on clinician and patient:
Wired option: AVer wide-angle camera and speakers.
Wireless option: Android phone with the VCE mobile app (camera function coming soon).
Fixed first-person perspective on patient:
Wired options: AVer wide-angle camera, 4K DELL external camera.
Wireless option: Android phone with the VCE mobile app (camera function).
Note:The VCE™ Smart Glass is not recommended during the conversational part, due to potential instability from natural head movements.
2. Primary Care Examination
Hands-free first-person perspective on patient:
Mobile option: VCE Smart Glass.
Alternatives: Android phone with the VCE mobile app (camera function) or 4K DELL external camera.
Stethoscope integration:
Device: the ThinkLab One stethoscope
Extensions and additional devices:
Trolley with a larger screen for better student interface.
Medical devices like Otoscope and Dermatoscope for enhanced data and views.
Set-up considerations
Flexibility of set-up, easy to move vs equipment built in.
Audio management in small spaces.
Devices to use for each consultation.
Charging & storage location for devices.
Secondary Care Use Cases
1. Flexible Set-Up for Ward Rounds
Ward rounds require a mobile and adaptable configuration to allow for real-time student interaction with the patient and medical team. A hands-free, first-person perspective is crucial to enhance student engagement and provide a seamless virtual clinical experience.
Recommended Configuration
Laptop or Computer on Wheels to run the VCE platform and session.
Hands-free first-person perspective:
Mobile: VCE Smart Glass.
Alternatives: Android phone with the VCE mobile app (camera function) or 4K DELL external camera.
Stethoscope Integration:
Device: ThinkLab One stethoscope.
Extensions and Additional Devices:
Trolley with a larger screen for better student interface.
Medical devices like Otoscope and Dermatoscope for enhanced data and views.
2. Fixed Set-Up in Theatre
During surgical procedures, a fixed setup ensures stability and reliability. We recommend that a facilitator manages the session, allowing students to view multiple perspectives, including both wide-angle and first-person views. Hands-free capability is essential for the surgeon, achieved primarily through smart glasses. With the VCE connector the platform streams surgical monitors and devices in real time to students. The system is typically wired to maintain a secure connection.
Recommended Configuration
Facilitator Interface:
Device: Computer/Laptop with microphone and speakers running the VCE web app in Google Chrome.
Operating Room Overview:
Wired Option: AVer wide-angle camera and speakers.
First-Person Surgical Field View:
Hands-free Option: VCE Smart Glass (wireless) including headband.
Alternatives: Android phone with the VCE mobile app (camera function coming soon) or 4K DELL external camera.
Extensions and Additional Devices:
Integration with surgical microscopes or endoscopes for detailed views through the VCE connector.
High-definition cameras for close-up visuals of surgical procedures.
Set-Up Considerations:
Flexibility of Set-Up: Easy to move vs. equipment built-in.
Audio Management: Ensuring clear communication in large spaces.
Device Selection: Matching the right devices to each consultation and ensuring proper integration with the surgical technology stack.
Charging & Storage: Establishing secure locations for charging and storing devices efficiently.
This guide ensures that secondary care settings, including ward rounds and surgical theatres, are optimally equipped to provide immersive and interactive virtual clinical experiences for students.
Additional uses
The VCE™ platform also supports various other educational and clinical uses, like:
Observation
Use observation for medical training, such as longitudinal case studies.
Skills training
Utilise smart glasses for remote coaching and specific simulator integration.
Virtual exchange
Offer global modules, including clinics and theatre sessions.
Electives
Enable students to self-select and sign up for specialised clinical sessions.
Blended learning placements
Structure rotations with access to specialised clinicians.
Assessments
Conduct OSCE exams and assess medical professionals using simulations, without the need to be physically present.
Train the trainer
Provide a curriculum for preceptor training, supporting apprenticeship models.
We offer the flexibility to adapt to various clinical environments and educational requirements. For any unique requirements or additional use cases, VCE is open to exploring and advising on the best solutions to meet specific demands.
Student participation: Individual and group learning options
While the previous sections focus on how clinicians teach, the VCE platform also offers flexibility in how students engage with clinical sessions.
Individual online participation
Students can follow sessions remotely via the VCE platform, allowing them to participate in live clinical education from any location. This setup is ideal for when students are in various geographies.Group learning on campus
For a more collaborative experience, students can join sessions in a group setting on campus. This option enables real-time interaction and discussion among peers, enhancing the collective learning experience. Sessions can be streamed to larger screens in classrooms or lecture halls, providing an immersive educational experience.Facilitator online or in the classroom
When you consider live sessions for a large group of students (10+) a facilitator online, or in the classroom on campus, can help streamline the communication between students and clinician and/or between students and patients. A facilitator can help students focus on the important learning opportunities in a session and help the discussion by asking questions to the students.
If you need further assistance, you can:
Use the support tool (bottom right) in the VCE™ web app to ask a specific question. It has many more solutions for you.
If you don’t find what you need, send us a message through the same tool.