Augmented reality is being used to explain complex procedures to patients and their families in Scotland.
The Cleft Lip Education Augmented Reality (CLEAR) project, which is the first of its kind anywhere in the world, is currently being trialled in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in Scotland, and is receiving positive reviews for its interactive interface, which explains cleft lip and palate surgery in a clear and easy to understand way.
Taking inspiration from the Harry Potter newspapers that "come to life", the Cleft Lip Augmented Reality Patient Leaflet creates an immersive learning experience to help families better understand what will happen during surgery.
The app uses a standard smartphone or tablet to scan a physical leaflet, and creates a life-sized fully interactive 3D model, that appears in the room as if it were actually there.
This helps to explain in visual terms more about cleft palate surgery and treatment.
Laura and James Ashworth are parents who have used the technology as their four-month-old daughter Helena waits for cleft palate and cleft lip surgery.
As first-time parents, Laura and James already had a lot to get their heads around, with worry about future operations adding to the emotions.
James said: “This app is amazing, I think it will help more families gain a deeper understanding of what they can expect from surgery.
“We weren’t sure what surgeons would do to Helena’s nose during the procedure, but this has explained it perfectly and we now know what to expect.
“Helena is absolutely perfect, but we know that in the long-term surgery is the best thing for her. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, but we cannot speak highly enough of the team at the Royal Hospital for Children and of those who have worked on this new technology.”
Through the West of Scotland Innovation Hub (WoS Hub), the patient app was co-developed by Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, The Glasgow School of Art, The National Cleft Service for Scotland, with funding from the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
Professor Steven Lo, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and WoS Hub Innovations Fellow, said: “It’s great to get such positive feedback on this world-first technology, as it has been developed with patient input.
“We took inspiration from the newspapers in Harry Potter, which come to life to tell a story.
“We wanted to give patient’s families the opportunity to learn more about what was going on in a visual way.
“Around 20 per cent of the population have literacy challenges, where they cannot read or write, and about 40 per cent of the population say they don’t understand medical terms.
“We also have patients who don’t speak English as a first language, and those with dyslexia, so we wanted to bridge that gap and provide something that everyone could understand and benefit from.”
Professor Paul Chapman, Head of the School of Simulation and Visualisation at The Glasgow School of Art, said:
“The Glasgow School of Art are pleased to have played an instrumental part in co-developing the Cleft Lip Augmented Reality leaflet app through our expertise in medical visualisation, 3D modelling and computer programming.
“This is a world first that will positively impact patients’ lives in Scotland and beyond.”
Kirsten Watson, CEO of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, added: “We are delighted to have been able to provide vital funding to support the hospital’s use of augmented reality technology specifically to support families whose children are undergoing cleft lip and palate reconstruction.
“With this investment, we are confident that we will see improved outcomes for children undergoing these complex procedures.
“We are very grateful to our donors for their support, which has made this investment possible and helped to make a real difference in the lives of these children and their families.”
