|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s pioneering virtual reality course, “Project DEFEND”, seeks to address the challenges of brief hospital stays. Traditionally, diabetic foot screening was taught through direct observation and hands-on practice with podiatrists, but this innovative approach aims to transform the training process.
This advanced solution, developed through a collaboration involving Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the Centre for Healthcare Innovation’s Living Lab (CHI Living Lab), and local suppliers, is designed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of diabetic foot screening training.
“Project DEFEND” leverages virtual reality technology to provide a comprehensive training experience, featuring eight case studies and 30 different foot conditions. This innovative approach allows medical staff to engage in self-directed training using VR devices, eliminating the need for continuous supervision by a podiatrist.
The course includes practical exercises such as Doppler ultrasound for assessing blood circulation and the monofilament test for evaluating nerve function, offering a thorough overview of essential screening techniques.
The initiative was unveiled on August 29 by a team from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, including Dr Liu Huiling, Senior Consultant in Endocrinology, Zhang Yawen, Senior Medical Podiatrist, and Zhou Wenying, Assistant Director and Chief Podiatrist from the Podiatry Department.
Assistant Director Wenying highlighted the advantages of this new training method, noting that traditional diabetic foot screening training, which involved direct clinical learning, could take about a week or 40 hours. The VR course aims to cut training time by 60%, reducing labour costs and allowing podiatrists to focus more on treating high-risk patients.
Although the VR course offers the benefit of repeated practice and simulated scenarios, some limitations remain. Lee Min Ting, a nurse who has completed the course, expressed her appreciation for the realistic simulations provided by the VR technology. She noted that the ability to repeat scenarios until mastering the procedures has significantly boosted her confidence compared to traditional methods.
However, Senior Endocrinology Nurse Li Pei Shi pointed out a key limitation: the absence of tactile feedback. She noted that while the VR training enables repeated practice, it does not replicate the sense of touch experienced during actual patient interactions, such as applying appropriate pressure during the monofilament test.
Despite this, the introduction of VR technology into diabetic foot screening training represents a significant advancement, promising to enhance training efficiency and effectiveness in the medical field. As more staff undergo this innovative training, the project is set to make a substantial impact on the quality of diabetic foot care.
Tan Tock Seng Hospital is advancing diabetes management by harnessing cutting-edge technology and forging key partnerships. Their collaboration with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), and the development of innovative tools such as virtual reality training illustrate their commitment to transforming diabetes care and addressing complications more effectively.
The WellFeet app, created by NTU Singapore and in partnership with Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National Healthcare Group, tackles the challenges of diabetes by offering comprehensive education and monitoring tools.
After a successful month-long trial with 40 patient-caregiver pairs from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, WellFeet demonstrated significant improvements in foot care and diabetes management. Expanded testing with 835 additional participants across Singapore further confirmed the app’s potential to revolutionise diabetic care nationwide.
WellFeet offers multilingual animated content in English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil, ensuring accessibility for all Singaporeans. With plans to integrate AI and health coaching, its mid-2024 release is set to significantly advance diabetes care, providing users with crucial support and knowledge.
Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s adoption of VR training and other technology highlights its commitment to advancing diabetes care. These innovations promise to improve training efficiency and patient outcomes, setting new benchmarks in managing diabetes in Singapore.
