RealWearthey will be releasing a new model of their smart glasses designed specifically for frontline workers Provide Community, an employee-owned community interest company with headquarters in Essex, UK, has successfully deployed RealWear smart glasses.
Provide Community, which employs over 1,200 people and serves a population of 11 million people, delivers a broad range of health and social care services and works from a variety of community settings, such as community hospitals, community clinics, residential care homes and primary care settings, as well as within peoples’ homes.
The company investigated the potential of using wearable technology to facilitate immediate communication between individual employees and larger teams, with the goal of enhancing care delivery in communities. After conducting additional research with its clinical teams, it was discovered that there were opportunities to minimize the need for two-person visits and repeated trips in Community Nursing. Consequently, Provide Community decided to implement RealWear’s smart glasses, which would allow community care clinicians and podiatrists to communicate in real-time for clinics situated throughout the area.
RealWear states that the Navigator 500 smart glasses have been utilized by Provide Community, with a total of 35 devices deployed. These glasses enable hands-free navigation, feature a user interface controlled by voice commands, support third-party applications, and provide access to cloud-based services. Additionally, they are designed to be both durable and comfortable.
After a preliminary visit and patient assessment, the Provide Community team members used to be required to schedule another appointment with a senior clinician to join them. However, with the introduction of RealWear smart glasses, clinicians can now stream appointments live and seek immediate assistance from their colleagues.
The Navigator 500 is mainly utilized as a video collaboration tool that enables remote assistance through a front-facing camera. Additionally, it has the capability to capture patient photos and instantly transfer them to the clinician’s computer for further analysis and guidance.
The implementation effort resulted in a partnership with Provide Community’s podiatry team. They decided to concentrate on assisting newly qualified podiatrists and junior staff members. By using RealWear headsets, experienced podiatrists were able to offer virtual and remote support to their junior colleagues, eliminating the need for physical travel to provide direct assistance. This approach addressed various logistical and practical challenges.
According to Provide Community, the implementation of RealWear smart glasses has broadened the capabilities of the podiatry team. Most new learners are now receiving support through smart glasses and communicating with experienced professionals through video calls. This deployment has also increased the reach and capacity of experienced podiatrists in the team by 50%. Additionally, the company claims that the same level of care can be delivered while ensuring safety, effectiveness, satisfaction, and avoiding any delays.
Kez Spelman, Director of Innovation and Community Resilience at Provide Community, stated: “RealWear’s simplicity, durability and ruggedness meant that its devices stood out from a clinical perspective. It’s important to note that this solution is not about replacing people or the human touch that’s so central to compassionate care; it’s about facilitating on-the-job learning through a communication system, creating an experience that closely resembles having an experienced professional in the room.”
Spelman stated that it has been recognized that individuals have a greater recovery experience when they are in their own homes. As we progress into the future, there is a focus on enhancing the provision of care to individuals in their homes. Being in a familiar environment like home makes people feel more at ease, and this preference leads to improved results. Realwear technology plays a supportive role in aligning with this care principle.
Dr. Chris Parkinson, CEO and Co-Founder of RealWear, also expressed his thoughts on the deployment. He mentioned that their smart glasses have gained traction as an affordable solution to aid the NHS in their digital transformation initiatives, enabling enhanced and quicker patient care at a reduced expense. Dr. Parkinson encourages NHS Trusts and other entities to consider incorporating RealWear smart glasses as a regular tool for their professionals.
For more information on RealWear and its smart glasses solutions for virtual and remote assistance, please visit the company’s website.
