Investigating the Use of Head Mounted Devices for Remote Cooperation and Guidance during the Treatment of Wounds

Abstract

Professional caregivers often face complex situations in which they need the support of a colleague or a specialist. This is especially necessary for caregivers during their training or with less practice in certain tasks. Due to time and space restrictions, colleagues or specialists are not always available for local support. Remote support by streaming videos to a remote helper has been discussed in healthcare domains as a so-called teleconsultation. However, little is known about how to apply teleconsultation in care. We conducted a study with caregivers and remote helpers to compare head mounted devices (HMDs) for teleconsultation in care to two alternative solutions using smartphones. We found that despite lacking familiarity, HMDs have good potential for remote support in care, and that creating video streams with smartphones is not preferable for teleconsultations. We suggest that ideal support needs to balance freedom and guidance and suggest how such support needs to be further explored.

An Augmented Reality Application for Wound Management: Enhancing Nurses’ Autonomy, Competence and Connectedness

“…Interestingly, none of the interviewees expected patients to have severe problems with the nurses wearing AR glasses if they explain this properly to the patient before [9]. In contrast to [16] and our study, [9] used another device, which is far less bulky, has no shades, and reminds one more of a pair of conventional glasses. Additionally, the ongoing technological improvements in hardware could resolve this obstacle in the future.…”

“…However, in the study conducted by Janssen and Prilla [9], in which caregivers tested AR glasses in a comparable nursing scenario, participants expressed less concerns regarding the patient's acceptance towards AR glasses. Interestingly, none of the interviewees expected patients to have severe problems with the nurses wearing AR glasses if they explain this properly to the patient before [9]. In contrast to [16] and our study, [9] used another device, which is far less bulky, has no shades, and reminds one more of a pair of conventional glasses.…”

“…Here, some surveyed participants found that caregivers wearing smart glasses look inhumane, as their eyes can hardly be seen, and found it difficult to build a trusting relationship with this person [16]. However, in the study conducted by Janssen and Prilla [9], in which caregivers tested AR glasses in a comparable nursing scenario, participants expressed less concerns regarding the patient's acceptance towards AR glasses. Interestingly, none of the interviewees expected patients to have severe problems with the nurses wearing AR glasses if they explain this properly to the patient before [9].…”

“…In line with this, new approaches to use technologies, such as extended reality, are now entering the healthcare sector [6][7][8][9]. Among them, Augmented Reality (AR) glasses are a promising technology to support nursing processes [7].…”

“…Based on the framework for task-technology fit, a model which suggests a strong connection between the requirements of a task and the characteristics of a technology when it comes to adoption and human performance, AR glasses are advantageous to optimize the use of space, as well as for tasks that need to be performed in a timely, hands-free manner, and with continuous attention [10]. In relation to nursing, this gives rise to a wide range of applications, such as to support medication dispensation [11][12][13][14] or wound care [9,15]. Information can be retrieved in a timely manner in front of the patient, or while performing a nursing task.…”