Atrial fibrillation (AF) is where the heart can develop an irregular rhythm, leading to life threatening consequences. AF is a clinical priority for the NHS as early detection and intervention by healthcare professionals, can save lives. The challenge is that AF can be undetected with no visible signs a person may have it, in some cases. One way to screen for atrial fibrillation (AF) is by knowing how to check your pulse and recognise a regular heart rhythm from an irregular rhythm. An irregular rhythm should prompt a clinic appointment with a GP or other health professional for further investigation.
Virtual Health SHED Ltd (VHS) a local Staffordshire based company, were commissioned to help by Staffordshire sustainability and transformation partnership’s (STP) Technology-Enabled Care Services Programme digital workstream. Luke Bracegirdle (VHS) worked with a clinical team consisting of Prof. Ruth Chambers (STP), Dr Thanh Phan (Cardiologist, Royal Stoke University Hospital) and Kevin McGibbon (AF Nurse) to create two innovative apps using augmented reality (AR) to engage and help inform members of the general public. Patients with AF were also involved in the app design and appear in the app virtually.
Know My Beat app focuses on how a person without any healthcare experience can learn to check their pulse and detect possible AF. It uses the vibrate feature on many smartphones to simulate a regular and irregular pulse. Know My Heart app aims to educate patients who have been diagnosed with AF to understand their condition, its potential consequences and adhere to prescribed medication.
The apps have received widespread interest. Staffordshire based Weatherspoon’s pubs featured the app as part of a drinks mat campaign, where those visiting can scan the drinks mat to trigger the augmented reality content. ‘Virtual’ healthcare professionals appear on screen to show you how to take your pulse and what to look for.
The two apps were published in the British Journal of General Practice (Phan T, Bracegirdle L, Chambers R. Engaging patients and triggering self-care: using Intelligent Augmented Reality apps. BJGP 2020; 97: 124)
https://bjgp.org/content/70/692/124
Since their launch, the apps are receiving over a installs per month, just from users in the locality. The project seeks to promote the work beyond Staffordshire and to patients via the NHS at scale.
The next stage of the project also extends the clinical conditions the project team will address, by including information for Type 2 diabetes patients. A new Alexa Skill has been developed by Virtual Health SHED working with Prof. Ruth Chambers (STP) to help patients understand more about diabetes from any Alexa-enabled device. To install this Alexa Skill, just search for My Diabetes on the Amazon Alexa app, in the ‘Skills & Games’ section.
Since their launch, the apps are receiving over a installs per month, just from users in the locality. The project seeks to promote the work beyond Staffordshire and to patients via the NHS at scale.
The next stage of the project also extends the clinical conditions the project team will address, by including information for Type 2 diabetes patients. A new Alexa Skill has been developed by Virtual Health SHED working with Prof. Ruth Chambers (STP) to help patients understand more about diabetes from any Alexa-enabled device. To install this Alexa Skill, just search for My Diabetes on the Amazon Alexa app, in the ‘Skills & Games’ section.
Virtual Health SHED specialise in creating digital media for clinical training and increasing the ‘reach’ of public health information by developing for a wide range of digital devices. They offer a combination of clinical and academic experience as well as digital development skills.For more information on the project and the services Virtual Health SHED offer, please contact us at info@vhshed.com or +44 (0)1782 478 248.
Full details on how find these resources on Amazon, Apple and Google Play App Stores
Know My Beat: https://www.virtualhealthshed.com/know-my-beat/
Know My Heart: https://www.virtualhealthshed.com/know-my-heart/
My Diabetes Alexa Skill: https://www.virtualhealthshed.com/my-diabetes-alexa-skill/
Estates & Technological Transformation funds were awarded to Staffordshire STP’s Technology-Enabled Care Services Programme digital workstream to commission this work.