Utilising Microsoft HoloLens2 to deliver remote clinical placement experiences as part of a simulated placement model in higher education: Challenges and solutions

Clinical placement experience is a fundamental component of healthcare training. Higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly incorporating simulated placement activities into their training programmes to expand placement experience and meet professional requirements. The national orthoptic Clinical Placement Expansion Project (CPEP) represented a collaboration between the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS) and two universities that deliver orthoptic undergraduate degree programmes, with funding awarded from Health Education England (now NHS England). CPEP was a novel opportunity to incorporate authentic clinical resources and live patient interactions into teaching and build a bespoke portal of video resources to augment clinical experience. This reflection outlines barriers encountered and solutions determined during the project; these insights could be valuable to others within healthcare organisations or HEIs with intentions to expand placement capacity using a similar approach. Barriers included variation in data protection requirements and digital maturity of trusts, funding limitations, resource constraints, and technical and logistical complications. Proposed solutions include effective teamworking and project management, information sharing, and careful consideration regarding the digital maturity and the time availability and reward of clinical educators. Development of a national standard for remote placement provision would facilitate expansion of this approach to other professions and trusts nationwide. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.