Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant (Immersive Learning Virtual Medical Education - (ILVME))

Principal Investigator/Project Director

Marie Florent-Carre

Colleges / Centers

Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Funder

USDA

Start Date

3-2021

Abstract

Nova Southeastern University (NSU), Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM) will partner with two Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Central Florida Health Care, Inc. and Florida Community Health Center, Inc., to provide remote training in rural medicine to medical students and enhance health professional workforce capacity in rural and underserved Florida counties.

KPCOM will establish distance learning clinical training technology labs in two of the FQHC sites (hub/end-users) and deliver clinical training to medical students to enhance their clinical skills through virtual rural rotations using synchronous, dynamic, interactive teaching modalities, including virtual patient encounters. The medical students will wear virtual reality headsets that will allow them to engage in live, real-time, interactive virtual patient encounters. Through the ILVME network, KPCOM will also provide continuing medical education and training using synchronous audio and visual technology to reach healthcare professionals in four rural clinic sites through a holographic videoconferencing platform. Holographic videoconferencing platforms are designed to provide enhanced learning on a 3-dimensional (3D) scale, supporting an improved and enhanced learning experience that is more dynamic and interpersonal. This holographic technology will provide the ultimate experience of live interaction in real time with presenter and 3D printing models, such as anatomical and musculoskeletal osteopathic-manipulative treatment training transmitted to appear three dimensionally in the room for natural human communication with aligned eye contact. Training topics that will be covered via holographic videoconferencing will include COVID-19 complication topics and telehealth education strategies targeting the most vulnerable rural populations, including migrant and homeless patients.

The COVID-19 public health crisis has placed enormous challenges on FQHCs that serve rural and underserved populations. Meeting the current crisis and future public health crises necessitates innovative, advanced technology solutions to ensure high quality training for our future health care providers that are based on dynamic clinical scenarios currently taking place across the country. Providing advanced training and education in rural medicine to medical students and community health care professionals will enhance the quality of health care services delivery, improve rural patient health outcomes, and enhance the workforce capacity of rural community health clinics. KPCOM is committed to implementing ILVME as a foundation to ensure the readiness of Florida’s rural health care workforce to meet the demands of rapidly evolving public health crises.

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