The project stemmed from discussions between Professor Lo and Microsoft’s Research team in 2019, after being made aware of the technology. The discussions initially centred around increasing access to care in low to middle income countries. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the trial pivoted to focus on clinical testing in Glasgow in 2020, with trials commencing through the West of Scotland Innovation Hub.
Seeing immunocompromised patients in a safe manner without comprising on quality of care has been an incredible challenge for health services over the last two years, a fact Professor Lo is cognisant of when he says: “Microsoft’s Holoportation communication technology was hugely beneficial during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, where seeing patients face-to-face was a challenge.
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“We have also had really positive feedback from the patients who have been part of the trial.”
He added: “We have worked closely with the Microsoft Research team on this solution and our role has been to apply this technology to ensure that it is specifically fit-to-purpose for both patients and clinicians. Critically, the patient’s voice has been included early and strongly in the development of the Holoportation system.
“Early data indicates that Holoportation aligns more closely with a face-to-face consultation than a standard 2D telemedicine consultation. As we progress to the randomised trial stage, we hope to see more encouraging results with the view of one day bringing a service to people in remote parts of the country.”
