Closing the Gap
Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine has added an exciting innovative technological tool to its instruction toolbox to implement remote patient care learning.
The school is now using the Hippo virtual care device in our “Intro to Patient Care course in the Freshman Year”. Hippo is voice-activated, hands-free, and resembles goggles. It brings streaming doctor-patient visits from clinics to the classroom for a real-time clinical experience.
It allows healthcare providers and educators to bridge the gap between physical and virtual care. Due to the limitations of meeting in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote healthcare and learning became an essential part of growing and connecting as students and medical professionals.
“The practice of medicine is ever-changing. Here at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, we are up to date with the latest technology to address this new world’s challenges.” Professor Dr. Rodriguez-Anaya explains. Due to limitations of meeting face-to-face, Barry recruited doctors to create educational videos. With the device, students can see patients in real-time as if they were in the clinic. The doctor can be heard through the device and the student can ask questions. Hippo offers students a physician’s point-of-view.
“Hippo technology allows us to continue our clinical education experience and expand into areas that we were not allowed before,” she says.
“The Hippo technology will enable us to stream doctor-patient visits to our classrooms, for real-time clinical experience for our first-year students. Beyond further elevating the cutting-edge educational experience for our students, we anticipate utilizing Hippo on medical mission trips, connecting underserved communities with our world-class providers.”
There are many additional perks to using Hippo that may not be immediately apparent, including community-building. Azariya McClendon, class of 2024, believes “Hippo will also help students early in their medical school career build long-lasting professional relationships with surrounding physicians.”
Shane Massey, also class of 2024, observes that the tool deepens opportunities for understanding curriculum. “Applying our learning to real life situations makes our educational experience less about simply passing classes and more about learning the skills and techniques necessary to becoming great physicians.” Alexis Mugno, who is a second year resident in the field at Jackson North, says these real world experiences will enrich “young student-doctor’s education and bedside manner.”
Patients need not worry, either. Hippo is HIPPA compliant and safe for users and patients. It’s linked to a secure stream that is password-protected and securely tied to one user.
Sheena Cherukara, who will graduate in 2024, says of the device, “I have a great feeling that this will heighten the field of podiatric medicine in the long run for many of us students, professors, and health care professionals.”
Barry University is a university founded in 1940 in Miami Shores, Florida. The university offers more than 100 degree programs in six schools and two colleges, including the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, one of only nine podiatric medical schools in the United States.