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UCL IXN and GOSH DRIVE: digital innovation to help children in hospital
The UCL Industry Exchange Network (UCL IXN), run by UCL Computer Science, has conducted over 90 projects with Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
The famous Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is one of the world's leading children's hospitals. It is also the clinical partner of the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (GOS ICH) and, together, they form Europe's largest centre for paediatric health research.
UCL is the academic founder of GOSH DRIVE, the hospital's Digital Research, Informatics and Virtual Environments unit. The unit uses data and technology, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), to enhance healthcare. It's not only patients who benefit from GOSH DRIVE's work but also their families, hospital staff and the wider NHS.
Since 2018, GOSH DRIVE has run more than 90 pioneering projects with UCL Computer Science students. Students have produced prototype mobile phone games, apps and websites, generated AR, VR and mixed reality experiences, and worked with the robots, Sota and Jibo. The international paediatric journal Archives of Disease in Childhood from the BMJ has published 31 abstracts based on the UCL IXN research. The GOSH conference and the Child Health Technology Conference have showcased many more.
The UCL IXN and GOSH partnership has yielded a diverse range of digital tools. These include a parents' guide to paediatric intensive care units and patient passports to record information about a condition. The 'Hear Me Out' app was developed when GOSH's Audiology Team wanted to assist young people transitioning to adult hospitals.
The HoloRepository takes MRI and CT scans and uses AR and machine learning to render 3D anatomical models. Supported by Intel UK, the Holo Repository creates holograms that are used for teaching purposes or as an explainer for patients. In addition, a collaboration with The Apperta Foundation and ToukanLabs is exploring the application for eye health. The technology could be used to detect age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.
The students' work experience with GOSH DRIVE advances their technical skills, and they appreciate how their code can improve lives. But GOSH gains too. Healthcare professionals learn about the capabilities of technology and the limitations posed by privacy and security. UCL IXN also allows GOSH DRIVE to develop ideas rapidly and test them directly with patients, all in a risk-free environment.
“GOSH DRIVE is delighted to collaborate with the UCL IXN programme. Healthcare technology is a rapidly growing field of interest, with the potential to have a significant impact on future medical practice. The IXN Programme, led by Dr Dean Mohamedally and Dr Graham Roberts, allows us to engage with talented and enthusiastic computer science students who are keen to develop technology that has the potential to change lives. We are looking forward to continuing to support IXN students through our DRIVE informatics programme.
Professor Neil Sebire, Chief Research Information Officer and DRIVE Managing Director
To learn more about partnering with UCL IXN, contact UCL Computer Science's Strategic Alliances Team
Find out more about Student projects on FHIR for healthcare interoperability