Researching Digital Innovation in Healthcare

At Digital Futures, we evaluate and explore how cutting-edge technologies can transform clinical care, training pathways, and patient experiences. Our research underpins every solution we create, ensuring it meets the needs of healthcare professionals, patients, and the wider NHS.

Exploring the Future of Digital Healthcare

Our research spans several groundbreaking areas, designed to assess the value, usability, and real-world impact of innovative technologies in healthcare. Here are three key areas of focus:

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Immersive Technologies in Training & Education

Exploring the use of VR, AR, and 360° content to create immersive learning experiences for clinical teams. By simulating real-world scenarios, we aim to improve skill acquisition, decision-making, and patient safety.

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Enhancing Accessibility with Digital Tools

Developing solutions like wearable devices, mobile apps, and digital education tools that address specific challenges in rural and underserved communities.

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Closing the Digital Literacy Gap

Empowering healthcare professionals with the skills to adopt and integrate digital tools into their workflows. We help teams overcome barriers to technology adoption, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital transformation of healthcare

Why Our Research Matters

Our research doesn't just push the boundaries of technology—it directly impacts the future of healthcare delivery. Here's how our work benefits the healthcare ecosystem:

Improved Patient Outcomes: Identifying digital solutions that enhance diagnosis, treatment, and overall patient care.

Empowered Healthcare Professionals: Providing tools and training that boost confidence and effectiveness in clinical environments.

Equitable Care Delivery: Addressing health inequalities by designing accessible and inclusive solutions for diverse populations.

Sustainable Transformation: Building evidence-based frameworks that ensure digital interventions are scalable, sustainable, and impactful long-term.

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Our Research Methodology

Our research methodology combines rigorous evaluation with a collaborative ethos. By partnering with healthcare professionals, technologists, and researchers, we ensure that our solutions are both effective and practical.

Identifying Challenges: Working directly with clinical teams to understand their pain points and priorities.

Co-Designing Solutions: Collaborating with end-users to ensure digital tools address real-world needs.

Prototyping and Testing: Developing and piloting technologies in clinical environments to evaluate usability and effectiveness.

Measuring Impact: Using robust data collection and analysis to assess outcomes, from improved workflows to enhanced patient satisfaction.

Scaling Success: Sharing insights and frameworks with national and regional partners to ensure scalability and sustainability

Take a look at our Research

View our Publications, Articles and Innovation Blog

Mixed reality for remote consulting

For use within a breast care unit.

Eye Tracking Wheelchair

A wheelchair drivable through your eyes for accessibility.

Rheumatology Questionnaire

A interactive uestionnaire for diagnosis of rheumatic diseases for children

Sexual harassment in the healthcare workforce: what next?

An NHS project created training to help staff tackle sexual harassment and change workplace culture.

Evaluation Techniques Used To Evaluate Healthcare Extended Reality (XR)

Evaluating the use of XR, processes of user engagement and immersion, and outcomes.

Adolescents Mental Health Application

Explore, relax, and prepare: hospital app supporting anxious adolescents.

XR Community Simulation Project

Exploring the use of XR technology to bridge the realism gap inherent within simulations that focus on community care environments.

VR for Womens Health

VR to improve female health outcomes: Review of use cases, technologies, content, research and evaluation practices, barriers, and solutions

Stop Before You Block- 360 Video Training

Immersive 360-degree video films programme for non-technical skills education

Virtual Wembury VR Exercise Bike for Rehabilitation

Using immersive VR exercise bike for rehabilitating ICU patients

Podiatry anxiety and pain distraction using VR

Evaluating the application of VR in a clinical distraction setting.

VR Team Talk Workshops

Gamified VR for teaching effective communication