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turn on the torch of the smart device in the home to light
up dark rooms for visibility.
This application is accessed via a hyperlink that
is texted or emailed to a smartphone controlled by a
trusted visitor, such as a relative or member of a third
sector organisation.
Once opened by the trusted visitor, the hyperlink
allows the visitor to communicate with the occupational
therapist via a video call. The trusted visitor would then
walk around the property showing the hospital-based
occupational therapist each room.
They can be instructed to take measurements or
discuss the layout of the rooms. While this is happening,
the occupational therapist can be with the patient in the
hospital discussing the home environment in real time.
Funding and research and development
There have been three funded projects to develop ViVA.
In 2016-17, we started with a small amount of funding
to develop the prototype technology and tested out the
concept of a ‘remote home visit’.
We conducted four simulated home visits,
developing a protocol for the assessments. (Read et al
2020).
This project enabled the development of the
technology to meet the requirements of health and
care services and the development of a protocol for
conducting remote home visits.
In 2018, we applied to a health and social care
partnership fund, winning the ‘Dragon’s Den’ pitch to
get £22,000 to fund the second ViVA project.
The aim of the project was to expand the
collaborative partnership and explore the views of
healthcare professionals and patients on using digital
technology to conduct remote visits/consultations.
We developed collaborations with a second
university, a county council, voluntary sector
organisations and wider health and social care partners.
This wider collaboration allowed us to explore the
perceived barriers and facilitators associated with
the successful deployment and use of this type of
technology within the NHS and social care.