Pilot Test of a Collaborative 'Helping Hands' Tele-Assistance System for the Development of Clinical Skills

The development and acquisition of clinical skills take time and practice. Access to expertise and guidance to perform clinical (patient care) procedures can be difficult, especially in real-world clinical settings. We developed an innovative, collaborative tele-assistance system that provided remote guidance to nursing students in the development of procedural skills. Proof of concept was demonstrated. Instructors were able to guide learners in undertaking procedures remotely using the "helping hands" technology. Such technology has the potential to improve health professional education in the workplace.