Transforming medical training with NDI

Nick Culley, Managing Director at ExR, travels across the UK to film at NHS hospitals, collaborating with clinicians to create cutting-edge educational content. Projects vary from filming consultations and simulated emergency procedures with mannequins, to real-patient surgeries in operating theatres.

Creating training materials in a medical environment presents unique challenges. The content must both be engaging and informative, while being developed in a way that minimizes disruptions to healthcare professionals’ routines. “We strive to capture a wide range of scenarios without interfering with the day-to-day running of the medical environments, providing high-quality training material of real-world situations,” says Culley. Each shoot typically lasts a full day, and the content is edited and made available on the ExR platform after receiving approval.

To ensure all aspects of the procedures are documented, ExR has embedded NDI into their workflow. “NDI has significantly enhanced the quality and efficiency of our medical training content,” explains Culley. Utilizing 360° filming with multiple cameras in the room ensures that no critical moment is missed. Different angles are captured from remotely controlled PTZ devices, head-worn surgical cameras, body-worn mini cameras, and feeds from medical equipment displaying endoscopic views or monitoring information. “Using NDI allows us to seamlessly integrate multiple camera feeds, providing a holistic view of the procedures,” Culley adds.

Culley’s workflow also includes custom-built power solutions and a private network to control the devices. “Each piece of equipment needs to be standalone and easily movable to prioritize patient safety,” he notes. He deploys four Atomos Shogun Ultra monitors to record and review footage, and synchronizes external devices by harnessing Atomos’ wireless AirGlu technology. “We use an audio recorder, which is synched via timecode using an UltraSync One device,” Culley explains.

“NDI has enabled us to create immersive, high-calibre content that meets the needs of healthcare professionals.”