Become a virtual Allied Health Professional for the day

Health Education England has developed a series of high-tech films to give striking, real-life insights into the work of four vital allied health professions (AHPs).

The films use specialist 360-degree cameras to immerse the viewer alongside patients and staff working in podiatry, therapautic radiography, prosthetics & orthotics and orthoptics.

They capture day-to-day interactions from diagnosis through to treatment. When watched through a virtual-reality headset, viewers become part of the scene, giving them a first-hand flavour of working in hospital and community settings.

Clinicians provide the narrative, explaining why they find their roles so rewarding.

The films, which coincide with AHPs Day on October 14, are designed to encourage more young people to consider training for the professions.

Beverley Harden, Allied Health Professions Lead for Health Education England, said: “Allied health professionals are one of the largest and least understood professional groups within health and care.

 “These immersive films enable people to see what its really like behind the scenes in these fabulous careers - careers they may not even have heard about, but which are the best jobs.”

The videos have been developed by Health Education England’s Technology Enhanced Learning Team, in collaboration with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. The project was led by AHP Leadership Fellow Marie-Clare Wadley.

More films are already in the pipeline featuring occupational therapy, dietetics and speech & language therapy.

You can watch the videos here.