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Publications
Investigating the use of Virtual Reality (VR) to provide enhanced consent and support patient counselling for Shockwave Lithotripsy (SWL).
Solomon Bracey, Phoebe Reynolds, Ameila Pietropaolo, Dara Bamerni, Loretta Tear, Tanya Davis, Maria Frascheri, Bhaskar Somani.
Enhanced consent and patient counselling using Virtual Reality for patients undergoing Outpatient Urological Interventions: Prospective outcomes from a university teaching hospital
Arianna Pischetola, Phoebe C J Reynolds, Dara Bamerni, Tanya Davis, Loretta Tear, Amelia Pietropaolo, Florencia Maria Frascheri, Anna Cornwall, Bhaskar K Somani
The Role of Virtual Reality in Enhancing Informed Consent for Shock Wave Lithotripsy: A Mixed-Methods Study of Physician and Patient Perspectives
Bhaskar K Somani, Phoebe CJ Reynolds
Enhanced consent and patient counselling using virtual reality for
patients undergoing shockwave lithotripsy: prospective outcomes
from a university teaching hospital
Dara Bamerni, Loretta Tear, Tanya Davis, Phoebe C. J. Reynolds, Amelia Pietropaolo, Bhaskar K. Somani
Interested in joining our research network? Surgassists actively collaborates with NHS and European clinical centres. We welcome consultant surgeons, specialist nurses, and academic partners to contribute to our growing evidence base for immersive patient consent.
Supporting Evidence
Litigation claims in Urology in the UK National Health
Service: an analysis of the trends, costs and causes
over a 16-year period
Abhinav Tiwari, Jenni Lane and Bhaskar Somani
Urology Malpractice Litigation and Complaints Referred to the
General Medical Council: A UK-based analysis of Trends,
Demographics, and Outcomes over the Last Two Decades
Abhinav Tiwari, Jenni Lanea, Bhaskar K. Somani
Improving Patient Information and Enhanced Consent in Urology: The Impact of Simulation and Multimedia Tools
Nedbal C, Juliebø-Jones P, Rogers E, N'Dow J, Ribal M, Rassweiler J, Liatsikos E, Van Poppel H, Somani BK
Role of virtual reality in enhanced consent for endourological procedures: Clinician and patient perspective — Analysis from EAU Endourology
Bhaskar Somani, Phoebe Reynolds
Enhanced consent and patient counselling using virtual reality (VR) glasses for patients undergoing shockwave lithotripsy (SWL): Prospective outcomes from a university teaching hospital
Dara Bamerni, Loretta Tear, Tanya Davis, Phoebe Reynolds, Amelia Pietropaolo, Bhaskar Somani
Frequently Asked Questions
Surgassists is designed to support and enhance the informed consent process, not replace clinician-led consent conversations. Following the landmark Montgomery v Lanarkshire ruling, patients must be made aware of all material risks in a way they can genuinely understand. Our research demonstrates that immersive VR and AR consent tools significantly improve patient comprehension of procedures and associated risks directly supporting the standard required. Surgassists should be used alongside, and documented as part of, your existing consent pathway.
Virtual Reality (VR) immerses the patient in a fully computer-generated environment using a headset. The patient is transported into a calm, 3D clinical setting where they can visualise the procedure from a first-person perspective, including life-size anatomical structures and instrument pathways.
Augmented Reality (AR) overlays 3D anatomical content onto the real world for example, projecting a life-size kidney or bladder into the consultation room via a tablet or AR glasses.
Yes. Modules can be shared with patients via a secure link prior to their clinic or procedure date, allowing them to watch at home on a smartphone, tablet, or compatible VR headset if they have one. Providing the module ahead of attendance means patients arrive better prepared, with more informed questions — improving the quality of the consent conversation and reducing avoidable cancellations.
Surgassists modules do not require patients to create an account or enter any personal data to access the content. Usage analytics (such as module completion rates) can be collected at a departmental level for reporting purposes, but no patient-identifiable information is stored within the Surgassists platform. Full data processing documentation is available on request for your Information Governance and DTAC submission.
Each Surgassists procedure module is 2–5 minutes in length specifically designed to fit within a standard outpatient appointment. Modules can be viewed in the waiting area prior to the clinician consultation, or sent to the patient digitally to watch at home before attending. This approach means the clinician's consent conversation can focus on questions and shared decision-making, rather than basic procedural explanation.