About
Carl Heffernan is a Lecturer Practitioner in Physician Associate studies at Bournemouth University (since 2020) and a Consultant in Acute Medicine at University Hospitals Dorset (since 2018). He leads simulation initiatives at Poole Hospital and represents BU's Medical Science department in simulation strategy. His work focuses on integrating Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into medical education, collaborating with BU's Faculty of Science and Technology on projects like VR communication training for aggressive patient interactions.
Education Background:
- Masters in Medical Education (UCL, 2023)
- PGDip Leadership and Management in Healthcare (University of Southampton, 2017)
- MBBS in Medicine (Norwich Medical School, 2009)
Research Interests: He pioneers VR simulation for healthcare professionals and students, exploring AI applications to enhance patient-staff communication and medical education accessibility. Recent projects include AI-generated videos for reflective practice and VR-based training scenarios.
Awards & Recognition:
- Senior Fellow, Advance HE (2023)
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (2020)
Teaching & Advising: Teaches modules on general medicine, emergency care, and preparation for national exams in the MSc Physician Associate program. Actively involved in designing OSCE and SBA assessments for student evaluation.
Labs/Teams: Leads the Simulation Innovation Group at Poole Hospital and collaborates with BU's Centre of Fusion and Excellence on AI-driven healthcare projects.
