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Impact of Robotic Telemedicine in a Remote Community in Canada

Authors:
Michael Jong

Keywords: robotic, telemedicine

Abstract:
Mortality and morbidity is higher for patients living in remote Canada. A telerobotic demonstration project was conducted in a remote community of 1500 in northern Labrador. A wireless, mobile robot allows the physician to be virtually present. The physician uses a laptop to move the robot unfettered and zoom and pan the camera, while freely interacting with patients and nurses. The evaluation focused on: access, quality, acceptability and costs as they related to the nurses, attending physicians, patients and the healthcare delivery in Nain. The number of telerobotics encounters was 157. The evaluation findings indicate a positive impact on the health care delivery from the perspective of patients, nurses, physicians and health care system. The findings of this evaluation indicate that remote robotic presence can have a positive impact on health care delivery in northern Canada.

Pages: 168 to 171

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2013

Publication date: February 24, 2013

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4359

ISBN: 978-1-61208-252-3

Location: Nice, France

Dates: from February 24, 2013 to March 1, 2013