Impact of Robotic Telemedicine in a Remote Community in Canada

Abstract

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. Keywords-robotic, telemedicine I.