The next challenge for WOrld wide Robotized Tele-Echography eXperiment (WORTEX 2012): From engineering success to healthcare delivery

Abstract

Access to good quality healthcare remains
\ndifficult for many patients whether they live in developed or
\ndeveloping countries. In developed countries, specialist medical
\nexpertise is concentrated in major hospitals in urban settings
\nboth to improve clinical outcomes and as a strategy to reduce
\nthe costs of specialist healthcare delivery. In developing
\ncountries, millions of people have limited, if any, routine access
\nto a healthcare system and due to economic and cultural factors
\nthe accessibility of any services may be restricted. In both
\ncases, geographical, socio-political, cultural and economic
\nfactors produce ‘medically isolated areas’ where patients find
\nthemselves disadvantaged in terms of timely diagnosis and
\nexpert and/or expensive treatment. The robotized teleechography
\napproach, also referred to as robotized teleultrasound,
\noffers a potential solution to diagnostic imaging in
\nmedically isolated areas. It is designed for patients requiring
\nultrasound scans for routine care (e.g., ante natal care) and for
\ndiagnostic imaging to investigate acute and medical
\nemergencies conditions, including trauma care and responses to
\nnatural disasters such as earthquakes. The robotized teleechography
\nsystem can hold any standard ultrasound probe;
\nthis lightweight system is positioned on the patient’s body by a
\nhealthcare assistant. The medical expert, a clinician with
\nexpertise in ultrasound imaging and diagnosis, is in a distant
\nlocation and, using a dedicated joystick, remotely controls the
\nscanning via any available communication link (Internet,
\nsatellite). The WORTEX2012 intercontinental trials of the
\nsystem conducted last year successfully demonstrated the
\nfeasibility of remote robotized tele-echography in a range of
\ncultural, technical and clinical contexts. In addition to the
\nengineering success, these trials provided positive feedback
\nfrom the participating clinicians and patients on using the
\nsystem and on the system’s perceived potential to transform
\nhealthcare in medically isolated areas. The next challenge is to
\nshow evidence that this innovative technology can deliver on its
\npromise if introduced into routine healthcare.