Usability of telepresence in a level 1 trauma center.

OBJECTIVES: Limited resources and the diminishing physician workforce in trauma require unique and innovative solutions. Our hypothesis is that telepresence by a remote physician is an appropriate application in an urban trauma setting. The purpose of this study is to assess user satisfaction and usability of a mobile telemedicine robot in trauma care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A usability study of trauma patient assessments utilizing the Remote Presence-7 (RP-7) robot (InTouch Health, Santa Barbara, CA) with real-time, two-way communication between remote and local physicians was conducted at a Level 1 trauma center. Usability and acceptability was measured using survey questionnaires, open-ended feedback, and general observations. Comparisons were made between remote and local physician responses. RESULTS: One hundred fourteen patient encounters utilizing telepresence were performed. Remote and local physicians expressed a high level of satisfaction with the mobility (92% and 79%, respectively), communication (97% and 90%, respectively), and visual abilities (91% and 97%, respectively) of the RP-7 robot for remote consultation purposes. On average, 89% of remote and local physician participants rated their overall telemedicine experience as "excellent" or "above average." CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that telepresence of a remote trauma surgeon may be a useful and functional adjunct in the trauma setting. Further development of these technologies could mitigate current and future concerns about gaps in rural and urban trauma care and critical care staffing shortages and during mass casualty or disaster scenarios.

Influence of social networking websites on medical school and residency selection process.

BACKGROUND: Social networking (SN) has become ubiquitous in modern culture. The potential consequences of revealing personal information through SN websites are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: To assess familiarity with, usage of, and attitudes towards, SN websites by admissions offices at US medical schools and residency programmes. METHODS: A 26-question survey was distributed in autumn 2009 to 130 US medical school admissions officers and 4926 residency programme directors accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. RESULTS: A total of 600 surveys were completed, with 46 (8%) respondents who self-identified as reviewing only medical school applications, 511 (85%) who reported reviewing residency programme applications and 43 (7%) who reported reviewing both. 90/600 (15%) medical schools or programmes maintain profiles on SN websites and 381/600 (64%) respondents reported being somewhat or very familiar with searching individual profiles on SN websites. While a minority of medical schools and residency programmes routinely use SN websites in the selection process (53/600; 9%), more than half of respondents felt that unprofessional information on applicants' SN websites could compromise their admission into medical school or residency (315/600; 53%). CONCLUSIONS: SN websites will affect selection of medical students and residents. Formal guidelines for professional behaviour on SN websites might help applicants avoid unforeseen bias in the selection process.

Surgical telepresence: the usability of a robotic communication platform.

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of telepresence in trauma and acute surgical care exist, yet its use in a live, operating room (OR) setting with real surgical cases remains limited. METHODS: We tested the use of a robotic telepresence system in the OR of a busy, level 1 trauma center. After each case, both the local and remote physicians completed questionnaires regarding the use of the system using a five point Likert scale. For trauma cases, physicians were asked to grade injury severity according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Scaling System. RESULTS: We collected prospective, observational data on 50 emergent and elective cases. 64% of cases were emergency surgery on trauma patients, almost evenly distributed between penetrating (49%) and blunt injuries (51%). 40% of non-trauma cases were hernia-related. A varied distribution of injuries was observed to the abdomen, chest, extremities, small bowel, kidneys, spleen, and colon. Physicians gave the system high ratings for its audio and visual capabilities, but identified internet connectivity and crowding in the operating room as potential challenges. The loccal clinician classified injuries according to the AAST injury grading system in 63% (n=22) of trauma cases, compared to 54% (n=19) of cases by the remote physicians. The remote physician cited obstruction of view as the main reason for the discrepancy. 94% of remote physicians and 74% of local physicians felt comfortable communicating via the telepresence system. For 90% of cases, both the remote and local physicians strongly agreed that a telepresence system for consultations in the OR is more effective than a telephone conversation. CONCLUSIONS: A telepresence system was tested on a variety of surgical cases and demonstrated that it can be an appropriate solution for use in the operating room. Future research should determine its impact on processes of care and surgical outcomes.

Enhancing trauma education worldwide through telemedicine.

Advances in information and communication technologies are changing the delivery of trauma care and education. Telemedicine is a tool that can be used to deliver expert trauma care and education anywhere in the world. Trauma is a rapidly-evolving field requiring access to readily available sources of information. Through videoconferencing, physicians can participate in continuing education activities such as Grand Rounds, seminars, conferences and journal clubs. Exemplary programs have shown promising outcomes of teleconferences such as enhanced learning, professional collaborations, and networking. This review introduces the concept of telemedicine for trauma education, and highlights efforts of programs that are utilizing telemedicine to unite institutions across the world.