This blog post will provide a comprehensive review of 3 new telemedicine studies, focusing on the following key areas: the development of innovative Internet of Things (IoT) telemedicine devices, telemedicine during the pandemic, and the environmental impact of telemedicine in bariatric surgery preoperative evaluations.
Telemedicine Studies: #1
This first section in this week’s new telemedicine studies explores a study on the advancements in telemedicine devices, highlighting their ground-breaking capabilities for accurate examinations and real-time consultations. Several innovative telemedicine devices have been designed to facilitate this process. This study comprehensively reviewed the telemedicine devices developed between 2012 and 2022. The following sections highlight some of these telemedicine devices.
Tyto Device
The Tyto device is a multifunctional pediatric tele-examination device with a built-in camera, touchscreen, and wireless communication unit. It includes a digital stethoscope, otoscope, and tongue depressor, allowing physicians to remotely examine a child’s heart, lungs, and ears. The device can facilitate live video consultations or store and forward applications, providing high-quality images and sounds for improved diagnostic accuracy.
Telepresence Robots
Telepresence robots like the Akibot are designed for remote medical consultation. These robots have been the topic of recent telemedicine studies. They feature customizable screens and modular medical devices like stethoscopes, otoscopes, and ultrasound probes. Physicians can control them through local area networks or virtual private networks. That way, physicians can interact with patients and perform examinations in real-time.
Digital Stethoscopes
Digital stethoscopes can interface with mobile communication devices. They capture heart sounds using Bluetooth technology and transmit data through mobile devices. They often incorporate noise reduction filters and advanced techniques for improved signal quality. These devices are cost-effective alternatives for remote auscultation.
Telerobotic Systems
Telerobotic systems, in recent telemedicine studies, include the Trans-Atlantic Telerobotic System introduced by Sengupta et al., enables remote ultrasonography. They consist of a device equipped with a robotic arm, an ultrasound sensor, and a primary device with a keyboard and mouse for control. These systems allow physicians to conduct ultrasound examinations remotely with robotic arms mimicking human arm movements.
Tele-Stethoscopy Systems
Tele-stethoscopy systems, like the one designed by Foche-Perez et al., combine real-time video conferencing with remote auscultation capabilities. These systems feature a chest piece connected to an electronic cabinet, which captures audio signals. The signals are transmitted to a local computer and forwarded to a remote computer via Voice over Internet Protocol client applications. Such systems provide cost-effective solutions for telemedicine auscultation.
Robotic Diagnostic Devices
Robotic diagnostic devices, such as the 4-DOF robotized medical diagnostic device introduced by Krupa et al., allow physicians to perform remote echography. These devices utilize interfaces for physician control and offer a multitask control approach, enabling real-time visualization and manipulation of ultrasound probes. They compensate for human physiological movements and give physicians complete control over the diagnostic process.
Virtual Reality and Haptic Feedback Systems
Virtual reality (VR), another popular topic in recent telemedicine studies, is presented by Emanuele et al. VR systems with haptic feedback create a virtual environment for training in ultrasonography. These systems employ haptic interfaces and 3D-printed ultrasound probes to provide realistic interaction forces with the body surface and interior elements. They offer co-located experiences, synchronizing the operator’s hand and probe display with the corresponding physical entities.
These telemedicine studies of devices demonstrate remarkable advancements in remote diagnosis and monitoring. They allow physicians to conduct thorough examinations and consultations from a distance. With ongoing technological advancements, further innovations in telemedicine devices can lead to more effective and comprehensive remote healthcare solutions.
Telemedicine Studies: #2
The second section of this week’s new telemedicine studies highlights new research on the environmental benefits of telemedicine in bariatric surgery preoperative evaluations. It will discuss the impact of carbon emissions from healthcare activities and how telemedicine addresses this issue by reducing patient travel and making evaluations more convenient.
In the United States, healthcare activities contribute to 10% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Telemedicine is increasingly used for bariatric surgery evaluations. This study aimed to evaluate the environmental impact associated with telemedicine in preoperative bariatric evaluations.
The researchers compared in-person evaluations in 2019 to telemedicine evaluations in 2021. They calculated carbon emissions using a validated formula and measured the time required for the preoperative workup. Fifty-one patients were included in the in-person evaluation group and 55 in the telemedicine evaluation group.
The results showed that telemedicine evaluations significantly reduced carbon emissions (10,225 vs. 2011.4, p<.001) compared to the 2021 cohort. The attrition rate was also lower than in-person evaluations. Moreover, the telemedicine group had a lower attrition rate than the in-person group.
The study in this week’s telemedicine studies highlights the benefits of telemedicine, including reduced patient travel and improved sustainability. In addition, this encourages bariatric providers to adopt telemedicine to enhance patient experiences and contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system with a reduced carbon footprint.
New Telemedicine Studies #3
Lastly, this final section of this week’s new telemedicine studies explores the expanding use of telemedicine since the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased global connectivity has led to significant changes in medical care and interactions between physicians and patients. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the use of telemedicine, allowing for exploring its effectiveness in different medical specialties.
Researchers in this study investigated the progress of telemedicine, its diverse functions, and its development since the COVID-19 pandemic across various medical specialties. Researchers utilized PubMed to review published studies. These studies either incorporated telehealth resources in their research or assessed the efficacy of telehealth in different medical fields.
The study revealed several examples of telemedicine’s application in the following areas.
- Cardiology: This one study among telemedicine studies involved 778 hypertensive patients and demonstrated a significant improvement in outcomes when utilizing home blood pressure monitoring and virtual pharmacist care management compared to standard practices.
- Medical Care Usage: Across various medical specialties, telemedicine is more beneficial in managing chronic diseases rather than acute medical conditions.
- Compared to traditional in-person care: The assessment and treatment provided through telemedicine did not show an increased risk of acute decompensation necessitating emergency room services or hospitalization.
- Patient satisfaction: A survey conducted at Penn Medicine with 800 patients revealed that 67% of respondents considered their video or telephone visits to be “as good or better” than standard in-person visits. Another survey, conducted in 2020 with 1,011 patients at the University of Michigan Medicine, demonstrated a similar high level of satisfaction among both first-time users and repeat telemedicine patients.
Telemedicine Studies Summary
Collectively, these telemedicine studies reinforce the growing significance of telemedicine in shaping the future of healthcare. With ongoing technological advancements and increasing adoption, telemedicine holds the potential to revolutionize medical care, making it more accessible, sustainable, and patient-centered. As we continue to explore the possibilities and embrace the benefits of telemedicine, we pave the way for a more inclusive, efficient, and comprehensive healthcare system.
Visit the Tenovi Blog for more recent telemedicine studies, published weekly on Mondays.
