Telerobotics in healthcare: The future of remote healing

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• April 16, 2024

Insight summary

Telerobotics is transforming how doctors diagnose and treat patients, allowing them to conduct procedures and exams from afar with the help of remote-controlled robots. This technology promises quicker, less invasive diagnoses and will enable surgeries across great distances. As telerobotics evolves, it could democratize healthcare, making it more accessible to remote areas and reducing the environmental impact of medical travel.

Telerobotics in healthcare context

Telerobotics, or telepresence, extends the reach of medical professionals beyond traditional boundaries, enabling them to perform diagnostics and even surgical procedures from afar. Remote-controlled robots act as extensions of healthcare providers, allowing them to interact with patients and their internal conditions without being physically present. This leap forward in medical technology was inspired by early visions of telepresence, dating back to the 1940s with Robert A. Heinlein's short story, "Waldo," and has evolved to the point where startups are developing miniature robotic systems capable of navigating the human digestive tract. 

For example, California-based startup Endiatx has developed PillBot, a tiny robotic drone designed to be swallowed by patients. Controlled remotely, these drones provide real-time video feedback to doctors, enabling them to inspect the stomach and other parts of the digestive system without invasive procedures. This technology not only promises to make diagnoses faster and less complicated but also offers a glimpse into a future where medical examinations can be conducted from the comfort of a patient's home. 

Beyond just diagnostics, the technology hints at a future where surgical and therapeutic interventions can be performed remotely, breaking down geographical barriers to specialized medical care. As these technologies advance, they may enable doctors to perform delicate surgeries or administer treatments across vast distances, potentially transforming the global healthcare landscape. Such technologies include articulated robots, snake-like robots, and concentric-tube robots, each designed for specific medical applications and offering unique capabilities like access to confined spaces and precise movement control.

Disruptive impact

Telerobotics, such as remote surgery robots, can reduce the time and costs associated with travel for both healthcare professionals and patients, especially those living in rural or underserved areas. As such, access to specialized medical care is significantly expanded, improving patient outcomes and healthcare equity. Additionally, it allows for real-time collaboration among global experts during complex procedures, enhancing the quality of care through shared expertise.

Medical students and professionals can observe and participate in surgical procedures from anywhere globally, thus broadening their learning opportunities and exposure to various techniques and technologies. This trend also supports continuous professional development, as practitioners can easily update their skills to include the latest surgical techniques. Furthermore, it fosters a more interactive and engaging learning environment, potentially attracting more individuals to the medical field.

For healthcare systems and governments, the long-term impact of telerobotics includes more efficient resource allocation and reduced healthcare costs. By enabling remote surgeries, healthcare facilities can optimize their surgical teams' schedules and reduce the pressure on hospital resources. This technology also has the potential to reduce the disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural areas, contributing to more balanced healthcare systems. Governments may need to invest in infrastructure and regulations to support the safe and effective use of telerobotics, particularly 5G technology and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Implications of telerobotics in healthcare

Wider implications of telerobotics in healthcare may include: 

• Surgeons operating from distant locations lead to reduced carbon emissions by minimizing the need for medical travel.
• A shift in healthcare employment, with increased demand for technicians skilled in telerobotics maintenance and operation.
• Healthcare systems adopting telerobotics seeing a decrease in hospital readmission rates due to improved surgical precision and patient outcomes.
• Insurance companies adjusting coverage policies to include telerobotics-assisted procedures, influencing patient treatment options.
• Increased patient comfort and satisfaction as telerobotics allows for minimally invasive procedures with faster recovery times.
• The rise in telemedicine and remote healthcare services encouraging continuous technological advancements, improving healthcare delivery.
• Educational institutions developing new curricula to prepare future healthcare professionals for a technologically advanced medical landscape.
• Potential shifts in demographic trends as improved healthcare access and outcomes contribute to longer life expectancies.

Questions to consider

• How might telerobotics in healthcare reshape the future workforce in the medical field?
• What ethical considerations arise with the increased use of remote surgery, especially regarding patient privacy and consent?