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Review
. 2009 Jul;33(7):1356-65.
doi: 10.1007/s00268-009-0036-0.

Overcoming distance: video-conferencing as a clinical and educational tool among surgeons

Knut Magne Augestad  1 , Rolv Ole Lindsetmo
Affiliations
Review

Overcoming distance: video-conferencing as a clinical and educational tool among surgeons

Knut Magne Augestad et al. World J Surg. 2009 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Since the 1960s, there has been substantial development in the uses of video-conferencing (VC) among medical personnel, including surgeons who have adopted the technology.

Methods: A report on our own experience with VC was combined with a comprehensive PubMed search with the key words telepresence, video-conferencing, video-teleconferencing, telementoring and surgery, trauma, follow-up, education, and multidisciplinary teams. A search through two peer-reviewed telemedicine journals -- Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare and Telemedicine and e-Health Journal -- and references of all included papers and identified additional reports was conducted.

Results: A total of 517 articles were identified with 51 relevant manuscripts, which included the key phrases. VC is widely used among surgeons for telementoring surgical procedures and in trauma and emergency medicine. Furthermore, VC is widely used by multidisciplinary teams and for the follow-up of patients after surgery.

Conclusions: VC is a common clinical tool for surgeons and provides a great opportunity to alter surgical practice and to offer patients the best expertise in surgical treatment despite long distances, especially in rural areas.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Trauma mentoring. The trauma surgeons are located at the university hospital in northern Norway 600 miles away and have remote control of two cameras in the trauma room in Spitsbergen (one camera at the wall and one camera directly above the patient)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Dispatch center at the university hospital. Screen setup, including a view of the patient, biological parameters, and eventually radiologic images, is performed at the dispatch center
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Trauma mentoring during an Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) exercise. A trauma VC network is established in Northern Norway, linking local hospitals with the University Hospital
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Video-conference follow-up after surgical treatment. An orthopedic nurse in Nordreisa is performing wound care after instructions given by an orthopedic consultant located at the university hospital 155 miles away
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Surgical telementoring. The system was designed to be used without technical expertise. The racks with all necessary equipment are plug-and-play and can easily be connected on demand by existing personnel
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Surgical telementoring. The remote control includes pan/zoom of a camera, giving overview images of the operating theater and pan/zoom of a camera mounted in the operation lamp. The system can switch between open and laparoscopic surgical procedures
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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