Telepresence robots serve to close gaps in healthcare education for hospitals and other care facilities. There is a natural application for new, robust technology in the world of healthcare and clinical simulation, especially when it comes to improving user experience and learning outcomes for healthcare professionals training virtually. TeleSimulation, using telecommunication and healthcare simulation tools to enable hybrid education, training and assessment, is a growing trend in healthcare.
With mobile, intelligent, and autonomous technology, Ava Telepresence Robots provide benefits in two key areas: improving care access and quality of communication within healthcare systems, and providing virtual solutions for education/training (including telesimulation).
Environments and use cases for telepresence robots in healthcare
As a smart, practical solution for hybrid healthcare operations and collaboration, telepresence robots work with and for people in: hospital systems, remote satellite locations, long-term care communities (e.g. assisted living, memory care, hospice), labs/research centers, and medical equipment/service workplaces.
Accessibility, built-in Webex integration, the ability to safely enter restricted areas, immersive product and process education make the following use cases possible and effective for hybrid healthcare models:
· TeleSimulation for virtual training and education
· Lab/restricted area access
· Auditing and observation
· Guided tours
· Product and service demonstrations
· Patient-to-family and loved one communication
· Patient-to-provider communication
· Provider-to-provider communication
· Provider-to healthcare team communication
· Expert on-demand and specialist access
· Remote access for facilities management
· Community integration programs for residents/patients
The need for more authentic virtual interactions is at an all-time high. Telepresence technology in healthcare improves communication across the entire care/patient journey and creates time and cost efficiencies (especially where travel is typically involved).
Better productivity. Improved access. Cost management. Without sacrificing dynamic human interaction between the medical community, patients and families. The medical world is demanding more connection in light of COVID, but, more importantly, far beyond the scope of pandemic response.
Highlighting TeleSimulation: Bridging the gap in healthcare education practices
TeleSimulation is a crucial training method since it allows realistic scenarios to be executed without requiring learners to be physically present in a specific healthcare setting. There are strong advantages to TeleSimulation for expanding educational opportunity, inclusion, as well as overcoming various barriers in healthcare training:
Simulation tools are more accessible, especially to those with limited resources.
Geographic obstacles are eliminated in situations where they might normally prevent healthcare systems from providing education/training.
Time, cost and travel constraints are eliminated in situations where physical access to the clinic or instructor are difficult.
The world of clinical simulation already revolves around robust static technology. But in many situations, static observation does not lead to retention and optimal learning outcomes. Telepresence robots offer more realistic, dynamic, accessible and productive education.
Enhancing user experience and learning outcomes with telepresence robots
Telepresence robots offer significant value for the practice of virtual healthcare education by enhancing user experience – both in the lab and remotely – and learning outcomes for professionals in training.
Instead of just joining through a traditional video conferencing platform, a learner or educator accessing training via telepresence robot benefits from the element of intentional movement and control throughout the simulated environment. Users can be more active, approaching patients, equipment, or content, with a high level of audio and visual quality.
Ava Telepresence Robots can provide full situational awareness in clinical lab settings and customizable collaboration options when remote expertise and supervision from healthcare experts is crucial.
Fully autonomous telepresence robots improve the user experience for both users and on-site participants with the ability to move how and when it makes the most sense for the situation – a key benefit in a medical simulation that should be as realistic as possible for learning purposes.
Healthcare in the hybrid work era
Telepresence robots provide a clear path for overcoming obstacles within healthcare systems and workplaces – both geographic and otherwise – and bridging gaps in virtual healthcare and healthcare education practices.
Ultimately, intelligent, mobile robotics technology paves the way for more accessible, inclusive care for recipients and providers. Telepresence robots are designed to keep humans at the center of this technology. Virtual training and communication between healthcare professionals and patients will remain the new normal even after the pandemic – and technology like Ava Telepresence proves what is possible and how it connects and improves the care continuum.