User Experience in Remote Surgical Consultation
In remote surgical consultations, medical students can be invited into the OR to follow procedures in real-time while experienced surgeons help mentor them remotely. This is helping to improve surgical education and training.
In the era of digital healthcare systems, user experience (UX) designers are increasingly called upon to make these interfaces as simple and efficient as possible.
Patient Education
Patient education is a vital part of telehealth. It provides instruction and clinical support to help patients better understand their condition and engage in treatment and disease management.
Studies have shown that patient education positively affects self-efficacy, satisfaction, coping skills, and social support. This is particularly true for patients with chronic diseases like diabetes, coronary heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
The telehealth model for patient education is quickly changing healthcare. This is because telehealth solutions can overcome many barriers to patient education in face-to-face environments, including time, distance, and cost.
Moreover, telehealth can provide more efficient and effective care than traditional in-person delivery models. This can help improve patient outcomes, reduce health costs, and promote patient engagement in the healthcare system.
Patient Self-Management
Although remote consultations have been around for a while (the telemedicine craze is no joke), the advent of new technology has made the practice more feasible. As discussed in the previous chapter, telemedicine is a game changer for healthcare providers and their patients. It allows physicians access without needing to travel long distances or deal with hospital waiting lists. This is especially true for rural and underserved populations. A robust telehealth program, including infrastructure and support staff, an extended time and coverage system, and billing savvy reimbursement schemes, are the foundation for a successful and sustainable telemedicine endeavour. Surgical telemedicine is no exception. The latest in telecommunications technology and mobile app design enables an array of new and exciting patient engagement and monitoring technologies. It has also given rise to a new breed of healthcare professionals and technology-savvy consumers. The result is a thriving industry with an increasing demand for genuinely innovative, cost-effective, and high-quality products and services.
Clinical Decision Support
Clinical decision support (CDS) tools are increasingly widespread and can improve patient outcomes and healthcare processes. CDS systems can take over routine tasks, warn of potential problems, and provide suggestions for clinical teams and patients to consider.
This study aimed to assess the user experience in remote surgical consultation. Using data from 142 teleguided ERCP procedures performed at five hospitals, operating surgeons were ask to rate how the service contribute to their performance and outcomes.
During the consultation, surgeons provided a range of information about the patient and case. This included gender, age, history of ERCP, and whether the procedure was to be performe with sedation or general anaesthesia.
Clinicians also used contextual probing, which involves recognizing clues about the patient’s life circumstances and behaviour (contextual red flags), asking about them, and adapting care to address them. The clinician-patient relationship is shaped by these contextual factors and their impact on diagnosis and treatment.