US test doctor robot

About 10 hospitals in the United States are currently testing robot doctors RP-7 for remote diagnosis. Originally used for video conferencing, the RP-7 is 1m80 tall and is equipped with a 15-inch flat panel screen, 2 high resolution cameras and a microphone.

Guided by a lever, the robot helps the doctor to examine from a hospital hundreds of kilometers away. Doctors can also visit patients in an emergency in the middle of the night and discuss on-site with nurses about treatment.

A study conducted in 376 patients at Baltimore Hospital demonstrated that people who were cared for by this method were quickly discharged. The study also confirmed that robots help hospitals and patients save relatively large amounts of money.

Another study by Dr. Lousi Kavoussi of North Shore-Lorng Island Jewish System Hospital demonstrated that using doctor robots brings satisfaction to patients and does not cause problems. The patient saw the doctor's face on the screen and was immediately answered questions so he felt more secure.

The Netherlands is currently testing this system to reduce admission costs. Many medical measuring devices are connected to a patient's home computer. The data is transmitted to a permanent medical service that helps monitor patients recovering at home.

(Photo: HTV)