New technology being tested at the University of Southern California (USC) would allow doctors to be in two places at once and use their time more efficiently, reports HealthData Management.
Through the university’s Center for Body Computing’s Virtual Care Clinic program, doctors will be able to create a digital self that dispenses standard medical advice to patients with less-serious problems while spending time on more serious cases--essentially allowing them to be in the office and the operating room simultaneously.
In addition, a smartphone app would provide triage; patients would enter their information and be provided curated medical content about their conditions. The program also would provide asynchronous communication between doctors and patients through text or photo messaging.
The system will use wearable sensors, augmented and virtual reality, analytics, artificial intelligence and other technology to share expertise from USC with patients anywhere in the world.
The university’s eye and urology institutes will be the first to use the VCC system, but all 1,500 experts from the medical school are expected to be involved eventually.
While USC is virtually allowing doctors to be in two places at once, other healthcare organizations are turning to robotic doctors to increase care. The robots are powered by artificial intelligence and can improve decision making and care coordination.
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