‘Doc-in-a-box’ improves access to health in the north

Aug 9, 2017 | 1:00 PM

Some innovative technology is allowing rural and remote patients access to medical experts while staying within their home community.

Remote Presence Technology (RPT) enables health care providers to perform real-time assessments, diagnostics, and patient management from a remote location using a mobile robot or smaller portable hand-held device known as a ‘doc-in-a-box.”

The province of Saskatchewan recently committed $500,000 for use of RPT in Stony Rapids. It is currently being used for pediatric emergency assessment.

“This is particularly important in rural and remote areas where patients might otherwise have to travel to receive more specialized health services,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit said.  

According to the Athabasca Health Authority, the increased access to specialized care will significantly improve outcomes and quality of care for the communities it serves.

Stony Rapids resident Connie Fossenier said, “this technology is an advancement and improvement for the far north communities.”

RPT was pioneered in Saskatchewan by Dr. Ivar Mendez, the Fred H. Wigmore Professor and Unified Head of the Department of Surgery at the University of Saskatchewan. He said, “Saskatchewan is leading the country in using advanced technologies for the delivery of health care to remote and rural locations.”

Stony Rapids is the second community to receive a robot as part of the expansion, following La Loche earlier this year.
 

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