The potential applications of remote presence robotics are almost limitless.

In critical or emergency situations, having immediate access to specialist support can mean the difference between life and death. On the other hand, for primary and chronic care, removing the burden of travel for either patient or provider can lead to improved access and continuity of care.

For patients unable to travel to a clinic, portable units can be taken to the home for a virtual house visit. In long-term care facilities, Residents can receive after-hours acute care without having to be transferred to the hospital and decreasing the burden to emergency rooms.

Medical robots in action: Ivar Mendez at TEDxToronto

The fifth annual TEDxToronto conference took place on September 26, 2013 at The Royal Conservatory of Music.

For our 2013 TEDxToronto Conference, all talks, performances and demos were rooted in our selected theme, "The Choices We Make."

About the Demonstration: Dr. Mendez is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American College of Surgeons. He is the H Wigmore Professor of Surgery and the Provincial Head of Surgery at the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Health Authority. As a clinician scientist, Dr. Mendez's research focus is on brain repair, stem cells and robotics. Dr. Mendez and his team performed the first long-distance telementoring neurosurgery in the world.

Children

Remote presence robotics increases access to specialist pediatric care for children in Saskatchewan in a safe and time-efficient manner.

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• News

Long-Term Care Facilities

As our population ages and the demands on our healthcare system increase, we need to ensure that our patients get the best possible care.

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Indigenous Communities

Our strategy can help overcome barriers Indigenous communities have accessing healthcare services and has been a priority area for the program.

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Remote Presence

We have been studying the use of virtual care and remote presence technology in providing primary and specialized care in several areas.

• Publications

Pediatrics

We are exploring the use of remote presence technology in acute pediatric care. Several systems have been installed across the province of Saskatchewan.

• Publications
• Whitecap

Telerobotic Ultrasonography

We are investigating a novel telerobotic ultrasound system to provide real-time sonography studies in remote locations in northern communities.

• Publications
• Gravelbourg

Indigenous Health

For the past few years, we have been researching the use of remote presence technology in providing access to remote Indigenous populations in northern Saskatchewan.

• Publications

Physiotherapy

With our partners in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, we have been researching the use of remote presence technology in providing physiotherapy services to remote populations.

• Publications

Virtual Care Methodology

We have developed best practices for deploying virtual care in underserved regions.

• Publications

SK-Patient

SK-Patient is a mobile app that simulates aspects of the procedure to enhance understanding and decrease the apprehension in patients prior to surgery.

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M&M Surgery

We have developed a smartphone app that facilitates the tracking of Morbidity and Mortality in Surgery. This app is used by surgeons to enhance patient safety

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Inventory

Inventory is a smartphone app that shares emergent medical protocols and procedures for treating COVID-19-screened patients with health professionals.

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RUAA

Remote Ultrasound Capacity Building for Antenatal Access (RUAA) is a smartphone app to gather outcome data and is used simultaneously with ultrasound scans. 

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LifeLine: Mental Health App

LifeLine is a mental health app that provides mental health support to vulnerable populations. Although the App is geared to younger individuals at risk of suicide. 

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Teaching neuroanatomy to medical students using virtual reality

We are exploring the use of Immersive and interactive virtual reality to improve learning and retention of neuroanatomy in medical students.

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Training remote assistants on how to use the telerobotic ultrasound system

Training patient site assistants on how to set up and use the telerobotic ultrasound system can be done in five minutes using a short immersive virtual reality video.

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3D Printing for Neurosurgery

The use of 3D printing for pre-operative planning is being studied in neurosurgery. The patient’s MRI data has been used to 3D print brains for planning surgical procedures.

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Artificial intelligence a tool for Sask. healthcare crisis

Artificial intelligence can play a crucial role in addressing the issues afflicting healthcare in Saskatchewan.

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Saskatchewan is a perfect place for virtual healthcare

Virtual medical care can help provide better healthcare services to people living in remote and rural areas in Saskatchewan.

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Technology helping address Indigenous healthcare inequity

A specialist in remote care robotics and a Saskatchewan post-education leader see solutions for the healthcare gap for Indigenous people.

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Mission

Our mission is to improve access to care for vulnerable populations in Saskatchewan by fostering relationships with communities, identifying priority services required, and facilitating the use of remote presence robotics to make these partnerships a reality.

Vision

The remote presence program brings high-quality, patient-oriented, and community-driven care to help vulnerable populations access health services close to home.

Contact us

Email: virtual.care@usask.ca