Sask. robo-medicine program gets boost for expansion – The Star Phoenix

September 28, 2016

The provincial government is pumping $500,000 into expanding the use of robots that have allowed Saskatoon doctors to examine children in Pelican Narrows. Here’s why remote presence technology has been a success.

Results: “The pilot has gone so well, really beyond our expectations,” said Dr. Ivar Mendez, who heads the department of surgery at the University of Saskatchewan. Most children were able to be treated in their community, while 40 per cent of those who needed to be transported didn’t have to go all the way to Saskatoon because they didn’t need intensive care. Pelican Narrows now also has increased capacity as nurses there get used to treating acutely ill children, Mendez said.

Expansion: Increased funding means services can be expanded to other underserved communities, Mendez said. “That is extremely important. Because if we, for example, are able to provide the services to five more communities, eventually those services we provide and the experience we gain will allow us to one day expand this to the whole province.”

Read More: http://thestarphoenix.com/health/family-child/sask-robo-medicine-program-gets-boost-for-expansion