How robots are automating the future of health care

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Recently UMass Memorial Medical Center has been in the news for its investment in robotics technology. These particular investments make us one of only a few hospitals nationwide to own and operate the OEC Elite MiniView C-arm, a portable X-ray machine for arms and legs, and the robotized surgical assistant, a system with a computer brain and a robotic arm-like structure that work together to make surgery go faster.

These new developments are further validation of the increasing role of automation in the field of medicine, a trend that will become more widespread in more facets of health care delivery in the future. There has already been an exponential leap in the amount of telemedicine and telehealth systems to provide care for patients. Robotics and automation are just another tool for providing care.

This is especially true within surgical specialties, where the capabilities of robotics assistance allow us to operate on a more stable platform with more precise movements and handling of the tissue during a procedure. With an already strained health care workforce, robotics in the operating room means we rely a little less on more trained and oftentimes more costly personnel who are now free to work in other areas of the hospital.

Training

There is a learning curve to deploying and successfully using robotics just as there is for other facets of surgery. I think there needs to be a graduated level of training and experience ranging from open, standard surgical procedures, moving on to standard laparoscopic procedures and then advancing to a level where the surgeon can take full advantage of what robotics offers.

Nowadays residents going through training are getting more exposure to open surgery and laparoscopy while getting some exposure to the basics of robotic surgery. Some are taking advanced training courses which are normally one to two day training sessions with a cadaver or animal lab where they learn to use these tools to the best of their ability. Afterward the resident will have a series of proctored cases where they are observed. For experienced surgeons who want to develop their skills in robotic surgery, these training programs are ideal.

Robotics no substitute for MDs

Robotics is a sophisticated tool that allows us to provide better care while potentially using fewer resources. Being able to get those tools into the hands of the experts who can provide the best outcomes for patients is vitally important. Robotics is not a substitute or replacement for surgeons, and humans are still in control.

Robotics is also not currently available in every surgical department. Abilities and advantages that some robotics offers are still somewhat specific to certain specialties. What we are seeing is that the general, colorectal and thoracic surgery divisions tend to use the technology more than other surgical areas.

Hospitals will have to prioritize and determine whether procedures would benefit certain patients more than others. Many experts believe obese patients benefit more from the robotics because of its ability to operate inside the abdomen easier.

Here at UMass Memorial, as is the case with many other hospitals, there is only one robot, so at times, there is a little bit of a backlog in terms of availability.

Future focused

The pace of automation and robotics technology outruns the ability to get it into the hands of the clinicians. In a health care environment, not only are the costs scrutinized -- the cost benefits are scrutinized even more. We are constantly evaluating these things and seeing what actually provides benefits to the patients and the advantages for doctors beyond being able to get their procedures done more efficiently.

Paul Sturrock, MD, is a colon and rectal surgeon at UMass Memorial Medical Center and assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.