JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have increasingly appeared in the medical literature in the past decade, with AR recently being studied for its potential role in remote healthcare delivery and communication. Despite the emergence of literature describing AR’s implementation in telemedicine contexts such as remote emergency services, studies have yet to investigate the perspectives of telemedicine providers for this novel technology.

Objective:

This study aims to understand the applications and challenges of AR in telemedicine anticipated by emergency medicine providers.

Methods:

Across 10 academic medical institutions, 21 emergency medicine providers with variable exposures to telemedicine and AR/VR technology were recruited for semi-structured interviews. The interview questions focused on various potential uses of AR, obstacles that prevent its implementation into the telemedicine space, and how providers and patients might respond to its introduction. We included video demonstrations of a prototype utilizing AR during the interviews to elicit more informed and complete insights regarding AR’s potential. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed via thematic coding.

Results:

Our study identified two major areas of utility for AR in telemedicine. First, AR is perceived to facilitate information-gathering through enhancing observation tasks and granting simultaneous access to data and remote experts. Second, AR is anticipated to supplement distance learning of both minor and major procedures, as well as non-procedural skills for patients and trainees such as cue recognition and empathy. AR may also supplement long-distance education programs and thereby support less specialized medical facilities. However, the addition of AR may exacerbate pre-existing barriers to telemedicine, and providers require extensive research, institutional support and early training prior to adopting novel tools like AR. Although an overall mixed reception is anticipated, consumer adoption and awareness are key components in AR’s adoption.

Conclusions:

AR offers a diversity of applications in remote healthcare delivery and education, but faces obstacles related to a lack of access, infrastructure and familiarity. This paper discusses potential areas of investigation that would inform future design and approaches to implementing AR in telemedicine.