What You Should Know:
– A recent survey of 1,000 U.S. surgeons reveals a strong belief in the power of digital health to reduce disparities in access to surgical expertise, particularly in under-resourced communities.
– The State of Surgery survey, commissioned by Medtronic, highlights the potential of live streaming, artificial intelligence (AI), and virtual reality (VR) to transform surgical care and improve healthcare equity.
Bridging the Gap in Surgical Access
The U.S. healthcare system faces significant disparities, with rural and under-resourced communities often lacking access to specialized surgical care. Hospital closures and a shortage of specialists exacerbate these challenges, leaving millions at risk of inadequate healthcare services.
Digital Technologies as a Solution
Survey respondents expressed optimism about the role of digital technologies in addressing these disparities:
- Live Streaming and Telehealth: 84% of surgeons believe live streaming can improve access to specialist consultations in underserved areas, while 82% see potential in telemedicine platforms for real-time remote consultations and surgeries.
- AI-Driven Diagnostic Tools: Nearly 85% of surgeons believe AI can enhance diagnostic precision and guide real-time decision support during procedures, potentially closing gaps in surgical care and improving outcomes for patients in remote areas.
- VR Simulations and Digital Training Platforms: With 64% of surgeons reporting limited time for training, VR simulations and digital platforms offer a valuable solution. 85% believe these tools can enhance surgical training accessibility worldwide, while 81% see potential in VR for providing advanced training without geographic limitations.
Digital technologies like Live Stream help break down barriers to surgical training. Whether refreshing skills or mastering a new technique, these safe technologies put critical insights into the hands of surgeons and create direct access to other experts – regardless of location. Empowering surgeons with these tools will improve patient care across the world,” said Mike Marinaro, executive vice president of the Medtronic Medical Surgical Portfolio.
Survey Background/Methodology
The survey was conducted from May 17, 2024, to May 31, 2024, targeting surgeons and medical practitioners across public and private sectors in the U.S. Responses were gathered from 1,000 surgeons across four regions and 21 cities. The survey was carried out by CensusWide on behalf of Medtronic and builds on findings from the State of Surgery in the UK survey, published July 24, 2023. Medtronic conducted the “State of Surgery” reports to provide a comprehensive overview of the surgical landscape to understand firsthand what the most pressing challenges are for surgeons, such as workload, training, and access to digital technology in the OR.