Doctors Use Robotic Telemedicine Technology for Remote Patient Examination

Dr. Steven Hacker has begun to use a new robotic telemedicine system for his patients. Using this robotic technology, dermatology patients in Palm Beach County can communicate with him during emergencies even if he is present in a remote location.

Dr. Hacker stated that the robot is the first of its kind in the healthcare sector. He added that the robot, called VGO, can be controlled remotely and is ideal for his patients suffering from emergency medical conditions such as post-operative issues, acute infections, and shingles. He has been utilizing the equipment for the last six months.

Dr. Hacker states that the robot cannot be used to assess pigmented lesions, moles or probable skin cancer as it does not support a zoom function and a resolution required for this type of assessment. Dr. Hacker stated that this robot is useful for pattern identification and for detecting severe rashes including Poison Ivy, Shingles and post-operative skin problems.