The Mayo Clinic in Phoenix is working with Northern Arizona University (NAU) to test using a telemedicine robot to assess athletes with suspected concussions during football games as part of a research study. Sophisticated robotic technology consisting of a specialized remote controlled camera system will enable patients to be seen by a neurology specialist miles away in real time.
In 2011, Mayo Clinic expanded their telemedicine evaluations to include concussion evaluations. Concussion experts at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Concussion Program in Arizona coined the term teleconcussion and described the concept as an effective means to assess patients with concussions as discussed in a study published in the December 2012 issue of Telemedicine and e-Health.
During the study, the robot equipped with a specialized camera system is remotely operated by a Mayo Clinic neurologist located in Phoenix. The neurologist can assess a player for symptoms and signs of a concussion and at that point, consult with sideline medical personnel.
According to Bert Vargas M.D, a neurologist at Mayo Clinic head of the research, the study will be the first to explore whether a remote neurological assessment is as accurate as a face-to-face evaluation to identify concussion symptoms and decide on whether the player can return to play.
Mayo Clinic physicians will not provide medical consultations during the study, they will only assess the feasibility of using the technology. If it appears feasible, schools, athletic teams, and organizations without access to specialized care, will be able to use similar portable technology for sideline assessments.
Dr. Lisa Campos, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at NAU commented that partnering with the Mayo Clinic in this telemedicine study will help research efforts to be able to improve the diagnosis for suspected concussions in rural areas where there may not be access to team doctors or neurologists.
“Teleconcussion is an excellent new example of connected care in action anywhere and anytime that can be effectively connected to Mayo Clinic concussion knowledge and expertise,” said Bart Demaerschalk, MD, co-author of the study and Director of the Mayo Clinic Teleneurology and Telestroke program and Chair of the American Academy of Neurology Telemedicine Work Group.