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Telecollaboration refers to using telecommunications technology to enable collaboration between individuals or groups who are not physically present in the same location. This concept encompasses a variety of tools and platforms, including video conferencing, instant messaging, collaborative software, and other digital communication channels. The goal is to facilitate real-time interaction, information sharing, and joint problem-solving, regardless of geographic barriers.
How does AR fit into this scenario? AR and VR technologies offer immersive, interactive experiences that allow healthcare professionals to collaborate in ways that were previously not possible. For example, AR can be used to overlay digital information on the physical world, helping remote specialists guide on-site practitioners during surgeries or procedures. VR can create virtual environments for training and simulation, enhancing collaborative learning experiences.
Telecollaboration has had a profound impact on healthcare by improving access to care, especially in remote or underserved areas, enhancing the quality of patient outcomes through collaborative decision-making, and reducing the need for travel, thereby saving time and costs. It has also facilitated the continuation of healthcare services during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, by enabling remote consultations and reducing the risk of virus transmission.
As technology continues to advance, telecollaboration in healthcare is expected to become even more sophisticated, with increased integration of AI, AR, and other emerging technologies, ultimately transforming how healthcare is delivered and experienced.
OpticSurg is a tech-enabled healthcare software startup that focuses on the intersection of healthcare, deep tech, digital health, and the future of work. Its main goal is to provide frontline healthcare workers and providers with the necessary tools to improve job performance, reduce complications, and save lives. The company is particularly committed to increasing access in vulnerable and underserved communities, aiming to expand capacity and extend provider reach.
Vision Beyond, OpticSurg's platform allows real-time tele-collaboration between on-site providers and remote experts via voice, video, and visual annotation using augmented reality (AR) glasses. The AR glasses allow the remote expert to see what the on-site provider sees via a live video feed, allowing the remote expert to provide annotations and guidance via voice.
OpticSurg’s Vision Beyond tool enables:
Using augmented reality (AR) glasses, a surgeon in a remote area can receive real-time guidance from a specialist in a different location. The specialist sees the surgical field through the AR glasses worn by the on-site surgeon and can provide step-by-step instructions or mark critical areas that need attention. This level of telecollaboration is crucial in complex cases where specialized expertise is required but not readily available locally.
In a tele-ICU setup, critical care specialists monitor ICU patients remotely using live data feeds from bedside monitors. If a patient's condition deteriorates, the remote specialist can communicate with the on-site ICU team to provide immediate guidance. This collaborative model allows for 24/7 monitoring and expertise, which can be especially beneficial for smaller hospitals that lack full-time critical care staff.
Medical students or junior doctors can participate in a virtual reality (VR) simulation of a surgical procedure conducted by an experienced surgeon. During the procedure, the students can interact with the environment, practice their skills, and receive real-time feedback. Similarly, augmented reality (AR) can be used in a training session where a remote instructor guides trainees through complex medical procedures, providing visual cues and instructions overlaid on their view of the physical world.
OpticSurg uses Agora to power real-time video, voice, and collaboration in its Vision Beyond tool. Here are some of the key requirements OpticSurg had when evaluating providers for real-time communication and collaboration in the product:
In the U.S., solutions must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect patient data. For European countries, solutions must adhere to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines. End-to-end encryption is essential to protect sensitive patient information during video consultations and data transmission.
OpticSurg’s architecture is patented, proprietary, and HIPAA compliant, which was a key consideration for implementing it with Agora. Agora’s solutions comply with SOC2, GDPR, and HIPAA regulations for seamless integration with existing applications.
Interoperability with Electronic Health Records (EHR) and other clinical information systems is essential to ensure seamless data exchange. A telecollaboration platform should integrate appointment scheduling, reminders, and time-zone management. Features like shared workspaces, real-time chat, file sharing, and remote diagnostics to support interdisciplinary collaboration are also essential requirements.
Agora’s video and voice SDKs are designed to integrate easily into applications and can be customized to fit specific development needs. Support for a wide range of platforms, such as web, mobile, and desktop, makes integration even easier when working across multiple devices.
A reliable network infrastructure is essential for uninterrupted high-quality video consultations. The system should be able to handle internet speed fluctuations, especially in rural or remote areas. One of OpticSurg’s main criteria was reliability with low bandwidth requirements.
Agora’s Real-Time Software Defined Network™ (SD-RTN™) is a global network built and optimized for real-time video and voice interaction. The network provides high-quality video feeds in low bandwidth environments by accommodating lower video resolutions and lower bitrates, using newer codecs (like VP9). This is particularly beneficial for reaching patients with constrained bandwidth in rural or underserved regions. Agora’s network complements this by minimizing bandwidth usage without sacrificing video quality, ensuring that telehealth services are more universally accessible.
A telehealth system must be easy to use for both healthcare providers and patients, requiring minimal technical training. It's essential to consider the needs of elderly, disabled, or technologically inexperienced patients. Accessibility features such as screen readers or larger text may be necessary. In diverse regions, providing interfaces and support in multiple languages is essential.
Agora’s SDKs easily integrate with a wide variety of input and output devices, ensuring accessibility and ease of use. Real-time speech-to-text and translation features break down language barriers, foster inclusivity, and ensure all participants have equal access to information. Agora supports real-time transcription and translation in all major languages and dialects.
Solutions should be able to grow with the healthcare system and adjust to new demands or crises, such as pandemics. A system with minimal downtime is crucial in healthcare settings where real-time communication can impact patient outcomes.
OpticSurg chose Agora’s platform because it is available 99.99% of the time. As Agora builds in redundant servers and data centers, users can interact with their app 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If a server goes down, the network backend will automatically reroute and re-establish everyone in an active session to a different server with no perceptible interruption.
Agora’s SD-RTN™ can scale quickly from several users to millions without downtime, accommodating business demand growth rapidly and flexibly globally.
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, OpticSurg’s Vision Beyond platform demonstrates how telecollaboration and augmented reality are enhancing real-time medical interactions and bridging critical gaps in patient care, training, and remote monitoring. By harnessing Agora’s robust and scalable network, OpticSurg ensures seamless, secure, and accessible solutions that empower healthcare professionals to connect, collaborate, and provide expert care across distances. As advancements in AR and telecollaboration continue to reshape the future of medicine, platforms like Vision Beyond are leading the way, transforming how healthcare is delivered and experienced.
Are you interested in exploring HIPAA-compliant, real-time video and voice solutions for Telehealth? Visit Agora’s telehealth solutions page.
