Research on Patient Satisfaction of Robotic Telerounding: A Pilot Study in a Korean Population

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and functionality of robotic telerounding among Korean patients using the RP-7 robot system and a questionnaire survey comparing the results of robotic telerounding and standard rounding in Korean patients.

METHODS: A total of 40 patients who underwent urologic minimally invasive video-assisted minilaparotomy surgery, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, and endoscopic surgery were recruited. The patients were divided into 2 groups - telerounding (20) and standard rounding (20) - and underwent robotic telerounding and standard rounding. We assessed the patients using a 24-item questionnaire to evaluate the efficacy and functionality of their hospital care.

RESULTS: The hospital factors such as self-rated health, assistance, and pain control scores showed no statistically significant differences between groups. Patient satisfaction showed a statistically significant difference in MD confidence, medical communication, explanation understanding, explanation satisfaction, mutual communication, and mutual response. In the telerounding group, participants were satisfied with the audio and video qualities and believed that the robotic telerounding provided better care, and 85% of patients preferred telerounding in the absence of the attending physician.

CONCLUSION: Robotic telerounding can provide efficient and cost-effective medical rounding by reducing inconvenience and labor cost with greater patient satisfaction with postoperative care. However, there is no statistically significant difference in the hospital factors and postoperative morbidity. In addition, the patients doubted that the robotic telerounding could replace standard rounding due to the Eastern culture.