A look to the future: Pandemic-induced digital technologies in vascular surgery

Abstract

Like many areas of medicine, vascular surgery has been transformed by the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Public health precautions to minimize disease transmission have led to reduced attendance at hospitals and clinics in elective and emergency settings; fewer face-to-face and hands-on clinical interactions; and increased reliance on telemedicine, virtual attendance, investigations, and digital therapeutics. However, a “silver lining” to the COVID-19 pandemic may be the mainstream acceptance and acceleration of telemedicine, remote monitoring, digital health technology, and three-dimensional technologies, such as three-dimensional printing and virtual reality, by connecting health care providers to patients in a safe, reliable, and timely manner, and supplanting face-to-face surgical simulation and training. This review explores the impact of these changes in the delivery of vascular surgical care.

Telemedicine and Digital Health Applications in Vascular Surgery

“…Telemedicine has been proposed as an alternative solution for the management of cardiovascular diseases [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ] by potentially facilitating remote care for patients in distant locations, reducing congestion of health delivery institutions. Like many areas of medicine, vascular surgery has been transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the rise of digital technologies to deliver appropriate care, while minimizing the potential spread of COVID-19 to patients, providers and the public [ 32 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an acceleration of telemedicine, remote monitoring, as well as digital health technologies, in various settings in vascular surgery, including education, clinical decision-making aids, data management and 3D imaging technologies [ 32 ].…”

“…Like many areas of medicine, vascular surgery has been transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the rise of digital technologies to deliver appropriate care, while minimizing the potential spread of COVID-19 to patients, providers and the public [ 32 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an acceleration of telemedicine, remote monitoring, as well as digital health technologies, in various settings in vascular surgery, including education, clinical decision-making aids, data management and 3D imaging technologies [ 32 ].…”

“…Vascular patients are often old and multimorbid and may be less at ease or may not even possess digital tools. Therefore, particular attention should be paid to maintaining equity of access care and avoiding exacerbating disparities among disadvantaged groups of patients [ 32 ]. Health professionals may also need training for a safe use of the applications developed.…”

Artificial intelligence is poised to usher in a paradigm shift in surgery: application of ChatGPT in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia

“…1,2 Surgery has constantly taken on novel technologies, notably the growth of minimally invasive technologies, and recently developments in bioengineering, robotics, telemedicine and remote-monitoring, wearables and augmented reality are becoming established. 3,4 Surgeons have long had a role in assessing and implementing new techniques and tools to enhance their abilities beyond human limitations and serve their patients, giving the profession experience and responsibility to be poised to harness this technology. 5 Recent reviews raise careful excitement towards the possible cost savings and efficiencies of LLM in health care delivery.…”

“…While some view LLMs as revolutionary tools with massive untapped potential, others voice concern, fears and scepticism 1,2 . Surgery has constantly taken on novel technologies, notably the growth of minimally invasive technologies, and recently developments in bioengineering, robotics, telemedicine and remote‐monitoring, wearables and augmented reality are becoming established 3,4 . Surgeons have long had a role in assessing and implementing new techniques and tools to enhance their abilities beyond human limitations and serve their patients, giving the profession experience and responsibility to be poised to harness this technology 5 …”