Google Glass is slowly proving why wearable gadgets will become popular, despite the many naysayers around the world. Doctors at the Rhode Island hospital are testing the use of Google Glass for dermatology purposes, and it might just turn out to be a splendid idea.
During and over the next 6 months, patients who visit Rhode Island hospital for dermatology work, might take part in a study to see how well Google Glass can perform in the hospital. The plan is to use a stripped down version of the device to take images of the patient's skin, and send it remotely to an off-site dermatologist, who will then proceed to review the images using a tablet device.
Such an idea sounds promising for advance technology in the work place that is used by employees on a daily basis. Great ideas such as these could become the very things that push wearable gadgets into the mainstream and also into relevancy.
At the moment, the hospital is working closely with Pristine, a Glass-focused startup, to get the pilot project up and running successfully. The version of Google Glass created by Pristine does not come equipped with some of the core functionality, which means it might not work as intended for consumers. Furthermore, the device is not connected to the Internet in the traditional fashion, which makes us wonder how Rhode Island doctors plan to send images remotely to an offsite dermatologist.
According to principal investigator Paul Porter, the device can stream live images to the dermatologist remotely, and that's as close to using the Internet, doctors will ever get.
"We live in a world of instant gratification, and in many ways, we're testing that mindset by using Google Glass to enhance telemedicine in the emergency department," said principal investigator Paul Porter, M.D., a physician in the emergency departments of Rhode Island, Hasbro Children's and The Miriam hospitals. "In this study, we will use Google Glass to stream live images of a patient's dermatological condition to the consulting dermatologist. As the emergency medicine physician observes the patient's skin condition, the consulting dermatologist will be able to see identical images on a tablet in real time, giving the dermatologist the ability to offer appropriate advice, diagnosis and treatment options."
The hospital began testing on March 1, and after gaining 100 patients, Porter said he and his team will lay out plans to begin work on a paper to see what can be done from there.
The idea to use Google Glass in hospitals, and share data and other information among employees and off-site doctors is smart. If Rhode Island hospital pulls this off, expect others to follow.
The potential here for great things to happen is very high, and could change the way doctors determine illness and other factors.
