Could holograms revolutionize health care in rural and low-income areas?

[Lauren Taylor]

STAR WARS… MICHAEL JACKSON… AND YOUR HEALTH.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT – THOSE THREE THINGS ALL HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON: HOLOGRAMS.

THE TECHNOLOGY PRINCESS LEIA USED TO PLEAD FOR HELP IS REAL – IT’S BEEN NOTABLY USED FOR POSTHUMOUS PERFORMANCES BY RENOWNED ARTISTS LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON AND TUPAC SHAKUR – BUT NOW, IT’S MAKING ITS WAY INTO HOSPITALS.

A NORTH TEXAS HOSPITAL IS THE FIRST IN THE UNITED STATES TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY – CALLED “HOLO BOX.”

IT GOES A BIG STEP BEYOND TELEHEALTH – ALLOWING PATIENTS TO MEET FACE-TO-FACE WITH THEIR DOCTOR IN A PRIVATE ROOM – LIFE SIZE AND IN REAL TIME – EVEN IF THEY’RE MILES APART.

THE HOLO BOX LOOKS LIKE A BIG, EMPTY, REFRIGERATOR-SIZED PHONE BOOTH – IF YOU REMEMBER THOSE.

USING A CAMERA, A MICROPHONE, AND A BACKDROP… DOCTORS CAN CREATE A “STUDIO” FOR MEETING PATIENTS THAT CREATES A LIFELIKE EXPERIENCE, WHICH CAN HELP REDUCE COMMUTES AND ADMISSION TIMES.

IT’S ALSO DESIGNED FOR EASE OF USE – REQUIRING MINIMAL TRAINING TO GET THE HOLO BOX UP AND RUNNING.

CRESCENT REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN LANCASTER, TEXAS – WHICH IS JUST SOUTH OF DALLAS – IS USING IT FOR WHAT THEY CALL “NON-TOUCH VISITS” LIKE PRE- AND POST-OP APPOINTMENTS.

AND WHILE THAT’S THE **ONLY** HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY RIGHT NOW – IT OPENS THE DOOR FOR RURAL HOSPITALS AND FACILITIES IN LOW-INCOME AREAS TO PROVIDE BETTER, MORE CONSISTENT CARE TO PATIENTS.

IN RECENT YEARS, HOSPITALS LIKE THOSE HAVE STRUGGLED TO REMAIN OPEN NATIONWIDE BECAUSE OF RISING COSTS AND DECREASING REVENUES – AND IT’S ONLY EXPECTED TO GET WORSE AS AMERICA FACES A SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS THAT’S SUPPOSED TO LAST WELL INTO THE NEXT DECADE, ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES.

PROPONENTS SAY HOLOGRAM TECHNOLOGY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BRIDGE THOSE GAPS WHILE ALSO DEVELOPING A MORE TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DOCTOR AND PATIENT THAN TRADITIONAL TELEHEALTH OPTIONS MIGHT.