The hologram technology that Princess Leia used to plead for help in “Star Wars” 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 Holobox. 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.
Your Hologram Doctor Will See You Now
— Daniel Kraft, MD (@daniel_kraft) June 29, 2024
In the emerging “MEDiverse” we’ll be interacting with remote clinicians in more engaging & interactive ways @holoconnects is one example
By @hanksanders_ in @nytimes https://t.co/f4uRlYveAM
The Holobox looks like a big, empty, refrigerator-sized phone booth. Using a camera, a microphone and a backdrop, doctors can make 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 Holobox up and running.
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Crescent Regional Hospital in Lancaster, Texas, just south of Dallas, is using it for what they call “non-touch visits,” like pre- and post-op appointments. While it’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. The issue is 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 be able to.