Online support in the operating room is an option for many | 56 percent would undergo surgery remotely assisted by specialists
Whether it's a routine procedure or a life-saving operation: if specialist knowledge of a particular medical discipline is required, patients do not necessarily have to switch to a more specialized hospital. Fully digitized operating rooms make it possible for doctors to be connected via video and give the surgical team on-site instructions on how to carry out the procedure. So far, this method has not been used much in Germany - however, a large proportion of people are open to online support in the operating room: 56 percent say they would have an operation under such circumstances - very few (1 percent) have even done so done once. This is the result of a representative survey among 1,157 people in Germany aged 16 and over.
According to this, the popularity of video support during an operation is high across all age groups: 66 percent of 16 to 29 year olds can imagine this, 52 percent of 30 to 49 year olds and 62 percent of 50 to 64 year olds. The proportion of those over 65 who would have an operation performed remotely using online support is also high at 49 percent.
According to this, the popularity of video support during an operation is high across all age groups: 66 percent of 16 to 29 year olds can imagine this, 52 percent of 30 to 49 year olds and 62 percent of 50 to 64 year olds. The proportion of those over 65 who would have an operation performed remotely using online support is also high at 49 percent.
“A growing number of clinics in Germany have state-of-the-art, networked operating rooms. New imaging methods, augmented reality and robotics support doctors, especially in highly complicated procedures, and ensure more precision and safety," says Dr. Ariane Schenk, Head of Health & Pharma at Bitkom. "Even if specialists are connected via video, they can pass on valuable experiences or tips directly to the operating room." For many people, this is not science fiction: 65 percent also believe that remote-controlled, robot-assisted operations will be commonplace in the future. "Smart hospitals will significantly improve medical care in Germany in the future," says Schenk. "The widespread availability and usability of 5G will soon give digital operating theaters the next boost: This will allow complicated telemedical operations to be carried out in real time."
Note on the methodology: The information is based on a survey conducted by Bitkom Research on behalf of the Bitkom digital association. In May 2021, 1,157 people in Germany aged 16 and over were surveyed by telephone. The survey is representative.
The question was: "Which of the following digital offers have you already used or can you imagine using in the future?"