At the University of Queensland’s Centre for Online Health (COH) e-health is a clever combination of science, innovation and creativity.

Taking advantage of wireless technology and digital communications, COH has developed mobile video-conferencing systems for use in country hospitals.

The mobile systems are built in the shape of a robot that local doctors can wheel to the child’s hospital bed for long-distance specialist consultation.

Dr Anthony Smith, Senior Research Fellow (COH) said the telepaediatric service in Queensland is a good example of how telecommunications can greatly reduce the need for country children to travel long distances to city hospitals, where most specialist paediatric services are located.

Since 2001 the COH telepaediatric research and service facility at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane has scheduled more than 5,000 ‘real-time’ consultations with sick children at regional and rural hospitals, minimising family travel costs and disruptions to their lives.

“The robots are child friendly and easy to manage,” Anthony said.

“From the child’s bed, everyone – parents, child, local doctor and nurse - can see the Brisbane specialist on the unit’s television–like screen. A built-in camera and microphone enables the specialist to see and speak with everybody at the remote site,” Anthony explained.

“It’s less distressing for the kids, because they don’t have to be moved to a separate meeting room and the robot adds an element of fun.”

So far there are four telepaediatric robots in regional Queensland. The latest, called Gypsie, started work at Gympie Hospital in September. ‘She’ follows in the footsteps of Emma at Emerald, Eliza at Mt Isa and Roy in Gladstone.

“Delivering telepaediatrics is not just about installing videoconference equipment,” Anthony said

“There are far more important factors to consider, such as how the service will be coordinated on a routine (daily) basis, who will provide the clinical services and technical support, and how will it support the needs of participating organisations.”

“Our centralised coordination unit in Brisbane can guarantee it will respond within 24 hours to clinicians at participating regional hospitals, who call our 1800 referral number.”

COH is recognised as a world leader in e-health research, teaching and service delivery. You can find out more by visiting the The University of Queensland Centre for Online Health's website.

The telepaediatric robot work is a Centre for Online Health research project funded by the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation through the Xstrata Community Partnership program Queensland, in collaboration with the Royal Children's Hospital.