Temi has played a big role in enabling hub and remote clinicians to connect seamlessly. Previous telehealth applications have depended on stationary cameras for communication between clinicians and their patients. While this is a step in the right direction, it is not ideal for the kinds of assessments Tele-Rehab 2.0 provides. A stationary camera makes it difficult for the hub clinician to get the visual information they need without needing the patient and remote clinician to move around or continuously move the camera. This movement disrupts the flow of the assessment, and in some cases can compromise patient safety. 

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​This is where Temi really shines. Temi is a personal robot which is controlled by voice commands and is able to follow you around, move to a specific area when asked, and can be controlled both remotely and in-person. Temi also has a platform on the back which allows us to place our laptop onto Temi, making Tele-Rehab 2.0 a fully integrated system: no more separate cart and robot. Temi’s versatility and stability means the hub clinician can move around to get the view they need without interrupting the assessment or putting patient safety at risk. Using Temi, hub clinicians can move closer to the patient for a better view, or further away to get a whole-body view of patients. Hub clinicians can also use Temi to follow the patient out of the room for specific tests. Temi connects hub clinicians with patients and remote clinicians so it is like they are all in the same room; the hub clinician is able to make a thorough diagnosis and treat conditions effectively. 

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We are currently trialling Temi in one of our remote communities, so while we don’t know that this will be the way forward for all new sites, we are excited to see where it takes us!