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Article for: The Davis Enterprise
Date: February 17, 2006
Author: Pamela Emery

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PHYSICIAN TO SHOW HOW ROBOTS CAN 'MAKE THE ROUNDS'

Luke Skywalker has R2-D2 and Lars Ellison has Rudy the Robodoc.

Technological advancements have impacted healthcare dramatically in recent years. Healthcare professionals not only care for their patients with specialized equipment, they prepare medical reports on computers with ever-changing software systems. Now, robots are part of the mix.

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, the public is invited to meet UC Davis Medical Center physician and director of laparoscopic surgery Lars Ellison and learn about his robot Rudy. Hear how Rudy enhances the quality of care and communication between doctor and patient and allows for increased contact time. This Cutting Edge of Science Lecture takes place at the Davis Branch Library, 315 East 14th Street, and begins at 7:30 p.m.

Rudy is a 5.5-foot tall robot equipped with a camera, monitor screen, and microphone. Rudy allows physicians to personally, but remotely, check in and interact with their patients following surgery.

Ellison's interest in the assessment of advanced medical technology began when he participated in a study at John Hopkins Hospital. Ellison noted that "patients preferred seeing their own doctor following surgery rather than a doctor they do not know, even if their doctor only visited them via the robot." He brought this robot technology and Rudy with him when he took his position at UC Davis Medical Center.

Ellison does laparoscopic surgery, which is less invasive than other types of surgery and therefore patients have just a one to three day stay at the hospital. He will explain that, "all surgical patients are seen on a daily basis during rounds." Rudy allows Ellison to remotely see his patients when he might otherwise not be in the hospital.

Telemedicine clinic care is especially helpful for patients that live in remote area. Through electronic medical records and imaging, Ellison can have the data he needs on hand to help patients that are not close to a specialist such as himself. "All MDs, whether they realize it or not practice telemedicine," Ellison explained. Medical technology combined with expert and compassionate professionals is the winning combination for optimum patient care. Ellison will touch on this point during his lecture.

Health care professionals understand that looking at a person's entire health is important to the speed of recovery after a medical procedure. Those patients with positive attitudes and experiences are more likely to have a better attitude. If medical advancements such as robots can make a patient more comfortable, chances are post surgery recovery may be enhanced.

Ellison's talk is part of The Cutting Edge of Science Lecture Series offer by Explorit Science Center. It is sponsored by Novozymes and hosted by the Davis Branch Library.

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Explorit Science Center is at 3141 Fifth St. in East Davis. The current exhibition "Catch a Wave: The Science of Light and Sound" runs through Mar. 12. Public hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.explorit.org or call Explorit at (530) 756-0191.