In the context of rapidly advancing telehealth globally, a physician in Tennessee, USA, has pioneered the use of hologram technology to treat cancer patients in rural areas, opening new prospects for accessing high-quality healthcare services.
Dr. Clay Jackson conducting a “virtual” consultation using hologram technology. (Photo: Reuters).
At the West Cancer Center & Research Institute in Memphis, Dr. Clay Jackson, a palliative care specialist, is performing “virtual” consultations that feel incredibly real through three-dimensional hologram images. This technology allows the doctor to “be present” at satellite clinics located up to 100 miles (160 km) away from the main office.
“For many patients, a 100-mile journey means facing 100 barriers to accessing healthcare,” Dr. Jackson shared. “The ability to ‘move’ to rural clinics enables me to treat more patients right in their local communities, providing convenience and patient-centered care.”
Hologram technology not only helps overcome geographical barriers but also maintains the “human touch” in the healthcare process. Many patients report that the experience of a hologram consultation “feels as if the doctor is truly present in the room.” This initiative is expected to expand to many other rural areas in the United States, where there is a severe shortage of specialists.
Holograms are a technology that creates vivid three-dimensional images using laser techniques, allowing for high-detail visuals and a realistic feel. Compared to traditional telemedicine solutions such as video calls, holograms provide a more natural and intimate interactive experience.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 50% of the world’s population lives in rural areas, yet only about 20% of doctors and healthcare professionals work in these regions. Hologram technology can help address this issue by enabling doctors and healthcare workers to more easily reach patients in rural areas, thus narrowing the gap in healthcare access between urban and rural settings.
