Affiliations: [a] Department of Computer Engineering, Mokpo National University, Muan, Korea | [b] Department of Nursing, Mokpo National University, Muan, Korea | [c] Department of Biomedicine, Health & Life Convergence Sciences, BK21 Four, Mokpo National University, Muan, Korea | [d] Division of Computer Engineering, Hanshin University, Osan, Korea | [e] Department of Nursing, Chung Cheong University, Cheongju, Korea | [f] MNU Disaster-Safety R&D Center, Mokpo National University, Muan, Korea
Correspondence:
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Corresponding authors: Sun Kyung Kim, 1666 Yeongdan-ro, Cheonggye-myeon,
Muan-gun, Jeonnam 58554, Korea. E-mail: [email protected]. Hyoseok Yoon, 137 Hanshindae-gil, Osan-si,
Gyeonggi-do, 18101, Korea. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Smart glass technology offers remote interaction between health professionals for telehealth, alleviating healthcare disparities in isolated areas. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the professionals’ perceptions of smart glass technology as a tool for telehealth and distance learning. METHOD: This mixed-method study on health professionals in 10 different island areas in Korea involved participants experiencing a smart glass-based telehealth system using the scenario of clinical consultation with remote specialists. A group pre- and post-test design was used to examine the change in attitude and perceived importance among health professionals about using smart glasses in telehealth. RESULTS: Forty-seven participants completed both pre-and post-evaluation of smart glasses. A positive, statistically significant change in participants’ perceptions of smart glasses regarding their implications for telehealth and distance learning (p< 0.05) was found. Fifty-one health workers provided feedback on smart glasses, and a majority expressed their expectations of quality care with telehealth using advanced technology. The main concerns were patients’ privacy issues and inadequate technology for seamless application. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of smart glass technology offers great potential to enrich telehealth as well as distance learning for unskilled health professionals in isolated areas. Future studies are needed to increase efforts to secure a high level of acceptance for clinical consultation with remote specialists on this newly developed device.
Keywords: Smart glasses, telehealth, isolated areas, health professionals
