Nat Mach Intell 2, 566–572 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42256-020-00238-2
- The integration of a robot as a shielding layer, physically separating the healthcare worker and patient, is a powerful tool to combat the omnipresent fear of pathogen contamination and maintain surgical volumes.
- In this Perspective, we outline detailed scenarios in the pre-, intra- and postoperative care, in which the use of robots and artificial intelligence can mitigate infectious contamination and aid patient management in the surgical environment during times of immense patient influx. We also discuss cost-effectiveness and benefits of surgical robotic systems beyond their use in pandemics.
