Virtual rounding via videoconference-enabled smartphones: a case for multifacility rounds

Telemedicine is defined as the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve delivery of care. This improvement in delivery of care is evident by more-efficient consults, triaging, and real-time communication between patient and surgeon. Internet-capable smartphones are capable of transferring radiographs and other images. Aziz and Ziccardi in 2009 demonstrated using smartphones for downloading images from the hospital archiving system to the resident's phone and then e-mailing or texting them to the attending for immediate review. Here we build on the work of Aziz and Ziccardi as we describe a novel use of smartphones for virtual rounding between residents and faculty based on improvements in technology, specifically video capability and increased accessibility of compatible devices.