Could remote robotic surgery play a role in improving health outcomes for residents in remote and northern communities? The Conference Board of Canada explores the use of this technology in a newly released report, “Cool Ideas: Remote Surgery.” This paper aims to spark a conversation on whether remote robotic surgery could reduce costs, expand access, and improve surgical services in the North, in the near term or distance future.

Looking to remote robotic surgery to help residents in Canada’s North and other remote regions access important surgical needs requires addressing many issues, including technological, cultural, logistical, and social concerns. But first, northerners need to determine if remote surgery is something they want to consider.

“Cool Ideas: Remote Surgery” is the second report in the Cool Ideas series. This series aims to raise awareness about emerging opportunities while weighing the costs and benefits of new systems against the risks and challenges. The first report of the series was titled “Revolutionary Building for the North: 3D Printing Construction.” Both reports are available from www.conferenceboard.ca/e-library [9].