Customer Interview 2

Project Description For this interview, we discussed the practicality and market need for a tool to aid in the remote

diagnosis of strokes via telemedicine. The tool is a wearable device worn on the face that allows

a specialist to remotely assess the visual fields of a patient.

Interviewee: Sara Robbins | Certified Nurse Practitioner, Stroke Network

Interview Summary Sara Robbins is a certified nurse practitioner within the northwest Ohio stroke network. She was

interviewed due to her breadth of experience and exposure to stroke cases and her familiarity

with the diagnosis and evaluation process.

The product’s purpose and planned features were explained in depth with a chance for Sara to

ask questions. Overall, Sara liked the product idea and provided good feedback. Sara first

explained the process for evaluating potential stroke victims once they arrive at the hospital. The

first priority for potential stroke victims in an emergency situation is to perform a computed

tomography (CT) scan of the patient’s brain to rule out any intracranial bleeding (indicative of a

hemorrhagic stroke). On the way to the CT scanner, a practitioner will ask the patient questions

from the National Institute of Health (NIH) stroke scale assessment. This assessment involves

performing a visual fields test and obtaining patient answers to several questions to establish

metrics such as the patient’s last known time of feeling “normal.” Depending on scan and test

results, patients can sometimes undergo an immediate procedure known as a thrombectomy in

which the clot causing the stroke is retrieved from the artery in the brain, and the patients may

also be given a “clot-busting” medication known as TPA.

Sara made sure to note that she did not think the device would be of appropriate use in acute

stroke situations (short term and severe), rather, it had more appropriate applications in minor

stroke situations (less severe than acute cases) and in teleneurology settings. Sara also explained

that mobile stroke units exist, and in those cases in which these units are being used, the device

may prove to be of no use as these mobile units often contain mobile CT scanners and other

stroke-specific supplementary items.

Sara also explained the relationship between ProMedica Toledo Hospital and other area hospitals

concerning cases of possible stroke. For acute stroke cases, other area hospitals will generally

transport the patient to ProMedica Toledo Hospital for confirmed diagnosis and treatment (and

this transport can take more than an hour), but this is not usually the case for minor strokes. She

stated that in cases of minor stroke, this device may be especially useful at these remote locations

as it may aide in providing a more accurate diagnosis when a qualified neuroscientist or stroke

practitioner is not available.

Conclusion In response to much of Sara’s comments and feedback, further research may need to be done in

terms of market analysis as well as marketing techniques and targets. If the device is more

suitable for teleneurology and research settings (rather than emergency medicine), then a change

in marketing strategy may be needed.