Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Videoconferencing”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Video transmission for telemedicine.

The transmission of moving pictures to remote locations is an important part of telemedicine. Although the first videoconferencing demonstrations were performed in the 1930s, the technology is still fragmented and its quality is sometimes too poor for it to be useful. Conventional television technology is analogue (the fundamental television standards were developed before the Second World War) and does not 'fit' the digital world very well. This paper reviews video transmission and videoconferencing technologies and the results that can be expected. While trained professionals may be able to make use of poor-quality video systems, real advances in telemedicine require studio-quality video, which is possible only with high-bandwidth technology.

Analog-Digital Conversion↗
PubMed1999

Teleconsultations between general practitioners and ophthalmologists in Finland.

We carried out a study of the value of videoconferencing in consultations between general practitioners (GPs) and ophthalmologists in Finland. We used ISDN lines (128 kbit/s) between the Primary Health Care Centre in Ikaalinen and the ophthalmology clinic at the Tampere University Hospital (TAUH). Questionnaires covering both clinical and technical matters were given to patients and doctors after the consultation. During the 10-month study, consultations were carried out successfully for 23 of 24 patients (96%). Most consultations (84%) took less than 15 min. If we had not had this system, the GP would have made 21 referrals to an ophthalmologist. After teleconsultation, six patients were sent to the TAUH, so the system saved 15 referrals. Twenty-two patients (92%) thought that videoconferencing was a reliable tool for GPs. Our system proved to be a valuable and reliable tool for the GPs in ophthalmology consultations and continuing education.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1999

Equipment for minor injuries telemedicine.

A telemedicine system for minor injuries work comprises two main components: (1) a face-to-face videoconferencing system, often including a second camera at the patient end for close-up pictures; and (2) a system for the transmission and display of radiographic images (i.e. teleradiology). There is a wide variety of equipment being used for minor injuries telemedicine in the UK. For videoconferencing, low-cost systems--including those based on PCs--and medium-cost systems are in use. For teleradiology, high-resolution system (i.e. those complying with the standard set by the American College of Radiology) and low-resolution systems (i.e. those which do not) are in use. The quality of the telemedicine interaction for minor injuries work therefore appears to be less dependent on the sophistication of the equipment used than on other factors, including human ones. Equipment choice has implications for costs.

Computer Terminals↗
PubMed1999

Use of telemedicine in undergraduate teaching of surgery.

Telemedicine as an undergraduate teaching method was evaluated by exposing medical students to outpatient videoconferencing. Forty clinical students on a 10-week surgical rotation participated in the study. Telemedicine sessions involved videoconferencing from the general surgical outpatient department located in a sister hospital 8 km away, using a roll-about system connected by ISDN at 384 kbit/s. A questionnaire was used to assess the quality of time spent and educational information obtained by the students. On a scale of 0-10, the students gave an overall rating of 9.7 for outpatient teaching using telemedicine. All 40 students indicated a willingness to return for similar teaching sessions. Even though the results were encouraging, an objective assessment of the knowledge gained by the students is required before the inclusion of this teaching technique in an existing medical curriculum can be recommended unequivocally.

Attitude↗
PubMed1999

Scoring written material from the Mini-Mental State Examination: a comparison of face-to-face, fax and video-linked scoring.

We assessed the reliability of scoring written items of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) using different communication modes: face to face, fax and videoconferencing. A total of 99 MMSEs were recovered from the records of a community mental health team for the elderly. The written parts of the examination (sentence and pentagrams) were scored--in person, using a faxed copy or over the video-link--according to published criteria. Relative to in-person scoring, sentences could be scored reliably when faxed (kappa = 0.80), as could pentagrams (kappa = 0.71). Sentences could be reliably scored over the videoconferencing link (kappa = 0.70), but pentagrams could not (kappa = 0.47). Caution is required before accepting the results of scoring such tests over video-links.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Telerehabilitation tools for the provision of remote speech-language treatment.

Telerehabilitation is the method of using communication technologies to provide rehabilitation at a distance. Advancements in videoconferencing and networking technologies present opportunities to deliver rehabilitation services to patients at home, at school, in the workplace, and in the community. Speech-language treatment is an area of rehabilitation well suited for telerehabilitation. This article will review the technology for performing remote speech-language diagnosis and treatment for patients after stroke. Development of a telerehabilitation system incorporating computerized therapy tasks with a touchscreen interface is described. Such a system enhances off-the-shelf videoconferencing equipment and extends the potential utility and effectiveness of telerehabilitation sessions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Telemental health technology in deaf and general mental-health services: access and use.

Long-distance travel to provide mental health services for deaf people has implications for efficiency, safety, and equality of service. However, uptake of Telemental Health (TMH) has been slow in both deaf and general mental health services. A quantitative study was used to investigate access to TMH and whether staff confidence, experience, or demographics affect TMH use. It was concluded that staff in neither deaf mental health services nor general mental health services had adequate knowledge of or access to TMH. Staff expressed concerns over TMH's appropriateness in their work. Previous use of videoconferencing was assosciated significantly with confidence, but previous use of videophones was not. Neither staff in deaf services nor deaf staff were more experienced with or more confident about videoconferencing, whereas, within deaf services, deaf staff were significantly more confident about videophone use. Training implications are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Teledentistry and its use in dental education.

BACKGROUND: Teledentistry is a relatively new field that combines telecommunication technology and dental care. Most dentists and dental educators are unaware that teledentistry can be used not only for increased access to dental care, but also for advanced dental education. TYPE OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors describe teledentistry as it is applied worldwide, as well as its uses in education. Teledentistry in education can be divided into two main categories: self-instruction and interactive videoconferencing. Both of these methods have been used in several studies and countries. RESULTS: The type of network connectivity used greatly affects the feasibility of teledentistry education. Furthermore, no optimal type exists, but health care professionals should choose the mode based on budget, geography and technical support available. Of the two main categories of teledentistry in education, the interactive videoconferencing method has had better results because of its ability to provide immediate feedback. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Teledentistry can extend care to underserved patient populations, such as those in rural areas, at a reasonable cost. Teledentistry provides an opportunity to supplement traditional teaching methods in dental education, and will provide new opportunities for dental students and dentists.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed2002

Impact of telemedicine on the practice of pediatric cardiology in community hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Tele-echocardiography has the potential to bring real-time diagnoses to neonatal facilities without in-house pediatric cardiologists. Many neonates in rural areas, smaller cities, and community hospitals do not have immediate access to pediatric sonographers or echocardiogram interpretation by pediatric cardiologists. This can result in suboptimal echocardiogram quality, delay in initiation of medical intervention, unnecessary patient transport, and increased medical expenditures. Telemedicine has been used with increased frequency to improve efficiency of pediatric cardiology care in hospitals that are not served by pediatric cardiologists. Initial reports suggest that telecardiology is accurate, improves patient care, is cost-effective, enhances echocardiogram quality, and prevents unnecessary transports of neonates in locations that are not served by pediatric cardiologists. OBJECTIVE: We report the largest series to evaluate the impact of telemedicine on delivery of pediatric cardiac care in community hospitals. We hypothesized that live telemedicine guidance and interpretation of neonatal echocardiograms from community hospitals is accurate, improves patient care, enhances sonographer proficiency, allows for more efficient physician time management, increases patient referrals, and does not result in increased utilization of echocardiography. METHODS: Using desktop videoconferencing computers, pediatric cardiologists guided and interpreted pediatric echocardiograms from 2 community hospital nurseries 15 miles from a tertiary care center. Studies were transmitted in real-time using the H.320 videoconferencing protocol over 3 integrated services digital network lines (384 kilobits per second). This resulted in a frame rate of 23 to 30 frames per second. Sonographers who primarily scanned adult patients but had received additional training in echocardiography of infants performed the echocardiograms. Additional views were suggested as deemed necessary by the interpreting physician, and interpretations were made during the videoconference. The results of the echocardiogram and recommendations for patient care were communicated to the referring physician over the telemedicine system. Analyses of accuracy, patient treatment, echocardiogram quality, time to diagnosis, pediatric cardiologist practice time management, patient referral patterns, and echocardiography utilization were conducted prospectively. RESULTS: A total of 500 studies in 364 patients were transmitted during a 30-month period. The most common indication for echocardiography was to rule out congenital heart disease (208 of 500 studies). Signs and symptoms that prompted this concern included cyanosis, murmur, tachypnea, genetic syndrome, arrhythmia, abnormal fetal echocardiogram, and maternal diabetes. Other indications included suspected patent ductus arteriosus (PDA; 182 of 500 studies), intracardiac clot or catheter position, persistent pulmonary hypertension, and hemodynamic instability. Cardiac diagnoses included complex congenital heart disease (n = 16), noncritical heart disease (n = 107), and PDA (n = 86). Additional diagnoses included persistent pulmonary hypertension (n = 12), septal hypertrophy (n = 18), right atrial mass/clot/vegetation (n = 11), and decreased cardiac function (n = 6). An umbilical venous catheter was visualized in the left atrium in 9% (45 of 500) of all studies. No significant abnormalities were found in 244 studies. Major diagnoses were confirmed by subsequent review of videotape in all studies. Comparison of final videotape interpretation to initial telemedicine diagnosis resulted in 1 minor diagnostic change (membranous versus inlet ventricular septal defect). Echocardiograms were performed in subsequent visits in 264 patients. The diagnosis was altered in 3 patients. Telemedicine had an immediate impact on patient care in 151 transmissions. The most common interventions were indomethacin treatment for PDA (n = 76), retraction of umbilical venous catheters from the left atrium (n = 45), inotropic or anticongestive therapy (n = 19), anticoagulation (n = 8), and prostaglandin infusion (n = 8). Nineteen patients were transported to our hospital because of the telemedicine diagnosis. Inpatient or outpatient cardiology follow-up was recommended in an additional 131 studies and did not result in any change in the initial management. The most common diagnoses in these patients were ventricular septal defect (n = 56), atrial septal defect (n = 21), septal hypertrophy (n = 9), intracardiac thrombosis (n = 8), and pulmonary valve stenosis (n = 4). We speculate that the immediate availability of an echocardiographic diagnosis likely prevented unnecessary transport in 14 cases. Recommendations for additional views or adjustment of echocardiography machine settings were made in 95% of transmissions. Real-time guidance was especially helpful in suprasternal notch and subcostal sagittal imaging. Depth, color Doppler sector size, and color Doppler scale were frequently adjusted from routine adult settings during the teleconference. The average time from request for echocardiogram to completion of the videoconference was 28 +/- 14 minutes. This was significantly shorter than the waiting time (12 +/- 16 hours) for the videotape to be delivered by courier. Telemedicine eliminated the need for consultation in 194 cases and allowed the cardiologist to delay the visit until the end of the day in an additional 26 cases. This resulted in average time savings of 4.2 person-hours/wk based on travel and consultation time. Utilization of echocardiography was similar before (35 of 1000 births) and after (33 of 1000 to 43 of 1000) telemedicine installation. The percentage of neonatal echocardiograms that were interpreted by our practice increased from 63% to 81% at 1 hospital and from 0% to 100% at the other hospital. CONCLUSION: Real-time transmission of neonatal echocardiograms from community hospitals over 3 integrated services digital network lines is accurate and has the potential to improve patient care, enhance echocardiogram quality, aid sonographer education, and have a positive impact on referral patterns and time management without increasing the utilization of echocardiography.

Cardiology Service, Hospital↗
PubMed2006

Computer-mediated communication: task performance and satisfaction.

The author assessed satisfaction and performance on 3 tasks (idea generation, intellective, judgment) among 75 dyads (N = 150) working through 1 of 3 modes of communication (instant messaging, videoconferencing, face to face). The author based predictions on the Media Naturalness Theory (N. Kock, 2001, 2002) and on findings from past researchers (e.g., D. M. DeRosa, C. Smith, & D. A. Hantula, in press) of the interaction between tasks and media. The present author did not identify task performance differences, although satisfaction with the medium was lower among those dyads communicating through an instant-messaging system than among those interacting face to face or through videoconferencing. The findings support the Media Naturalness Theory. The author discussed them in relation to the participants' frequent use of instant messaging and their familiarity with new communication media.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

A web-based family problem-solving intervention for families of children with traumatic brain injury.

We developed a Web-based intervention for pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and examined its feasibility for participants with limited computer experience. Six families, including parents, siblings, and children with TBI, were given computers, Web cameras, and high-speed Internet access. Weekly videoconferences with the therapist were conducted after participants completed on-line interactive experiences on problem solving, communication, and TBI-specific behavior management. Families were assigned to videoconference with NetMeeting (iBOT cameras) or ViaVideo. Participants ranked the Web site and videoconferences as moderately to very easy to use. ViaVideo participants rated videoconferencing significantly more favorably relative to face-to-face meetings than did NetMeeting participants. Both the Web site and videoconferencing were rated as very helpful. All families demonstrated improved outcomes on one or more target behaviors, including increased understanding of the injury and improved parent-child relationships. All parents and siblings and all but 1 child with TBI said they would recommend the program to others. We conclude that a face-to-face intervention can be successfully adapted to the Web for families with varied computer experience.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Otolaryngology consultations by real-time telemedicine.

We aimed to assess the value of real-time telemedicine using low cost videoconferencing equipment for otorhinolaryngology consultations. A general practitioner, using low cost videoconferencing equipment, presented patients to an otorhinolaryngologist. After history taking and clinical examination, investigations were requested if required and a diagnosis and management plan formulated. The patients were then seen, by the same otorhinolaryngologist, for a conventional face-to-face consultation. Differences in the history, clinical examination and investigation requests were reported. The accuracy of diagnosis and correlation of management plans between the two consultations were analysed. Forty-three patients were admitted to the study but one, a young child, refused examination either by tele-link or the conventional approach and had to be excluded. There were thus 42 patients with 55 diagnoses included in the trial, 26 (62%) females and 16 (38%) males. Age range was 5 months to 70 years. There was no difficulty with any of the patients in obtaining an accurate history and ordering investigations, if required, via the telelink. Clinical examination during the tele-link consultation was inadequate for eight out of the first 20 patients, resulting in a wrong diagnosis in three patients and a missed diagnosis in five patients. All of the next 22 patients had a correct diagnosis and management plan. Comparison of data from the two types of consultation showed that a correct diagnosis and management plan was made in 34 patients. Low cost real-time telemedicine is a useful technique, providing reliable otorhinolaryngology consultations in a general practice setting. However initial difficulties due to inexperience in using the equipment need to be overcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Controlled trial of discharge planning by video-link in a UK urban mental health service: responses of staff and service users.

We examined the use of videoconferencing in a UK urban mental health service for discharge planning within the framework of the Care Programme Approach (CPA). The study was an AB design. Baseline data were collected over three months, before the introduction of the CPA by videoconferencing. Twenty-seven CPA meetings were held in the baseline phase of the study and 23 during the video-link phase. Service users and professional participants were asked to complete the Guy's Communication Questionnaire (GCQ) at the end of the meeting. A total of 204 GCQs were completed (88% of those issued). Responses were compared between the face-to-face and video-link conditions. No significant differences were found in satisfaction measures between the two conditions. These data suggest that the video-link medium is acceptable to service users and professionals alike for discharge planning.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2002

Telenursing: clinical nurse consultancy for rural paediatric nurses.

Videoconferencing is increasingly being accepted as a medium for health-care. Telenursing is in its infancy in Australia but has enormous potential for nursing care in remote areas. The Child and Adolescent Psychological Telemedicine Outreach Service (CAPTOS) began in 1997 and in its first evaluation recommended more support for paediatric nurses. CAPTOS telenursing began as a new initiative in late 2001. The telenursing project aims to link ward nurses to CAPTOS and local community teams, and to provide both clinical consultancy on nursing and interdisciplinary issues and locally based professional development Telenursing supports nurses via site visits, videoconferencing sessions, an interactive Website and sabbatical opportunities. Telehealth works with existing services to enhance the nursing care of young people with a complex mixture of psychological and physical health problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Online support to facilitate the reintegration of students with brain injury: trials and errors.

The reintegration of students after acquired/traumatic brain injury (ABI/TBI) continues to be fraught with difficulties. Presented are (1) case studies exploring the potential of online support for teachers of students with ABI after returning from a paediatric rehabilitation centre; (2) results of Internet-based courses about reintegrating students with ABI; (3) outcomes of videoconferencing-based and Internet email-based support; (4) development of an online support process that uses Questions and Answers as a quick and immediate resource for teachers. The authors recommend that a collaborative process be instituted, in order to generate a relatively small number of high quality online resources about re-integrating students into their school and community. A second recommendation focuses on the development of online support network which may be text or email based or which may use videoconferencing over the Internet. Such networks allow students with ABI to maintain contact with their family and friends in the home community and facilitate their reintegration. An Internet-based support structure also allows professionals to provide consultation, collaboration and continuing input.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Shared virtual environments for telerehabilitation.

Current VR telerehabilitation systems use offline remote monitoring from the clinic and patient-therapist videoconferencing. Such "store and forward" and video-based systems cannot implement medical services involving patient therapist direct interaction. Real-time telerehabilitation applications (including remote therapy) can be developed using a shared Virtual Environment (VE) architecture. We developed a two-user shared VE for hand telerehabilitation. Each site has a telerehabilitation workstation with a videocamera and a Rutgers Master II (RMII) force feedback glove. Each user can control a virtual hand and interact hapticly with virtual objects. Simulated physical interactions between therapist and patient are implemented using hand force feedback. The therapist's graphic interface contains several virtual panels, which allow control over the rehabilitation process. These controls start a videoconferencing session, collect patient data, or apply therapy. Several experimental telerehabilitation scenarios were successfully tested on a LAN. A Web-based approach to "real-time" patient telemonitoring--the monitoring portal for hand telerehabilitation--was also developed. The therapist interface is implemented as a Java3D applet that monitors patient hand movement. The monitoring portal gives real-time performance on off-the-shelf desktop workstations.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2006

Improving the supervision of therapy assistants in Western Australia: the Therapy Assistant Project (TAP).

INTRODUCTION: Multidisciplinary therapy assistants (TAs) are increasingly seen as a model suited to the provision of allied health services in rural and remote areas. Supervision is a key aspect of therapy assistant practice. The rural context presents many challenges in supervising TAs including: a multidisciplinary TA role, outreach service delivery models, inexperienced allied health professionals (AHPs) and a high turnover of AHPs. At present there are no accepted standards for supervising TAs in this context. This study aimed to improve the supervision of TAs by AHPs in a rural setting. Improving supervision formed one aspect of the Therapy Assistant Project (TAP). METHODS: Minimum standards for supervision were developed, a process for recording TA supervision introduced, and training in supervision skills was delivered to AHPs. A mixed method study design was used to determine the impact of introducing minimum standards and supervisor training on supervision practices. RESULTS: Minimum supervision standards included: program and administrative discussion, observation, and demonstration of therapy sessions. Methods recommended for supervising allowed regular supervision of TAs in small, distant rural towns. Developing minimum standards for supervision, a process for recording supervision, and training in supervisory skills resulted in increased supervision between AHPs and TAs. AHP and TA participants expressed satisfaction with minimum supervision standards. The frequency and amount of supervision increased although videoconferencing for supervising TAs in distant towns was not widely used for supervision. CONCLUSION: This study provides a new resource for supervision practices for rural TAs. The minimum standards for supervision would be a suitable resource to assist health services seeking to improve supervision of TAs or commencing a TA program. Further exploration of the use of videoconferencing for supervising TAs in distant rural towns is suggested. Training in supervision skills for AHPs should include introductory and complex supervision methods. This study represents one step in defining standards for rural and remote TA practice.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Cognitive intervention for community-dwelling older persons with memory problems: telemedicine versus face-to-face treatment.

BACKGROUND: Memory complaints and decline in cognitive function are common in the elderly. Cognitive intervention has been shown to be beneficial in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, few community-based cognitive intervention programs are available in Hong Kong. The aim of this project is to examine and compare the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcome of a cognitive intervention program for older patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia using telemedicine versus a conventional face-to-face method. METHODS: Community-dwelling older subjects with mild dementia or mild cognitive impairments were recruited from a community center. A total of 12 sessions of assessment and cognitive intervention were conducted via videoconferencing or by face-to-face method. Assessment included: Cantonese version of Mini Mental State Examination (C-MMSE), Cantonese version of Rivermead Behavioural Memory test (C-RBMT) and Hierarchic Dementia Scale (HDS). RESULTS: Twenty-two clients were recruited. There was significant and comparable cognitive improvement in clients in both treatment arms. The videoconference arm was highly accepted by the clients and the community center. Overall compliance rate of participants was above 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine was a feasible, effective and acceptable means in providing cognitive assessment and intervention to older persons with mild cognitive deficits. Promoting such a program to other community settings would further enhance the accessibility of dementia service to the community.

Aged↗