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Tele-otolaryngology consultations between two rural primary-care centres in southern Lapland and the University Hospital of Umeå.

In 1996 a telemedicine link was established between two primary-care centres of Västerbotten county and the University Hospital. Specialties involved at the University Hospital were otoloaryngology, orthopaedics and dermatology. Videoconferencing used ISDN at 384 kbit/s. The primary-care centres were equipped with video-endoscopes. During the first 21 months, there were 32 otolaryngology consultation. The average time for each consultation was between 15 and 30 min. Patients, general practitioners and specialists were interviewed using questionnaires with answers on a six-point scale, in which a score of six was best. Patient satisfaction produced a mean score of 5.7. The specialist doctors rated the video-consultation satisfactory for diagnosis. Roughly 40% of the referrals could be avoided by telemedicine. The general practitioners rated the educational effect of the consultation very highly.

Health Care Costs↗

Training for telemedicine.

All technology requires training. Simply installing videoconferencing equipment in a hospital or health centre, and leaving the manufacturer's manual nearby, is not sufficient to encourage or maintain its use for telemedicine. Presenting clinicians and other users with thick policy and procedure documents to be read and understood is also not helpful. Following initial awareness raising about telemedicine and its potential, staff must be properly trained: not just in how to turn on the equipment but in how to use it effectively for consultation, education and administrative purposes. Training needs to be continual, especially where staff turnover is high. It should be practical, pitched at different levels, incorporated into mainstream activities such as orientation courses and staff development days wherever possible, and supplemented with clear, straightforward protocols and user-friendly instruction manuals.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Evaluation of the first international teleconference in ophthalmology.

The First International Teleconference in Ophthalmology was held during March 1998 between five sites in the UK, USA, Greece and Malaysia. ISDN transmission at 128 kbit/s was used to reduce costs while maintaining the clarity of the presented material. Specialized lecture theatres were not available at all sites and conventional halls had to be adapted for videoconferencing. For this reason initial point-to-point testing was carried with Bristol to simplify problem solving. Thereafter, a multipoint bridge was used to connect all sites together. During the conference a number of individual presentations were given, all followed by extensive discussion periods. Special instructions were given beforehand on the production of slide material, with particular reference to font sizes and colour combinations. Full use was made of various presentation media, including slides, videos and live demonstrations. The conference was attended by over 500 delegates, all of whom were specialists in ophthalmology. The technology employed was ideal for teaching purposes. However, if used in a clinical field, it should be kept in mind that the choice of transmission rate makes certain features not easily apparent in images but they become clearer when pointed out by the presenter.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Telepresence in videocommunications: a study on stereoscopy and individual eye contact.

We conducted two experiments to investigate how stereoscopy and technologies that allow individual eye contact affect the impression of telepresence in video-conferencing. Telepresence is defined as the degree to which participants of a telemeeting get the impression of sharing space with the remote site. Results revealed, among other things, that stereoscopy increases telepresence and makes videoconferencing more attractive. In addition, we found that reduced eye contact angles enhance the recognizability of individually addressed nonverbal signals. However, a setup that eliminates horizontal and vertical eye contact angles seems to be advantageous only in conferences with more than two persons per site.

Computer Terminals↗

Three-dimensional teleradiology for surveillance following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: To study the feasibility of 3-dimensional (3D) teleradiology in surveillance of patients treated with stent-grafts for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: Between April 2002 and November 2003, 8 AAA patients (7 men; median age 73 years, range 62-84) with stent-grafts had follow-up computed tomograms (CT) performed at their local hospital and transmitted without loss across a broadband connection to the university hospital. On both monitors, the radiologists were presented with the complete CT axial dataset, sagittal and coronal reformatted slices, and a 3D volume-rendered reconstruction. The two radiologists were then able to simultaneously perform measurements and real-time manipulations of the axial and 3D pictures, which were discussed over the telephone or using a videoconferencing unit. Patient satisfaction, the radiologists' evaluation of the method, and the potential cost savings were explored. RESULTS: Twelve follow-up CT scans were performed on the 8 patients. The time for transmission over the teleradiological network averaged 5 minutes, and the evaluation required 15 minutes at the university hospital. The overall technical quality of the images was rated as good by the university radiologist. In 11 studies, the stent-grafts were satisfactory, but a type III endoleak was detected in one 5.5-year-old stent-graft. Neither radiologist had a problem identifying the endoleak. Patients had confidence that the examination at the local hospital was of good quality; they all felt that they received good care and were pleased with avoiding travel to the university hospital. From the economic analysis, an annual savings of 40,000 Euros (USD 52,304) was projected, mostly due to avoiding hospital stays and outpatient consultations at the university hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The experiences from this study are encouraging, but a larger series will be necessary for a thorough evaluation of 3D teleradiology as a surveillance method for aortic stent-graft patients.

Aged↗

[Teaching activities in the program for health promotion and addiction prevention in 2003-2004].

The Faculty of Nursing at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Mexico started as a professional career in 1952, being a part of the university programs and offering the technical nursing career. Later, in 1986, the teacher training program in nursing initiated. In 1996, the University Council approved the project for a presential Masters Course in Nursing Science. The distance mode of the same course initiated in 2002, using interactive videoconferencing, and is offered in various status of the Mexican Republic. As a participant in the CICAD (Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission) program, the Faculty of Nursing aims to create networks to contribute to a decrease in drugs demand in Latin America and the Caribbean through transformative leadership, promoting a holistic focus on health prevention.

Education, Distance↗

Making global telemedicine practical and affordable: demonstrations from the Middle East.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the first use of voice-grade telephone lines for the international transmission of both high-resolution digital images (radiology and pathology) and video in near real-time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight live demonstrations were performed from the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the respective ministries of health. Thirty radiologic studies (CT, MR, and radiographs) were digitized, compressed, and transmitted to Cambridge, MA, where they were interpreted on diagnostic workstations (1792 x 2252 display matrix) by a team of subspecialist radiologists. Near real-time image transmission was achieved by combining wavelet-based image compression (average compression ratio of 23:1) and multiplexing technology that used four phone lines simultaneously. During each demonstration, one pathology image was transmitted from Cambridge to the demonstration site, where it was interpreted by a visiting pathologist. Video-conferencing was implemented with a 64-kilobits-per-sec leased line from the United Arab Emirates and with four multiplexed telephone lines from Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: For teleradiology and telepathology, transmission times ranged from 2-5 min per image. Image fidelity was judged to be of diagnostic quality in all transmitted cases. The video link to the United Arab Emirates was highly reliable. Bandwidth for videoconferencing from Saudi Arabia was marginal on four voice-grade telephone lines, resulting in some downtime (10-20%). Live consultations provided by subspecialists in Cambridge assisted in the management of patients at both venues. The system was well received by both the referring physicians in the Middle East and the participants in the United States. CONCLUSION: Image compression and multiplexing technologies enabled high-resolution teleradiology and telepathology as well as real-time video consultations over international telephone lines. While telecommunications systems are advancing rapidly in many parts of the world, those areas most in need of telemedicine services are likely to be the last to upgrade their telecommunications infrastructures. This "proof of concept" article outlines a practical and affordable approach that makes telemedicine more accessible to underserved areas worldwide.

Humans↗

Innovation and partnership: the voluntary sector contribution.

I CAN building on its long experience of integrating education and speech and language therapy in its specialist speech and language schools, has pioneered a variety of new approaches to collaborative working for the benefit of children. This paper describes three examples of relatively new services: Specialist nurseries; Teach Speech: a pilot project for primary aged children using videoconferencing; and Secondary School Language Resources within mainstream schools. Studies to evaluate the effectiveness of some of the services are also reported. All three types of service described demonstrate effective collaboration between at least two of the following three sectors: voluntary, statutory and private. The potential and benefits of this collaboration are highlighted.

Adolescent↗

Information technology in veterinary pharmacology instruction.

Veterinary clinical pharmacology encompasses all interactions between drugs and animals and applies basic and clinical knowledge to improve rational drug use and patient outcomes. Veterinary pharmacology instructors set educational goals and objectives that, when mastered by students, lead to improved animal health. The special needs of pharmacology instruction include establishing a functional interface between basic and clinical knowledge, managing a large quantity of information, and mastering quantitative skills essential to successful drug administration and analysis of drug action. In the present study, a survey was conducted to determine the extent to which veterinary pharmacology instructors utilize information technology (IT) in their teaching. Several IT categories were investigated, including Web-based instructional aids, stand-alone pharmacology software, interactive videoconferencing, databases, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and e-book applications. Currently IT plays a largely ancillary role in pharmacology instruction. IT use is being expanded primarily through the efforts of two veterinary professional pharmacology groups, the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology (ACVCP) and the American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (AAVPT). The long-term outcome of improved IT use in pharmacology instruction should be to support the larger educational mission of active learning and problem solving. Creation of high-quality IT resources that promote this goal has the potential to improve veterinary pharmacology instruction within and across institutions.

Animals↗

Remote delivery of cognitive science laboratories: a solution for small disciplines in large countries.

Numerically small disciplines can be jeopardized by geographic difficulties, if student populations at universities are small and distances between them large. This problem could be addressed, if teaching resources could be shared among several universities and students in several locations could be taught simultaneously. We present the results of a trial in simultaneous Internet and videoconferencing delivery of an introductory cognitive science laboratory. The trial relied on off-the-shelf software and hardware. Students found the delivery nearly as effective as a locally run laboratory, despite a noticeable difference in the level of interactivity between the remote and other, local laboratory classes. We discuss possible further improvements in teaching efficiency and efficacy.

Cognitive Science↗

Networking guru cherishes 'the links'. Interview by Damon Braly.

"The links" takes on several meanings to avid sportsfan and networking guru Mark Caron, director of networking and personal computing for Healthsource, Inc., Hookset, N.H. Caron is attempting to lead the way among integrated healthcare delivery networks by setting up a client/server architecture, videoconferencing and Internet connections between Healthsource sites.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Evaluation of a satellite educational program.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program using a combination of live satellite programming and individualized instruction. A secondary goal was to develop an evaluation strategy that would be useful to other educators who provide distance-based educational programs. SETTING: A program designed for public health officers who would serve as laboratory directors in local public health laboratories was presented live by satellite in June 1993. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: The course emphasized good laboratory practice as needed to direct a laboratory performing moderate complexity tests. Physicians who completed the course received 20 continuing medical education credits and qualified as laboratory directors under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA 88). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Increase in participants' knowledge of good laboratory practices and application of the practices in their laboratories. RESULTS: Participant satisfaction levels in areas ranging from quality of the video transmission to meeting the course objectives were favorable. Participants demonstrated a significant gain in scores on a test given before and after the course. Problem solving exercises posed during the telecast demonstrated that the participants were actively involved and had completed the self-study material. A sample of participants surveyed several months after the course indicated that many had applied the course material in their workplaces. CONCLUSIONS: Distance-based education using a combination of interactive videoconferencing and self-study material can be a useful tool to enhance cognitive skills for a geographically diverse group of individuals. If carefully planned in advance, evaluation of distance-based educational programs can provide information that verifies the effectiveness of the program.

Education, Medical, Continuing↗

Managing the Paradox.

In the information age, one of the paradoxes is how to get the information your organization needs to where it's needed when it's needed. At the MHA, we've made a strategic decision to employ the Internet (MHAnet), fax on demand (MHA QuickFax), and videoconferencing capabilities to communicate, almost instantaneously, with key staff at member institutions. These methods don't replace face-to-face meetings and documents through the mail, but they do offer members additional avenues for immediate access to the resources and services of the MHA.

Community Health Planning↗

Bridges link the world.

Organizations that use videoconferencing quickly discover how a video call connecting two sites can be a productive and cost effective way to hold meetings, offer remote diagnosis and participate in distance learning. But, administrative and education applications, in particular, are likely to require that multiple sites be networked at the same time. A simple solution is video bridging.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Advances in digital video for electronic media.

From media's early days of film strips and records, to today's multimedia CD-ROMs, nurses have embraced educational tools. Today, the capabilities of these tools have placed a tremendous demand for providing information any time, any where. This has led to increasing digitization of sights and sounds. Once digitized, this information can travel over information highways made up of telephone lines, fiberoptic cables, microwaves and satellites, or it can be stored on magnetic and optical media. Technological advances have made it possible for computer users to create, store and retrieve high quality digital still and moving video and audio for inclusion in electronic media. Methods for digitizing include capturing and converting the information with cameras, scanners and capture boards. Digital video compression/decompression (codec) standards vary in quality. Potential uses of digital video abound including video on demand, videoconferencing, distance learning, telemedicine, on-line education and computer-based training. Examples illustrating the differences in digital video formats will be shown during the presentation.

Analog-Digital Conversion↗

Medical emergency aid through telematics: design, implementation guidelines and analysis of user requirements for the MERMAID project.

MERMAID is an EU financed telemedicine project with global reach and 24-hour, multilingual capability. It aspires to provide a model for the provision of health care services based on the electronic transmission of medical information, via ISDN based videoconferencing. This model will not be limited to medical diagnostics but it will encompass all cases where the actual delivery of health care services involves a patient who is not located where the provider is. Its implementation requires the commissioning of an expensive telecommunications infrastructure and the exploration of a number of solutions. In fact, all categories of telemedical applications (audio and video conferencing, multimedia communications, flat file and image transfer with low, medium and high bandwidth data requirements) will be considered while the full range of network choices (Digital land lines, Cellular/Wireless, Satellite and Broadband) will be tested in terms of cost/performance tradeoffs that are inherent to them and the developmental stage each of these options occupies in their in its life cycle. Finally, out that MERMAID utilises advanced land based line transmission technologies to aid the remote patient by making available the specialist care that is best suited in the particular case.

Emergency Medical Services↗

A convincing case for the provision of telemedicine services to ocean going vessels: the MERMAID paradigm.

MERMAID is an EU financed telemedicine project with global reach and 24-hour, multilingual capability. It aspires to provide a model for the provision of health care services based on the electronic transmission of medical information, via ISDN based videoconferencing. This model will not be limited to medical diagnostics but it will encompass all cases where the actual delivery of health care services involves a patient who is not located where the provider is. Its implementation requires the commissioning of an expensive telecommunications infrastructure and the exploration of a number of solutions. In fact, all categories of telemedical applications (audio and video conferencing, multimedia communications, flat file and image transfer with low, medium and high bandwidth data requirements) are considered while the full range of network choices (Digital land lines, Cellular/Wireless, Satellite and Broadband) are being tested in terms of cost/performance tradeoffs that are inherent to them and the developmental state each of these options occupies in their in its life cycle. Finally, out that MERMAID utilises advanced land based line transmission technologies to aid the remote patient by making available the specialist care that is best suited in the particular case.

Emergency Medical Services↗

Training residents in medical informatics.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A number of medical educators have called for an increased emphasis on medical informatics training, but few family practice residency programs have provided more than cursory teaching efforts in this area. This paper provides an overview of approaches to medical informatics education that have been implemented with some success by "pioneer" programs. A comprehensive review of the literature reveals many promising teaching applications of informatics tools, such as palmtop computing devices, e-mail, decision support software, and videoconferencing. However, barriers to the advancement of informatics training in residency remain, including low rates of computer ownership and use among residents, a lack of information regarding faculty computer skills, and lack of collaboration among programs teaching informatics. Based on the literature review and tempered by expert recommendations, an eight-step process for developing or refining a family medicine informatics curriculum is proposed: 1) conduct a needs assessment 2) review expert recommendations, 3) enlist faculty and local institutional support, 4) espouse a human-centered approach, 5) integrate informatics training into the larger curriculum, 6) provide easy access to computers, 7) provide practical training, and 8) measure and report educational outcomes.

Computer Literacy↗