Videoconferencing to enhance the integration between clinical medicine and teaching: a feasibility study

The aim of the study was to analyze the feasibility of a setting up of a radiotherapy department using videoconferencing technology. A videoconferencing network was started to link an academic center of radiotherapy to a peripheral center of research at the start of its activity. Two years of data o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tumori 2008-11, Vol.94 (6), p.822-829
Main Authors: Morganti, Alessio G, Pasquarelli, Lino, Deodato, Francesco, Digesù, Cinzia, Di Falco, Carlo, Dinapoli, Nicola, Macchia, Gabriella, Picardi, Vincenzo, Tagliaferri, Luca, Valentini, Vincenzo, Cellini, Numa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computer-Assisted Instruction
Education, Distance - organization & administration
Education, Medical, Continuing - organization & administration
Feasibility Studies
Humans
Remote Consultation - economics
Remote Consultation - methods
Teaching
Videoconferencing
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Summary:The aim of the study was to analyze the feasibility of a setting up of a radiotherapy department using videoconferencing technology. A videoconferencing network was started to link an academic center of radiotherapy to a peripheral center of research at the start of its activity. Two years of data of involved professionals, subjects of links, audio, video link problems and running costs were recorded. A total of 418 links was established for an overall duration of 458 hours. The participants included all departmental staff. Videoconferencing involved teaching, ward organization, medical care and scientific subjects. In the second year ofexperience, the number of videoconferencing links was higher than the first (232 vs 186). Link times were reasonable for both skilled and unskilled operators. Overall, the cost per minute of link was 0.2 Euro, and the mean cost per link was 13 Euros. Videoconferencing was integrated with fax and computer networks to enhance sharing paper and electronic documents. Audio-video technical problems progressively decreased: the link was definitively interrupted or its activation unfeasible in only 1.0% of cases. Our experience suggests that the establishment of a link between radiotherapy departments addressed to these aims is feasible by a videoconferencing network.
ISSN:0300-8916
2038-2529
DOI:10.1177/030089160809400608