Preliminary Experience of Video Conferences in Pediatrics in Covid-19 Pandemic

A video conference enables real-time exchange between two or more participants at different locations via audio and video communication. In terms of the visualization of the discussion partners, a videoconference thus differs from a classic telephone conference and expands it to include the visual component. The term videoconferencing system refers to the technological setup or infrastructure behind such a videoconference, the videoconferencing technology. This refers to the hardware and software components that are required to carry out a videoconference technically.

Remote Medical Education in Indonesia: Analysis of 10 Years of Activities

Introduction: With ongoing development of technology, and especially amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, there is rapidly increasing need for remote communications, including in the field of medical education. This study aimed to evaluate our telemedicine activities between Japan and Indonesia. Methods: We retrospectively analysed the data acquired for the period 2010–2019 inclusive, looking at number of programmes, content, participating sites, and videoconferencing systems. We also digitally sent questionnaires to attendees to request their evaluation of image quality and programmes. Results: There were a total 135 programmes, with 29 participating institutions in Indonesia. The number of programmes increased rapidly in 2017, following a rapid increase of participating sites in 2016. Programmes included endoscopy (50 programmes, 37%), neurology (25, 19%), and dentistry (12, 9%). Between 5 and 10 sites connected with 81 programmes (60% of all), and more than 10 sites with 33 (24%). The most commonly used videoconferencing system was Vidyo (108, 80%), followed by Zoom (15, 11%). Participating institutions were located among 19 cities on the five major islands. Image quality received a favourable evaluation from 98% (504/516) of questionnaire respondents, with 100% (400/400) holding a favourable view of the programmes. Conclusion: Remote medical education expanded in Indonesia in the 10 years under review. This expansion is expected to continue to foster more specialists and it is anticipated to improve medical care nationwide.

Veteran and Provider Satisfaction with a Home-Based Telerehabilitation Assessment for Wheelchair Seating and Mobility

The objective of this project was to measure Veteran and provider satisfaction with a home-based telerehabilitation assessment for wheelchair seating and mobility. Forty-three Veterans were seen remotely at their place of residence by a provider, using a VA Video Connect synchronous videoconferencing system. Veteran and provider satisfaction were collected using the Telerehabilitation Questionnaire (TRQ). Mean individual TRQ scores for both Veterans and providers were significantly higher than the scale midpoint of 3.5. Veterans had higher scores than providers for five individual items on the TRQ. Higher scores by Veterans on the technology and quality and clarity of the video and audio likely correspond to the differences in environmental settings in which the visit occurred for the Veteran compared with the provider. High satisfaction scores with the telerehabilitation assessments are likely attributed to the positive working relationship between the provider and the rehabilitation technician, who provided in-person technical support to the Veteran in the home during the wheeled mobility evaluation. Overall, the results indicate a high level of Veteran and provider satisfaction using telerehabilitation for wheelchair seating and mobility evaluations.

Rapid Implementation of an Inpatient Telehealth Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background Relaxation of laws and regulations around privacy and billing during the COVID-19 pandemic provide expanded opportunities to use telehealth to provide patient care at a distance. Many health systems have transitioned to providing outpatient care via telehealth; however, there is an opportunity to utilize telehealth for inpatients to promote physical distancing. Objective This article evaluates the use of a rapidly implemented, secure inpatient telehealth program. Methods We assembled a multidisciplinary team to rapidly design, implement, and iteratively improve an inpatient telehealth quality improvement initiative using an existing videoconferencing system at our academic medical center. We assigned each hospital bed space a unique meeting link and updated the meeting password for each new patient. Patients and families were encouraged to use their own mobile devices to join meetings when possible. Results Within 7 weeks of go-live, we hosted 1,820 inpatient telehealth sessions (13.3 sessions per 100 bedded days). We logged 104,647 minutes of inpatient telehealth time with a median session duration of 22 minutes (range 1–1,961). There were 5,288 participant devices used with a mean of 3 devices per telehealth session (range 2–22). Clinicians found they were able to build rapport and perform a reasonable physical exam. Conclusion We successfully implemented and scaled a secure inpatient telehealth program using an existing videoconferencing system in less than 1 week. Our implementation provided an intuitive naming convention for providers and capitalized on the broad availability of smartphones and tablets. Initial comments from clinicians suggest the system was useful; however, further work is needed to streamline initial setup for patients and families as well as care coordination to support clinician communication and workflows. Numerous use cases identified suggest a role for inpatient telehealth will remain after the COVID-19 crisis underscoring the importance of lasting regulatory reform.

IMPROVEMENT OF METHODS OF MOTION COMPENSATION OF DYNAMIC OBJECTS MOVING IN VIDEO STREAM OF THE VIDEOCONFERENCING SYSTEM

Videoconferencing gives us the opportunity to work and communicate in real time, as well as to use collective applications, interactive information exchange. Videoconferencing systems are one of the basic components of the organization of manegment, ensuring, the timeliness and necessary quality management of the implementation of objective control over the solution of the tasks. The quality of the image and the time of transmission of video information is unsatisfactory for the quality control of the troops. Considered ways to increase the efficiency of management and operational activities, due to methods of compensation of motion, using technology to reduce the volume of video data for quality improvement.