Improved Rural Provider Access to Continuing Medical Education Through Interactive Videoconferencing

Telemedicine Journal and eHealth, Volume 6, Number 4, 2000, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 

Peter W. Callas, Ph.D., Michael A. Ricci, M.D., and Michael P. Caputo, M.S.

Abstract

We sought to describe use patterns and user evaluation of remotely-attended continuing medical education (CME) programs in Vermont and upstate New York. Remote attendees were required to return an evaluation form to receive CME credit. The form included name and date of the program; name, location, and specialty of the respondent; and questions regarding program quality, value, effectiveness, and attendee plans if the program had not been available via telemedicine. From April, 1996, through December, 1998, health care providers from 14 remote sites used the network 927 times to attend 394 CME programs at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vermont. After the start-up period, an average of over three programs per week was attended, with an average of 2.4 remote attendees per program. Seventy-seven percent of remote attendees stated that they would not have attended the program if it had not been available over telemedicine, while the remaining 23% said that they avoided traveling due to videoconferencing. When asked the effectiveness of telemedicine technology for attending, 73% said it was as effective as having the presenter in the room, 23% said it was less effective, and 4% said it was more effective. Major technical problems, such as having the call disconnect during the presentation, decreased over time. There were continuing minor logistical problems common to large group videoconferencing. The telemedicine system has increased availability of CME programs for rural providers in Vermont and upstate New York. Most attendees have found the programs to be worthwhile, and technological advancements have improved the quality of the system. 

Technical Communication and Medical Education:  Improving Rural Health Care Through Synchronous Distance Education of Advanced Medical Students 

Stephen Doheny-Farina, Patrick Hayslett, Peter W. Callas, Brian S. Flynn,
Michael P. Caputo, Judith L. Amour, Michael A. Ricci 

ABSTRACT

The University of Vermont College of Medicine and Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vermont have built a telemedicine network that enables synchronous videoconferencing between rural health care facilities in the region and the Burlington hub, thereby increasing access to both clinical care and medical education and training.  The program under study used the telemedicine network to support the placement of advanced medical students in rural regions for their "clinical rotations" -- a part of medical education in which they learn basic skills by assisting practicing physicians.  Students on clinical rotations with general practitioners in rural areas were able to continue taking classes by linking to UVM through the telemedicine network from their rotation sites, eliminating the need to interrupt or foreshorten their work in the rural communities to travel back to Burlington to take the necessary courses.

This report addresses two broad questions:  Would instructors and students at UVM be receptive to using such technology for medical education?  Did the instructors and students who participated in the program believe that the program was effective?  The results of surveys, interviews, and observations in this study support the claim that the telemedicine initiative can improve and promote medical education for advanced medical students practicing medicine in rural health centers, thereby helping to bring more health care opportunities to rural populations, and potentially increasing the number of medical graduates choosing to practice in rural areas.

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