Using videoconferencing in palliative care

Abstract

Recent technological advances and reducing costs have meant that videoconferencing is a possible new medium for health-care teams. The IMPaCT (Interactive Multimedia Palliative Care Training) project began in 1997 with the aims of assessing the practicalities of videoconferencing in palliative care and assessing its educational effectiveness. The use of videoconferencing was closely evaluated during the first 2 years of the project and this paper presents the results of that monitoring. Twenty-two sites were linked worldwide, reaching 136 professionals without the costs or time needed to travel. The savings on travel and time within the UK alone would have paid for the equipment in 1 year. Sites only continued with videoconferencing if they reached a point where their organization saw the advantages of videoconferencing. Links were easy to establish and rarely failed regardless of distance. Users rapidly adapted to the new medium, and links could be used in a variety of settings and audiences, including journal clubs and expert workshops. Videoconferencing offers a new and unique way of supporting palliative care professionals while reducing time and costs for both tutors and learners.