title: Misconceptions surrounding videoconferencing.
abstract: We carried out a study to assess the level of training required by hospital staff to operate a videoconferencing system. Fifty members of hospital staff, who had no previous videoconferencing experience, were studied. When using simple pictorial instructions, they took on average just under 6 min to connect successfully to a remote site. Male subjects connected faster (average 309 s) than female subjects (385 s; P < 0.01). Subjects of 40 years or younger connected faster (average 311 s) than those over 40 years (average 398 s; P < 0.02). Only three individuals (6%) required supplementary help via the telephone. Dedicated training may not be necessary when simple pictorial instructions are available to the operator.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Padgham
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krichell
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McEachen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hislop
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D049269:Videoconferencing / Q000295:instrumentation