title: Video-mediated communication in hospice interdisciplinary team meetings: examining technical quality and content.
abstract: This study aims to determine how videoconferencing quality impacts the style and content of communication between members of hospice interdisciplinary teams and patients and their families. We videotaped video-calls between hospice teams and family caregivers based on the use of low-cost videophones. We assessed their audio and video quality using both a form that was filled out on site and a protocol for retrospective analysis. The tapes were transcribed and a content analysis was performed to assess the themes of interaction. A total of 70 video-calls were analyzed. The time spent on general informal talk was significantly correlated to the video and audio quality of the session (r=0.43 and 0.41 respectively, p<0.001). The time spent addressing psychosocial issues and on caregiver education correlated significantly to video and audio quality. This study demonstrates the potential of video-mediated communication that supports shared decision making in hospice.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Demiris
authors.forename: Debra Parker
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wittenberg-Lyles
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Washington
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers; D003142:Communication; D006738:Hospices; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017216:Telemedicine; D049269:Videoconferencing / Q000592:standards*