A hybrid integrated services digital network-internet protocol solution for resident education.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of incorporating Web-based application sharing of virtual medical simulation software within a multipoint video teleconference (VTC) as a training tool in graduate medical education.


METHODS
National Capital Consortium Radiation Oncology Residency Program resident and attending physicians participated in dosimetry teaching sessions held via VTC using Acrobat Connect application sharing. Residents at remote locations could take turns designing radiation treatments using standard three-dimensional planning software, whereas instructors gave immediate feedback and demonstrated proper techniques. Immediately after each dosimetry lesson, residents were asked to complete a survey that evaluated the effectiveness of the session. At the end of a 3-month trial of using Adobe Connect, residents completed a final survey that compared this teaching technology to the prior VTC-alone method.


RESULTS
The mean difference from equality across all quality measures from the weekly survey was 0.8, where 0 indicated neither enhanced nor detracted from the learning experience and 1 indicated a minor enhancement in the learning experience. The mean difference from equality across all measures from the final survey comparing use of application sharing with VTC to VTC alone was 1.5, where 1 indicated slightly better and 2 indicated a somewhat better experience.


CONCLUSIONS
The teaching efficacy of multipoint VTC is perceived by medical residents to be more effective when complemented by application-sharing software such as Adobe Acrobat Connect.
Erickson
Delnora
D
Walter Reed Army Medical Center-Radiation Oncology, Washington, DC 20307, USA. delnora.erickson@us.army.mil
Greer
Lester
L
Belard
Arnaud
A
Tinnel
Brent
B
O'Connell
John
J
D000465:Algorithms; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003625:Data Collection; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004522:Educational Status; D018961:Educational Technology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008396:Maryland; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000193:education; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D012984:Software; D013663:Teaching; D014481:United States; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D049269:Videoconferencing