2002

Possibilities and experiences in the use of videoconferencing to build up expertise among people working in the Norwegian health care

Possibilities and experiences in the use of videoconferencing to build up expertise among people working in the Norwegian Health Care

Flytkjær Vibeke, Skorpen Stine, Norwegian center for telemedicine, Norway

The Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine (NST) has since 1994 used technology tools for competence training of Norwegian health care personnel. Videoconference has been the main tool and health care personnel themselves has been both content contributors and evaluators.

A number of models have been tested for distance teaching, counselling, co-operation, meetings, consultations etc. Results from evaluation studies have been positive.

NST has together with professionals and technitians developed an organizational model for distance teaching. Today this model is offered to all health care workers and gathered in a distance teaching catalogue. The Catalogue updated and published twice a year and distributed both on paper and on NST's web-pages, www.telemed.no or www.undervisningskatalogen.no.

The model also includes training for lecturers utilizing videoconference. A pocket sized booklet called "Guide to videoconferencing" has been made. The booklet contains experience based practical advice and pedagogic tips aimed at lecturing and participating in videoconferencing. The booklet will be available from autumn 2002 as a multimedia-CD-ROM free of charge to all workers in Norwegian public healthcare.

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