Multipoint videoconferencing in health: A review of three years' experience in Queensland, Australia

The objective was to review multipoint videoconferencing in Queensland Heal th from July 1996 to June 1999. Most videoconferencing has been conducted u sing desktop systems connected by integrated systems digital network (ISDN) at 128 kbps. Data on utilization and problems were extracted from monthly reports and a survey was conducted. Multipoint videoconferencing increased steadily over the 3 years from just and handful of conferences per month to 101 conferences and 703 hours of bridge use per month. Primary uses were e ducation and administration. Relatively few technical failures and operator errors were recorded. But by 1999, late connection and low attendance were major problems. Survey responses indicated that multipoint videoconferenci ng met expectations at the great majority of sites. Most respondents were s atisfied with the level of administrative and technical support provided. I n this large and decentralized state, multipoint videoconferencing has prov en a useful and effective means of bringing healthcare workers together for a common purpose, supplementing face-to-face events and other encounters m ediated by communications technology such as satellite broadcasts and audio conferences.