Five-Year Technological Changes of Distant Medical Education in Asia

  • Kuriko Kudo Telemedicine Development Center of Asia, International Medical Department, Kyushu University Hospital http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3652-6031
  • Shunta Tomimatsu Telemedicine Development Center of Asia, International Medical Department, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Yoshiko Houkabe Telemedicine Development Center of Asia, International Medical Department, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Taiki Moriyama Telemedicine Development Center of Asia, International Medical Department, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Naoki Nakashima Telemedicine Development Center of Asia, International Medical Department, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Shuji Shimizu Telemedicine Development Center of Asia, International Medical Department, Kyushu University Hospital
Keywords: telemedicine, distance learning, Asia, Internet, research and education network.

Abstract

All physicians would benefit from more comprehensive distance learning. However, the technology is often difficult to use because technological infrastructure is limited in many hospitals in Asia. Since 2003, we have worked to advance international distant medical education implemented through the Internet in Asia. This paper presents an analysis of our activities over the past five years to evaluate the technical transition and its effects on modes of distant medical education. Methods: We analysed distant medical education programmes that we conducted from 2011 to 2015. We used a Digital Video Transport System (DVTS), H.323 and Vidyo, along with commercial and research and education networks (REN) installed in the subject hospitals. Questionnaires were randomly distributed to the audience to evaluate image resolution, image movement, sound quality, and programme content. Results: The number of programmes increased to over 90 per year in 2014–2015. The main system gradually changed from DVTS (58%, 30/52 in 2011) to Vidyo (64%, 67/104 in 2015). The number of new institutions increased to 149 in 2014–2015. Over 92% of the ratings for image resolution and movement were positive. Sound quality was somewhat lower at 83%. Ultimately, 98% of respondents rated the programmes “very good” or “good.” Conclusions: Continuous technical development was observed with increasing numbers of sites for each programme. This resulted in expansion of activity involving non-university hospitals. Practical distant medical education, satisfies physicians’ need for quality and inclusiveness could be expanded to normal hospitals in Asia and beyond.

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Author Biography

Kuriko Kudo, Telemedicine Development Center of Asia, International Medical Department, Kyushu University Hospital

Kuriko Kudo, Ph.D., has worked at the Telemedicine Development Center of Asia (TEMDEC) at Kyushu University Hospital since August 2011. She graduated from Kyushu University with a doctorate in design, with particular emphasis on digital archives using 3D computer graphics based on physical measuring and modeling that account for motion, shape, lighting, and the spectral reflectance of materials.

She currently works in technical support for remote medical education as a research assistant professor and telemedicine engineer. She is involved in engineering training as a Steering Committee member of the Asia Pacific Advanced Network (APAN) Medical Working Group. She also leads research on communication design for handling international medical teleconferences and development of online database systems.

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Published
2017-06-27
How to Cite
Kudo, K., Tomimatsu, S., Houkabe, Y., Moriyama, T., Nakashima, N., & Shimizu, S. (2017). Five-Year Technological Changes of Distant Medical Education in Asia. Journal of the International Society for Telemedicine and EHealth, 5, e10 (1-7). Retrieved from https://journals.ukzn.ac.za/index.php/JISfTeH/article/view/317
Section
Original Research