Adapted from an interview with Nagi Kasinadhuni (General Manager, Converged Communications and Customer Interactive Solutions, Datacraft Asia Pte Ltd) that originally appeared in E-Gov Asia.
Telemedicine requires the utmost performance since the information that is being exchanged can literally spell the difference between life and death. It is therefore imperative that we uplift our standards for collaboration, efficiency, etc. And video conferencing is a very useful tool which can provide us with appropriate solutions. As technology advances, the number of ways and the manner upon which we utilise this tool will only grow and get better. Apart from the obvious use of in-house conferencing requirements, video conferencing provides access to subject matter experts (SMEs) for a gamut of things like specialist consultation, training, etc. But its impact can be more far reaching than that.
Where Video Conferencing Matters
Environment: Where patients may have mobility limitations (i.e., geriatrics, inmates, patients with infectious diseases, etc.).
Geography: Overcoming geographic constraints, enabling equal access to healthcare services; especially in developing countries where the ability to provide sufficient and real time assistance to remote areas with limited infrastructure would make the most impact.
Care and Collaboration: Video helps connect with suppliers and doctors, patients undergoing post operative care conducting reviews with their surgeon, connecting with remote locations to seek second opinions, facilitating conferences around specific subjects, bringing students and doctors together for live sessions and playback, etc.
Key Concerns
Cost: Less of an issue because the entry of new players and better adherence to global standards has driven down costs significantly for the end user. Vendors address cost issues via two key initiatives:
1. By offering a larger product portfolio that can provide “fit for purpose” options.
2. Utilising creative commercial models either directly or through channel partners.
Complexity: Though plug-and-play capabilities have evolved, there is still some degree of complexity involved. This is especially true for applications used in industries like healthcare where more sophisticated answers are required. But solutions like Telepresence offer the end user the ability to initiate a call (which is a complex task when deconstructed) with nothing more than a click of a button thus insulating them from the complexities involved.
Privacy and Security: Are there still concerns today as they were back then, and are as much a matter of policy as it is about technology? The guidelines provided by industry regulations or a company’s own internal policies should always be adhered to in order to ensure that privacy and security challenges can be overcome.
Key points to consider regarding solutions for a hospital environment
Openness of the platform: To connect easily to other video systems in partner organisations. And to avoid getting locked in to expensive maintenance contracts.
Quality and Reliability: Always important since some applications require high quality video streams.
Interface to existing IT infrastructure or incorporating other kinds of equipment may also be something that many users would look for, e.g., handheld video devices that enable doctors to view an injury up close, a mobile video unit that can be taken to a remote locations, etc.
Complementary Technology: Diagnostic devices, for example, should also be considered since their integration into the video feed would provide a more holistic application and experience.
As healthcare organizations continue to embrace IP-based converged networks, we can benefit from having video conferencing systems by using them to elevate our existing standards of collaboration and efficiency. This will ultimately lead to better quality of life – something which we are all essentially striving for.
