An Inexpensive Distance Learning Solution for Delivering High-Quality Live Broadcasts

Abstract

Providing an adequate method of distance learning is a challenge faced by many multicenter residency programs. The delivery of live didactics over the Internet is a convenient means of providing a uniform and equivalent educational experience to residents at distant sites. An application called MedCast has been developed with use of existing technologies, without the need for costly commercial products or equipment. MedCast captures the presenter's computer screen and audio from a microphone source to produce a streaming video that is transmitted online and archived on a local server. Offsite residents can view broadcasts in real time or access archived conference sessions for later viewing. MedCast is available for download at no cost and offers several advantages, including a user-friendly graphical display interface, near-perfect preservation of image quality, and cost efficiency. Future plans include objective assessment of the efficacy of MedCast by comparing postlecture examinations to help evaluate for any differences between on- and offsite residents in terms of knowledge gained. A movie clip to supplement this article is available online at http://radiographics.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/285085701/DC1.

Evaluation of three different methods of distance learning for postgraduate diagnostic imaging education: A pilot study

“…17 It has demonstrated favorable outcomes across a wide variety of learners, learning contexts, clinical topics, and learning outcomes. 9 Our results support the observations made by other studies that evaluated the utilization of asynchronous discussion boards inside an LMS, 6,8,9 synchronous Web conferencing, 4,5 and asynchronous computer-based presentations and courses. 7,10 The use of distance learning methods in residency programs can be seen as a beneficial educational adjunct to the current faceto-face training.…”

“…5 Recent advances in Web technologies and applications have led to an increase in the popularity of distance learning programs in health care education. Technical, logistical, and cost-related limitations still exist (particularly in international collaborations), 11,13,14 but even so, the specialty of radiology, because it is largely image based, seems well positioned to transfer a portion of its course delivery to an online format.…”

“…5,6 There are challenges and benefits to both methods for online content delivery. Asynchronous methods provide learners with the opportunity to participate in learning activities when it is convenient for their schedule, while synchronous delivery can be challenging when collaborating with numerous individuals and accounting for time zone teaching.…”

“…Multiple studies have demonstrated the efficacy of computer-mediated teaching methods in medical residencies based in the United States, [4][5][6] in undergraduate programs, or in continuing medical education, [7][8][9][10] and in several other countries. 2,3,11 These latter studies have implications for programs in remote regions of the world or where access to experts in specific specialty areas is limited.…”

Experience with an internet-based course for ophthalmology residents

“…Physicians can use it anytime and anywhere, according to their convenience 3 , even outside working hours 4 , and allowing them to at their own rhythm, offering multiple accesses 5 and bringing a more equal and uniform educational experience in geographically distant places 5,6 . Based on all these premises, we proposed the development of an experimental Internet-based course as a complementary tool for the ophthalmology residents during their residency program.…”