Videoconference-based education for psychiatry registrars at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Objective: Psychiatry registrars form the backbone of specialized psychiatric service provision in South Africa. Medical schools are centralized while clinical services need to be widespread and accessible. Video-conferencing has the potential to link registrars at satellite hospitals with academic centers. The study thus evaluated of the use of videoconferencing in a Psychiatry Education Program delivered via videoconferencing. Method: To evaluate the implementation of the videoconference-based psychiatry registrar program, a pre-and post evaluative design was used. This involved all registrars in the 2008 and 2009 academic education program at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Access to education, satisfaction, suitability and costs of the psychiatry registrar education were studied. Results: In the evaluation of the Registrar Program, general satisfaction with the videoconferencing program was reported, though concerns were expressed about the level of interaction using this mode, the quality of the transmitted pictures of the anatomy specimens and the quality of the sound. Access to education was improved with potential cost savings identified. Conclusion: Well supported and planned videoconference-based teaching is a feasible, cost-effective and acceptable method of supporting registrars at sites distant from academic centers.

A telepsychiatry model to support psychiatric outreach in the public sector in South Africa

“…23 International studies strongly indicate that telepsychiatry requires central planning and coordination 30,32 ,_ENREF_38 and local referring service sites should have site coordinators to ensure sustainability. 33 Dedicated technical staff at the consultant telepsychiatry service and technical support at the local referring service sites are also essential for success. Experience in KwaZuluNatal has supported findings that technical issues at startup are the most frequently mentioned problems in process evaluations.…”

“…Short-term coverage of rural inpatient psychiatric units for staff on holiday, training or illness is also possible using telepsychiatry. 37 • Education and Training Services Telepsychiatry education and training includes formal psychiatric registrar supervision and education 33 , preparation for specialist examinations 38 and informal education to support health staff at local services by providing ongoing in-service training on the Mental Health Care Act and the management of Mental Health Care Users. 30 A systematic review of the effectiveness of training programs for health staff without post-qualification psychiatry training found that despite the differences in training programs, training in mental health may improve outcomes in mental health in low and middle income countries.…”

Continuing Education Needs and Related Variables Among Mental Health Professionals in South Africa

“…However, that a quarter of the sample still did not favour web-based methods is a little concerning, since these resources provide the latest information quicker than other means. The need to embrace modern technology in mental health education in Africa has been emphasized (Chipps, Ramlall, & Mars, 2012).…”

Developing telepsychiatry services in KwaZulu-Natal – an action research study

“…This has been successfully used for education of doctors and nurses. [31][32][33] As few of the psychiatrists in KwaZulu-Natal have experience in videoconference-based telepsychiatry, there were concerns that they might not be comfortable offering clinical services at bandwidths as low as 128Kbps.…”