UMMS Affiliation
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Publication Date
2015-11-01
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications | Maternal and Child Health | Medical Education | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Telemedicine | Women's Health
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In Uganda, an estimated 120 obstetrician/gynecologists serve a population of 30 million people demonstrating the need to train additional skilled clinician leaders in reproductive health. In 2012, a partnership was formed with the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in southwest Uganda and the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, USA, in part to increase access to specialist training. This report presents an update in the development of a teaching conference between the institutions.
METHODS: In June 2012, a didactic teleconference between the institutions was instituted. Various conferencing tools were tried: direct telephone connection, Ventrilo conferencing system and Skype via personal computer or smart phone. In Mbarara, Internet was accessed via cellular data. In Boston, Internet was accessed via hospital network or cellular data. All lectures were HIPAA compliant. PowerPoint lectures were stored in a collective Dropbox that could be accessed and downloaded prior to lecture dates.
RESULTS: Over 30 months, 30 lectures were given. Lecturers included faculty and fellows from maternal fetal medicine, gynecology oncology, urogynecology, family planning, psychiatry and obstetric anesthesia. A patient case pertinent to the teaching topic framed the discussion. About 20 participants attended each lecture. Internet connectivity was the biggest challenge. Ultimately audio Skype via cellular data proved the most successful modality and became the method of choice.
CONCLUSION: A successful collaboration in medical education via teleconference is sustainable, low cost, and beneficial to both resource-rich and resource-poor institutions. Expertise can be shared bilaterally and internationally by individuals potentially unable travel.
Keywords
distance learning, global health, telehealth, telemedicine, videoconferencing
Rights and Permissions
Copyright © 2015 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
DOI of Published Version
10.4236/ojog.2015.513106
Source
Open J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Nov;5(13):754-761. Epub 2015 Nov 18. Link to article on publisher's site
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Open journal of obstetrics and gynecology
Related Resources
PubMed ID
27239388
Repository Citation
Boatin A, Ngonzi J, Bradford L, Wylie B, Goodman A. (2015). Teaching by Teleconference: A Model for Distance Medical Education across Two Continents. Obstetrics and Gynecology Publications and Presentations. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojog.2015.513106. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/obgyn_pp/142
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Included in
Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Medical Education Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Telemedicine Commons, Women's Health Commons