Assessing the use of low cost PC-based ISDN videoconferencing in hospital training

A course on Italian safety rules and regulations has been delivered to the personnel of a University clinic using videoconferencing, based on an ISDN-2 connection through a multimedia PC. The goal was to evaluate the efficacy of this technology for the training of hospital personnel. To assess it, the trainees were divided into two groups, one at the trainer's site and the other in the University. Comparing the evaluating questionnaires that both groups were asked to complete at the end of each session (based on the comprehension of the subject taught), significant differences were found only when the quality of images was very poor (for technical reasons) or the level of interaction was low. The price/performance ratio was considered good, but there are some technical and psychological problems that must be taken in account before using videoconferencing for training.