Practical videoconference training: Experience from a Norwegian resource centre for rare disorders

A pilot programme was developed for training professionals to communicate in counselling situations via videoconferencing, with participants from Norwegian resource centres for rare disorders. The programme was conducted at three videoconferencing studios, and entailed three sessions involving role play, feedback, reflection, and discussion. After each session, participants received a short web-based questionnaire. The programme was generally perceived as realistic, with 95% of participants considering it to be a suitable training method and 94% reporting greater awareness of how to engage successfully in dialogue during videoconferencing. Those who experienced technical difficulties reported significantly lower satisfaction with the role play, feedback, and discussion segments. Experiences conveyed in the feedback and reflection segments are described, demonstrating the importance of an appropriate technical infrastructure and giving useful insights into how videoconferences should be performed. The programme could be replicated and developed further and offered to professionals who give counselling services via videoconferences.