Available videoconferencing freeware and medical education

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Digital Health
• Pandemic Response

Background:

• Traditional medical education methods (classroom, bedside clinics) are challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Video-conferencing platforms offer a viable alternative for remote medical teaching.
• Existing applications are not specifically designed for the unique needs of medical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review available free video-conferencing software and applications.
• To assess their suitability for postgraduate medical education in the context of the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search for freeware on Android and iOS platforms was conducted.
• Selected applications were evaluated based on predefined criteria relevant to medical education.
• Key features assessed included participant capacity, time limits, user comfort, and security.

Main Results:

• 118 video-conferencing applications were identified, with 7 free options meeting inclusion criteria.
• Most reviewed applications accommodated sufficient participants and offered user comfort.
• A significant limitation was the lack of end-to-end encryption in most platforms, with only two offering this feature.

Conclusions:

• Free video-conferencing software can be a functional substitute for certain aspects of medical teaching.
• Improvements in features, particularly security, are necessary to enhance their effectiveness for postgraduate medical training.