International live endoscopic multichannel demonstration using superfast broadband internet connections

Abstract

Background/aims: Telemedicine is a convenient and efficient tool for remote education in various fields. The telemedicine system can also be used to educate doctors and medical students. The aim of our study was to establish the effectiveness of the telemedical system for use in a live endoscopic multichannel demonstration conference and to test the effectiveness and usefulness of a multicenter-based live endoscopic demonstration through live, interactive, high resolution video transmission using advanced networks and the digital video transport system (DVTS).

Methods: This study is a prospective multicenter pilot study. A live demonstration of an endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using advanced network technology was performed.

Results: The DVTS successfully transmitted uncompressed, high-resolution, digital lectures with endoscopy video during a multichannel endoscopic live demonstration of ESD and ERCP over multiple advanced networks. The overall satisfaction rating when the endoscopic lecture demonstration was performed by combining DVTS was generally good.

Conclusions: We believe that a multicenter-based live endoscopic demonstration is a very effective conferencing method when using advanced networks and DVTS.

Keywords: International educational exchange; Internet; Telemedicine.

Fig. 1

Schematic digital video transport system (DVTS) network configuration between location (A) where the endoscopic live procedure is being demonstrated, and location (B) where the trainee watches the demonstration. GW, gateway; KJCN, Korea-Japan Cable Network; HMC, Hanyang University Medical Center; AMC, Asan Medical Center; KUMC, Korea University Medical Center; SCHUH, Soonchunhyang University Hospital; SNUBH, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital; AJOUMC, Ajou University Medical Center; CBNUH, Chungbuk National University Hospital; CNUH, Chungnam National University Hospital; KRCH, Kyoto Red Cross Hospital; PAICL of HYU, Paiknam Academic Informatino Center & Library of Hanyang University; GHH, Grand Hilton Hotel.

Fig. 2

Digital video transport system (DVTS) terminal system organization between location (A) where the endoscopic live procedure is being demonstrated, and location (B) where the trainee watches the demonstration. AD, analogue digital; CCD, Charge Coupled Divice Camera.

Fig. 3

Multichannel hospital sites of the live endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in 2008. A thousand Korean endoscopists gathered inside the Grand Hilton Hotel (GHH). ESD procedures that were being performed at Hanyang University Medical Center (HMC), Chungbuk National University Hospital (CBNUH), Chunbuk National University Hospital (CNUH), Soonchunhyang University Hospital (SCHU), and Kyoto Red Cross Hospital (KRCH) in Japan were transmitted to the GHH in Seoul, Korea.

Fig. 4

Conference room for trainees. Many trainees are able to observe the endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and listen to the lecture. These trainees and the senior person present in the conference room discuss ESD skills and knowledge with the doctors who are performing the remote ESD live demonstration.

Fig. 5

Multichannel hospital sites in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) live 2009. A thousand Korean endoscopists gathered inside the Hanyang University Paiknam Academic Informative Center (HUPAIC) located in Seoul, Korea. ERCP procedures performed at Hanyang University Medical Center (HMC), Asan Medical Center (AMC), Korea University Hospital (KUH), Seoul National University Budang Hospital (SNUBH), Ajou University Hospital (AJUH), Chungbuk National University Hospital (CBNUH), Chunbuk National University Hospital (CNUH), and Soonchunhyang University Hospital (SCHU) were transmitted to the HUPAIC.

Fig. 6

Main center of the live endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 2009. Many trainees are able to observe the ERCP and listen to the lecture. These trainees and the senior person present in the conference room discuss ERCP skills and knowledge with the doctors who are performing the remote ERCP live demonstration.