Videoconferencing - Just What The Doctor Ordered

Medics across a Cancer Network are revolutionising the way they work thanks to the latest visual communications technology.

Previously doctors, consultants and specialists spent a large amount of their time travelling between hospitals within the organisation's geographic boundaries.

But now, since the implementation of videoconferencing systems, they can share information at the touch of a button without leaving their base.

With videoconferencing two or more people, in different locations, can see and talk to each other. Each location has a video camera, a microphone, a monitor and speakers either as part of a PC or stand-alone unit. Other equipment can be added such as a second camera or a document camera.

The main usage for the videoconferencing systems is for Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDTs). In the past, the oncologists, radiologists and pathologists who provide the backbone to the cancer service network, may not always have been available to attend MDTs, meaning meetings were often incomplete and discussions unresolved.

With the videoconferencing equipment, up to 11 MDTs are now held weekly, and the meetings are proving to be more effective and conclusive.

The Lead Clinician explains: "Due to the excessive demands being put on people's time we were experiencing a critical shortage of specialist manpower, and soon realised there had to be a more effective way of conducting meetings rather than people travelling everywhere.

"There is no doubt that the quality of the MDT meetings has improved considerably. Whereas we used to lack representation from a particular specialist, and so the meetings ended up being incomplete, we can now hold up to 11 MDTs each week involving expertise from across the network."

MDTs are an essential component of the Calman Hine restructuring of cancer services across the NHS. MDT working is also essential to meet Cancer Service Accreditation Standards and is promoted by the Department of Health's National Cancer Plan.

As well as MDTs the Cancer Network regularly used the technology for management meetings.