Teleconference to Reach Your Respiratory Therapists

1. Teleconference to Reach Your Respiratory Therapists Chris Hamilton, DHSc, RRT, AE-C Respiratory Care Program Director Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha

2. Where is Nebraska? Just aim for the middle and follow I-80!

3. Where are the Nebraskans? UN-Lincoln on a Husker football Saturday

4. Highlights of Nebraska

5. My View of Nebraska

6. Why Consider Teleconferencing? • Programming needs to reach respiratory therapists in rural Nebraska • Approximately 9 hours travel time to cross the state by car • Therapists in smaller departments have difficulty in leaving town and still have full coverage • Efficient use of the presenter’s time • Didn’t want to give up traditional annual state convention format – additional education via teleconference at another time of the year.

7. Access via the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network • Interactive video and data network that provides integration among nearly all of the state's hospitals and public health departments. • Telehealth Governing Board provides leadership for the network. • Collaborative effort of many entities including:

8. Who’s in the Group? Nebraska Hospital Association Nebraska hospitals Nebraska Public Health Departments University of Nebraska Medical Center Universal Service Administrative Company University of Nebraska System Nebraska Information Network Nebraska telecommunications companies Central Nebraska Area Health Education Center                       Northern Nebraska Area Health Education Center Nebraska Panhandle Area Health Education Center Nebraska Medical Association Nebraska State Government Lieutenant Governor’s Office Nebraska Public Service Commission Nebraska Division of Communications Nebraska Health and Human Services System • Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Section • Office of Rural Health Nebraska Information Technology Commission Nebraska Office of the Chief Information Officer Nebraska Department of Education Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission

9. Fast Facts from 2006 NSTN • 8,388 participants used videoconferencing from a hospital or public health department site • Saving over $1,662,000 in travel time and over $1,645,000 in mileage costs • Over 800 educational programs were presented • Over 550 meetings were held • 687 patient consults were performed

10. NSRC’s First Live Dive-In • Broadcast live ½ day conference from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha in fall 2007 via a bridge. • Focus was on topics of statewide interest such as cystic fibrosis, _____, and farmer’s lung. • Used physician and respiratory therapist expert presenters from Nebraska.

11. Preparation • Met with UNMC Education Technology professionals who organized and set-up the conference bridge. • Marketing through the state society leadership committee and web site. • Site coordinator named for contact with NSRC Education Committee. • All sites were encouraged to test connection before the conference. • Used paper registration and evaluations. • Sent outlines to sites.

12. Day of Event • Signed in early for audio/visual connection check. • Welcomed by NSRC President, Bruce Campbell. • Reminded group of help information. • Focused on speaker, and then to slides/illustrations. • Left time for question/answer.

13. Telepresence by Polycom The level of teleconferencing we would like to have.

14. Smaller Classroom Size Polycom System Closer to Reality

15. Our Next Venture: Quarterly TeleconferencesNeeds Assessment: How would you like to receive education? ___ Live presentations ___ Telehealth offerings ___Webinars What length would you prefer? ___ 1 hour presentation ___ 1/2 day workshop ___ All day event Do you have access to NE Telehealth network? ___Yes ___No If yes, How far must you travel to participate ___ <5 miles ___ <20 miles ___ >50 miles What days of the week are best for your staff? ___Monday___Tuesday ___Wednesday___Thursday ___Friday___Saturday What time of day? ___Early Morning___Lunch Hour ___Early Afternoon ___Evening Are you an AARC member? Would you be willing to pay $___ for event? What topics would you like? Suggestions for speakers?

16. Tips for Presenters • If writing on a white board, use a black marker, other colors do not show up on camera. • When designing slides, use high contrast, light background and a black pen if writing on the board. • Camera may not pick up sudden movements. • Repeat questions if speaker is far from mike. • Mute the microphone during breaks; it can be annoying with elevated noise levels.

17. Considerations • Cost – do you have a partner who will help with technology connections? • Distractions of participants viewing from “home-base.” • Possibility of lost or less than wonderful signal. • There is always a glitch somewhere.

18. Major Advantage Not upsetting my alpha diva with an overnight at the kennel.

19. For further information, contact Chris.Hamilton@methodistcollege.edu 402.354.7065