Technologies and Clinical Videoconferencing Infrastructures: A Guide to Selecting Appropriate Systems

Abstract

This chapter provides basic and intermediate-level key concepts related to clinical videoconferencing (CV) technologies for the purposes of assisting clinical administrators in choosing a CV system. It defines the common types of CV systems and considers the strengths and limitations of hardware-based versus software-based platforms, as well as web-based vs. cellular-based signal transmission. Specific products are considered and a clear pragmatic discussion of encryption security in relation to HIPAA compliance is provided. The chapter also highlights the importance of defining the specific needs of a clinical ecology on a hierarchy to help achieve a balance between optimizing clinical utility and available budget when choosing CV systems.

Conclusion

The answers to the questions on Table 1.4 will provide a broad outline for discussions with your administration and vendors. Those discussions will bring you closer to a solution for your CV infrastructure, as well as establishing the cost for the services and hardware. The costs may be relatively inexpensive but they could be extreme, depending on the expectations, requirements, and scale of the system. At the same time, even very well-prepared clinical ecologies with clear plans and broad support for CV expansion struggle early on with creating consistent referral streams and with navigating the logistical coordination of multisite services. Acquiring the technology to conduct secure clinical services is the easy part of telehealth implementation. You do not want to get ahead of your clinical capacity by overpurchasing at the beginning. Doing so also may limit your ability for course correction if a certain technology is not working out. If you take nothing else from this chapter, you will do well if you start small, try out different technologies, and build up from false starts and success.

Table 1.4 Questions to address basic system needs before consulting with vendors