Pediatr Radiol (2014) 44:672–673 DOI 10.1007/s00247-014-2938-8
MINISYMPOSIUM
Worldwide Pediatric Radiology Network (RADPED) in Brazil: growth of telemedicine and the global exchange of knowledge Alexandra Monteiro
Received: 14 November 2013 / Accepted: 13 February 2014 # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014
The Worldwide Pediatric Radiology Network (RADPED) was created in Brazil in May 2006 by a pioneering initiative of scientific–technical cooperation among three universities in three Brazilian states. Since then, with support from the Brazilian federal government and in cooperation with Brazilian universities, the network has been expanded to include Brazilian university hospitals (Brazilian Telemedicine University Network) and basic health units located in remote areas (Telehealth Brazil Networks Program). For communicating on this network, Web conferencing and video conferencing are both used, expanding the coverage and allowing all remote participants to interact via chat or via audio and image. For remote participation no specific equipment is required and the minimum demanded speed is 256 kbps. The combination of Web and video conferencing is achieved through the capture of the audio (using the sound board) and video codec (using a capture card), which are sent to a workstation and distributed to the points connected to the Web conference. Since its inception 82 monthly teleconferences have been held interspersing discussion of clinical cases,
A. Monteiro (*) Department of Radiology, Rio de Janeiro State University, Avenida Vinte e Oito de Setembro, 77. Térreo. Sala 126., Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil CEP 20551-030 e-mail: [email protected]
anatomical and clinical sessions and lessons updates, and virtual seminars on thematic issues including childhood urinary dysfunction, liver transplantation and imaging in oncology. All virtual meetings have been recorded and are available for reuse in the virtual learning environment of the Telehealth Center at Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil [1]. The target audience consists of graduate students in medicine, medical residents, general physicians, radiologists and pediatric radiologists. For foreign speakers, translation is performed to facilitate the exchange of ideas among all groups. Each tele-session includes about 575 participants at 38 sites connected simultaneously in several countries (Fig. 1). Telemedicine is changing paradigms for continuing education. Concerning pediatric radiology, in particular, telemedicine extends the breadth of knowledge in an area exclusively practiced by very few professionals. Telemedicine eliminates geographical barriers and increases the interactivity among the groups. We encourage doctors of all Portuguese-speaking countries to participate in this network, radiologists and non-radiologists,
Pediatr Radiol (2014) 44:672–673
673
Fig. 1 Schematic map of the Worldwide Pediatric Radiology Network (RADPED) shows countries with connecting sites
as well as doctors from other countries, because all materials can be translated to expand access to this exchange of knowledge. Conflicts of interest None
Reference 1. (2014) Telehealth Center Web page. Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil. http://www.telessaude.uerj.br/site/?&locale=en_us. Accessed 15 Oct 2013
MINISYMPOSIUM
Worldwide Pediatric Radiology Network (RADPED) in Brazil: growth of telemedicine and the global exchange of knowledge Alexandra Monteiro
Received: 14 November 2013 / Accepted: 13 February 2014 # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014
The Worldwide Pediatric Radiology Network (RADPED) was created in Brazil in May 2006 by a pioneering initiative of scientific–technical cooperation among three universities in three Brazilian states. Since then, with support from the Brazilian federal government and in cooperation with Brazilian universities, the network has been expanded to include Brazilian university hospitals (Brazilian Telemedicine University Network) and basic health units located in remote areas (Telehealth Brazil Networks Program). For communicating on this network, Web conferencing and video conferencing are both used, expanding the coverage and allowing all remote participants to interact via chat or via audio and image. For remote participation no specific equipment is required and the minimum demanded speed is 256 kbps. The combination of Web and video conferencing is achieved through the capture of the audio (using the sound board) and video codec (using a capture card), which are sent to a workstation and distributed to the points connected to the Web conference. Since its inception 82 monthly teleconferences have been held interspersing discussion of clinical cases,
A. Monteiro (*) Department of Radiology, Rio de Janeiro State University, Avenida Vinte e Oito de Setembro, 77. Térreo. Sala 126., Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil CEP 20551-030 e-mail: [email protected]
anatomical and clinical sessions and lessons updates, and virtual seminars on thematic issues including childhood urinary dysfunction, liver transplantation and imaging in oncology. All virtual meetings have been recorded and are available for reuse in the virtual learning environment of the Telehealth Center at Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil [1]. The target audience consists of graduate students in medicine, medical residents, general physicians, radiologists and pediatric radiologists. For foreign speakers, translation is performed to facilitate the exchange of ideas among all groups. Each tele-session includes about 575 participants at 38 sites connected simultaneously in several countries (Fig. 1). Telemedicine is changing paradigms for continuing education. Concerning pediatric radiology, in particular, telemedicine extends the breadth of knowledge in an area exclusively practiced by very few professionals. Telemedicine eliminates geographical barriers and increases the interactivity among the groups. We encourage doctors of all Portuguese-speaking countries to participate in this network, radiologists and non-radiologists,
Pediatr Radiol (2014) 44:672–673
673
Fig. 1 Schematic map of the Worldwide Pediatric Radiology Network (RADPED) shows countries with connecting sites
as well as doctors from other countries, because all materials can be translated to expand access to this exchange of knowledge. Conflicts of interest None
Reference 1. (2014) Telehealth Center Web page. Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil. http://www.telessaude.uerj.br/site/?&locale=en_us. Accessed 15 Oct 2013
