A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Videoconferencing Applications for Training Professionals on Nonverbal Communication in Online Clinical Consultations




AuthorsKyyhkynen Rasmus, Peltonen Laura-Maria, Smed Jouni

PublisherKorean Society of Medical Informatcics

Publication year2023

JournalHealthcare Informatics Research

Journal name in sourceHealthcare informatics research

Journal acronymHealthc Inform Res

Volume29

Issue4

First page 394

Last page399

ISSN2093-3681

eISSN2093-369X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2023.29.4.394

Web address https://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2023.29.4.394

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/181705542


Abstract

Objectives: The use of videoconferencing technologies for clinician-patient online consultations has become increasingly popular. Training on online communication competence through a videoconferencing application that integrates nonverbal communication detection with feedback is one way to prepare future clinicians to conduct effective online consultations. This case report describes and evaluates two such applications designed for healthcare professionals and students in healthcare-related fields.

Methods: We conducted a literature review using five databases, including the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, ACM, IEEE, and CINAHL in the spring of 2022.

Results: We identified seven studies on two applications, ReflectLive and EQClinic. These studies were conducted by two research groups from the USA and Australia and were published between 2016 and 2020. Both detected nonverbal communication from video and audio and provided computer-generated feedback on users' nonverbal communication. The studies evaluated usability, effectiveness in learning communication skills, and changes in the users' awareness of their nonverbal communication. The developed applications were deemed feasible. However, the feedback given by the applications needs improvement to be more beneficial to the user. The applications were primarily evaluated with medical students, with limited or no attention given to questions regarding ethics, information security, privacy, sustainability, and costs.

Conclusions: Current research on videoconferencing systems for training online consultation skills is very limited. Future research is needed to develop more user-centered solutions, focusing on a multidisciplinary group of students and professionals, and to explore the implications of these technologies from a broader perspective, including ethics, information security, privacy, sustainability, and costs.

Keywords: Facial Expression; Feedback; Nonverbal Communication; Telehealth; Videoconferencing.


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Last updated on 2025-27-03 at 22:00