Full Text - Global Health Promotion

Advances in Communication
Technologies: their application
in health
Through
~
~
promotion and education
the years, health education has
communicating by mail is relatively inexpensive, it may take
anywhere from one or two days to a week or more to reach
depended, to
great degree, on communication technologies to
promote programmes that favourably influence
health knowledge, attitudes and practices. Indeed, in
a
our current
its final destination.
(2) The Telephone for individual and group
conferences. While communication by phone is
instantaneous and relatively inexpensive, it is used primarily
for individual contact or small-group conferences. In both
the public and private sector, market surveys by phone are
still extensively used and have proven to be quite effective.
environment, advanced communication
technologies effectively facilitate health education and
health promotion programmes at the local, national and
international level. These technologies provide the home,
school, community organization, health care facility and
work site access to a wide range of health information and
resources from virtually anywhere in the world5 &dquo;.
A special session on these communication
technologies was conducted at the XVth World Conference
of the IUHPE, which was held in Makuhari, Japan, August
20 - 25, 1995. During the special session traditional
communication technologies that are being used in health
promotion and education programmes were first reviewed.
This was followed by a more detailed description of some of
the more advanced communication technologies and how
these are being applied in the health field, education,
business and industry. One of the highlights of the session
was a live demonstration of the very latest in
communication technology - the use of computers to
integrate voice, video and document conferencing between
distant sites. The following describes the communication
technologies that were discussed and the demonstration
that was conducted during the special session.
(3) Fax Communications for the immediate
transmission of documents and data via phone lines. A fax
will reach its destination in a matter of seconds or minutes,
regardless of the distance it has to travel. The cost of
sending a fax message is about the same as the cost of a
phone call to the same location, but faxing also is limited to
communicating with individuals and small groups. To send
or receive a fax message, one must have either a fax
machine or a computer with a fax modem and appropriate
software. Most businesses and professions both in the
public and private sector and many private citizens now
have fax capabilities.
(4) Radio, Television and Newspapers for mass
communication. These communication technologies are
used to get a great deal of information or important
information to large groups of people. News-worthy items
may or may not be printed or given air time, and the use of
prime time to transmit messages over radio or television can
cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, radio and
television do provide for public service announcements at
Review of Traditional
Communication Technologies
What
call traditional communication
technologies
place and are used daily in our
lives
as
in our professions. These
well
as
private
or
means
of
communication, which at one
technologies,
time were considered to be advanced communication
technologies include the use of:
we
now
no cost.
are common
(1) Mail
(5) Films, Videos and Slides to communicate to
large audiences or small groups. A large variety on virtually
every health topic or issue is available and are extensively
used (and sometimes misused) in public schools,
universities. the work place and health
send documents and data to near and
distant locations. Mail is used to survey a population or to
communicate with individuals or groups, and mass mailings
are still effective in reaching large target populations. While
’Presented at
a
care
facilities.
to
Special
(6) The Combination of Video and Phone
Transmission to conduct distance learning, training
sessions and conferences via one-way video and two-way
audio communication. While this technology is not as
common place as the previous traditional. communication
technologies just described. it is currently being used by
universities. business and industry and health care facilities.
Session of the XVth World Conference of the
International Union for Health Promotion and Education. Niakmhari.
Japan; August 24.1995.
5
DOS IER
Advanced
Communication
In recent years
distant sites,
signal
Technologies
more
to
or
there
bypass
an
must
successful in distant
advanced communication
be
a
relay station that allows the
obstacle, such
learning,
as a
this
mountain. While
technology requires
expensive equipment and highly trained technicians.
Microwave transmissions are generally limited to one-way
technologies have become available and are currently being
used to facilitate the transmission of information to and
from distant geographic locations. While such technologies
are considered to be advanced communication technologies
today, they too are quickly becoming traditional&dquo;
communication technologies and will soon be common
place. These technologies include: 1. Microwave
transmission, 2. Satellite transmission, 3. Computer
transmission of documents data, 4. Two-way compressed
video transmission.
video and two-way audio between the distant sites, and
participants usually interact with the instructor or speaker
by phone. Thus, the normal «give and take» of oral
and visual communications necessary for effective
classroom instruction are missing.
also
2. Satellite Transmission. Communication satellites
used to transmit audio and video signals to distant
are
sites. This technology does not require a clear
communication path between the distant sites in that
signals can be transmitted anywhere in the world via
satellite. As with microwave transmissions, expensive
V*Ideo transm*iss*ion
equipment and highly skilled technicians are needed.
However, receiving satellite transmissions are less costly
than sending such transmissions. Another potential problem
with satellite transmission is that it might be difficult to
transmit a signal at a preferred time. Even so, a number of
school districts throughout the United States are receiving
enrichment courses and special lectures or programmes by
via microwave
way of both satellite and microwave transmission. In a
similar fashion, courses are being transmitted to work sites
and community agencies for in-service education, health
education and health promotion.
3. Computer Transmission of Documents/Data.
With the use of computers and a phone modem, special
phone lines, or a local, national or international network,
teachers, students or health practitioners can access health
Video transmission
via microwave
’
references and resources from virtually anywhere in the
world. Text from a scientific journal can be retrieved from a
research center or library in Washington D.C. via the
Internet and read in a classroom or health center in Tokyo.
Through the Internet, individuals also can send and receive
messages instantly to and from anywhere in the world’, . ,4
Too, with the use of special software, such as «Face to Face»
developed by Crosswise, Inc.~, individuals or groups,
teachers or health practitioners (at different geographic
locations) can develop, share and annotate in real time a
wide range of media objects such as documents, slides and
graphs. This particular software enables such document
conferencing between different microcomputer platforms
(i.e. between Macintosh and IBM computers) and allows
for instantaneous and simultaneous sharing of
documents between distant sites.
4.
Video transmission
via satellite
1. Microwave Transmission. Microwave communication is used to transmit audio and video signals to distant
sites. This technology has been successfully used for
distance learning and video. conferences in a variety of
disciplines. including health education and health
promotion. Microwave transmissions require
transmission
path with no physical obstacles
Two-way Compressed Video Transmission
Using CODECS. Two-way compressed video with CODECS
allows for two-way, interactive audio and video
transmission. CODECS change video signals so that they can
be transmitted to and from distant sites via special phone
lines. The process of changing the video signal is called
compressing and decompressing or coding and decoding,
thus the name «CODEC. With the use of video cameras, a
monitor and a CODEC at each site and with special phone
lines, the video and audio signals can be seen and heard at
each site simultaneously. This technology would enable
a clear
between the
6
students in a health class or health center in Kyoto. Japan to
see and converse with leading health specialists in Geneva,
Switzerland or Atlanta, Georgia. Nlembers of international
panels or forums at two different geographic locations could
see and converse with one another to establish policy.
exchange ideas or set up international disease prevention
procedures’. This technology was demonstrated in a twoway video teleconference between Japan and California
State University Northridge at the Japan School Health
Association’s National Conference held in Yokohama in
November, 1993 - the first two-way video teleconference of
its kind to be conducted in the pacific rim 11, During the
teleconference, panelists in both countries saw and spoke
to one another as they discussed «Aids As An International
Problem: The Need for International Cooperation». By using
«Face to Face» (described earlier) documents and slides
were shared by the panelists and a position paper was
jointly developed and annotated during the two-way video
teleconference.
During the Special Session, a demonstration of this
technology was given using Apple computers, an integrated
Switched Digital Network (ISDN) connection&dquo;, Quick Time
Conferencing software developed by Apple Inc. &dquo;’ and Face
to Face document conferencing software from Crosswise
Corporation&dquo; in a live teleconference link with the Apple
CODECS are currently being used in all of the
universities of the California State University System (CSU)
to transmit classes to distant sites. The CSU also uses
CODECS for two-way video conferencing of meetings and
administrative functions between the various campuses.
The Counseling Center at California State University
Northridge also uses two-way compressed video for one to
one student counseling with the counselor at the main
campus and the student at an off campus center about 90
miles away. There are a variety of CODECS that are currently
being used for two-way compressed video. Some of the
more popular ones include those produced by Compression
Labs Inc. (CLI), GPT Video Systems and Picture Tel. Costs of
the CODECS, monitors, cameras and sound systems range
from $35,000 to $100,000 at each site.
Two-way Desktop
Conferencing*
offices in California.
Video
The very latest communication technology that is now
available is two-way desktop video conferencing. This
technology utilizes computers, special software and special
phone lines or networks to integrate voice, video and
document conferencing between distant sites at a fraction
of what it would cost ($6,000 to $10,000 per site) to
conduct two-way video through a CODEC system. With this
technology, as with a CODEC system, video and document
conferencing can be conducted between two individuals,
between an individual and a group or between two groups.
It allows for the transmission of graphics, photos and video
clips between distant sites while in a two-wav video
teleconference. Desktop video conferencing also enables
two participants in different geographic locations to search
Desktop video
transmission from
California to Japan
The
potential for using twocompressed video in health
promotion and education
programmes and for bringing
way
for. capture and retrieve content in an article from the
Internet into a shared document while still in a two-way
video and document sharing cOnference’’’- 10,
’
Group to group
Desktop video
Conferencing
Requirements for two-way video
obtained from the author.
world-wide health
resources
unlimited.
desktop conferencing
can
into
classroom, work site or
health care facility seems to be
the
be
7
and sound system was approximately S8.000 per
site. It should be noted that these are one-time costs
Specifically, the demonstration at the IUHPE’s XB/Ih
World Conference in iVlakuhari, Japan. included:
.
A live
cameras
for the purchase of equipment and software.
Thereafter, the only costs would be the transmission costs
incurred during the two-way video and document sharing
conference.
two-way video and document sharing
teleconference between California and Japan.
. The transmission of graphics and slides to and from
these distant sites, with both sites being able to view and
annotate the visual displays.
~ Searching for, capturing, retrieving and annotating
content in an article from the Internet into a shared
document while still in a two-wav video and document
teleconference.
California State University Northridge, on the other
uses a CODEC system for their two-way video. The
total cost for this system, including CODECS, large video
monitors, cameras and sound system was approximately
$100,000 per site. This does not include the cost of an ISDN
or T connection.
hand,
Teleconference Costs
Thus, with computers and special software, two-way
video and document conferencing has become an
affordable commodity that has great utility for education,
public health, medicine, business and industry. The
potential for using two-way compressed video in health
promotion and education programmes and for bringing
world-wide health resources into the classroom, work site
or health care facility seems to be unlimited. Indeed, with
this new technology, classrooms, conference rooms or
meeting rooms of the future will be found in the home,
dormitory, office, work site or health care facility. In many
places the future is now&dquo;’ 5,’3.
For a personal desktop conferencing system, assuming
applicable computer is already available and a local area
network (LAN) (on Ethernet for example) is used9, the only
purchases required are a TV camera (a home video cam can
even be used) and software (i.e. Quick Time Conferencing
and Face to Face). The cost for the camera and software is
approximately $250 at each site, which would usually be far
less than the cost of a single round-trip plane ticket. The
total cost would even be less if your home video cam is
used. If an ISDN connection is used rather than a local area
network, it would cost an additional $400 for a total of $650
(not including transmission costs) at each site, which would
probably still be less than a single round-trip plane ticket.
an
’
video and document
room
the
cost
for equipment and
conferencing
system,
software comes to approximately $4,000 to $5,000 at each
site, not including line charges, projector costs or sound
system. Line charges depend on the distance between sites
and the duration of the teleconference. The cost of a video
projector or large monitor depends on the size and quality
of the picture desired. Sound systems also vary greatly in
price, again depending on the quality desired. At the
University of Idaho, for instance, the projector used in their
room system is an NView LCD panel (MODEL Z215) with a
4000 lumen portable overhead projector. The sound system
includes two stereo speakers that are connected to the
audio ports in the back of a Macintosh. The total cost for the
entire system at the University of Idaho, including an ISDN
connection, computers, software, video projectors, video
For
an
integrated voice,
j
References
Clement, Gail, P Science and Tecbnology on the Internet.
Berkeley, Ca: Library Solutions Press, 1995.
1.
2.
Video for Instruction. Washington D.C. :
for Educational Communications and
Compressed
Association
Technology, 1995.
3. Ellsworth, Jill H. Education on the Internet. Indianapolis:
Sams Publishing, 1994.
4. Engst, Adam C. Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh.
Indianapolis: Hayden Books, 1995.
5. «Eyes on the Future.» A series of articles on interactive
media technology. Newsweek. 38-50, May 31, 1993.
6. «Face to Face.» Teleconferencing Software. Santa Cruz,
Calif.: Crosswise Inc., 1995.
7. Hudson, Rhett. Desktop Video Conferencing University
of Vermont via The Internet ([email protected]),
Acknowledgements
1995.
The special session ii-tis made possible tbrougb tbe cooperatioe efforts of ApPle Computer Inc, Apple Japan
Inc, Califorrzia State Cnil’ersi(v Sortbridge. the 1°S Certters for Disease Control. Crossu,ise Corporation, the
Internatiorutl Union for Health Promotion and Edl/Clltio//. tbe Japanese Organizing Committee and the
University of Idaho, College of Educatiott. Special techrtical assistance lI’as prodded by Apple Computer
Illc.. Apple Japan and Crosswise Corporation. Sincere thanks are extended to vlr. Isao Sakai. JIanage/: New
Business Products. Apple Japan, for prodding all tbe nocessaqi equipment and technical assistance
required for the two-way desktop conferencing demonstration at tbe Japan site: Sli-:7aiiiie Hampton,
member of the Quick Time Conferencing Core Deteloptizeiit Team. Apple Computer Irtc . fur- coordiuating
the teleconferencing acticities at the ApPle offices in California etnd Drjolm Dat’is. Director Irrstrttctiorral
Jfaterials and Tecbnolo~y Center Cnil’ersÎt1’ of Idaho for teclmical assistance prorided during the planning
of tbe project. Grateful appreciation also is eytetitted to those utdiuduals IL’1)0 participated in
teleconference demonstration ria tlm,u’a)’ i,ideo. including Jl1: Brian -IkGaii?i. Pr-estdertt of Crosswise
Corporatiort and Suzanne Hampton. member of tbe QuickTime Conferencing Core Deceloprnent team.
-4pple Computer luc.
Digital Services. From the Internet
(http://www.gems.com). PicturePhone, 1994.
9. Miller, Mark A. Internetworking: A Guide to Network
8. ISDN and Switched
Communications LAN to LAN; LAN to WAN. New York:
M&T
Books, 1995.
QuickTime Conferencing Tecbnical Backgrounder.
10.
Cupertino, Ca: Apple Computer Inc. 1995.
11. Two-way Compressed Video Teleconference (Japan and
California State University Northridge). «Aids as an
International Problem: The Need for International
8
Cooperation». Annual Conference of the Japan School
Health Association, Yokohama, Japan, November 25. 1993.
12. Waters, M. «The Value of Technology in Teaching Health
Education». Strengthening Health Education for the
1990’s. Reston. Va.: Association for the Advancement of
Health Education, pp. 39-46, 1992.
13. Watkins, B. T. «The Electronic Classroom.» Cbronicle of
Higber Education. 26-28, September 4, 1991.
Technologies
Dr. John T. Fodor. Professor Emeritus of Healtb Science.
California StateUniversity Northridge and Instructional
Technology Consultant. 2326 Wellington Avenue.
Santa Barbara. Cal. 93105 -3940. USA.
: 1-(805) 687-2937 ; fax : 1-(805) 563-9909.
Tel.
de communication :
progrès et applications
4. L’utilisation de CODECS
Cet article decrit les technologies de communication
traditionnelles et celles nouvelles qui ont fait 1’objet d’une
s6ance speciale a la XV, Conference mondiale de 1’Union
internationale de Promotion de la Sant~ et d’Education
pour la Sant6, a Makuhari, au Japon, Ie 24 aout 1995.
De par leur nature m~me, les programmes de promotion
de la sant6 et d’education pour la sant6 ont forcement
recours aux technologies de communication pour
promouvoir connaissances, attitudes et pratiques
favorables a la sant6. Et dans notre environnement actuel,
on ne peut nier que les technologies de communication
nouvelles facilitent de toute 6vidence les programmes de
promotion de la sant6 et d’education pour la sant6, au
niveau local, national et international. Ces technologies de
pointe permettent d’avoir acces directement a la maison, a
1’ecole, dans les organismes communautaires, dans les
services de soins, et sur les lieux de travail, a un large
eventail d’informations et d’outils, de n’importe quel coin
du monde.
Au cours de cette seance sp6ciale, ont ete pass6es
brievement en revue les technologies de communication
traditionnelles utilis6es en education pour la sant6. De
meme un certain nombre des technologies de pointe
disponibles aujourd’hui ainsi que leur application a la
promotion de la sant6 et a 1’education pour la sant6 ont ete
d6crites plus en detail. Un des points forts de la Seance a
etc une demonstration en direct sur la maniere dont sont
utilis6s les ordinateurs pour int6grer son, video et
documents par teleconference entre des sites a distance.
et
de
lignes t~16phoniques
pour transmission video
compactee et audio
deux lignes.
Au cours de cette seance, 1’utilisation de la (( vid6o
conference », la plus r~cente technologie dont on dispose
a 1’heure actuelle a ete d6crite. Cette technologie utilise
des ordinateurs et des logiciels speciaux pour int6grer son,
video et documents par teleconference entre des sites a
distance.
Enfin, on y a discute de 1’emergence de reseaux publics
d’information, comme le a World Wide Web par
l’interm6diaire d’« Internet » qui offre des possibilites
innombrables d’acquisition et de diffusion d’informations
et d’outils pour la sante.
sp6ciales
sur
Demonstration
en
direct.
En utilisant des ordinateurs Apple et des logiciels sp6ciaux
(«Quick Time Conferencing » mis au point par Apple et
a Face to Face Document Conferencing » de Crosswise
Corporation), une liaison en direct par teleconference avec
les bureaux d’Apple
en
Californie
a
ete etablie pour
integre son, video et documents. Au
cours de cette demonstration, on a pu assister en direct ~ :
~ une video conference par transmission sur deux lignes
montrer comment on
avec la Californie ;
~ la transmission de graphiques et d’images video vers et a
partir de deux sites distants ;
w la recherche, la saisie et la sauvegarde du contenu d’un
article a partir d’Internet et sa retransmission par video
conference.
A la suite de la demonstration en direct, une discussion a
eu lieu sur les besoins en 6quipements permettant d’avoir
acces a ce type de technologie de pointe (materiel.
logiciels et r6seaux de communication), les coûts et les
couts comparatifs avec d’autres si,st~mes (par exemple
CODECS, transmission par ondes radio, transmission par
satellite). Des dossiers d’information complets sur ces
technologies de communication electronique utilisees au
cours de la seance ont etc distribues aux participants.
Les lecteurs souhaitant obtenir des informations
suppl6mentaires sur le materiel informatique et les
logiciels necessaires pour communiquer par video
conference » peui-em contacter l’auteur.
Technologies de communication de pointe. Les
technologies de communication nouvelles suivantes ont
~t6 d6crites au cours de la seance :
1. L’utilisation d’6quipement par ondes radio pour la
transmission video et audio ;
2. L’utilisation d’équipement par satellite pour la
transmission video et audio ;
3. [utilisation d’ordinateurs, de modems. de lignes de
t6l~phones sp6ciales et de reseaux locaux. nationaux et
internationaux pour elaborer collecti~-ement et partager
a distance, entre diff6rents sites. des documents et avoir
ainsi acces a un tres large éyentail de references et
d’outils.
9
RÉSUMÉ