Methodology of Teaching on Telemedicine Technologies for Medical Students

Abstract

The Department of Medical Informatics has developed new curriculum module "Telemedicine" for students of 4-5 courses, which is implemented on the basis of the Telemedicine Center of the Medical Institute of the RUDN-University. It's designed for 1 credit ECTS, 17 hours for practice, and the rest for students' self-education. The following topics are included: the fundamentals of telemedicine, and the world trends in its development; technological equipment of telemedicine events; hardware and software of telemedicine; economic and legal aspects of telemedicine; scenarios of telemedicine activities After theoretical lectures, students receive practical skills in the course of business games in preparation and conduct of video conferencing.  During the classes we demonstrate to students the technologies of remote interactive learning, in particular television lectures and master classes from the leading clinics of Russia, countries of Europe, India, Brazil and Canada. Telemedicine Center for video conferencing equipped with all modern ITU standards. It is equipped with video conferencing complex, Full HD camcorder, professional document camera with built-in illumination plate for displaying x-rays. During two years we have taught over a thousand students. Besides students from Russia, the module was mastered by students from Asia, Africa, America and Europe. Teaching approach allows to obtain theoretical knowledge and practical skills of video conferencing and distance education methods, to get familiarized with international experience and trends in the development of telemedicine technologies. Methodology of training is described.