Vizitant

The unrivalled power of video calling

2009-08-01T16:31:42+01:00

The Global Nomads Group is an organization which creates education programs and media about global issues for youth. Using interactive technologies in the classroom, such as live videoconferencing and multimedia videos, young people from around the world learn about and discuss the global issues that affect their lives.

Hollywood stars such as Michael Douglas and Forest Whitaker serve as ambassadors and it's not difficult to see why when you watch the video below and realize how life changing these experiences much be for the youth involved, and how live video-calling can create a bond that no other medium can match -

Video health care innovations

2009-06-17T10:48:02+01:00

I've made no secret of the fact that 3Gdoctor, based in Kerry, were a source of great inspiration in the setting up of Vizitant. And that their head of business development David Doherty was a tremendous help in explaining the benefits of video calling for the elderly.

So I was delighted to come across this video where David explains in eloquent detail how 3Gdoctor is innovating in health care -

The 3G Doctor is ready to see you now... from Jonathan Marks on Vimeo.

"I bumped into David Doherty at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. In this extended interview, he explains a number of issues all connected with mobile health. He is actively busy with developing the 3G Doctor concept, but his blog is a mine of information on what he has found elsewhere in the world....and that's an enormous resource of ideas, concepts, projects and comments. I asked him to explain what problem he was trying to solve - and we then started discussing what strategies Google and the UN are adopting. Enjoy these highlights (its actually a avalanche of applications for mobile and health), and then head over to his blog."

Indeed David's blog is a mine of information. I was particularly interested to read a recent update on Cisco's HealtPresence system -

"The trial involved 105 patients who were offered primary care Video consultations in an A&E setting, supported by an assistant and followed up by inperson re-examination by the same Doctor.

More than 90% of patients reported a positive experience and despite some limitations most HealthPresence consultations were found to be safe and appropriate."

Telecare assistive technology

2009-06-09T22:15:57+01:00

Great article on the UK-based Community Care website -

"Robots, domestic appliances that could think for themselves, voice activated lights, wireless communicators - all 20th century sci-fi images of what life would be now. These are the sorts of images that our now elderly population grew up with and, for them at least, much of it is becoming a reality.
Elderly people will increasingly be able to take up the choice of remaining at home if they have access to some of the newer telecare and assistive technologies. These could range from smart pill boxes that issue the right dose at the right time and work out when a repeat prescription is needed, to zimmer frames that provide advice on getting about, as well as a range of sensors and monitors."

Stroke patient examinations by videoconference effective as beside exam

2009-05-14T20:03:37+01:00

"Examining stroke patients via videoconferencing (telemedicine) is as effective as a bedside exam and can increase patient access to stroke specialists, says a scientific statement released this week by the American Heart Association." [via USA Today]

The article continues -

"Telemedicine — which uses interactive videoconferencing via webcams connected to a computer or television screen — enables distant stroke experts to see and hear patients, family members and on-site health care providers. Telestroke technology along with teleradiology allows distant doctors to review a patient's brain images. This technology offers a cost-effective and time-efficient method of extending the reach of neurologists."

Medical doctor sings praises of video calling

2009-04-09T19:55:28+01:00

John D. Halamka, MD, MS, is Chief Information Officer of the CareGroup Health System, Chair of the US Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP), and a practicing Emergency Physician (among other things). On his weblog this week he waxed lyrical about his recent experience of telepresence (advanced video-calling) -

"The press gathered at the Cisco booth on the floor of HIMSS and I welcomed them to my basement via Telepresence. We chatted for an hour with full life-sized 1080p real time video. Truly, there was no difference from sitting in a room together, other than the fact that my basement had a bubbling fish tank and 2 rabbits running around.

Telepresence is just high definition video and audio with the feeling that you are in room with the other participants, not on a video conference. All the eye contact, gestures, and common courtesy you'd use in an in person meeting are natural in Telepresence. I changed my body position, my eye focus and my voice direction as I spoke to various participants. The technology worked perfectly over my home Verizon FIOS 20 megabit connection. I really enjoyed using the technology to connect with HIMSS while being in Boston with my daughter."

Computer systems designed for (and by) seniors

2009-04-02T12:20:24+01:00

Two young inventors have created a device that might change the way older Americans get news and entertainment, according to the Courier-Journal.

"Using modified MP3 players, computers and large touch-screen monitors in high-contrast colors for people with impaired vision, Charles De Vilmorin and Herve Roussel have created a digital kiosk that serves as a sort of iPod for older people."

From the photograph it appears to use a similar touchscreen to that which we've installed in Dromcollogher Respite Center. And it's great to hear that they really listened to their true customers when designing the system -

Fred Johnson, director of programs and special events at Vinson Hall, said residents helped the inventors tweak their product to deliver what they wanted. "The residents basically dictated what this is," Johnson said.

RTE News report on Telepresence (advanced video calling)

2009-03-26T13:34:13+00:00

On the Six One RTE News, last Friday 20th March (video available), environment correspondent Paul Cunningham visits Cisco offices in Dublin to sample high-end video-calling. Taking a chair in a rather plush meeting room Cunningham intones - "first there was the telephone, then there was the television, meet the next technology; Telepresence". As he does so the camera pans around to the other side of the boardroom table where a Cisco representative in the Galway office bids him a good morning. In such glorious high-definition video and stereo audio, it's as if he were actually sitting in the same room.

Cunningham explains, "Telepresence is an advanced teleconferencing technology which Cisco has installed in all of it's international offices. Because it's just like having a face-to-face meeting telepresence has slashed Cisco's travel budget."

Later in the segment Minister Eamon Ryan participates in an interview through the same telepresence system. And wrapping up back in the newsroom studio Una O'Hagan tells us that the telepresence technology we saw in the report will be available within two years. I have my doubts that it will be in any way affordable at that time but there's no doubting the general trend towards telepresence in the home.

Minister Ryan tries out Telepresence

2009-03-17T13:42:00+00:00

Saturday's Irish Times carried a story about Minister Eamon Ryan's meeting with Cisco executives in the United States where he learned about the environmental benefits of video-calling -

"Senior executives from Cisco gave Mr Ryan a demonstration of its own high-tech Telepresence system at its San Jose headquarters. Mr Ryan participated in a teleconference with executives in Herndon, Virginia and also in Galway, where Cisco has a centre of excellence and employs 200 people, mostly on the high-value RD side. Cisco says it has reduced travel by half in the company."

Remote video monitoring over the internet

2009-03-14T21:04:30+00:00

Until now it has been notoriously difficult for the average person (read: non-techie) to install and configure video cameras for monitoring remote locations over the internet. But it looks like Vue is about to change all that will their highly innovative, user-friendly and affordable camera networks. In the video below they even moot the usage that crossed my mind - independent living for the elderly.

Limerick Leader covers Vizitant launch at Respite Center

2009-03-09T15:50:34+00:00

Last week's Limerick Leader had a story about the 5th annual sponsored walk in aid of Drumcollogher Respite Center and the launch of the Vizitant video-calling service -

"Last Sunday was a special day at the centre for a different reason also. It was the first time that many people had seen the use of leading edge technology which the centre now has available so that people on respite visits to Dromcollogher can maintain contact with their families back home – not just by telephone, but by live video link. And the software that has been developed by a Knockaderry man ensures that it is so user-friendly that even people who are unused to modern technology can enjoy it.
By use of technology, such as Skype, which allows telephone calls over the internet, the respite centre can be linked to other computers in the same way as video conferencing is done between boardrooms. If a family does not have a modern computer at home with webcam and broadband, a simple attachment can be lent so that even old machines can be brought up to standard. And the company which is promoting the use of such technology, Vizitant.com is a not-for-profit operation.
"Our first successful installation is at Dromcollogher, but I would also wish to put it into nursing homes where people have longer stays than is the case with a respite home," Corbett said.
"The cost of equipment is cheap and becoming cheaper, and it is just a matter of getting it across to people that the technology is already here and available and ready to use," he added.