By: Robert Shepherd MS, Certified Medical Illustrator, Vice President and Director of Eastern Region Operations, MediVisuals Incorporated
It is now possible for two or more people to simultaneously "share" computers from anywhere in the world through web conferencing. One of the best applications we at MediVisuals have found for this software is to enable the attorney, medical expert and medical illustrator to review and discuss imaging studies simultaneously from their respective offices.
Web conferencing significantly reduces travel time and expense. For example, a recent case required us to team up with a testifying expert located in the Midwest and an attorney in another region. Instead of meeting face-to-face, we tried screen-to-screen contact and found it worked remarkably well. Web conferencing enabled all three of us to maneuver through the imaging studies and move the cursor to specific areas of the films that were being discussed. This, along with simple telephone conferencing, allowed us all to speak with each other as we viewed the same images on our respective computer screens.
Web conferencing makes it easier than ever for us to work with attorneys and medical experts anywhere in the world. The required software programs are simple to use and affordable. The main hurdle involves ensuring the other participants' computers have fast and reliable Internet connections (i.e. DSL or Broadband) and that their web browsers are up-to-date to support the software. Confirming the second/third party Internet and computer capabilities takes no more than a phone call.
Most web conferencing software providers offer a free trial and quick web tutorial, which decreases the learning curve associated with understanding a new program. For the real tech-savvy, some developers even offer applications adaptable to 3G and 4G Smartphones and devices such as the iPad.
If you are interested in introducing web conferencing to your firm, the following is a list of links to recommended software providers’ websites:
Log Me In
http://www.logmein.com
Go To Meeting
http://www.gotomeeting.com
Cisco WebEx
http://www.webex.com/
MegaMeeting.com
http://www.megameeting.com/
