With the rapid pace of technological innovation affecting virtually every industry, there are few professionals who need to stay more informed than those within the medical community. New information and procedures have the potential to save lives and end suffering, so it’s easy to see the need for practical and accessible knowledge transfer. Luckily, virtual audiences today can witness a procedure or get trained miles from the nearest medical facility, thanks to innovation within live streaming technology.
Below, we’ve outlined three live streaming benefits for medical education. This includes how live streaming technology has increased accessibility, affordability, and will continue to inform the future of the industry. Furthermore, this can all be done while securing video assets to intended parties.
Increasing access to education
Advances in live streaming technology have proved that no student is too far out of reach, and that knowledge transfer can be seamless. For those tuning in, live streams have enabled a direct and accessible environment for education, while fostering real-time engagement through interactive Q&As. As a result, doctors in remote locations are able to get the resources and training necessary to help their communities, while students around the globe can learn and engage with medical professionals.
And this isn’t just a concept—companies like Active Release Techniques have integrated live streaming technology into their day-to-day operations. Live video has enabled them to educate healthcare providers worldwide, all while ensuring overall protocol efficacy. Another company, Mission: Restore, has leveraged live streaming technology to increase doctors’ capacity and knowledge in developing nations. Live video technology will continue to enable doctors, educators, and students to access cutting-edge medical education.
Reducing work while growing profits
Thanks to live streaming services, businesses no longer have to hire full film crews to produce and distribute video content. With just a camera and the click of a button, content is primed to be viewed by audiences around the world. Ease of use and reliability in live streaming technology have drastically cut pre-production workflows for many content providers, and in turn have helped overall profitability.
Consider BroadcastMed, a company whose live streams have helped medical professionals stay up-to-date on the latest medical research, training, and technology. As a result of implementing live video technology, BroadcastMed has reduced the cost of staging a production by 80% while experiencing a 20% increase in annual profits. Much like BroadcastMed, companies across the healthcare space are increasingly using live video technology to streamline their workflows and bump up their bottom line.
Learn more about how BroadcastMed uses streaming technology, and IBM Watson Media (then IBM Cloud Video), in this customer story:
Pushing the industry forward
A few decades ago, it would have been inconceivable to have thousands of viewers tuned into a live surgery. Today, that previously unimaginable video technology is driving the medical community forward. With the implementation of any new technology, change management is a crucial aspect of transitioning workforces. And yes, the integration of live video technology in medical procedures won’t be without its hiccups—but once the community overcomes initial hurdles, the industry at large will find it easier to welcome future innovation. Take Dr. Shafi Ahmed, more commonly known as the “Virtual Surgeon.” In 2014, Dr. Ahmed first began live streaming his procedures. Fast forward, and that same live streaming technology has given Dr. Ahmed the momentum to broadcast the world’s first live virtual reality operation. For medical professionals, embracing live video technology is just the first step in making medical education more immersive and inclusive.
Summary
From increasing education access to delivering real business value, it’s truly inspiring to see how live streaming technology is catalyzing change within the medical community. It has empowered educators and students around the world to bridge the knowledge gap, and will continue to fundamentally shift how we approach medical education. Looking ahead, adoption of live streaming technology will only open the doors for future innovative breakthroughs within medical education. After all, this technology is not merely for idle chatter or entertainment—it’s saving lives.