I have spent many hours working out a system to deliver grand rounds via conferencing software. This allows two way-interactivity, as well as the ability to show slides and video simultaneously. It is cheaper for residencies and better for the planet. Do we lose something by not having the event in-person? Of course, but not much.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is there a fee for tele-grandrounds?
Yes, for Tele-Grandrounds we request a $600 honorarium to defer bandwidth, equipment, and to amortize the equipment and software to make this work. Go to the conference page for all admin crap pertaining to the honorarium (if we book a date, we will get you a password).
What are the Tech Requirements
Step 1-Computer and Connection
- You need a laptop or desktop computer that is reasonably new—anything is usually fine if it has no problems playing videos
- It needs to be hooked up to the hospital internet via ethernet cable, not wireless
- The laptop must be allowed to access zoom, test this by going to ZOOM Test.
- If you can successfully connect, then the hospital allows it. If not, you need to talk to IT to get zoom unblocked (I have not encountered any hospital yet that blocks this application)
- The computer needs to be hooked up to your normal projector or screen, just like you would for powerpoint presentations
- The computer needs to be hooked up to the room’s audio system. This is the big one; if you cannot make it happen, then you need an external speaker to hook up to the laptop.
Step 2-Webcam
- Part of the fun of a good telegrandrounds is 2-way interactivity. For this you need a decent webcam
- Buy a Logitech C920s or similar, at least 720p camera– they cost ~$60. Any of the more expensive Logitech cameras that are HD will also work well. The laptop’s built-in camera is not useful for this purpose. High Definition (HD) purpose-made webcams are essential. One of the residents may have one or just buy one, they can be used for tele-grand rounds for all time to come.
- Buy a mini-tripod for the camera. This one or any other will suffice.
- Plug it in to the laptop a few days before the grandrounds and make sure the laptop recognizes it and the right software installs.
Step 3-The Day of the Rounds
- Test the actual computer that will be used by going to be used by going to ZOOM Test
- Make sure you can hear the audio on the room overhead speakers
- Make sure you set your mic to the logitech webcam microphone
- Make sure the webcam is working
Step 4-Going Live
- Go to https://emcrit.org/zoom
- Adjust the webcam so it faces the audience
- Mark out a spot in front of the webcam so that when someone walks to the spot, their head and shoulders are in frame and they are no more than a couple of feet from the webcam. Mark this spot somehow. This is where residents will come up to ask questions. Alternatively the moderator can come to this spot and relay a question asked.
- Make sure your webcam is turned on in ZOOM
- See this screencast to understand all of this
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