A Global Videoconference Network for Otolaryngology
The LION Foundation was created in 2006 as a nonprofit organization. It is dedicated to promote medical and surgical high quality Continuing Education programs. LION was envisaged in order to improve the knowledge, skills and discipline of current otolaryngologists while introducing innovative programs designed to provide worldwide education including developing countries.
The aim of the LION is to create a permanent interactive worldwide high speed network for Continuing Education in Otolaryngology and to promote distance learning using modern videoconferencing technologies.
The annual program will offer participants around the world direct and interactive access to international experts in the various fields of Otolaryngology. The program is currently focused on Otology-Neurotology but it will grow in the future to include other fields of ENT. Such multicenter sessions will emulate the advantages of international meetings by allowing exchanges of idea and experiences.
The LION project will provide a focus for training as well as an enhanced professional experience.
This advanced medical network technology provides the data communications infrastructure essential to the development of the global otolaryngological community.The concept of a global network is greatly enhanced by a constantly accessible highly interactive videoconferencing system. This allows for high quality image and sound transmission. While the formal conference and meeting remain the staple of organized CME worldwide the LION offers new trends in this field enhancing distance learning.
By improving cost efficiency and decreasing flight-related CO2 emission the LION will be of dual benefit to otolaryngologists worldwide, and climate policy by respecting the environment and natural resources.
The LION is a training in-country project conducted with international partners. LION’s program will include multiple annual scientific events and interactive training sessions enhancing the continous exchange of ideas and sharing of clinical experience from among the world.
LION ConfigurationThe LION network can be used for live surgery, panel discussion and formal conferences with Powerpoint type presentations.
Two types of sites are defined
- Faculty site; operating theatre, and/or any site worldwide from which a faculty member of LION will perform live surgery give a lecture, lead a conference or participate in panel discussion.
- Distant site; any conference room or computer worldwide from which delegates will follow the LION session and interact “realtime” with the faculty.
The Eurohub (MCU) is located in Utrecht, it will be used to interconnect all sites during each multicenter session of LION. The Eurohub moderators will be located at the SurfNET MCU.
There is a LION Technical Requirement Standard (LTRS) level 1 and 2 :
LTRS 1 – IP connection
This configuration is mandatory for all faculty site and is also be recommended for all distant sites to offer realtime interaction between the faculty and the delegates in the conference rooms facilities. LTRS 1 requires the use of professional visioconference equipment.
LTRS 2 – Live Internet Streaming
Live Internet Streaming is powered by Surfnet and offers high audiovisual quality. Direct questions to the faculty cannot be asked from those distant sites which will be under LTRS 2 level. Interaction with the faculty will be possible by e-mail or with a chat room via the moderators located at the MCU. LTRS 2 does not require the use of professional.
