Zoom

Optimizing your Computer and Internet Connection:

• Have a functional video camera and microphone on your computer.

• Make sure that your computer is fully charged and/or that you have a power cord plugged in.

• Ensure your computer and internet are working by RESTARTING your computer.

• Avoid running other data-intensive applications during the Doctoring session.

• If you can, connect your computer/laptop to the internet via an ethernet cable. Zoom works well on wireless all the way down to 3G, but the quality is best on a solid wired internet connection, so wire in when you can.

• Otherwise, make sure you have serviceable Wi-Fi. Try to minimize other people sharing your Wi-Fi by NOT using streaming videos, games, or movies while on Zoom.

Access VPN and Learning Space:

• Complete PRIOR to your encounter.

• First, log onto VPN: https://vpn.arizona.edu.

• Then log into learning space: https://learningspace.phoenixmed.arizona.edu/ (you will be able to access this after your 2^nd ITM Doctoring session).

Video and Audio:

• Turn ON your video. Video is crucial in building trust and engagement in virtual communications.

• Test your video and audio on Zoom by logging in https://arizona.zoom.us/

• Adjust your camera if it is too low or high. Your camera should be at eye level. It is best practice to adjust the person on the screen to be located near the camera.

• Look at the camera. This takes practice since you want to look at the other participants’ faces AND look at the camera when you’re talking. This mimics the in-person feeling of eye contact. It’s important to gauge reactions by looking at the screen but alternating that with looking at the camera which makes the audience feel like you’re really talking to them.

• You may use a good quality camera and headset instead of your computer’s built-in ones. Zoom works just fine with the built-ins, but the quality is even sharper with higher quality hardware.

Orientation and Debrief:

• Arrive ahead of Time.

• ALL sessions start promptly at the posted time and attendance is taken. Click on the assigned Zoom conference link 4-5 minutes before your session starts.

• Mute your microphone when necessary.

• Zoom has a “Mute Microphone” option that cuts down on ambient feedback for the audience. You should mute yourself when listening to a presenter (or during the “Prep” time during an encounter). You may turn your microphone back on during back-and-forth discussion when it is your turn to speak.

Think about your actions on camera.

• Always remember that everyone can see you. Someone is watching as you take a big, wide-mouth yawn, stretch, or wander around the room. These exaggerated movements are distracting to the audience and can be disruptive to the speaker. Try to stay still and be attentive – or at least act attentive!

Before your Simulated Patient (SP) Encounter/Interview:

• Dress to impress.

  • Dress for your video conference the way you would for an in-person meeting. Dress professionally. Wear your white coat once you have received it.

• Control your environment.

  • Try to hold meetings in quiet, indoor locations to control ambient noise.

• Adjust your lighting.

  • Try not to sit directly in front or beside a bright light source, or all the audience sees is a bright light and a shadowy figure. Experiment with moving lamps and your camera until you can see your brightly-lit face on the screen.

• Think about your background.

  • Try to provide a nice, plain background. If your treadmill is in your office and you use it more as a place to hang laundry, that’s not really the best visual for your audience. You can’t control everything in a mobile environment, but you should give some thought to background prior to your meeting.

• Practice speaking to the camera and not the screen.

  • Our tendency is to look at the person on the screen, but you should look at the camera when you speak so the audience feels like you’re talking directly to them.

• Think about your actions on camera.

  • Always remember that your faculty and SP can see you. Any exaggerated movements are distracting and can be disruptive to the conversation.

During your Simulated Patient (SP) Encounter/Interview:

• Make sure that your VIDEO AND AUDIO are ON before your Encounter starts.

• NO TYPING during encounter.

• During your encounter, do not type notes. You may take notes on a paper/roadmap and let your SP know that you are taking notes.

Zoom Chat Function:

• • • No chatting allowed during an encounter.

    • The Chat function should be used only if you are having technical problems and directed at your support staff.

    • Turn your Video off and Mute your Audio during Prep time (when you are not talking).