Videoconference Fatigue: A Conceptual Analysis

Feasibility and Safety of Virtual Reality-Based Online Group Discussions Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a potential tool for enhancing learning experiences in various fields, including nursing education. However, its feasibility, safety, and impact on online group discussions remain underexplored. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of VR conferencing in basic education courses for nursing students. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted with third-year nursing students at Mie University, Tsu, Japan. Participants were assigned non-randomly to either a VR discussion group using MetaQuest 3 and Horizon Workrooms or a video discussion group using Zoom meetings. The groups discussed challenges in the daily lives of patients with chronic shoulder pain and completed tasks, such as listing and ranking challenges. After the discussions, data on discussion drop rates, levels of understanding, teamwork, psychological safety, cybersickness, cognitive load, and impressions of VR and avatar usage were collected. All variables are summarized by the group as means and standard deviations, medians and interquartile ranges, or frequencies and percentages, as appropriate. Results A total of 36 nursing students participated in this study (VR group: n=17; video group: n=19). All participants completed the discussions without dropping out or experiencing cybersickness. The average discussion time was comparable between the groups (approximately 10 minutes). Both groups demonstrated an equivalent understanding of the topic. Both discussion methods had positive effects on teamwork and psychological safety. Cognitive load differences were mixed, with VR reducing some elements of task-related stress (e.g., understanding the overall discussion) but showing higher demands in others (e.g., the design for learning tasks). Participants in the VR group reported a high intention to continue using VR and noted that avatar customization (e.g., clothing and hairstyles) influenced the discussions. Conclusions Both VR and video groups engaged in discussions of similar quality and completed the discussion. As none of the participants had cybersickness or dropped out of the discussions, it was thought that the VR discussions were feasible. Carefully selecting discussion themes, evaluation items, and avatar conditions, as well as verifying the effectiveness of online discussion methods, are necessary.

Too much to process? Exploring the relationships between communication and information overload and videoconference fatigue

The adoption of videoconferencing has brought significant convenience to people's lives. However, as videoconferencing usage has skyrocketed, it has unveiled a range of side effects, most notably videoconference fatigue (VF). In response, this paper employed the Limited Capacity Model of Motivated Mediated Message Processing (LC4MP) as a theoretical framework to conduct two comprehensive investigations, centering on the impact of verbal communication overload on users' information overload and VF. We conducted two studies to test our propositions and conceptual model. Study One focused on the educational context and comprised a survey with 489 students. In Study Two, we expanded our exploration to the professional use of videoconferencing in two populations: Singapore and Germany. A total of 610 responses were collected in Singapore, with the German sample constituting a total of 948 participants. Results from both studies consistently demonstrated a positive relationship between videoconference frequency and communication overload. Additionally, perceived communication overload was positively associated with information overload and VF. Based on the findings of the two studies, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications and suggest new directions for videoconferencing research.

Assessing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Virtual Reality for Remote Group-Mediated Physical Activity in Older Adults: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Physical inactivity represents a major health concern for older adults. Most social, at-home physical activity (PA) interventions use videoconference, email, or telephone communication for program delivery. However, evidence suggests that these platforms may hinder the social connection experienced by users. Recent advancements in virtual reality (VR) suggest that it may be a rich platform for social, at-home interventions because it offers legitimate options for intervention delivery and PA.

OBJECTIVE

This pilot study aims to determine the feasibility and acceptability of VR compared to videoconference as a medium for remote group-mediated behavioral intervention for older adults. The information generated from this investigation will inform the use of VR as a medium for intervention delivery.

METHODS

Nine low-active older adults (mean age 66.8, SD 4.8 y) were randomized to a 4-week home-based, group-mediated PA intervention delivered via VR or videoconference. Feasibility (ie, the total number of sessions attended and the number of VR accesses outside of scheduled meetings) and acceptability (ie, the number of participants reporting high levels of nausea, program evaluations using Likert-style prompts with responses ranging from -5=very difficult or disconnected to 5=very easy or connected, and participant feedback on immersion and social connection) are illustrated via descriptive statistics and quotes from open-ended responses.

RESULTS

None of the participants experienced severe VR-related sickness before randomization, with a low average sickness rating of 1.6 (SD 1.6) out of 27 points. Attendance rates for group meetings were 98% (59/60) and 96% (46/48) for the VR and videoconference groups, respectively. Outside of scheduled meeting times, participants reported a median of 5.5 (IQR 5.3-5.8, range 0-27) VR accesses throughout the entire intervention. Program evaluations suggested that participants felt personally connected to their peers (VR group: median 3.0, IQR 2.5-3.5; videoconference group: median 3.0, IQR 2.7-3.3), found that goals were easy to accomplish (VR group: median 3.0, IQR 2.8-3.3; videoconference group: median 3.0, IQR 2.6-3.4), and had ease in finding PA options (VR group: median 4.0, IQR 3.5-4.3; videoconference group: median 2.0, IQR 1.6-2.4) and engaging in meaningful dialogue with peers (VR group: median 4.0, IQR 4.0-4.0; videoconference group: median 3.5, IQR 3.3-3.8). Open-ended responses regarding VR use indicated increased immersion experiences and intrinsic motivation for PA.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that VR may be a useful medium for social PA programming in older adults, given it was found to be feasible and acceptable in this sample. Importantly, all participants indicated low levels of VR-related sickness before randomization, and both groups demonstrated very high attendance at meetings with their groups and behavioral coaches, which is promising for using VR and videoconference in future interventions. Modifications for future iterations of similar interventions are provided. Further work using larger samples and longer follow-up durations is needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04756245; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04756245.

Describing Zoom exhaustion and fatigue in nursing students at a university in South Africa

Background

Online platforms have gained considerable support from students and lecturers post COVID-19, however they are associated with student exhaustion and fatigue.

Aim

To determine Zoom exhaustion and fatigue in nursing students at a selected university in South Africa.

Methods

A quantitative cross - sectional study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal to collect data from 146 nursing students registered at the selected university for the 4-year Bachelor of Nursing programme. The Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale collected data on responses to domains of general fatigue, visual fatigue, social fatigue, motivational fatigue, and emotional fatigue. The data were analysed using the International Business Machines, Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 26.0. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographics, a total score was calculated and mean scores and 95% confidence intervals for the different domains were calculated. Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis Independent Tests were calculated to determine associations between demographics and Zoom usage.

Results

The overall Zoom exhaustion and fatigue score was 46.71 (s.d. = 10.50). The motivational fatigue construct had the highest mean score of 3.29 (s.d. = 0.83), followed by general (3.18 s.d. = 0.81), social (3.11, s.d. = 0.88), emotional (3.06, s.d. = 0.99) and visual fatigue (2.92, s.d. = 0.94).

Conclusion

The study concluded that while the overall mean score indicated moderate levels of Zoom exhaustion and fatigue among respondents, majority of the respondents scored high levels (> 48) of Zoom fatigue. Students reported higher levels of motivational fatigue compared to the other 4 constructs.

Exploring the links between type and content of virtual background use during videoconferencing and videoconference fatigue

The popularity of remote working in recent years has led to a rise in the use of videoconferencing tools. However, these communication tools have also given rise to a phenomenon known as videoconference fatigue (VF). Using the limited capacity model of motivated mediated message processing and impression management theory as the theoretical framework, this study explores how different types and content of virtual backgrounds in videoconferencing influence people's VF and well-being. A survey of 610 users of videoconferencing tools revealed significant variations in the content and type of virtual backgrounds used during videoconferences. Our findings highlight three main points: first, there is a significant relationship between the use of virtual backgrounds and VF; second, pairwise comparisons showed that the type of virtual background significantly influences the amount of VF experienced by users; third, the content of virtual backgrounds also significantly impacts the level of VF experienced by users. These results suggest that careful selection of virtual backgrounds can mitigate VF and improve user well-being. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Association between physiotherapist sleep duration and working environment during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan: A secondary retrospective analysis study

Studies have reported that health care professionals experienced a lack of sleep during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and that such lack of sleep and working environment affect their performance. However, to the authors' knowledge, no study has yet investigated the relationship between sleep duration and working environment among Japanese physiotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study retrospectively investigated the sleep duration of physiotherapists directly providing physiotherapy to patients with COVID-19 within the red zone and analyzed the association between sleep duration and working environment using logistic regression analysis. Among the 565 physiotherapists studied, the average sleep duration was 6 (6-7) h, and 381 (67.4%) had an average sleep duration of ≤6 h. Less experienced physiotherapists were 1.03 times more likely to sleep ≤6 h, and those in charge of patients with COVID-19 as the supervisor ordered were 0.64 times more likely to sleep ≤6 h. Moreover, physiotherapists with a significant increase in the frequency of internal online meetings and those who had been providing physiotherapy to patients with COVID-19 for >6 months were 2.34 and 2.05 times more likely to sleep ≤6 h, respectively. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, two-thirds of the physiotherapists directly providing physiotherapy to patients with COVID-19 slept less than the recommended duration. This study highlights the need for appropriate workload and work hour management for physiotherapists according to their experience and workload, as well as establishing a medical care system that includes work rotation to ensure that the recommended sleep duration is satisfied.

Examining Burnout and Perspective on Videoconferencing in the Mental Health Workforce

Objective: To examine burnout and perspectives on videoconferencing over time for the mental health workforce. Methods: Members of an academic psychiatry department completed two anonymous surveys about virtual work and burnout 18 months apart (T1n = 274, response rate = 66.8%; T2n = 227, response rate = 36.7%). A subset completed the burnout subscale of the Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index (T1n = 145; T2n = 127). Results: Respondents were well satisfied with videoconferencing at both time points and satisfaction was higher at T2. Videoconferencing was not perceived to contribute to feelings of fatigue at either time point and burnout levels decreased from T1 to T2. Conclusions: Videoconferencing is well received by the mental health workforce and is not widely perceived to contribute to feelings of fatigue. Longer use of videoconferencing coincided with decreased levels of burnout. There are likely benefits to virtual work for the mental health workforce and virtual work may be protective from burnout.

The experience of stuttering in everyday life among adults who stutter: The impact of trait social anxiety and the social situations

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the emotional and stuttering experience of adults who stutter (AWS) in everyday life, and how that experience may be shaped by personal (i.e., trait social anxiety) and situational factors (i.e., social partner reaction, communication channel type, social closeness, stuttering knowledge).

METHOD

AWS completed ecological momentary assessments on their smartphones multiple times a day for up to three weeks. Data (n = 62) were analyzed with multilevel models to determine how situational factors and trait social anxiety influence the Negative Affect (NA), Positive Affect (PA), and self-reported stuttering severity of AWS.

RESULTS

Results indicated that having high (vs. low) trait social anxiety was associated with a tendency to experience high NA, low PA, and high self-reported stuttering severity among AWS. A range of situational factors significantly influenced the within-person variation of NA, PA, and self-reported stuttering severity in everyday life. In addition, interacting with distant social partners relative to being alone heightened NA, and the effect was more prominent among AWS with high (vs. low) trait social anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the findings suggest that the variation of affects and stuttering severity among AWS can be partly accounted for by factors from both the situational and personal levels. Clinicians should be aware of the low PA experienced by AWS who have high (vs low) trait social anxiety in everyday life.

The γδ T Cell Club: bringing a global scientific community together in the age of Zoom

Immunologists are very social people-they love to meet other immunologists and talk about immunology (and immunologists). Constantly! γδ T-cell researchers are no exception. On the contrary, as there are not so many of them compared to, say, researchers working on dendritic cells, they especially crave frequent interactions with like-minded scientists. This is where the technological solutions being developed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic come into play that have, almost overnight, allowed researchers to hold meetings and lectures online. We here describe how we set up the virtual 'γδ T Cell Club', a monthly webinar series that aims to bring the field closer together, and present our musings about what we have learned from this experience, which we hope is useful for other researchers interested in connecting online.

Residents and Fellows of US Medical Residencies and Fellowships Strongly Prefer In-Person to Virtual Conference Format: A Cross-sectional Survey

Introduction

Medical conferences are an integral aspect of medical education as they allow attendees to stay up to date with recent advancements in medicine, to develop presentation and communication skills, and to network and establish connections with professionals in their field of interest. But, when the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was declared in March 2020, face-to-face medical conferences were suspended, and conference organizers began shifting their meetings to virtual platforms. These new virtual conferences afforded medical residents and fellows the unique opportunity to attend conferences from the comfort of their own home or workplace; however, the virtual meeting platforms did not provide attendees with the same networking experiences as in-person conferences. Since the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, medical conferences are now faced with the question of whether they should remain virtual, shift back to in-person meetings, or develop a hybrid model of both options. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze medical resident and fellow sentiments and preferences by comparing virtual and in-person conference formats.

Methods

A voluntary electronic survey was distributed to medical residents and fellows across the United States through their program coordinators and directors.

Results

The main findings of this study suggest that medical residents and fellows largely prefer in-person conferences (85%) as compared to a virtual format because of the networking opportunities afforded to them along with the development of camaraderie with their peers. The findings in this study suggest that the largest benefit in attending a virtual conference is the flexibility to attend from any location (79% important or very important), which offered convenience, flexibility, and comfort to participants (n = 100).

Conclusion

These results support our hypothesis that despite the convenience and portability afforded by attending conferences virtually, medical residents and fellows still ultimately prefer to attend conferences in person. Overall, the findings in this study are of relevance to conference organizers in understanding the driving forces behind attendance and should be considered in determining meeting format.

Videoconference fatigue from a neurophysiological perspective: experimental evidence based on electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG)

In the recent past, many organizations and people have substituted face-to-face meetings with videoconferences. Among others, tools like Zoom, Teams, and Webex have become the "new normal" of human social interaction in many domains (e.g., business, education). However, this radical adoption and extensive use of videoconferencing tools also has a dark side, referred to as videoconference fatigue (VCF). To date only self-report evidence has shown that VCF is a serious issue. However, based on self-reports alone it is hardly possible to provide a comprehensive understanding of a cognitive phenomenon like VCF. Against this background, we examined VCF also from a neurophysiological perspective. Specifically, we collected and analyzed electroencephalography (continuous and event-related) and electrocardiography (heart rate and heart rate variability) data to investigate whether VCF can also be proven on a neurophysiological level. We conducted a laboratory experiment based on a within-subjects design (N = 35). The study context was a university lecture, which was given in a face-to-face and videoconferencing format. In essence, the neurophysiological data-together with questionnaire data that we also collected-show that 50 min videoconferencing, if compared to a face-to-face condition, results in changes in the human nervous system which, based on existing literature, can undoubtedly be interpreted as fatigue. Thus, individuals and organizations must not ignore the fatigue potential of videoconferencing. A major implication of our study is that videoconferencing should be considered as a possible complement to face-to-face interaction, but not as a substitute.

Virtual first impressions: Zoom backgrounds affect judgements of trust and competence

Trait inferences from first impressions are drawn rapidly and spontaneously. However, the Covid-19 pandemic forced interactions online introducing differential influential factors on first impressions. As such, there is an absence of research investigating video background on videoconferencing impression formation. This study explored the influence of video background, facial expression, and gender on first impressions of trustworthiness and competence. Video background affected trustworthy and competence perceptions with Plants and Book backgrounds scoring highly on both dimensions while the Home and Novelty backgrounds consistently received the lowest ratings. Happy faces were perceived as more trustworthy and more competent while female faces were also rated as more trustworthy and more competent, regardless of the background they were using. The explanations for these findings are discussed, along with future directions for research and the implications for videoconferencing use.

Investigating autistic traits, social phobia, fear of COVID-19, and internet use disorder variables in the context of videoconference fatigue

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many individuals turned to synchronous online video communication technologies as a substitute for real-world face-to-face interactions. Evidence indicates that some users of such technologies show symptoms of exhaustion and fatigue during and after videoconferences (VCs) – this phenomenon is referred to as Videoconference Fatigue (VC fatigue). Research characterizing the possible vulnerability factors for VC fatigue is still scarce and considered to be in its early stage. Contributing to closing this gap in the existing literature is the motivation for the present study. Survey data was collected from 311 German-speaking participants to explore the relationships of VC fatigue with several psychological factors including autistic traits, social phobia, Fear of COVID-19, tendencies towards Internet Use Disorders (IUD tendencies), and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO, trait and state variables). Results showed that VC fatigue was significantly positively correlated with all of these psychological factors except state-FoMO, and corss-sectional mediation analyses provided further evidence for the positive association between autistic traits and VC fatigue. Specifically, the relationship between autistic traits and VC fatigue was mediated by Fear of COVID-19 and IUD tendencies rather than social phobia, with the latter being a preregistered hypothesis. This study adds to the literature by revealing several possible vulnerability factors associated with VC fatigue. In essence, the present work sheds light on the complex association between autistic traits and VC fatigue. We discuss the implications of our study as well as its limitations and potential avenues for future research.

[Videoconference Fatigue Coping Strategies]

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people's professional and private lives globally and has led to an increasing use of digital technologies, especially video conferencing systems (e.g. Zoom, Webex, Teams, Skype). Despite the possible advantages of these systems (e.g. savings in emissions by avoiding travelling), a negative phenomenon has been reported in science and practice: Videoconference Fatigue (VCF) (often synonymously referred to as Zoom Fatigue). This term describes the exhaustion and fatigue that results from the use of videoconferencing systems. In this article we report on an analysis of the academic literature, the aim of which is to document the current state of research on coping strategies. The analysis of coping strategies helps to better understand the phenomenon of VCF and to prevent or reduce fatigue and exhaustion. Furthermore, the results reported here are a basis for future work. Specifically, as of May 2022, we have identified 48 scientific articles on VCF, 37 of which also deal with coping strategies. We divide these strategies into organizational (e.g. taking breaks during and between meetings), personal (e.g. avoiding multitasking) and technological (e.g. use of the "together mode" in Teams). An important finding of our analysis is that with the exception of one paper, the effectiveness of the coping strategies has not yet been empirically examined and thus proven. This opens up enormous future research potential.

Disruption, Slowness, and Collective Effervescence: Children's Perspectives on COVID-19 Lockdowns

The COVID-19 pandemic represented not only a health crisis, but a social crisis for children, one that has disrupted notions of what a good childhood is. However, the longer-term implications of the pandemic are still to be seen, for children, their families and communities. This article is concerned with what these ongoing changes may be, based on a qualitative multi-stage study that asks children about their experiences of well-being before the pandemic, during lockdowns and post-COVID-19 lockdowns. This included asking seven children in online semi-structured interviews about what aspects of life brought on by COVID-19 restrictions they would like to see continue post-lockdown. We outline some of our findings. We describe new rituals and ways of organising time developed by children, facilitated by the use of digital technologies. We describe these new ways of managing time as task-based rather than rule-based, with children experiencing slowness of and greater control over their time. We found that lockdowns provided a possibility for children to assert a public agency through banal acts of sociability, for example, by conforming to public health measures such as mask-wearing and hand-washing. Whilst small acts, children discussed these in terms of being moral agents (protecting the safety of others) and as part of a larger civic attitude they observed around them. Thus, their acts can be seen as expressions of larger forms of social solidarity that contributed to a sense of collective effervescence.

A Qualitative Literature Search and Pilot Study of Online Support Groups for Patients With Dementia and Their Carers

The ever-growing group of people living with dementia (PLWD) and their relatives face great challenges. The Covid 19 pandemic has once again placed a particular challenge on this vulnerable group. What started a decade earlier with telephone-based support groups experienced a real push during the pandemic in the form of video-based self-help services. The aim of this qualitative literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO with keywords related to online, support group, caregiver, and dementia was to collect the reported experiences by the end of 2022. Peer reviewed journal papers were included when published and written in English. After the joint decision of two reviewers, it was decided to only include studies that were published in Medline. The results of the literature search are compared with experiences of the participants in a presentation group that was transformed into an online group at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic via Zoom. In search yielded a total of 129 articles. 113 articles described different types of interventions, 30 of which had a randomized design. The qualitative literature search showed on the one hand a high interest in online support groups but on the other hand that the effectiveness and efficacy in randomized trials is much less clear. In addition, we investigated the assessments and experiences of the participants in a presentation group that was transformed into an online group at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic via Zoom. This study demonstrates that PLWD and carers on virtual group meetings can express significant emotive capacity and enhanced connectivity with one another despite a diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia. Further research on entry criteria, concerns about online support services in general and necessary support for use is essential to develop the time- and location-independent possibility of video-based online self-help into an important form of support for both PLWD and their caregivers as an additional support option independent of exceptional pandemic situations.

Digital media in intergenerational communication: Status quo and future scenarios for the grandparent-grandchild relationship

Communication technologies play an important role in maintaining the grandparent-grandchild (GP-GC) relationship. Based on Media Richness Theory, this study investigates the frequency of use (RQ1) and perceived quality (RQ2) of established media as well as the potential use of selected innovative media (RQ3) in GP-GC relationships with a particular focus on digital media. A cross-sectional online survey and vignette experiment were conducted in February 2021 among N = 286 university students in Germany (mean age 23 years, 57% female) who reported on the direct and mediated communication with their grandparents. In addition to face-to-face interactions, non-digital and digital established media (such as telephone, texting, video conferencing) and innovative digital media, namely augmented reality (AR)-based and social robot-based communication technologies, were covered. Face-to-face and phone communication occurred most frequently in GP-GC relationships: 85% of participants reported them taking place at least a few times per year (RQ1). Non-digital established media were associated with higher perceived communication quality than digital established media (RQ2). Innovative digital media received less favorable quality evaluations than established media. Participants expressed doubts regarding the technology competence of their grandparents, but still met innovative media with high expectations regarding improved communication quality (RQ3). Richer media, such as video conferencing or AR, do not automatically lead to better perceived communication quality, while leaner media, such as letters or text messages, can provide rich communication experiences. More research is needed to fully understand and systematically improve the utility, usability, and joy of use of different digital communication technologies employed in GP-GC relationships.

On the associations between videoconference fatigue, burnout and depression including personality associations

Videoconference fatigue (hereafter VC fatigue) presents a new psychological construct, which gained momentum in course of the COVID-19 pandemic with the rise of videoconferences taking place in everyday (work-)life. In order to better characterize VC fatigue, it is of importance not only to investigate associations with age, gender and personality (as has been done earlier and will be revisited). Besides, it is crucial to shed light on relevant psychopathological constructs co-occurring with VC fatigue. In the present survey study, based on data from N = 311 participants recruited via the Internet we investigated the associations between VC fatigue, burnout and depression, and we specifically took the personality trait neuroticism as potential predisposing variable into account. These four constructs were robustly positively associated with each other. Moreover, mediation analyses revealed that the positive associations between neuroticism and burnout/depression might in parts be mediated by VC fatigue. However, future studies are needed to disentangle cause and effect between the aforementioned variables. The present study, to our knowledge, is among the first to reveal associations between VC fatigue and psychopathologies. Moreover, in this paper we present a German version of the Zoom Exhaustion & Fatigue scale (ZEF) by Fauville and colleagues.

Meeting (the) Pandemic: Videoconferencing Fatigue and Evolving Tensions of Sociality in Enterprise Video Meetings During COVID-19

When COVID-19 led to mandatory working from home, significant blind spots in supporting the sociality of working life-in the moment and over time-were revealed in enterprise video meetings, and these were a key factor in reports about videoconferencing fatigue. Drawing on a large study (N = 849) of one global technology company's employees' experiences of all-remote video meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, we use a dialectic method to explore the tensions expressed by employees around effectiveness and sociality, as well as their strategies to cope with these tensions. We argue that videoconferencing fatigue arose partly due to work practices and technologies designed with assumptions of steady states and taken-for-granted balances between task and social dimensions of work relationships. Our analysis offers a social lens on videoconferencing fatigue and suggests the need to reconceptualize ideas around designing technologies and practices to enable both effectiveness and sociality in the context of video meetings.

Unintended Consequences of a Transition to Synchronous, Virtual Simulations for Interprofessional Learners

The coronavirus pandemic shifted in-person environments to virtual environments. Little is known about the effectiveness of fully synchronous, virtual interprofessional education (IPE). This study aims to compare two IPE cases that occurred in-person pre-pandemic and virtual during-pandemic. Two cases are analyzed: a medical error care and a charity care case. Participants were students from various health science disciplines. Assessments were captured through The Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Survey (ICCAS). Effect sizes were calculated for the pre-and post-surveys and analyzed using Cohen's d for independent samples. From the in-person collection period, a total of 479 students participated in the medical error simulation and 479 in the charity care simulation. During the virtual collection period, a total of 506 students participated in the medical error simulation and 507 participated in the charity care simulation. In the data for the virtual simulations, the medical error case study maintained a large effect size (0.81) while the charity care simulation had a lesser impact (0.64 effect size). Structural details of the patient cases may be a critical variable. Future research is needed to better understand how health science students can obtain more training to notice the subtle cues from patients assessed through telemedicine modalities.

"Seeing and Being Seen" or Just "Seeing" in a Smart Classroom Context When Videoconferencing: A User Experience-Based Qualitative Research on the Use of Cameras

This research examines the form in which undergraduates use video cameras during videoconferencing class sessions in a Smart Classroom context and, more specifically, the reasons why a considerable number of students opt to turn off their cameras when videoconferencing during the sessions while others keep them on. The study was carried out in an institution that had previously switched from face-to-face teaching to an Emergency Remote Teaching solution, initially adopted in 2019-2020 to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Findings suggest that using cameras when videoconferencing is associated with increasing and enhancing the interaction between the student and the rest of the class, although not all students agreed with this conclusion. In addition, having the video cameras switched fomented socialization and improved the overall online learning experience for students. However, the surveyed students pointed out diverse negative elements, such as why they had to turn on their personal cameras, privacy concerns, and limitations derived from the available technology infrastructure, in addition to other factors such as distractions, anxiety, and cognitive load. This work discusses how these elements can influence the well-being and the user experience of the students, both positively and negatively.

Factors predicting videoconferencing fatigue among higher education faculty

The online remote learning revolution in the era of the pandemic has resulted in the massive explosion of videoconferencing technologies. The emergence of a new phenomenon of exhaustion and fatigue experienced during virtual meetings is evident. This study examined the predictors of videoconferencing fatigue among higher education faculty in the Philippines. A total of 322 faculty participated in this cross-sectional study. The online survey was administered using the Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue scale as the primary data collection tool. Significant predictors of videoconferencing fatigue were identified using the multiple linear regression analysis. The results indicated that the videoconference fatigue composite score of the faculty was 3.35 out of 5 suggesting a moderate level of fatigue. Significant predictors of videoconferencing fatigue among higher education faculty include attitude, sense of being physically trapped, mirror anxiety, emotional stability domain of personality, interval between videoconferences, and duration of videoconferences. For better videoconferencing experience among faculty, mechanisms to ease fatigue during virtual meetings may be proposed based on the study result.