Using video calls to help manage breathing problems in young children during emergency calls
Videoconferencing for the Management of Paediatric Dyspnoea in an Emergency Medical Call Centre: the VISIODYS-PED Randomised Controlled Study Protocol
NA · Poitiers University Hospital · NCT06847997
This trial tests whether adding live video calls to emergency medical call-center dispatch helps manage breathing difficulties in children aged 3 months to 5 years.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 339 (estimated) |
| Ages | 3 Months to 5 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Poitiers University Hospital (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Poitiers, France) |
| Trial ID | NCT06847997 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The study adds real-time videoconferencing to the usual phone-based medical dispatch process so physicians can visually assess children with dyspnoea during calls to the emergency medical call centre. Eligible callers are parents of children aged 3 months to 5 years who report breathing difficulty and have a camera-equipped phone or tablet. The video-enabled dispatch aims to improve identification of severe signs, guide urgent interventions, and inform decisions about emergency department referral or home management. The trial is conducted through the Poitiers University Hospital EMCC with consent obtained from the holder(s) of parental authority.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Children aged 3 months to 5 years whose parent calls the Poitiers EMCC for breathing difficulties and who have a camera-equipped phone or tablet and can provide parental consent.
Not a fit: Children in immediate life-saving emergencies, calls from non-parents, cases without phone network or a camera-capable device, or where communication/consent is not possible are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help dispatchers recognize severe cases faster, start appropriate care sooner, and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits.
How similar studies have performed: Telemedicine for remote assessment and triage in emergency settings has shown promise in improving diagnostic accuracy and triage decisions, but direct evidence specifically for pediatric dyspnoea in EMCC call-centre settings remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged between 3 months to 5 years * Call from parent(s) to an EMCC for dyspnea or shortness of breath or difficulty breathing as main complaint * Parent or witness with a phone/tablet equipped with a camera * Emergency consent or oral consent given by the holder(s) of parental authority to the physician dispatcher Exclusion Criteria: * Child in life-saving emergency * Known absence of a telephone network required for the use of video calls * Call made by an individual who does not hold parental authority * Communication difficulties with the holder(s) of parental authority, not allowing for a clear and fair information * Person not benefiting from a social security scheme or through a third party * Child who has already participated in the study
Where this trial is running
Poitiers, France
- CHU Poitiers — Poitiers, France, France (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Nicolas Marjanovic, MD PhD — Poitiers University Hospital
- Study coordinator: Nicolas Marjanovic, MD PhD
- Email: nicolas.marjanovic@chu-poitiers.fr
- Phone: +33549444444
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Out-of-hospital Setting, Dyspnea