The key to a video conferencing healthcare session is that the two or more participants should be able to see each other in real-time, which will typically require adequate internet bandwidth.

There are many different methods how free video conferencing for healthcare can be conducted, but typically it involves three key elements:

• Video camera: can be webcams built into laptops, tablets, or even smartphones.
• Audio source: microphones (i.e., smartphone microphone, the built-in microphone in a video camera)
• Software: a software-based platform is used to transmit two-way data transmissions over internet protocols

Last but not least, high-speed, reliable internet access is necessary to facilitate communication.

Doctors can also join or host free video conferences in a dedicated conference room, equipped with high-grade equipment to capture high-quality audio and video from multiple participants in the room. A video conference room setup may include:

• High-grade screens (i.e., monitor or television)
• High-quality cameras 
• Omnidirectional microphones
• Monitor speakers

There are two basic types of video conferencing in healthcare:

1. Point-to-point: a one-on-one video conferencing healthcare session involving only two participants that are not located in a single location. When, for example, a customer performs a video call with a customer support representative, then it is an example of point-to-point video conferencing.
2. Multi-point: a type of video conversation involving more than two participants in at least two different locations. Also called group video conferencing or group calls. A webinar session involving one keynote speaker and multiple attendees is an example of multi-point video conferencing.

As mentioned, there are various methods and techniques you can use to host or join a healthcare video conference; each may involve different types of equipment. However, you can host a basic free video conference for healthcare with the following equipment:

• A computer (desktop or laptop) or even a decent-quality smartphone
• A camera (built-in webcam, smartphone camera, dedicated video camera, etc.)
• A microphone (smartphone microphone, built-in microphone on a video camera, dedicated microphone)
• Speakers (or earphones/headphones)
• Reliable and fast internet bandwidth
• Free video conferencing software for healthcare (or an account in a cloud-based video conferencing service)
• Codecs. They can be hardware or software-based. Codecs have the responsibility to compress and decompress audio/video data to allow a more reliable transmission.

Most modern laptops nowadays come with a built-in webcam, microphone, and speakers, and when connected to high-speed internet is already sufficient for basic conferencing.

Free video conferencing for healthcare allows multiple participants to "meet" in real-time without requiring the doctor and a patient to be in a single location, which ultimately saves travel time and money. Multiple patients can join an effective meeting while reducing people's downtime and improving productivity gains by reducing travel time, logistics, and flight preparations, among other inconveniences related to business travel.

Healthcare services may use free video conferencing for:

• Facilitating real-time communications for companies with multiple offices
• An effective medium for conducting training, allowing the teacher/instructor to teach a remote class for different participants all around the world from a single place
• Facilitating meetings in which visual information (i.e., PowerPoint slides) is an important aspect of the conversation
• Conducting large meetings in which the travel's expense or time can be significant

With FreeConference, you can host or join a video conference for healthcare absolutely free.

FreeConference offers free online meeting rooms with free audio/video conferencing, free screen and document sharing, an online whiteboard, and free dial-in integration.

FreeConference allows you to start a free healthcare video conference for up to 100 participants, with free screen sharing straight from your web browser to facilitate real-time collaboration.

With FreeConference, you do not need to download and install anything before you can start or join a video conference. FreeConference is a browser-based free video conference solution for healthcare where up to 100 participants can join a video call easily from their web browsers.