M akingbetteraccesstohealthcareservices I n t e r n a t i o n a l Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n U n i o n Maki ngbet t eracces st oheal t hcar es er vi ces I TUD St ud yGr o up s Re p o r to nQue s t i o n141/2 Printed in Switzerland Geneva, 2006 International Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Union Ky o d oBunkas haCo,Lt d International Telecommunication Union Making better access to healthcare services Disclaimer This report has been prepared by many volunteers from different administrations and organizations. The mention of specific companies or products does not imply any endorsement or recommendation by ITU. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not engage ITU in any way. October 2005 E dited by the National Ins titute of Information and C ommunic ations T ec hnology Nukui-K itamac hi, 4 c home, K oganei-s hi, T okyo, 184-8795 J apan Publis hed by K yodo B unkas ha c o, Ltd 5 91, Higas hi 5, K ita 3, C huo-ku, S apporo, Hokkaido 063 0033 J apan http: www.iword.c o.jp kyodobunkas ha c opyright Ⓒ 2005.11.2 IS B N4 87739 120 7 C 3082 © ITU/BDT and NICT 2005 Pr e f ac e /2( 1 )Thepr e s e ntI TUD St udyGr oup2,Que s t i on1 4-1 Appl i c a t i onoft e l e c ommuni c a t i oni n / he al t hc ar e )r e por ti snoti nt e nde dt obeat e x t bookone he al t ht e l e me di c i ne ,i ng e ne r a l ,or oni t st e l e c ommuni c a t i onsr e qui r e me nt s ,i npar t i c ul a r . The s es ubj e c t sa r ec ov e r e di nma ny e x i s t i ngpubl i c at i ons . 2)Thi sr e por ti snota nove r vi e w ofe he al t h/t e l e me di c i nea c hi e v e me nt swor l dwi de . Ourg oa l i smuc hmor emode s t .I ti st opr ovi des omepr a c t i c ali nf or mat i onons uc c e s s f ulpr oj e c t s a ndac t i v i t i e s ,a tv a r i ouss t age sofi mpl e me nt a t i on,t ha tha vebe e nr e a l i z e dwi t ht hedi r e c tor i ndi r e c tpar t i c i pat i onands uppor t( f i na nc i al ,mor a l ,s c i e nt i f i corot he r )ofI TUs Te l e c ommuni c at i onDe v e l opme ntBur e au. Thec ommonf e a t ur eofma nyoft hepr oj e c t s pr e s e nt e dhe r ei samax i mum ofa c hi e ve me ntwi t hami ni mum off undi ng. Thel e s s ons l e ar nta r et he r e f or epar t i c ul ar l yval ua bl e ,e s pe c i al l yf orc ount r i e swi t hl i mi t e dr e s our c e s avai l abl e . Ther e por tr e pr e s e nt st hec ol l e c t i vee xpe r i e nc eofe x pe r t sf r om di f f e r e ntc ont i ne nt sa nddi f f e r e nt c ul t ur e s .I ti sa ne c l e c t i cc ol l e c t i onofe s s ay s . Theai m oft hi sr e por ti st oe nabl et hos epl anni ngt oi nt r oduc ee he al t hpr oj e c t si nt he i r r e gi onsorc ount r i e st obe ne f i tf r om t hee xpe r i e nc eofot he r si nor de rt of ac i l i t at es uc han i nt r oduc t i on. Thi sr e por tc ons i s t soft wopar t s: ・Pa r t1pr ov i de sa ni nt r oduc t i ont ot hes ubj e c t ,a ndde al swi t hbac kg r oundmat t e r s― a / de f i ni t i onofe he al t ht e l e me di c i ne ,a ndwhone e dsi t ,t e l e me di c i nea ppl i c at i ons ,e c onomi c a na l y s e s ,e t c .I ta l s ohi g hl i ght sI TUse f f or t si nt hede ve l opme ntofs t a ndar dsf ore he al t h appl i c a t i ons . Br i e fi ns t r uc t i onsa r ei nc l ude df orpr e par i ngpr oj e c t sf ora ppl i c at i on,andan e xampl ei sgi v e nonhow t oe s t i mat et hef e a s i bi l i t yofapr oj e c tpr opos a l . ・Par t2di s c us s e sanumbe roft e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t si nAf r i c a,As i a,Aus t r al i a ,Eur opeand Lat i nAme r i c a. Whi l et hi sr e por ti sunde rt r a ns l at i on,t hee xpe r t sf r om J apa nhav ei nt r oduc e da ddi t i onali t e ms i nc hapt e r s3a nd4oft hepr e s e ntt e x t . The s ei nc l ude Suc c e s s f ulus ag eofCommuni c a t i ons Sat e l l i t ef ors uppor t i ngMe di c alTr e a t me nti nt heaf t e r ma t hofdi s a s t e r s ,A de c adeHi s t or yof PARTNERSPr oj e c t ,Expe r i me nt sons e c ur es at e l l i t ec ommuni c a t i onsf orl ongdi s t anc ei ma ge t r a ns mi s s i on,Te l e me di c i nea ndBi ome t r i c s ,aswe l lasMe t a dat aSt a nda r di z a t i onf or Te l e me di c i ne. Addi t i onalc a s es t udi e sf r om t hef ol l owi ngc ount r i e sandr e gi onsha vebe e n adde d:J apan,Lat vi a,Li t huani a,Tanz ani a ,t hePac i f i candZa mbi a . Al t hought her e por ti si nt e nde dpr i mar i l yf ore xpe r t si nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,wehopet hati t wi l lbeaus e f uls our c eofi nf or mat i onf ora ny onei nv ol ve di ne he al t h. 1 Fo r e wor d TheGove r nme ntofJ apanhasbe e npr omot i ng Ubi qui t ousNe t wor k Soc i e t y whi c he nabl e sc onne c t i onany t i me ,a ny whe r e ,anyt hi nga nd a ny onei nt hewor l d. Bypr e mi s i ngt her api de vol ut i onofubi qui t ousr e l a t e dne t wor kt e c hnol og y,appl i c a t i onswi l l pl a yani mpor t antr ol ei nt hear e aoft e l e me di c i nei nt hewor l d; i npa r t i c ul a ri twi l lbr i ng manyoppor t uni t i e sands ol ut i onst ode ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . TheNa t i ona lI ns t i t ut eof I nf or mat i onandCommuni c at i onsTe c hnol og y( NI CT)wa se s t a bl i s he dt oc ar r youtr e s e a r c h andde v e l opme nti nt hef i e l dofi nf or ma t i ona ndc ommuni c a t i onst e c hnol ogyi na ni nt e g r at e d manne rf r om bas i cs c i e nc et oappl i c at i on,wi t ht heai m ofs uppor t i ngt hehi g hi nf or mat i onand c ommuni c at i ons oc i e t yoft he21읛 읜c e nt ur y ,a swe l la spr ov i di ngac ompr e he ns i v ea s s i s t anc et o publ i candpr i vat eor gani z at i onswor ki ngi nt hi sf i e l d. Thewor kofI TUD St udyGr oup2i nt hef i e l dofappl i c at i onoft e l e c ommuni c a t i oni nhe a l t h c ar ei saus e f ult oolf ort hec ount r i e st ha twoul dl i ket oe mba r ki nt hema r ve l l ousa dve nt ur eof e he a l t h. I ti sourpl e as ur e ,t he r e f or e ,t oc ont r i but et ot hepubl i c a t i onoft hi se xc e l l e ntout put . Wea r epr oudt hats omee xpe r t sf r om J a panhavepar t i c i pa t e di nt hi se xc e l l e ntwor k. Mor e ov e r ,NI CT a ppr e c i at e sandr e c ogni z e st heac t i v i t i e sofI TU/ BDT i nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s . / I ti sours t r ongambi t i ont oc ont i nuet owor kc l os e l yandj oi nt l ywi t hI TU BDT bys har i ng ourknowl e dgeande xpe r t i s e ,notonl yi ne xc ha ngi ngt e c hni c a ladv i c eandas s i s t anc e ,buta l s o i na nal y z i ngt hepr ogr e s sa ndi mpa c toft heI CTsonhe al t hc a r e ,a tbot ht hel oc a la ndt he gl oball e v e l s . Ther e por tc ove r st hee nt i r epr oc e s soft e l e me di c i ne ,f r om i t sde f i ni t i ont ot e c hnol og y appl i c at i onsa nds uc c e s s f ulpr ac t i c e s . Thi sj oi ntpubl i c at i oni sagoodoppor t uni t yt opr omot et hepar t ne r s hi pa ndwor kt owar ds mor ej oi nta c t i vi t i e sbe t we e nI TU/BDT a ndNI CT. I ti sourhopet hati tc ont r i but e st ode v e l opi nge he a l t ha l love rt hewor l d. NAGAO Ma kot o,Ph. D Pr e s i de nt Nat i onalI ns t i t ut eofI nf or mat i ona ndCommuni c a t i onsTe c hnol og y( NI CT) J a pan,Oc t obe r2 0 0 5 2 Fo r e wor d Today,i ti swe l lknownt hate he al t hs ol ut i onsa nda ppl i c at i onsc a n pl ayac r uc i a lr ol ei nhe al t hc ar ede l i ve r y ,pa r t i c ul ar l yi nde ve l opi ng c ount r i e swhe r et heac ut es hor t ag eofdoc t or s ,nur s e sa ndpar ame di c si sc ons t ant l yi nc r e a s i ngt o t hee nor mousuns at i s f i e dde mandf orhe al t hs e r v i c e s . Ehe al t hc a nnotbeac hi e v e dwi t hout us i ngt e l e c ommuni c at i onsf ac i l i t i e s . Theus eoft e l e c ommuni c at i ona ndi nf or mat i ona nd c ommuni c at i ont e c hnol og i e s( I CTs )f ors uppor t i nghe al t hc ar eandahe a l t hyl i f ei s ,t he r e f or e ,a r e a lc hal l e ng et ha ta l lc ount r i e sar ef ac i ng,par t i c ul ar l yde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s . Thi sr e por thasbe e npr e pa r e dbyt heRa ppor t e ur sGr ouponI TUD Que s t i on141/ 2r e l at i ng t ot heappl i c a t i onoft e l e c ommuni c at i onsi nhe al t hc a r ea ndi twa sa ppr ov e dbyI TUD St udy Gr oup2dur i ngi t sSe pt e mbe r2 005me e t i ng. Att hi sme e t i ng,t heJ a pane s ede l e g at i onof f e r e d t opubl i s ht heEngl i s hve r s i onoft her e por tf ordi s s e mi na t i ondur i ngt heWor l dSummi tont he I nf or mat i onSoc i e t y( WSI S)i nTuni sf r om 16t o1 8Nov e mbe r20 05. I ti smys i nc e r ehopet ha tt hi sr e por twi l lc ont r i but et ot aki ngupt hi sc ha l l e ngeandwi l l pr omot eandf ac i l i t a t et hede ve l opme ntofe he a l t hs ol ut i onst ot hebe ne f i tofmanyde ve l opi ng c ount r i e s . I TU i sv e r yg r at e f ult oNI CT J apanf ort hes uppor tpr ovi de di nma ki ngt her e s ul t soft hi s / I TUD St udyGr oup2Que s t i on1412i nt oapubl i c at i ont ha twi l lbebe ne f i c i alt ode ve l opi ng c ount r i e swor l dwi de . Il ookf or wa r dt of ur t he rc ol l abor at i onbe t we e nt heI TU a ndNI CT J a pani nourc ol l e c t i v e e f f or tt oa s s i s tde ve l opi ngc ount r i e si nt heus eofI CTsi nt hehe a l t ha ndot he rs e c t or s . HamadounI .Tour 썝 e Di r e c t or Te l e c ommuni c at i onDe v e l opme ntBur e a u I nt e r nat i ona lTe l e c ommuni c at i onUni on Ge ne va ,Oc t obe r2 00 5 3 Ackno wl e d g e ment s TheTe l e c ommuni c at i onDe ve l opme ntBur e a u( BDT)ofI TU woul dl i ket oe x pr e s si t sg r a t i t ude / t ot heme mbe r soft hegr oupofe xpe r t sont e l e me di c i nee he al t hf ort he i re x c e l l e ntwor ka nd t i r e l e s se f f or t si npr e par i ngt hi sr e por t . Thet e xtwa spr e par e dbyag r oupofe xpe r t s ,l e dbyMrLe oni dAndr ouc hko( Ra ppor t e ur , Te l e me di c i neGr oup,I TUD St udyGr oup2Que s t i on14 )a ndPr of .I s a oNaka j i ma ( Vi c e Ra ppor t e ur ,Te l e me di c i neGr oup,I TUD St udyGr oup2Que s t i on1 4)a s s i s t e dbyDr . J or danov aMa l i naoft heI ns t i t ut eofPs yc hol ogy ,Bul ga r i anAc ade myofSc i e nc e s . Val ua bl e gui danc ewa sr e c e i ve df r om MrNabi lKi s r a wi ,Chai r manofI TUD St udyGr oup2 . Spe c i a l / t hankst oI TU BDT s t af f ,i npar t i c ul art oMsFi de l i aAkpo( Coor di na t orI TUD St udy Gr oups )andMrAl e x ande rNt oko( BDT Foc a lPoi nt )f ort he i ra c t i vei nv ol v e me nta nd t r e me ndoushe l pi nt hepr oc e s sofpr e pa r at i onoft hi sdoc ume nt . I naddi t i on,t her e por thasbe ne f i t e df r om t hei nput sa ndc omme nt sofma nye x pe r t sf r om a l l ove rt hewor l d,t owhom weoweours pe c i a lt hanks . Li s to fCont r i b ut o r s Dr .Ant oi neGe i s s buhl e r ,Di vi s i onofMe di c alI nf or mat i c s ,Ge ne v aUni ve r s i t yHos pi t al s , Ge ne va,Swi t z e r l and Dr .A.Suks monoDe par t me ntofEl e c t r i c alEng i ne e r i ng,I ns t i t utTe knol og iBandung ,Ga ne s ha @ No. 10,Bandung,40132,I ndone s i a,s uks mono l t r g m. e e . i t b. ac . i d Dr .A.V.Vl adz ymyr s kyy,V.G.Kl y movyt s ky y,Done t s kR&D I ns t i t ut eofTr a uma t ol ogyand Or t hope di c s ,De p.ofI nf or mat i c sa ndTe l e me di c i ne ,Ukr ai ne ,a v v@t e l e me d. or g. ua Dr .As i fZaf arMal i kRawa l pi ndiMe di c alCol l e g e ,Ra wa l pi ndi ,Paki s t anandHol yFa mi l y Hos pi t a lRa wa l pi ndi ,Paki s t a n,a z mal i k@hot mai l . c om Dr .B.Va r ga sChi l dr e nsHos pi t a latWe s t me a d,We s t me ad,NSW 2 1 45 ,Aus t r a l i aandSc hool ofI nf or mat i onSys t e ms ,Te c hnol ogyandManage me nt ,Uni ve r s i t yofNe w Sout hWal e s ,NSW 2 05 2,Aus t r a l i a Mr s .Be a t r i c eMwa peandMr .Cki kandaCol l i nsChi nya ma ,Ce nt r a lBoar dofHe a l t h,Lus a ka , @ @ @ Za mbi a,bmwa pe c boh. or g . z ma ndc ol l i ns c boh. or g . z m,c ol l i ns c h20 00 yahoo. c om Dr .Be r na r dKr i s he r ,Chai r ma n,J apanRe l i e ff orCa mbodi a/ Ame r i c a nas s i s t a nc ef or @me Ca mbodi a ,Addr e s s:41-7-605Hi r oo,Shi buya ku,Tokyo,J a pan,Emai l: be r ni e di a . mi t . e du Dr .C.Lovi sC.Di vi s i onofMe di c alI nf or ma t i c s ,Ge ne v aUni ve r s i t yHos pi t al s ,Ge ne v a , Swi t z e r l a nd Dr .Ca v i tAv c i ,I s t anbulUni ve r s i t yCont i nui ngMe di c a lEduc a t i onandRe s e a r c hCe nt e r 4 ( I STEM) ,I s t anbulUni ve r s i t yMe di c alFac ul t y ,Ca pa,I s t a nbul ,Tur ke y . Dr .E.Kl di as hvi l i ,T.Be r i s hvi l i ,Ge or g i anTe l e me di c i neUni on( As s oc i a t i on) ,Tbi l i s i ,Ge or g i a, @ge kl di as hvi l i or gi a. t e l e pat hol og y. or g;g t u@ge or g i a . t e l e pat hol ogy . or g Dr .GakiTs he r i ng,Pl anni ngof f i c e r ,Te l e me di c i neFoc alPe r s on,Mi ni s t r yofHe al t h,Bhut a n, @he @he ki nl aype nj or al t h. gov. bt;gaki t s he r i ng a l t h. g ov . bt Dr .Hi r os hiJ uz oj i ,Nakaj i mal abor at or y,Toka iUni ve r s i t ySc hoolofMe di c i ne ,Ka na g a wa , @ J apan,j uz oj ie t s 8. j p MrI c hi r oTAMBO,J a panI nt e r na t i onalCoope r at i onAge nc y( J I CA) ,Shi nj ukuMa y ndsTowe r Bl dg,2-1-1,Yoyogi ,Shi buyaku,Tokyo15 185 5 8,J APAN,Ta mbo. I c hi r o@j i c a . g o. j p Dr .J ame sKas s ,s e ni ors c i e nt i s ta tt heEur ope anSpa c eAge nc y,Li f eSc i e nc eUni t ,a ndi sa @e me mbe roft heTe l e me di c i neAl l i anc et e am,J a me s . Ka s s s a . i nt @he Dr .K.Pe nj orPl anni ngof f i c e r ,Mi ni s t r yofHe al t h,Bhut a n,ki nl ay pe nj or a l t h. g ov . bt; @ gaki t s he r i ng he al t h. gov . bt @me Dr .Ke nBoddy,Cons ul t antUni ve r s i t yofEdi nbur gh( r e t i r e d)ds ot i r i d. uoa . gr Mr .Ke nUme no,Nat i onalI ns t i t ut eofI nf or mat i onandCommuni c a t i onsTe c hnol og y,Ma i l i ng Addr e s s:4-2-1Nukui Ki t a mac hi ,Kog a ne i ,Tokyo1848 79 5 ,J a pan,ume no@ni c t . g o. j p Mr .Ke nj iTanaka,Nat i onalI ns t i t ut eofI nf or mat i onandCommuni c at i onsTe c hnol ogy , -1Nukui -87 Ma i l i ngAddr e s s:4-2 Ki t a mac hi ,Koga ne i ,Tokyo1 84 9 5,J apa n,ke n@ni c t . go. j p Mr .Ki y os hiI g ar as hi ,Nat i onalI ns t i t ut eofI nf or ma t i ona ndCommuni c at i onsTe c hnol og y, @ Ma i l i ngAddr e s s:421Nukui Ki t a mac hi ,Koga ne i ,Toky o1 848 795 ,J a pan,i gar a s hi ni c t . go. j p Ms .Ki yokoNag ami ,Re s e ar c he r ,Nakaj i mal abor at or y,TokaiUni v e r s i t ySc hoolofMe di c i ne , I s e har a,J apan. I nvi t e dRe s e ar c he r ,Na t i ona lI ns t i t ut eofI nf or ma t i ona ndCommuni c at i ons @e Te c hnol ogy ,4 2-1Nukui Ki t amac hi ,Koga ne i ,Toky o18 4-8 7 95J apa n,nag a mi t s 8 . j p Dr .L.Avt anI s t anbulUni ve r s i t yCont i nui ngMe di c a lEduc at i ona ndRe s e a r c hCe nt e r ( I STEM) ,I s t anbulUni ve r s i t yMe di c alFa c ul t y,Ca pa,I s t a nbul ,Tur ke y Dr .J e anFr anç oi sLHai r eJ .I nf or mat i c sCe nt e r ,Ge ne vaUni v e r s i t y,Swi t z e r l and Dr .M.Gat z oni sM.Me di c alPhys i c sLa bor a t or y,Sc hoolofMe di c i ne ,Uni ve r s i t yofAt he ns , Gr e e c e Dr .M.R 썞 ı os J ul c a pomaNat i onalI ns t i t ut ef orRe s e a r c handTr a i ni ngi nTe l e c ommuni c a t i ons , Re s e a r c handTe c hnol ogyDi r e c t i onDe ve l opme ntTe c hnol og yDi v i s i on( I NI CTEL) ,Li ma, @i Pe r u,mr i os ni c t e l . gob. pe Dr .Ma l i kA.Ra wal pi ndiMe di c a lCol l e g e ,Ra wa l pi ndi ,Paki s t a nandHol yFami l yHos pi t a l @ Ra wa l pi ndi ,Pa ki s t a n,az mal i k hot ma i l . c om 5 / Dr .Ma l i naJ or danova,I ns t i t ut eofPs yc hol og y,Bul ga r i a nAc ade myofSc i e nc e s ,Bul ga r i a,Te l Fax:+35929797080,e mai l:mj or dan@ba s . bg Mr .Mamor uHas hi mot o,Sy s t e m Pl at f or m Sof t wa r eDe ve l opme ntDi vi s i on,NEC Cor por a t i on, -5 Ma i l i ngAddr e s s:( I gar as hiBui l di ng)1 1 ,Shi baur a2c home ,Mi nat oku,Toky o10 8 85 5 7, J apan,mhas hi mot o@c d. j p. ne c . c om Dr .Ma munBi nI bneRe az ,Fac ul t yofEngi ne e r i ng,Mul t i me di aUni v e r s i t y,6 310 0Cy be r j a ya , @mmu. Se l angor ,Ma l a ys i a,Ema i l:mamun.r e az e du. my Dr .Muha mmadAr t harSadi q,Re s e ar c hf e l l ow,Naka j i mal ab. Toka iUni ve r s i t ySc hoolof Me di c i ne ,I s e har a,J a pan,s adi q@i s . i c c . ut okai . a c . j p Dr .Mi c hae lGa t z oni s ,Me di c alPhys i c sLa bor a t or y ,Sc hoolofMe di c i ne ,Uni ve r s i t yofAt he ns , @me Gr e e c e ,ds ot i r i d. uoa . gr Mr .M.Nat e ns on,Mi ni s t r yf orCommuni c at i ons ,Rus s i a,e mai l:mnat e nz o@s pa c e . r u Dr .O.LyDi vi s i onofMe di c alI nf or ma t i c s ,Ge ne vaUni ve r s i t yHos pi t al s ,Ge ne va ,Swi t z e r l and Dr .P.Ra ySc hoolofI nf or ma t i onSys t e ms ,Te c hnol og yandMa na ge me nt ,Uni v e r s i t yofNe w Sout hWal e s ,NSW 2052,Aus t r al i a,p. r a y@uns w. e du. a u Dr .Ra viSaks e na,Pr oj e c tMa na ge r― Te l e me di c i ne ,Spac eAppl i c a t i onsCe nt r e ,I SRO, Ahme da bad,I ndi a / /www. Dr .S.Okt owa t yMe di Fa ,I ndone s i aht t p: me di f ane t . c om Dr .Sanj ayGandhiPos t gr aduat eI ns t i t ut eofMe di c alSc i e nc e s ,Luc know,I NDI A Dr .Tomohi r oYuki ,Pr e s i de ntoft heI nt e r na t i onalAc c e s sCoope r a t i on,Was hi ng t onDC,USA. @ t omohi r o.yuki i ac dc . c om Dr .T.Me ngkoDe par t me ntofEl e c t r i c alEng i ne e r i ng ,I ns t i t utTe knol og iBandung,Gane s ha No. 10,Bandung,40132,I ndone s i a Dr .T.Pr amudi t oT.De par t me ntofEl e c t r i c alEngi ne e r i ng,I ns t i t utTe knol og iBandung, Ga ne s haNo. 1 0,Bandung,401 32,I ndone s i a Dr .TankutBe yg u,T 썥 ur kTe l e c om De pa r t me ntofI nf or mat i c sNe t wor ks ,Te l:+9 031 23 1 319 + @ 11,Fax: 903123131959 ,t ankut .be y gu t ur kt e l e kom. c om. t r Dr .U.Sas t r okus umoU.Tat iL.R.Me ngko,J .Tj andr aPr a mudi t o,a ndSus iOkt owat y , De par t me ntofEl e c t r i c alEngi ne e r i ng,I ns t i t utTe knol ogiBandung ,Ga ne s haNo. 10 ,Bandung, 40132,I ndone s i a Dr .Vi c e nt eTr ave r ,Bi oe ngi ne e r i ng,El e c t r oni ca ndTe l e me di c i neGr oupBET,El e c t r oni c / Engi ne e r i ngDe par t me nt ,I TACAUni v e r s i dadPol i t 썝 e c ni c adeVa l e nc i a ,Ca mi nodeVe r as n +3 Va l e 썕 nc i a46022Es pana,Phone:+349638 77606or+34963877000x7606 0,Fax: 496 @ 3 877609 ,vt r ave ri t ac a. upv. e s 6 Dr .Y.Oz doguI s t anbulUni ve r s i t yCont i nui ngMe di c a lEduc at i ona ndRe s e ar c hCe nt e r ( I STEM) ,I s t anbulUni ve r s i t yMe di c alFa c ul t y ,Ca pa ,I s t anbul ,Tur ke y Mr .Yas umi t s uTomi oka,Re s e ar c hf e l l ow,Na kaj i mal a b. TokaiUni v e r s i t ySc hoolof Me di c i ne ,I s e har a,J apan,ve w0 0221@ni f t y. ne . j p Dr .YukakoYagi ,J ohnR. Gi l be r t s on,MD,Uni v e r s i t yofPi t t s bur ghMe di c alCe nt e r , Pi t t s bur gh,PA,USA,UPMC Ca nc e rPav i l i on,Pi t t s bur gh,USA,Te l: 412647666 4 ,Fa x: 4 12 @i 623-2814,yagi ma p. pi t t . e du ndTr e as ur e r ,I nt e r nat i onalSoc i e t yf orTe l e me di c i ne& Mr .Fr ankLi e ve ns ,Boar dMe mbe ra +3222697953 e He al t h( I Sf Te H) ,Be l gi um,Te l:+322269845 6 ,Fa x: ,t e l e me di c i ne @s kyne t . be Mr .Ol i de nMa r 썞 t ı ne sJ .Na t i onalI ns t i t ut ef orRe s e ar c ha ndTr ai ni ngi nTe l e c ommuni c a t i ons , Re s e ar c handTe c hnol og yDi r e c t i onDe v e l opme ntTe c hnol ogyDi v i s i on( I NI CTEL) ,Li ma, Pe r u,j ol i de n@i ni c t e l . gob. pe Mr .Pe t koKant c he v,For me rI TU Te l e me di c i neFoc alPoi nt ,Swi t z e r l a nd,pe t ko.ka nt c he v @i t u. i nt hor i t y ,Fr angi paniSt r e e t ,P. O. Mr .Sams onWe na,PapuaNe w Gui ne aTe l e c ommuni c a t i onsAut 22 7,Bor @pang Box8 okoNCD,Por tMor e s by111,Pa puaNe w Gui ne a,s we na t e l . gov . pg Mr .Shr e eBhadr aWagl eRa di oBr oadc a s t i ngSe r v i c e( Ra di oNe pal ) ,Ne pal ,s bwa g l e 55 @hot mai l . c om Mr s .I .Guadal upe Si f ue nt e sI . andMr .J os 썝O e l i de nMa r 썞 t ı ne s ,Mi l t onRi os J ul c apoma , Nat i onalI ns t i t ut ef orRe s e a r c handTr a i ni ngi nTe l e c ommuni c at i ons ,Re s e a r c handTe c hnol og y @ Di r e c t i onDe ve l opme ntTe c hnol ogyDi v i s i on( I NI CTEL) ,Li ma ,Pe r u,i s a be li ni c t e l . g ob. pe Na t i ona lTe l e me di c i neCoor di nat i ngCommi t t e e ,p. o. box10 4 7Addi sAba ba,Te l 51 13 25 , Fax523370,Et hi opi a Pr of .D.Sot i r i ouMe di c alPhys i c sLa bor a t or y,Sc hoolofMe di c i ne ,Uni v e r s i t yofAt he ns , @me Gr e e c e ,ds ot i r i d. uoa. gr Pr of .Dr .I s aoNaka j i ma ,Vi c e Ra ppor t e urf orQ1 4ofI TUD SG2,Nakaj i mal a b,Toka i @ Uni ve r s i t ySc hoolofMe di c i ne ,I s e har a,J a pa n,j s 2hb e t s 8. j p Pr of .Dr .Le oni dAndr ouc hko,Ra ppor t e ur ,Te l e me di c i neGr oup,I TUD St udyGr oup2and I nt e r nat i onalUni ve r s i t yGe ne va,Swi t z e r l and,l andr ouc hko@f r e e s ur f . c h Pr of .Dr .M.Ts uj iOs akaSc hoolofI nt e r nat i ona lPubl i cPol i c y( OSI PP) ,Os a kaUni v e r s i t y ,1 @os ka56 000 43 ,J apa n,t s uj i i pp. os aka u. ac . j p 3 1,Ma c hi kane y amaToyonaka,Os a Pr of . Ri f atLat i f i ,MD,FACS,Pr of e s s orofSur g e r y ,TheUni ve r s i t yofAr i z ona,Tuc s on, Ar i z ona,Di r e c t or ,Te l e me di c i nePr ogr am ofKos ova,Pr i s ht i na ,Kos ov a,As s oc i at eDi r e c t or Ar i z onaTe l e me di c i nePr ogr am,Te l e s ur g e r yandI nt e r na t i onalAf f ai r s ,Tuc s on,Ar i z ona,USA, @e @i Rl at i f i mai l . ar i z ona. e du,Rl at i f i vhos pi t al . or g 7 Pr of .RoyCol ve n,M. D. ,As s oc i at ePr of e s s orofMe di c i ne ,Uni v e r s i t yofWa s hi ng t onSc hoolof Me di c i ne ,i nc ol l abor at i onwi t hPr of e s s orGai lTodd,He a d,Di v i s i onofDe r mat ol ogy , Uni ve r s i t yofCa peTown,r c ol ve n@u. wa s hi ng t on. e du Pr of .S.K.Mi s hr a,M. S. ,F. A.C. S. ,Pr of .& He a d,De par t me ntofEndoc r i neSur ge r y ,De pt . ofEndoc r i neSur g e r y,NodalOf f i c e r ,Te l e me di c i ne ,Sa nj a yGandhiPos t gr a dua t eI ns t i t ut eof @s Me di c a lSc i e nc e s ,Luc know,Ut t arPr ade s h― 22 6 014 ,I ndi a ,s kmi s hr a g pg i . ac . i n Dr .E.St umbr i s ,MD,Ri gaMuni c i palAg e nc y Te l e me di c i neCe nt r e,Ri ga ,La t vi aEg i l s . @ St umbr aSt umbe r gs r i ga. l v Dr .G.Var one c kaI ns t i t ut ePs yc hophys i ol ogyandRe ha bi l i t at i on,Pal anga,Li t huani a ,g i e dv a r @kt l . mi i . l t Dr .YunkapKwankam,Coor di nat or ,e He al t hDe par t me ntofKnowl e dg eMa na ge me nta nd Shar i ng ,Wor l dHe al t hOr gani z at i onAv e nueAppi a20 ,CH12 11Ge ne va2 7Swi t z e r l a nd, @who. kwa nkamy i nt 8 Tab l eofCo nt e nt s Pr e f ac e ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 For e wor d …………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Ac knowl e dge me nt s………………………………………………………………………………… 4 ………………………………………………………………………………… Li s tofCont r i but or s 4 PART 1:Backgr ound 1 Te r mi nol ogyandSc ope:br i e fove r vi e w ………………………………………………… ni t i on………………………………………………………………………………… 1. 1 De f i 1. 2 Te r mi nol ogy……………………………………………………………………………… 1. 3 Sc ope……………………………………………………………………………………… 1. 4 Te l e me di c i ne c har i t yorbus i ne s s……………………………………………………… / c yf orde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s…………… 1. 5 Somei s s ue sone he al t ht e l e me di c i nepol i 1. 6 Fr om The or yt oPr ac t i c e ……………………………………………………………… 1. 7 I TU e he al t he xpe r tt r ai ni ngc our s eatTokaiUni ve r s i t y…………………………… 2 Commone he al t happl i c at i ons …………………………………………………………… 2. 1 Whyi st e l e me di c i nee xpandi ngatt hi st i me ? ……………………………………… 2. 2 De ve l opme nt si nt e l e me di c i ne ………………………………………………………… i ngi npat hol ogy ………………………………………………………… 2. 3 Di gi t ali mag 2. 4 Te l e de r mat ol ogy………………………………………………………………………… 3 Te l e c ommuni c at i onI nf r as t r uc t ur e ………………………………………………………… t ur ef ort e l e me di c i ne…………………… 3. 1 Ov e r vi e w oft e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc 3. 2 Sat e l l i t e bas e dt e l e me di c i nepr a c t i c e s………………………………………………… t i ngMe di c alTr e a t me nt 3. 3 Suc c e s s f ulus ageofCommuni c at i onsSat e l l i t ef orSuppor …………………………………………………………… i nt heAf t e r mat hofDi s a s t e r s …………………………………………… 3. 4 A De c adeHi s t or yofPARTNERSPr oj e c t e l l i t ec ommuni c at i onsf orl ongdi s t a nc ei mag e 3. 5 Expe r i me nt sons e c ur es at ……………………………………………………………………………… t r ans mi s s i on ……………………………… ms 4 St andar di z at i oni ne he al t handi nt e r ope r a bi l i t ypr obl e 4 . 1 I nt e gr at i ngTe l e me di c i neSys t e msf ore he al t h ……………………………………… ount r i e s……………… 4 . 2 I nt e r ope r abi l i t yc ons i de r at i onsf ore he a l t hi nde ve l opi ngc 4. 3 St a ndar di z at i onac t i vi t i e s……………………………………………………………… 4. 3 . 1 Cur r e nts i t uat i oni ne he a l t hs t a ndar di z a t i on…………………………………… r di z at i onac t i v i t i e si nt e l e me di c i ne ………………………………… 4 . 3. 2 I TU s t anda ………………………………………… 4. 3. 3 TELEMEDI CI NE AND BI OMETRI CS 4. 3. 4 Me t adat aSt andar di z at i onf orTe l e me di c i ne …………………………………… ………………………………………………………………… oj e c tDe s i gnf ore he al t h 5 Pr /e 6 How t omakeat e l e me di c i ne he al t hpr oj e c ts us t ai na bl e: …………………………… 68 7 1 7 1 8 3 9 0 90 9 6 9 9 104 1 0 8 112 PART 2:CASE REPORT ……………………………………………………………………… 1 Bangl ade s h …………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Bhut an………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 Bul gar i a ……………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Cambodi a …………………………………………………………………………………… 5 Et hi opi a ……………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… 6 Ge or gi a 1 22 1 22 1 3 1 1 39 1 4 8 1 5 2 1 5 6 9 11 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 6 19 23 2 5 28 2 8 2 8 3 3 4 0 5 0 5 0 5 2 5 6 6 4 7 Gr e e c e: Mat e r ni t yTe l e me di c i neSe r v i c e si nt heAe g e anI s l a nds……………………… 8 I ndi a…………………………………………………………………………………………… 9 I ndone s i a……………………………………………………………………………………… 10 J apan………………………………………………………………………………………… 11 Ke nya………………………………………………………………………………………… 12 Kos ova ……………………………………………………………………………………… vi a………………………………………………………………………………………… 13 Lat 14 Li t huani a …………………………………………………………………………………… 15 Ma l i ………………………………………………………………………………………… 16 Ma l t a………………………………………………………………………………………… 17 Moz ambi que………………………………………………………………………………… 18 Ne pal………………………………………………………………………………………… 19 ThePac i f i cOpe nLe ar ni ngHe a l t hNe t ………………………………………………… 20 Paki s t an……………………………………………………………………………………… 21 PapuaNe w Gui ne a………………………………………………………………………… 22 Pe r u…………………………………………………………………………………………… 23 Rus s i anf e de r at i on ………………………………………………………………………… 24 Tanz ani a …………………………………………………………………………………… 25 Tur ke y ……………………………………………………………………………………… 26 Ukr ai ne……………………………………………………………………………………… 27 Zambi a ……………………………………………………………………………………… ANNEX 1: RESOLUTI ON 41OF WTDC,I STANBUL,20 02 10 1 5 9 1 6 4 1 81 1 88 1 9 9 2 0 2 2 0 8 21 2 21 8 2 25 2 2 9 2 31 23 6 2 40 2 4 7 2 5 6 2 6 5 2 69 2 7 2 28 0 2 8 4 PART 1 Bac kg r o und 1 Te r mi no l o g yands c o p e:b r i efov e r v i e w 1 . 1 De f i ni t i on1 Te l e me di c i nehasbe e npr ac t i c e df oral ongt i me .I tf i r s tc amea boutwi t ht hei nt r oduc t i onof t e l e phoneandt e l e gr aphi nt hee ar l y19 00 s . Att hebe g i nni ngoft he1 9 2 0s ,me di c aladvi c ewa s be i ngs e nti nMor s ec odet onavala ndc omme r c i alv e s s e l sa ts e a . Todayt e l e phone s ,f a xe s , e mai landt heI nt e r ne ta r ea l li nwi deus ef ort r ans mi t t i ngi nf or ma t i onbe t we e nme di c al s c hool s ,hos pi t al sandphys i c i ans ,i mpr ovi ngt hepr oc e s s e sofc ons ul t at i on,di ag nos t i c s , t r e at me nta nddi s t anc el e a r ni ng. Amonge ar l yus e soft het e r m t e l e me di c i ne,i nt he1 97 0 sThoma sBi r dus e di tt ode s c r i bet he pr oc e s sofus i ngt e l e c ommuni c at i onst e c hnol og i e st oe xa mi nepa t i e nt sr e mot e l y. Thewor d t e l e me di c i ne i sf or me df r om t heGr e e kwor dτ 썝 ηλε( t e l e) ,me ani ng a tadi s t a nc e,a nd me di c i naorar sme di c i nat ode not e he a l i ng. Thee x ac tde f i ni t i onoft het e r m ha sv a r i e dov e rt heye a r s . Us ual l yt e l e me di c i nei sde f i ne da s ]. Mor ade l i v e r yofe he al t hande xc hangeofhe al t hc a r ei nf or mat i onac r os sdi s t anc e[1 e e l abor at ede f i ni t i onshavei nc l ude dt hef ol l owi ng . Rapi dac c e s st os har e dandr e mot eme di c ale x pe r t i s ebyme ansoft e l e c ommuni c a t i onsa nd i nf or ma t i ont e c hnol og i e s ,nomat t e rwhe r et hepa t i e ntorr e l e v a nti nf or mat i oni sl oc a t e d. Thi si st hede f i ni t i onus e di nt heEur ope a nCommi s s i onshe al t hc ar et e l e ma t i c spr og r amme . I nve s t i gat i on,moni t or i ngandmanage me ntofpa t i e nt sa nds t af fus i ngs y s t e mswhi c ha l l ow r e a dyac c e s st oe xpe r ta dvi c ea ndpat i e nti nf or ma t i onnoma t t e rwhe r et hepa t i e ntorr e l e v a nt i nf or mat i oni sl oc at e d. Thi sof f i c i ale x pl ana t i onoft e l e me di c i nei sabas i cc onc e ptoft he ac t i on Advanc e dI nf or mat i c si nMe di c i ne oft heEur ope anCommuni t i e sf ort hepe r i od 1989-1994. f i ni t i oni ni t s TheWor l dHe al t hOr gani z at i on( WHO)a ppl i e damor es ophi s t i c at e dde He a l t hTe l e ma t i c sPol i c yi nSuppor tofWHOsHe al t hFor Al lSt r at e g yForGl obalHe a l t h De ve l opme nt . Te l e me di c i nei sde f i ne das t hede l i v e r yofe he al t hs e r v i c e s ,whe r edi s t anc ei s ac r i t i c alf a c t or ,byal le he al t hpr of e s s i onal sus i ngi nf or mat i ona ndc ommuni c at i on t e c hnol ogi e sf ort hee xc hangeofva l i di nf or mat i onf ordi a gnos i s ,t r e a t me nta ndpr e v e nt i onof di s e a s e sandi nj ur i e s ,r e s e ar c hande va l ua t i on,andf ort hec ont i nui nge duc a t i onofhe al t h c a r epr ov i de r s ,al li nt hei nt e r e s t sofa dv anc i ngt hehe a l t hofi ndi v i dua l sa ndt he i r c ommuni t i e s . Thel i s tc oul dbec ont i nue d,buti twoul dbef ut i l e . Al lt he s ede f i ni t i onsa r ev al i d,butt he y r e pr e s e ntt her e s ul tofpol i t i c alc ons e ns us . How dot hes pe c i al i s t swor ki ngi ne ve r y da y / t e l e me di c i ne e he a l t hpr ac t i c ede s c r i bei t ? I ne a r l y200 5,as ur ve yt oi nv e s t i g at et hi sque s t i on wa sc onduc t e damong66t e l e me di c i nee xpe r t sf r om Af r i c a,As i a,Eur opeandNor t ha ndSout h 1 / +3 DrMa l i naJ or da nov a ,I ns t i t ut eofPs y c hol og y,Bul g ar i a nAc a de myofSc i e nc e s ,Bul g ar i a ,Te l Fa x: 5 9297 970 80 ,e ma i l: mj or dan@ba s . bg 1 1 Ame r i c a. Par t i c i pant swe r eas ke dt of i l li naque s t i onnai r el i s t i ngt hema i nc har ac t e r i s t i c sof / t e l e me di c i ne . Thef ol l owi ngde f i ni t i one me r ge d:Te l e me di c i ne e he a l t hi sadi gi t al i z e dhe a l t h s e r vi c es uppor t i ngme di c als t af fi nr out i newor ke ns ur i nge as i ne s sofda t at r a ns f e ra ndont i me , c os te f f e c t i ve ,t i mes avi ng,24hour sadaypat i e ntc a r ewi t houtphy s i c a lpr e s e nc eofpat i e nta nd doc t ora tt hes a mel oc at i on . Pe r hapst hes i mpl e s tde f i ni t i onoft e l e me di c i nei s me di c i neata di s t a nc e[2] . Aswes e e ,al loft he s ede f i ni t i onsa r es uf f i c i e nt l ybr oadt oi nc l udee v e r ya s pe c tofe he al t h s e r vi c e sande he al t he duc at i on. Re f er ences [1]Woot t onR. ,Cr ai gJ .( Edi t or s )( 1 9 99 )I nt r oduc t i ont oTe l e me di c i ne ,London,RoyalSoc i e t yofMe di c i nePr e s s [2]Be Ed. )( 2 0 03 )Te l e me di c i neGl os s ar y ,5 t hEdi t i on,Eur ope a nCommi s s i on,I nf or ma t i onSoc i e t y ol c hiL.( Di r e c t or at e Ge ne r al ,Br us s e l s ,Be l g i um 2 1 . 2 Ter mi nol ogy Whati st el emedi ci ne? Te l e me di c i nec ombi ne ss t at e of t he ar te l e c t r oni c sa ndt e l e c ommuni c at i onst e c hnol og yand appl i c at i onst ode l i ve rhe al t hc a r eande duc at i ont opa t i e nt sandpr ovi de r satadi s t a nc e . The e l e c t r oni ct ool sus e di nt e l e me di c i nei nc l ude l owt e c ht ool s ,whi c hi nc l ude st e l e phone s ,f ac s i mi l ema c hi ne s ,vi de oc ame r asa ndmoni t or s; and ool s ,whi c hi nc l ude sc omput e r s ,di gi t a li ma ge r yandI nt e r ne t . hi ght e c ht Us i nganyoneorac ombi nat i onoft he s et ool st of a c i l i t a t ei mpr ov e dhe a l t hc a r e( r e l at i v et o e x i s t i ngnor ms ) ,ort ode l i ve rhe al t hc a r emor ee f f i c i e nt l y,c ons t i t ut e st e l e me di c i ne . Whyweus et het er mt el eme di ci ne Whi l et het e r mt e l e me di c i newa swi de l yus e da nda c c e pt e dunt i lt hemi ddl eoft he199 0s , a ut hor shaves i nc es t ar t e dt odi s t i ngui s hbe t we e ndi f f e r e ntc onc e pt ss uc ha st e l e me di c i ne , e he al t handt e l e he al t h. Pos i t i onsdi f f e r . Formanyaut hor st e l e me di c i neande he a l t har eone andt hes amet hi ng . Ot he r sc ons i de rt hate he al t hi sabr oa de rt e r ma ndi nc l ude st e l e me di c i ne . St i l lot he r sc ons i de rt he ms e par at ec onc e pt s ,wi t ht e l e me di c i nei nc l udi ngt e l e c a r di ol og y, t e l e r adi ol ogy,t e l e pa t hol ogy,t e l e opht hal mol og y,t e l e de r ma t ol ogy ,t e l e s ur ge r y,t e l e nur s i nge t c . , whi l ee he al t hc ove r st heus eofi nf or mat i onandc ommuni c at i ont e c hnol og i e si nhe al t hc a r e ( I CThe al t h) ,he al t hc ommuni c at i ons e r vi c e s ,pi c t ur ea r c hi v i ngandc ommuni c at i ons y s t e ms ( PACS) ,hos pi t ali nf or mat i ons ys t e ms ,e e duc a t i on,e pr e s c r i pt i one t c . Re a de r swi t ha ni nt e r e s t i ndi s c us s i onsoft het e r mi nol og yi s s uema yr e f e rt ot heTM Al l i anc eFi na lRe por tf r om 2 00 4 , e nt i t l e d Te l e me di c i ne20 10: Vi s i onsf oraPe r s onalMe di c a lNe t wor k. Theaut hor soft hepr e s e ntr e por thaveus e dt het e r mst e l e me di c i nea nde he al t h i nt e r c hange abl y,r e f l e c t i ngbot ht hewor l dwi deac c e pt a nc eandr e c ogni t i onoft hef or me rt e r m ( i nwi deus ef ormor et hant hr e ede c ade s )a ndt hei nc r e a s i ngpopul a r i t yoft hel a t t e r( de s pi t e i t st e nuoushol di nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,r ur alar e asa ndot he ra dmi ni s t r at i veuni t s ) . One c ons i de r at i onhasbe e nt hata tt het i mewhe nmos toft hepr oj e c t sde s c r i be di nPar t2we r e i ni t i at e d,t e l e me di c i newa st heonl yac c e pt e dt e r m. 2 / +3 DrMa l i naJ or da nov a ,I ns t i t ut eofPs y c hol og y,Bul g ar i a nAc a de myofSc i e nc e s ,Bul g ar i a ,Te l Fa x: 5 9297 970 80 ,e ma i l: mj or dan@ba s . bg 1 2 I nt hef i nala nal ys i s ,di s agr e e me nt sove rt e r mi nol ogymus tnotbea l l owe dt oobs c ur et he unde r l yi ngi s s ue s . Thus ,t het wot e r mswi l lbeus e di nt e r c hang e abl y ,andt het e r m t e l e me di c i newi l lbeus e di ni t sbr oade s ts e ns e ,e nc ompa s s i ngawi der a ngeofa c t i vi t i e s . 1 . 3 Sco pe 3 Tel eme d i c i ne/ ehe al t hwhoneedsi t ? Theans we rt ot hi sque s t i oni spar toft hede f i ni t i onoft e l e me di c i ne . Ast e l e me di c i nei s me di c i neatadi s t anc e,e ve r yonene e dsi t .I t sgr e a t e s tpot e nt i a l ,howe v e r ,mayl i ei nt he pr omi s ei thol dsf orde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . Unf or t unat e l y,e v e nt hought e l e me di c i nei snotane wc onc e pta ndhasbe e ni nt r oduc e di nmos t ar e asofme di c als pe c i al i z at i on,a ndde s pi t et hewi der a ng eoft e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t se xi s t i ngi n v ar i ousc ount r i e s ,i ti ss t i l lc ons i de r e dt obeout s i det hema i ns t r e am ofhe a l t hc ar e . Pr of e s s orJ .C.He a l yf r om t heEur ope anCommi s s i ons a i ddur i ngt heTe l e me di c i neWor ks hop i nSt r a s bour gi nNov e mbe r1 999, …t hebot t l e ne c ksoft e l e me di c i neac t i vi t i e sa r enol ong e rt he t e c hnol ogi e st he ms e l v e s( i nt e r m ofs pe e d,qua l i t y,r e s ol ut i on,a c c e s s ,me mor ye t c . ) ,butt her e a l … Ofc me di c ali nt e r e s ti t s e l f our s e ,t hede mandsa r edi f f e r e nti ndi f f e r e ntc ount r i e s . For Eur ope anUni onc ount r i e s ,whe r et hea i mi st oha v eas ophi s t i c a t e dhe al t hc ar ede l i ve r y s y s t e m,ake yde mandi ss e c ondme di c a lopi ni onsa ndi nf or mat i onf orc i t i z e ns ,i nor de rt o i mpr ovequal i t yofc ar ea ndc ompl ywi t he c onomi cc ons t r a i nt s . Forot he rc ount r i e s ,t he de ma ndmaybepr i ma r yc ar e ,bas i che al t he duc at i ona ndme di c i nei ne me r ge nc ys i t ua t i onsor i nr e mot ear e as . De ve l opi ngc ount r i e sf ac eva r i ouspr obl e msi nt hepr ov i s i onofme di c als e r vi c eandhe al t hc ar e , i nc l udi ngf unds ,e xpe r t i s e ,r e s our c e s ,ands hor t ag eofdoc t or sandot he rhe al t hc ar e pr of e s s i onal s . Roadsa ndt r ans por t at i onar ei nade qua t eandmakei tdi f f i c ul tt opr ov i dehe a l t h c ar ei nr e mot eandr ur alar e as;pr obl e msi npr ope r l yt r ans por t i ngpa t i e nt sa r eof t e n e nc ount e r e d. A l ar genumbe rofv i l l ag e sandr ur ala r e asl ac ke v e nbas i cme di c a lf ac i l i t i e s ,and a sar e s ul tt hepopul at i oni nt he s ear e ashasnoa c c e s st ome di c a lc ar e ,e v e ni nc as eof e me r ge nc y. Pe opl ehavet ot r ave ll ongdi s t anc e s ,a wayf r om homea ndwor k,t or e c e i v e me di c alhe l p. Theque s t i onoft e l e me di c i nei nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e swa sf i r s ta ddr e s s e di nMar c h1 9 94 ,a tt he Wor l dTe l e c ommuni c at i onDe ve l opme ntConf e r e nc e( WTDC)whi c hI TUsTe l e c ommuni c at i on De ve l opme ntBur e au( BDT)or gani z e di nBue nosAi r e s . ThatConf e r e nc er e c omme nde dt ha t BDT s t udyt hepot e nt i aloft e l e me di c i net ome e ts omeoft hene e dsofde ve l opi ngc ount r i e sf or i mpr ove dac c e s st ot hehe a l t hc ar es e r v i c e s . TheConf e r e nc eappr ove da nof f i c i a lQue s t i onon t e l e me di c i ne ,whi c hwasas s i gne dt ot heSt udyGr oup2ofI TUsDe ve l opme ntSe c t or ,andan of f i c i alRe c omme ndat i onont heappl i c at i onoft e l e c ommuni c a t i onsi nhe a l t ha ndot he rs oc i al s e r v i c e s . I TUsSt udyGr oupsa r es e tupi ns uc hawayt ha tof f i c i alQue s t i onsar es t udi e dbyat e am of vol unt e e r sf r om di f f e r e ntc ount r i e s( Me mbe rSt at e s )a ndSe c t orMe mbe r s . Thi sa l l owst he mt o dr a w one xpe r i e nc ef r om a r oundt hewor l dands ha r et hei nf or mat i ononbe s tpr ac t i c eamong c ount r i e s . TheI TU t e l e me di c i negr oupi suni quei nde a l i ngwi t ht hene e dsofde v e l opi ng c ount r i e s;i ti nc l ude se xpe r t sf r om de ve l ope da ndde ve l opi ngc ount r i e sa l i ke . I nac c or danc ewi t ht hede c i s i onsoft woWor l dTe l e c ommuni c at i onDe v e l opme ntConf e r e nc e s 3 Pr of .DrLe oni dAndr ouc hko,Ra ppor t e ur ,Te l e me di c i neGr oup,I TUD St udyGr oup2andI nt e r na t i onal Uni v e r s i t yGe ne v a ,Swi t z e r l a nd,e ma i l:l andr ouc hko@f r e e s ur f . c h 1 3 ( Bue nosAi r e s ,1994andVal l e t t a,1998 ) ,BDT ha sunde r t ake nva r i ousa c t i v i t i e sr e l at e dt ot he s t udyoft hepot e nt i albe ne f i toft e l e me di c i neappl i c at i onsi nt hehe al t hc a r es e c t orof de ve l opi ngc ount r i e sa swe l la st hede mons t r at i onoft he s ea ppl i c at i onsi ni mpl e me nt e d t e l e me di c i nepi l otpr oj e c t si ns e l e c t e dc ount r i e s . Dur i ngt hepe r i od1 99 620 00BDT or g a ni z e d s e ve r almi s s i onsoft e l e me di c i nee xpe r t st ode v e l opi ngc ount r i e si nor de rt oi de nt i f yt he i rne e ds andpr i or i t i e sf ort hei nt r oduc t i onoft e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t s ,t a ki ngi nt oac c ountt hes t at eoft he l oc alt e l e c ommuni c at i onne t wor ksandt he i rde v e l opme nt . Thef ol l owi ngc ount r i e swe r e vi s i t e d:Moz ambi que( 1 99 6) ,Uganda( 1 99 6) ,Ca me r oon( 199 6 ) ,Tanz a ni a( 19 9 6) ,Bhut an ( 19 97) ,Vi e tNam ( 1997) ,Mongol i a( 19 98 ) ,Se ne g al( 19 98 ) ,Ge or g i a( 19 98 ) ,Uz be ki s t an( 2 0 00 ) , Et hi opi a( 200 0 ) . Whydevel opi ngcount r i esar es oi mpor t ant Le tust akeasane xampl eoneoft hel e a s tde ve l ope dc ount r i e si nAf r i c aEt hi opi a . Thi si snot as mal lc ount r y. Et hi opi ahasanar e aofa boutonemi l l i ons qua r eki l ome t r e sa nda popul at i onofa ppr oxi mat e l y61 . 7mi l l i on,ofwhi c hmor et han5 2mi l l i on( 85 . 3%)l i vei nr ur a l ar e a s . Thehe al t hc ar es ys t e mi sunde r de ve l ope danda bl et opr ov i dehe al t hs e r vi c e st oonl y aboutha l foft hepopul a t i on. The r ei sal a c kofdoc t or sandhe al t hc a r ei nf r a s t r uc t ur e . The f e w me di c a ls pe c i al i s t swor ki ngi nt hec ount r yar ec onc e nt r at e di nt hec a pi t a l ,Addi sAba ba , andot he rmaj orc i t i e s . Muc hoft her ur a lpopul a t i onha snoac c e s st oa nyt ypeofhe a l t hc a r e , s ot hehe al t hc ar ede l i ve r ys ys t e mc annotr e s pondt ot he i rne e ds . Fors uc hc ount r i e s ,wi t ht he i rl i mi t e dme di c ale x pe r t i s eandr e s our c e s ,t e l e me di c i nec oul d pr ovi deas ol ut i ont os omeoft hepr obl e msme nt i one dabov e . Tr adi t i ona l l y,onedi f f i c ul t yi n a c hi e vi nge qui t abl eac c e s st ohe al t hc ar eha sbe e nt hatt hedoc t ora ndt hepa t i e ntmus tbe phy s i c al l ypr e s e nti nt hes a mepl ac e . Re c e nta dv a nc e si ni nf or ma t i onandt e l e c ommuni c a t i on t e c hnol ogi e s ,howe ve r ,havec r e at e dunpr e c e de nt e doppor t uni t i e sf orove r c omi ngt hi sby i nc r e as i ngt henumbe rofway st hathe al t hc ar ec anbede l i ve r e d. Tha nkst o t e l e c ommuni c at i ons ,t e l e me di c i neof f e r ss ol ut i onsf orl ong di s t anc ec ons ul t a t i on,e me r g e nc y me di c a la s s i s t anc e ,admi ni s t r at i onandl ogi s t i c s ,s upe r vi s i ona ndqua l i t yas s ur a nc e ,a nd e duc at i onandt r ai ni ngf orhe al t hc ar es t a f f . Wi t hi nt hel i mi t soft heavai l abl ef i nanc i a lr e s our c e s ,i twa sr e c omme nde di nEt hi opi at os t ar t t hei nt r oduc t i onoft e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i onswi t hde r mat ol og yduet ot hes hor t a geof s pe c i al i s t si nt hi sme di c aldi s c i pl i neandal s obe c aus es ki ndi s e as e sa r eve r yc ommoni nt he c ount r y. Twe l vehos pi t al swe r es e l e c t e dt obec onne c t e dt oge t he rv i at heI nt e r ne ti nt ot he t e l e me di c i nei nf or ma t i onne t wor k. Fol l owi ngt e l e de r mat ol og y ,ot he rt e l e me di c i nea ppl i c a t i ons c oul dbeadde dl at e r ,s uc hast e l e r a di ol ogy,t e l e c ar di ol og y ,t e l e pa t hol ogye t c . Ofc our s e , t e l e me di c i nec annoti nc r e as et henumbe rofdoc t or si nt hec ount r ybuti the l pst ous eavai l a bl e r e s our c e smor ee f f i c i e nt l y. I twa spos s i bl et oe xt e ndt het e l e me di c i nei nf or mat i onne t wor ki nEt hi opi at ot hev i l l a g el e v e l ( pr i mar yhe al t hc ar euni t s )us i ngI nt e r ne tt r a ns mi s s i onpl at f or ms . He a l t hc ar eatt hev i l l ag e l e v e li sr e l at i ve l ys i mpl e:i tc e nt r e sonpe r f or mi ngvac c i nat i ons ,di s pe ns i ngc ommonme di c i ne s /c andpr ovi di ngma t e r nal hi l dhe a l t hadvi c e ,i nc l udi ngf ami l ypl anni ng . The s es e r v i c e sdonot r e qui r et heus eofs ophi s t i c a t e df or msoft e l e me di c i nee qui pme nt . Ac omput e randmode m woul dal l ow t hee x c hangeofe l e c t r oni cme s s a ge s( e ma i l )andi twoul dal s ope r mi tdi s t a nc e e duc a t i on. Thi se xa mpl es howe dc l e ar l yt hatde ve l opi ngc ount r i e sc anbe ne f i tf r om t hei nt r oduc t i onof t e l e me di c i nes e r vi c e s ,andt hati ti sus e f ulf ort he i rhe al t hc ar es ys t e m. I tc oul dbean e c onomi c alme ansofa c hi e vi ngnat i ona lhe a l t hpol i c yobj e c t i ve swi t hr e ga r dt ot he / i mpr ove me nta nd ore xt e ns i onofme di c alandhe al t hc a r e . Te l e me di c i neal s opr omi s e st o 1 4 e nhanc et hec ont i nue dme di c ale duc at i onofdoc t or s ,nur s e sa ndot he rhe al t hc ar epr ac t i t i one r s i nr ur ala r e as . Thi si sawi dear e aofa ppl i c at i on,andonet ha ti se x t r e me l yus e f ulf ora l l de ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . Whatar et hecommonandmos tur g entp r ob l emsi nde ve l op i ngco unt r i eswhi c hc o ul dbe al l evi at edbyus i ngt e l emedi ci ne ? Thes ecount r i ess uf f e rf r o m as ever es ho r t ag eofheal t hcar epr of e s s i o nal s . Compe t e nt me di c als pe c i al i s t sus i ngs t at e of t he ar tme di c alt e c hnol ogys uc hass c anne r sa ndot he r s ophi s t i c a t e ddi a gnos t i ce qui pme nta r eve r yr a r e ,ge ne r al l ywor ki ngi nt heuni v e r s i t yhos pi t al s ofl ar gec i t i e s . Thel ac kofme di c als pe c i a l i s t s ,andt hel i mi t e doppor t uni t i e sf orc ons ul t a t i ons be t we e ndoc t or si nr e gi ona la ndr e mot es mal lhos pi t al swi t ht he i rc ol l e a g ue si nt her e f e r r a l hos pi t al sr e s ul t si nal ar genumbe rofunne c e s s a r yr e f e r r al s . Te l e me di c i nel i nksbe t we e n ho s p i t al sand o t he rme di c ali ns t i t ut i onsc o ul dl e ad t oano v e r al li mpr ov e me ntof he al t hc ar e s e r v i c e st hr ought hec e nt r al i z at i o nand c o o r di nat i o no fr e s our c e s( s pe c i al i s t s ,har dwar eand s o f t war epac kag e s ) . Thepopul at i onl i vi ngi nr ur alandr emo t ear eass uf f er sf r o ml acko rev enab s e nceo fhe al t h car e. Asaf i r s tpr i or i t y,t he r ei sane e dt oi mpr ov ema t e r na la ndc hi l dc a r e ,i npar t i c ul arwhe ni t c ome st oe ar l yde t e c t i onofhi ghr i s kpr e g na nc i e s . Thede p l o yme ntof f i xe do rmobi l e t e l e c ommuni c at i ont e l e c e nt r e s ,whi c har enow c ons i de r e dt ob eoneof t hep os s i bl eway sof br i ngi ngt e l e c ommuni c at i ons e r v i c e st or ur alar e as ,c oul db eus e f ulf ort e l e me di c i neaswe l l . As mal lbuswi t happr op r i at eme di c aldi agnos t i ce qui pme ntand adoc t o rv i s i t i ngr ur alar e as onar e gul arbas i s ,c o ul db eagood s ol ut i o n. Thebuss houl d hav eamo b i l es at e l l i t ep ho ne f o rc ons ul t at i onwi t ht hehos pi t al . Thi smo b i l eme di c als e r v i c ec oul d al s opl ayav e r y i mpo r t antr ol ei ndi s e as epr e v e nt i onand he al t hp r omo t i o n. I tc oul d al s ob eus e f ult op r ov i de ac onne c t i onv i aI nt e r ne tbe t we e nahe al t hc e nt r es t af f e db yanur s e( whe r eav ai l abl e )and t hene ar e s thos pi t al . Nur s epr ac t i t i o ne r sc anp r ov i dep r i mar yc ar eb utt he yf r e q ue nt l yne e d c o ns ul t at i o nand adv i c ef r om doc t or s . Thel e v e lo f ne e dv ar i e sf r o mr e as s ur anc east ot he c o r r e c t ne s sof adi ag nos i st ounc e r t ai nl yaboutadi agnos i sand ap l anf o rmanage me nt , par t i c ul ar l yme di c ale v ac uat i on. Hi ghmat er nalandpr enat almor t al i t yr at e. Oneoft hemaj orf ac t or sc ont r i but i ngt ot hi s s i t uat i oni st hei nade quac yoft r ai ne ds t a f fandt heve r yl at ei de nt i f i c a t i onofpat hol og i c a l pr e gnanc i e s . Loc almat e r ni t yuni t sc o ul db ec onne c t e db yt e l e me di c i nel i nk t ot hemat e r ni t y s e r v i c ei nar e g i o nalo rr e f e r r alhos pi t al . Thi swi l lal l o wr e mot emoni t o r i ngof t hehe al t ho f pr e gnantwome n,e s pe c i al l yt hos ewi t hp at ho l o gi c alpr o bl e ms . Ve r yf ew doct or s( par t i cul ar l yi nr ur alandr e mot ear eas )haveacc es st ome d i calj our nal s af t ergr aduat i o n. Asar e s ul t ,t he yar euna bl et oke e pt he i rpr of e s s i onals ki l l supt odat e . The r ei sane e dt omakec ont i nue dme di c a le duc at i ona c c e s s i bl et oasmanyhe a l t h pr of e s s i onal saspos s i bl e . Emai land I nt e r ne tac c e s sf o rr e gi onaland r ur alme di c alc e nt r e s and hos pi t al sc oul db ee xt r e me l yus e f ul . Theb e ne f i t sf r o mc o nne c t i ngasmanyhos pi t al s and me di c alc e nt r e saspos s i bl et oame di c ali nf o r mat i ons ys t e m woul db e: ・I mp r o v e ds t andar do f me di c alpr ac t i c e s ・I mpr ov e de pi de mi ol ogi c aland o t he rr e p or t i ng ・Educ at i onalbe ne f i t sf ordoc t or sand me di c als t af fo ut s i det hec api t al ,c o nt i nuo usme di c al e duc at i on ・Ac c e s st os e v e r alof t heav ai l abl ewo r l dwi deme di c aldat abas e s Mos tho s pi t al shav eap oori nt er nalt el ep hones ys t em. Themode r ni z at i o nof i nt e r nal 1 5 t e l e c ommuni c at i oni nt hehos pi t al sc oul dc ons i de r abl yi mpr ov et hee f f i c i e nc yo f he al t hc ar e . I twi l lf or mt hebas i sf ort hei nt r oduc t i onof t e l e me di c i neap pl i c at i ons . Thei nt r oduc t i onoft e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i onsi samul t i di s c i pl i nar yunde r t aki ng ,whi c h― a t ― l e a s ti nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s r e qui r e se x t e ns i vec oope r a t i onbe t we e nt e l e c ommuni c a t i ons ope r at or sa ndhe al t hc ar eaut hor i t i e s . Pi l otpr oj e c t si mpl e me nt e dbyBDT,s uc ha st hos e pr e s e nt e di nPa r t2,a r eagoodbas i sf ore l abor at i ngpr a c t i c alr e c omme ndat i onsonhow t o be ne f i tf r om t hei nt r oduc t i onoft e l e me di c i neappl i c at i onsi nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . The ys how t hatt e l e c ommuni c a t i oni sal s oave r yi mpor t antt ooli ni mpr ovi ngbot ht hequal i t yofa nd a c c e s st ohe al t hc ar e ,r e gar dl e s sofg e og r a phy,par t i c ul a r l yi na r e a swhe r et heme di c a l i nf r as t r uc t ur ei si nade quat eornone xi s t e nt . I ti se xpe c t e dt hatt hee xpe r t i s ea c hi e ve dt hr oug ht he s epr oj e c t s ,andt hel e s s onsl e a r nt ,wi l l pr ovi dei nf or ma t i ont hatwi l lgui det hei nt r oduc t i onoft e l e me di c i nea ppl i c a t i onsi not he r c ount r i e s ,andhe l pbui l dr e al i s t i ce xpe c t at i onsofhow t e l e me di c i nema yi mpr ov ehe al t hc a r e appl i c at i onsi nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s . Tomanype opl e ,t e l e me di c i nehasbe c omes ynonymouswi t hv i de oc onf e r e nc i ng,s ot ha t br oadbandi ss e e nt obeabas i cpr e r e qui s i t e . Ofc our s e ,i ti sg oodt ohav easmuc hbandwi dt h a spos s i bl eav ai l abl e . Butf ormos tpr a c t i c a la ppl i c a t i ons ,t e l e me di c i neappl i c at i onsdonot r e qui r evi de oc onf e r e nc et e l e c ommuni c at i onf a c i l i t i e s ,s oac t ua lba ndwi dt hr e qui r e me nt sa r e muc hmor emode s t . As i mpl et e l e phonene t wor kma ybequi t ea de quat e . Ast hi ngss t a ndat t hemome nt ,t heI nt e r ne ti sani nc r e as i ng l yi mpor t a ntt r ans mi s s i onme di um f ort e l e me di c i ne . Thes uc c e s s f uli nt r oduc t i onoft e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i onsr e qui r e smor et hanj us tt hede l i ve r yof t her i ghthar dwa r ea nds of t wa r et ot heus e r s . Muc hmor ei mpor t a nti st of i ndt her i g htwa y i ne ac hc as eofi nc or por at i ngt e l e me di c i nea ppl i c at i onsi nme di c alpr ac t i c eandi nr out i ne c l i ni c alc ons ul t at i ons . Thi si sr e l e vantt oor g ani z at i ona la nda dmi ni s t r a t i v ema t t e r s ,aswe l la s t oe f f i c i e ntt r ai ni ng. Re f er ence s [1]D.Wr i g ht ,L.Andr ouc hko, Te l e me di c i neandde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s,i nJo ur nalof Te l e me di c i neand Te l e c ar e,Vol . 2 ,1 9 96 ,pp. 6 37 0 [2]L.Andr ng ouc hko, Te l e me di c i ne WhoBe ne f i t s ?i nGl ob alHe al t hc ar e,Wor l dMa r ke t sSe r i e s ,bus i ne s sbr i e f i f or5 2ndWor l dMe di c alAs s oc i at i on,Ge ne r a lAs s e mbl y ,Edi nbur gh( Sc ot l a nd)Oc t obe r2 0 0 0 4, 5 1 . 4 Tel emedi ci nechar i t yorbus i nes s Bi l l i onshavebe e ni nve s t e di nt e l e me di c i nei nt hepas tf e w de c a de s . Cl e a r l y ,t e l e me di c i nei sa vi abl eande f f i c i e ntt oolf orde al i ngwi t hpr e s s i ngi s s ue si nc ont e mpor ar yhe a l t hc ar e . Te l e me di c i nepr ovi de ss ol ut i onst hathe l phe al t hc ar epr ov i de r st ode alwi t hpr obl e msa r i s i ng f r om ongoi ngt e c hnol ogi c al ,de mogr aphi c ,s oc i a la ndc ul t ur a lc hange si na ne r aof g l obal i z at i on. Howe ve r ,f ormanyoft heke ypl aye r s ,i t si mpl i c a t i onsr e mai nmur ky. Among t hemor ei mpor t antque s t i onst hatne e dt obea ddr e s s e dar et hee c onomi ci mpl i c at i onsof t e l e me di c i ne . Shoul di tbec ons i de r e dasana r e aofhumani t a r i a nwor k? Doe si tf al lwi t hi n t hedomai nofpr i v at ee nt e r pr i s epr ope r l ys pe a ki ng ? Theans we r sa r ei mpor t ant ,a st he ywi l l de t e r mi net hena t ur eoft hei nt e r ac t i onbe t we e nr e s e ar c h,s c i e nc ea ndhumani t a r i a nwor kont he onehandandpr i vat ee nt e r pr i s eont heot he r ,i . e .i ns ur anc ec ompa ni e s ,pr ovi de r sof 4 / +3 DrMa l i naJ or da nov a ,I ns t i t ut eofPs y c hol og y,Bul g ar i a nAc a de myofSc i e nc e s ,Bul g ar i a ,Te l Fa x: 5 9297 970 80 ,e ma i l: mj or dan@ba s . bg 5 MrFr ankLi e v e ns ,Boa r dMe mbe ra ndTr e a s ur e r ,I nt e r na t i ona lSoc i e t yf orTe l e me di c i ne& e He al t h( I Sf Te H) , +3 @s +3 ,Fax: 2226 97 95 3 ,e ma i l: t e l e me di c i ne ky ne t . be Be l gi um,Te l: 2226 98456 1 6 t e l e me di c i nee qui pme nte t c . Thei s s uec anbeappr oac he df r om anot he rangl e: ar et e l e me di c i neandpr i va t ebus i ne s si n c ont r adi c t i on? Ataf i r s tg l anc e ,t he i robj e c t i ve sdi f f e r . Te l e me di c i nea i mst oi nc r e a s et he qual i t yande f f i c i e nc yofe he al t hi nor de rt oa c hi e v eopt i mals e r v i c ef ore v e r yone ,r e ga r dl e s sof t i mea ndpl ac e;t or e duc et hepr e s s ur eofe he al t honna t i ona lbudg e t s; andt oc r e at eane w wor ki nge nvi r onme ntf orme di c als t af f . Thes t r a t e gi cg oalf orbus i ne s si spr of i t a bi l i t y. Ac c or di ngl y,t e l e me di c i nei smor eof t e nc ons i de r e dasat oolf ora c hi e v i ngs oc i alobj e c t i ve s , r a t he rt ha nf ors uc c e s s f ulbus i ne s sa c t i vi t i e s . Butt hi sdoe snotme ant hatt he r ei sa nyi nc ompat i bi l i t ybe t we e nt e l e me di c i nea ndbus i ne s s . Te l e me di c i nei sa ne me r gi ngne w br anc hoft hehe a l t hma r ke t ,whi c hha sbe e nbus i ne s s dr i ve n f orde c ade s . Te l e me di c i nec l e ar l yha sal e gi t i ma t epl ac ei nt hee c onomi c soft r a di t i ona l he al t hc ar es e r vi c e s . Howe ve r ,c ompar e dt ot hatol de rma r ke t ,t het e l e me di c i nema r ke tha s s omes pe c i f i cc har ac t e r i s t i c s . Someoft hepr obl e mshavet he i rr oot si nt hehi s t or i cde v e l opme ntoft e l e me di c i ne . Duet ot he hi ghc os tofi nf or mat i ont e c hnol ogy,i nt hebe g i nni ngmos tpr oj e c t swe r ef unde dunde r na t i ona lori nt e r nat i onalpr ogr amme s . Thi st e nde nc yc ont i nue se v e nnow. Fort hef i r s t e he al t hc al la l one ,unde rEur ope a nCommi s s i on6FPI ST,ha da= C70mi l l i onbudge tf or t e l e me di c i ne . Ove rt heye ar s ,al loft hi sf undi ngwa sus e dasa ne c onomi cme as ur et o s t i mul at egr owt hont het e l e me di c i nemar ke t . Thi si snotas oundappr oa c h. I nt hel at e1990s ,t e l e me di c i nebe gant oe x pandi nma nydi r e c t i ons . Thede v e l opme ntof di gi t a ldi ag nos t i cpe r i phe r al s ,s t or e andf or wa r dde v i c e sf orbi ol ogi c a lda t a,a ndt hewor l dwi de di s t r i but i onofl owc os tmobi l et e l e phone sa ndt heI nt e r ne tdr ama t i c al l yi nc r e as e dt henumbe r ofwa yst hatpat i e nt sa ndphys i c i a nsc a ni nt e r ac t . Ma nys ur v e yshavebe e npe r f or me dt o unde r s t andt hemar ke t ,butt e l e me di c i neg r owsf a s t e rt hanoura bi l i t yt ome a s ur ei tasa bus i ne s ss e c t or . Mos ts ur ve yshavebe e nba s e donr e l at i ve l ys mal ls a mpl e si noneort wo / / / / / c ount r i e s( ht t p: www. hon. c h Me dne t 20 03a bs t r a c t s314 6 416 5 7. ht ml ) . The s es ur v e ysa r e we l c ome ,al t houg ht he yc annotc apt ur et hef ul ls i z eoft hema r ke t . Ones ol ut i onmi ghtbet o de ve l opa na l l i nc l us i veme as ur e me nts ys t e mf ort e l e me di c i ne ,butt hi si snotr e a l i s t i c . Thus , wehavet oac c e ptt hati ti snotpos s i bl eatpr e s e ntt oha veapr e c i s epi c t ur eoft het e l e me di c i ne mar ke t . Wehavet oc onc e nt r at eonwhati sa l r e a dyknown. Thet el emedi ci nemar ket Tounde r s t andt hemar ke t ,i ti se s s e nt i alt oi de nt i f yi t smai ndr i vi ngf or c e s . The s ef or c e sa r e: c ompe t i t i onwi t hi nt hehe al t hc ar ei ndus t r y; t hea dve ntofaf f or da bl eI Ts ol ut i ons ,e s pe c i a l l y t heI nt e r ne t ,wi t hi t sus e rf r i e ndl i ne s s ,i ns e ns i t i vi t yt odi s t a nc eandi nc r e as i ngf unc t i onal i t y; a nd 21s t c e nt ur yhe al t hc ar ec ons ume r s ,e mbodyi ng t het hr e eCs ( c as h,c ol l e g e ,c omput e r s )and br i ngi ngt he i re xpe c t at i onsoff r e ec hoi c ea ndhi g hl e ve lofe he al t happl i c at i on( Mi t t man,Ca i n 2 001) . The s edr i vi ngf or c e sa r enotr e s t r i c t e dbynat i ona lboundar i e s ,c ont i ne nt s ,r e l i g i on,c ul t ur eor s oc i als t at us;t he yar ec l os e l yc onne c t e dwi t ht e l e me di c i nema r ke ts e gme nt at i on. Thema r ke t hasf ours e gme nt s c i t i z e ns ,pat i e nt s ,pr of e s s i onal sa nde mpl oye e s . Bounda r i e sbe t we e nt he s e s e gme nt sbe c omebl ur r e dasme mbe r sofs oc i e t ypar t i c i pa t ei ndi f f e r e nts e g me nt sdur i ng /c / / // onf e r e nc e doc ume nt s di f f e r e ntpe r i odsoft he i rl i ve s( ht t p: www. e s c wa . or g. l b/ws i s 0 7e he al t h. pdf ) . Eac hs e gme nthasi t sownne e dsande xpe c t a t i ons ,whi c hv e r yof t e nove r l ap. xts t e pi nunde r s t andi ngt hemar ke ti st oc ompi l eal i s tofc ur r e ntt e l e me di c i ne Thene a ppl i c at i ons . The s ec anbebr oke ndowni nt o( 1)he a l t hr e l at e dc omme r c i a la c t i vi t i e s ,i . e . me di c ale qui pme nta nds uppl i e s ,he a l t hi ns ur anc e ,me di c at i ons ,c l i ni c a la ppl i c at i onsa nd( 2) 1 7 t e l e me di c i newe bs i t e st hathavee nj oye dar a t eofg r owt hout pa c i ngge ne r a lWe bg r owt h. The s i t e sma ybenoni nt e r ac t i ve ,i . e .ai mi ngatt hedi s t r i but i onofhe a l t hr e l a t e di nf or ma t i on,or i nt e r ac t i ve ,ac t i ngass pe c i al i z e donl i nes uppor tg r oupsof f e r i ngpos t t r e at me ntc a r e , c ons ul t at i onse t c . Fo r ecas t s Nume r ousa nal ys e shavebe e npubl i s he dt r yi ngt oe s t i ma t et hemar ke tva l ueoft e l e me di c i ne / / a ndmakepr e di c t i onsf ori t sde ve l opme nt . Ane xampl ei st heCHI C ma r ke tf or e c as t( ht t p: g. au) .I r r e s pe c t i veoff or e c a s t s ,oneha st or e me mbe rt ha tt het r ueme as ur eof www. c hi c . or t e l e me di c i nes houl dal s oi nc l udet hev al ueofe xpe ndi t ur e sont e l e c ommuni c at i ons ,human …t c api t al ,andot he rr e s our c e sc ons ume di nt hepr oc e s sofde l i v e r i nghe al t hc ar eove r i meand [A] di s t a nc e .[…] l mos ta nye s t i ma t eoft hes i z eoft het e l e me di c i nebus i ne s ss houl dbe / /www. i nt e r pr e t e dwi t habi ggr ai nofs al t .( ht t p: hi ms s . or g/ASP/ Cont e nt Re di r e c t or . as p? Cont e nt I d=1 5722) Las tbutnotl e as t ,i ti sne c e s s ar yt or e c og ni s et hata tt hemome ntt e l e me di c i nema r ke ti sf a c i ng s e r i ousbar r i e r s ,s uc has: ・Fundi ng ・St af f i ng( s t a f fwi t hI Ts ki l l sa nde xpe r i e nc ei nt hehe al t he nv i r onme nt ) ・Thepac eoft e c hnol ogi c alc hange ・Re r i e r s ,a sonl i nehe al t hpr ov i de r sc annot i mbur s e me nt . Thi si soneoft heg r e a t e s tbar c ompe t ewi t ht r adi t i ona le he a l t hpa i df orbyi ns ur anc ec ompani e s . ・Le gali s s ue sa ndt hene e df orgl obal l yr e c og ni z e ds af e t ys t a nda r ds ・Lac kofr e g ul a t i onsont hegl obalde ve l opme nta nddi s t r i but i onoft e l e me di c i ne . The s ea r e e x t r e me l yi mpor t anti nt heageofgl obal i z a t i on. Thef i r s ts t e pswe r et ake nbyt heEU pol i c yi ns e t t i ngups pe c i f i cac t i onpl a ns( e Eur ope200 2and2 00 5)t oc ont r i but et ot he de ve l opme ntofe he al t hac r os sEU,be c a us eonl yt e l e me di c i nec a nhe l pt ome e tt he / /www. / / /e c hal l e nge sf ac e dbyEur ope ane he al t hs y s t e ms( ht t p: j r c . e s home r e por t ngl i s h/ /v ar t i c l e s ol 8 1/I CT4 E8 16 . ht m) . Tos um up,t het e l e me di c i nemar ke ti sobv i ous l ygr owi ng. Thes i g nsa r enume r ous . Wear e s s i ngg r owt hi nt hede mandf ore he a l t ha ppl i c at i ons .I nf ac t ,de mandi sg r owi ngahe ad wi t ne ofs uppl y. Ot he ri ndi c at or sofma r ke tg r owt hi nc l udet hei nc r e as i ngnumbe roft r a des how e xhi bi t or se ve r yye a r ,t hegr owt hi npubl i s he dt e l e me di c i neappl i c at i ons ,as i g ni f i c anti nc r e a s e i nt henumbe rofwe bs i t e sof f e r i ngt e l e c a r e ,a ndamov et owa r dsr e i mbur s e me ntf or t e l e me di c i ne ,de s pi t et hef ac tt hati ti snoty e tg ove r nme ntpol i c yandpe opl eha v et opayout oft he i rownpoc ke t . The s ear es i gnsofg r owt h,notofs t ag na t i on. Att hes amet i me ,i tmus tber e c ogni z e dt ha tt het e l e me di c i nema r ke tr e ma i nsuns t r uc t ur e dand ― f r ac t ur e d whi l ei ti sve r ydy na mi c ,i ti snotwe l lor g a ni z e d. Thepa t hf r om r e s e a r c h ac t i vi t i e st opr a c t i c ala ppl i c at i onsi sf art ool onga ndt a ke st oomuc ht i me . Fr om a n i nt e r nat i onalpe r s pe c t i ve ,t hes i t uat i onvar i e swi de l yf r om c ount r yt oc ount r y . The r ei snoc onf l i c tbe t we e nt e l e me di c i neandbus i ne s s . Ont hec ont r a r y,t e l e me di c i nei sa pr omi s i ngf orbus i ne s sde ve l opme nt . Thema r ke te x i s t sa ndi ss t e adi l ygr owi ng. Theac t i v e pa r t i c i pat i onofbus i ne s si nt hedi s t r i but i onoft e l e me di c i nes e r v i c e si nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s ma yt hust ur noutt obeave r ypr omi s i nga ndr e wa r di ngac t i vi t y. Howe v e r ,t hemos tpowe r f ul f ac t ormayye tt ur noutt obet hepa s s ag eoft i me . Ti me ,af t e ra l l ,i st heonl yt hi ngonec a nnot buyors e l l . 1 8 Re f er ences [1]ht / /www. t p: c hi c . or g . a u [2]ht / /www. / / / t p: e s c wa . or g . l b/ ws i s c onf e r e nc e doc ume nt s 0 7e he al t h. pdf [3]ht / /www. hi ms s . or g/ ASP/Cont e nt Re di r e c t or . a s p? Cont e nt I d=1 5 72 2 t p: [4]ht / /www. / / t p: hon. c h/Me dne t 2 0 03 a bs t r ac t s 3 1 46 4 16 5 7. ht ml [5]ht / /www. /home / / / / t p: j r c . e s r e por t e ng l i s h/a r t i c l e s vol 81 I CT4 E8 16 . ht m [6]Mi ti nhe a l t hc ar e ,I nR.Ri c e ,J .Ka t z( Eds . )TheI nt e r ne tand t t ma nR. ,Ca i nM.Thef ut ur eoft heI nt e r ne He al t hCommuni c at i o n:Exp e r i e nc eand Expe c t at i o ns .Thous andOa ks ,CA:Sa g e ,20 0 1: 4 77 3 [7]Mi t t ma nR. ,Ca i n,M.Thef ut ur eoft heI nt e r ne ti nHe al t hCar e:Fi v eYe arFo r e c as t .Me nl oPar k,CA: ort heFut ur e ,19 9 9 I ns t i t ut ef 6 1 . 5 Somei s s uesoneheal t h/t el emed i c i nepo l i cyf ord ev el op i ngcount r i es I nt r oduct i on TheWor l dTe l e c ommuni c at i onDe ve l opme ntConf e r e nc e( Bue nosAi r e s ,1 99 4)not e dt ha tt he wi de s pr e adus eoft e l e me di c i nes e r vi c e sc oul da l l ow uni ve r s alhe al t hac c e s sa ndc ons e que nt l y f ac i l i t at et hes ol ut i onoft hepr i nc i palhe al t hpr obl e msc onne c t e dwi t hi nf e c t i ousdi s e as e s , pe di at r i c s ,c ar di ol ogye t c . ,par t i c ul ar l yi nar e aswhe r eme di c a ls t r uc t ur e sa r ei nade qua t eor none xi s t i ng. Eve ni nt hear e aofhe a l t hi nf or ma t i ont he r ei ss t i l lagr e a tunme tde mand. St udi e sc onduc t e dbyt heRa ppor t e ursGr oupf ort hi sQue s t i on,a ndpubl i s he dr e por t swi t ht he di s c us s i onsa ndr e c omme ndat i onsoft heAf r i c a nRe gi onalTe l e c ommuni c a t i onDe ve l opme nt Conf e r e nc e( Abi dj an,1996) ,t heRe gi ona lTe l e c ommuni c at i onDe v e l opme ntConf e r e nc ef ort he Ar abSt at e s( Be i r ut ,19 97 )a ndl at e rt het woWor l dTe l e me di c i neSy mpos i umsf orDe v e l opi ng Count r i e s( Li s bon,19 97andBue nosAi r e s ,1 9 98) ,a swe l la sr e por t sf r om mi s s i onsby t e l e me di c i nee xpe r t st ode ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,hav es hownt hatt he r ei sa nov e r whe l mi ngne e d f ort hepr ov i s i onofme di c ala ndhe al t hc a r eappl i c at i onsi nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,e s pe c i a l l yi n r ur ala r e as . The yal s os how t hatt e l e me di c i nes e r vi c e sc a nbea ne c onomi cme a nsofa c hi e v i ng nat i onalhe al t hpol i c yobj e c t i ve swi t hr e g ar dt oi mpr ov e me nta nd/ ore x t e ns i onofme di c a la nd he al t hc ar e ,e s pe c i a l l yi nr ur alar e a s . The2002Wor l dTe l e c ommuni c at i onDe v e l opme ntConf e r e nc e( he l di nI s t a nbul ,Tur ke y ) e xami ne dane wr e por tont e l e me di c i ne ,al ongwi t hc ont r i but i onsont hei s s ues ubmi t t e dt ot he Conf e r e nc ebyFr anc e ,J apan,Me xi c o,Rus s i aandEgy pt . Thei mpor t anc eoft e l e me di c i newas a ga i nbr oadl ydi s c us s e dandr e c e i ve ds uppor tf r om t hemaj or i t yofc ount r i e spa r t i c i pat i ngi n t hi sConf e r e nc e . TheConf e r e nc epr opos e dt oc hangenameoft e l e me di c i nef ore he a l t hg i ve n i nt hi swa yt ot he s eappl i c at i onsmuc hbr oa de rde f i ni t i on. TheConf e r e nc eappr ov e dane w Re s ol ut i onone he al t handt e l e me di c i ne( Re s .4 1)t hatwa si nc l ude di nt heBDT Pr og r a mme onESt r at e g i e sa ndAppl i c at i ons . Re s ol ut i on4 1one he al t h( i nc l udi ngt e l e he al t h/ t e l e me di c i ne )r e c o mme nde dt hatI TU : ・c ont i nuei t se f f or t st or a i s et heawa r e ne s sofde c i s i onma ke r s ,he al t hpr of e s s i onal s ,pa r t ne r s , be ne f i c i ar i e sandot he rke ypl ay e r sa boutt hebe ne f i t soft e l e c ommuni c at i onsf ort hee he a l t h appl i c at i ons; ・c ont i nuet os uppor te he al t hpr oj e c t si nc ol l abor at i onswi t hgove r nme nt ,publ i c ,pr i v a t e , nat i onala ndi nt e r nat i ona lpar t ne r s i npa r t i c ul arwi t ht heWor l dHe al t hOr g ani z a t i on ( WHO); ・e nc our a gec ol l a bor at i onone he al t hpr oj e c t sont henat i ona la ndr e g i ona ll e v e l; 6 Pr of .DrLe oni dAndr ouc hko,Ra ppor t e ur ,Te l e me di c i neGr oup,I TUD St udyGr oup2andI nt e r na t i onal Uni v e r s i t yGe ne v a ,Swi t z e r l a nd,e ma i l:l andr ouc hko@f r e e s ur f . c h 1 9 ・s e tup,wi t hi ne xi s t i ngbudge t ar yr e s our c e s ,af undf ort e l e c ommuni c at i onf ac i l i t i e sf or al t ht r ai ni ngi nt hec e nt r e sofe x c e l l e nc e; e he a l t h,andi nt r oduc ee he ・pr omot e ,f ac i l i t at eandpr ovi det e c hni c a ls uppor tandt r ai ni ngi ni nf or ma t i ona nd c ommuni c a t i ont e c hnol ogi e sf ore he a l t h; ・ wor kwi t ht hehe al t hs e c t ort oi de nt i f ymode l sf ors us t a i na bi l i t yofe he al t ha ppl i c a t i ons , pa r t i c ul a r l yi nr e mot eandr ur ala r e asofde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s ,e xpl or i ngpos s i bi l i t i e sf or s ha r i ngi nf r as t r uc t ur ewi t hot he rs e r v i c e sandappl i c a t i ons . TheRe s ol ut i onal s oas ke dt heI TU Me mbe rSt at e st oc ons i de rt hee s t abl i s hme ntofana t i ona l /t c ommi t t e e a s kf or c ec ompr i s i ngr e pr e s e nt a t i ve sf r om t het e l e c ommuni c a t i onandhe a l t hs e c t or s i nor de rt oas s i s twi t hawa r e ne s s r ai s i ngatt henat i onall e v e l ,andwi t ht hef or mul at i onof f e as i bl et e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t s . Themai ngoalnow i st oc onve r tt hi sRe s ol ut i oni nt opr ac t i c ala c t i ons;t her ol eoft heI TUD St udyGr oupwi l lbee xt r e me l yi mpor t anthe r e . Pot ent i albenef i t Te l e me di c i nei snol ong e rat e c hnol ogyawa i t i ngappl i c a t i ons . Thi si sapowe r f ult ool ,whi c h ha sbe e ns uc c e s s f ul l yi mpl e me nt e di nma nypi l otc as e si nv ar i ousc ount r i e s . De s pi t et he g r owt hofI CT e qui pme nta ndt ool si nt hehe a l t hs e c t or ,t he i ri mpa c tde pe ndsl a r ge l yon whe t he rornott he yar eus e d,andhow,whe na ndwhe r et he yar eus e d; t hi si nt ur nde pe nds he a vi l yont heor g ani z at i onofpr ovi de rs ys t e msa ndt hebe ha vi ourofc a r eg i v e r s ,andt he be ha vi ouroft e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur ei nal lt he s ec a s e s . TheWor l dHe al t hOr gani z at i onwi l lc onduc tac ompr e he ns i v ee va l ua t i onoft e l e me di c i ne a ppl i c a t i onst ha thav ea l r e a dybe e ni nt r oduc e di nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s ,i nor de rt opr e par ea r e c omme ndat i onde al i ngwi t hme di c a la s pe c t sofe he a l t hf orhe al t hc a r epr of e s s i ona l s . De c i s i onmake r si nt hehe al t hs e c t orwhowi s ht ot a kei nt oa c c ountt e l e me di c i neappl i c at i ons i nt hef r ame wor koft henat i ona lhe al t hpol i c yne e dt oc ons i de ra tl e a s tf i v eas pe c t sof he al t hc ar ewhe r et e l e me di c i nec oul dpl a yas i gni f i c a ntr ol e: 1)qua l i t yande f f i c i e nc yofhe al t hc ar es e r vi c e s; 2)me di c ale duc at i onf orbot hme di c als t af fandc i t i z e ns; 3)e nhanc e me ntofnat i onale he al t hs t r uc t ur e s; 4)e he al t hadmi ni s t r at i on; 5)t her ol eoft het e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur ei nt hea bovef ouras pe c t s . Toi mpr oveac c e s st ome di c alknowl e dg e; t opr ov i dec ons ul t a t i onr e mot e l yt os ma l lhos pi t a l s l oc at e di nr ur ala r e a s;t or e duc et heunne c e s s ar yt r a ns f e rofpa t i e nt st or e g i ona lhos pi t a l sa nd pr ovi det hec or r e c t ,r e mot e l ys upe r vi s e dt r e at me ntont hes pot; t he s ea r es omeoft he t e l e me di c i neappl i c at i onst ha ta r epa r t i c ul a r l yr e l e v antt ode v e l opi ngc ount r i e s . Te l e e duc at i on( ore e duc at i on)i nhe a l t hi sa not he roft hes i gni f i c antus e sc i t e df ormul t i me di a t e c hnol ogyi ne he a l t h. Thes i mpl e s ta ndmos tc ommone x ampl ei st hede l i ve r yvi aI nt e r ne tof ar e mot el e c t ur ebyane he al t he xpe r t ,di s s e mi na t e dt oa nynumbe rofs t ude nt ss har i nga c ommonwor ks t at i onors c at t e r e dov e rac ampus ,ac i t yort hewor l d. Thenumbe rofWe b s i t e sof f e r i ngv i r t uale duc at i oni nhe a l t ha ndhe a l t hr e l at e dar e asi sg r owi ng. Di s t a nc e l e ar ni ngt hr ought e l e c ommuni c a t i ont ool sc anbr i ngc r uc i a lknowl e dget ot hepar t i c i pa nt s , par t i c ul a r l yi nf or ma t i ons t a r v e dhos pi t al sa ndme di c als c hool si nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . The c our s ema t e r i a lha st ober e de s i gne df oronl i neus eandt hepr of e s s or sne e dt obet r ai ne di n onl i nel e c t ur i ng . Si nc et e l e me di c i ner e l i e she av i l yont e l e c ommuni c at i ont e c hnol og i e s ,i nc l udi ngt heI nt e r ne t ,i t i sne c e s s ar yt opr omot ee l i t e r ac y. Cons ume r sne e dt ol e ar nnotonl yhow t onavi g at et he 2 0 Wor l dWi deWe b,buta l s ohow t oc r i t i c a l l ye v al ua t et her e l i abi l i t y ,a c c ur ac yandt hes our c eof i nf or mat i onands e r vi c e sof f e r e donl i ne . Ef f e c t i vegove r nanc ei nt e l e me di c i ner e qui r e sc ode s ,r e gul at i onsands t a nda r dst oe ns ur e c ons ume rs at i s f ac t i on. I s s ue si ngove r nanc ei nc l udel e g all i a bi l i t y,e t hi c als t anda r ds ,pr i va c y pr ot e c t i onandc ul t ur ala nds oc i als t a ndar ds . Me di c a lc ul t ur ea ndpr a c t i c eva r ygr e a t l y be t we e nc ount r i e sa ndt hi shast obet ake ni nt oc ons i de r a t i ont oo. I nc r e as i ngl y,me di c alpr of e s s i onal sunf a mi l i a rwi t h( orha vi ngl i mi t e dac c e s st o)I CTsa nd e he al t hde c i s i ons uppor ta ndt e l e c ommuni c a t i ont ool sa r eunabl et of unc t i one f f e c t i ve l ye i t he r i npr i vat eorpubl i chos pi t al s . The yar eunl i ke l yt ot akef ul la dv a nt a g eoft e c hnol ogyt ha ti s a vai l abl eorc ont r i but ei nnovat i v ei de a sf orus i ngt hei nf or mat i oni nf r a s t r uc t ur ef ort hebe ne f i t ofpubl i che a l t h. I mpl eme nt at i ons t e ps I nt r oduc t i onofe he al t happl i c at i onsr e qui r e smul t i di s c i pl i na r yc ol l a bor a t i on,wi t ht hea c t i v e pa r t i c i pat i onoft e l e c ommuni c at i onope r at or sa ndhe a l t hc ar epr of e s s i ona l s . The r e f or ei ti s /t r e c omme nde dt ha tI TU Me mbe rSt at e sc ons i de re s t abl i s hi ngana t i ona lc ommi t t e e s as kf or c e s / c ompr i s i ngr e pr e s e nt at i v e sf r om t het e l e c ommuni c a t i ona ndhe al t hs e c t or s . Thi sc ommi t t e e t i e s ,t heai m be i ngt oc oor di nat ea l l t as kf or c es houl dbeope nt oot he ri nt e r e s t e dpar t e l e me di c i neac t i vi t i e sa tanat i onall e v e lbyr at i ona l i z i ngt heav a i l abl er e s our c e sf orbot h s e c t or sandas s ur i ngt hei nt e r ope r abi l i t yofdi f f e r e ntt e l e me di c i nes y s t e ms . Thec r e at i onofnat i ona lc ommi t t e e s ,as s oc i a t i ons ,t as kf or c e sandt hel i ke ,wi t ha mul t i di s c i pl i nar yc ompos i t i on,i sne c e s s ar yt obr i ngt og e t he rt e l e c ommuni c a t i ona ndhe a l t h pr of e s s i onal s ,l aw pr of e s s i onal s ,i ndus t r yandot he r st oas s i s twi t ht hepr e par a t i onofanat i ona l e he a l t hmas t e rpl a n. Thena t i ona le he a l t hmas t e rpl a nhast obeba s e donamode s t ,s t e pby s t e pa ppr oac h, a l l owi ngt e l e me di c i neappl i c at i onst obei nt r oduc e di npar a l l e lwi t ht het r a i ni ngofdoc t or sand nur s e sonhow t ous et he m. Thec hoi c eofaf i r s tpi l otpr oj e c ti nt e l e me di c i nei sc r uc i al ,asi t wi l lpl ayadualr ol easane wt oolf ort hede l i v e r yofhe al t hc ar eandal s oa spar tofa pr omot i onc ampai gnt or ai s et heawa r e ne s sofde c i s i onma ke r s ,he al t hpr of e s s i ona l s , be ne f i c i a r i e sa ndot he rke ypl ay e r sa boutt hei mpor t a nc eofI CTsf ort hehe a l t hc a r es e c t or . I nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,e ve nhos pi t al sl oc at e di nt hec api t al sa r enota l le qua l l ywe l ls t a f f e d wi t hme di c als pe c i a l i s t s ,andt he yha vet oc oope r at e . Thi spr ov i de sa ni de a loppor t uni t yf or s e t t i ngt he m upwi t hat e l e me di c i nec onne c t i onus i ngt het e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r a s t r uc t ur e ,a nd al l owi ngt he mt oe xc hangepat i e nti nf or mat i one l e c t r oni c al l y . Doc t or sa ndot he rus e r swi l ls e e i mme di at ebe ne f i t si nt e r msofs ave dt i meandi mpr ov e dt r e a t me nt . Thi swi l ls moot ht he i nt e gr at i onofe he al t hs e r vi c e si nt or out i neme di c a lpr ac t i c e ,s ome t hi ngt ha ti si mpor t antat t hi se ar l ys t a ge . Hos pi t ali nf or mat i ons ys t e ms( HI S)a r ebe c omi ngani mpor t a nta ndus e f ulpar tofa nymode r n hos pi t a ls ys t e m. AnHI Si sapl a t f or mf ort e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i onst odayandi nt hef ut ur e . Whi l ef e w de ve l opi ngc ount r i e sc anaf f or dt oputanHI Si ne ve r yhos pi t a l ,butt hepr oc e s sof hos pi t al i nf or mat i z at i on i sg ai ni ngmome nt um a r oundt hewor l d. Howe v e r ,t hel ac kof uni f or m,i nt e r nat i onal ,mul t i pur pos es t anda r dsf ort hes t r uc t ur e ,c ont e nt ,andt r a ns mi s s i onof me di c aldat as e r i ous l yi mpai r sa dmi ni s t r at i v ee f f i c i e nc i e soft hehe al t hc ar es e c t ora sawhol e . Ro l eo ft el ecommuni cat i ons Ther ol eoft e l e c ommuni c at i onf ac i l i t i e sc a nnotbeov e r e s t i ma t e d. The yf or mt hepl at f or mf or anyki ndofe he al t happl i c a t i on. Mos toft hec ommuni c at i onandi nf or mat i ont e c hnol og i e s 2 1 t hatc anbeappl i e dt ot hehe al t hs e c t ora r ec ommonwi t hot he rs e c t or s ,ors har ec ommon e l e me nt sa nds ol ut i ons ,havi ngbe e nde ve l ope di not he rs e c t or spr i ort obe i nga dapt e dt os ol ve pr obl e msi nt hehe al t hs e c t or . Par toft heat t r ac t i onofs omee he a l t hs e r v i c e si st ha tt he yc a nbes e tupwi t honl yt hemos t s i mpl et e l e c ommuni c at i onf ac i l i t i e s . Fore xa mpl e ,or di nar yt e l e phonel i ne sc a nbeus e dt o t r ans mi te l e c t r oc ar di ogr ams ,andt hi si nf or mat i oni spl a yi ngani mpor t a ntr ol ei nc a r di ol ogy . None t he l e s s ,anal oguemode mt e c hnol og yi sgr adua l l ybe i ngphas e douti nf a vourof hi ghs pe e d( br oadband)di gi t alt r ans mi s s i ont e c hnol og i e s . Anyoft hee xi s t i ngt r ans mi s s i ont e l e c ommuni c a t i ont e c hnol og i e sc a nbeus e dt ode l i ve r me di c ali nf or mat i on,asl ongast het r a ns mi s s i ons pe e d/bandwi dt hi ss uf f i c i e ntf ort hequa l i t y r e qui r e d. I npr ac t i c e ,e he al t hdat ac anbet r ans f e r r e di ndi f f e r e ntf or ms ,r ang i ngf r om a hi ghqual i t y,t woway,f ul l mot i onvi de ol i nkt os oundands t i l li mage s . Opt i c a lf i br el i nks ar ea ni de alme di um f orbr oa dbandc ommuni c at i ons ,buts a t e l l i t et e c hnol og yi sus e f ulf or r e ac hi ngr e mot el oc at i onsa ndr ur alar e as . Thewi de s pr e a dus eofmobi l ec ommuni c at i onsha s madet hi st e c hnol ogyac c e s s i bl ef ore he al t haswe l l . TheI nt e r ne ti sbe c omi ngapopul art oola l l owi ngdoc t or st or e a dc l i ni c alj our nal sa nd c ommuni c at ewi t hot he rdoc t or s ,al t houghdoc t or pa t i e nte ma i li snotc a t c hi ngona sr a pi dl y , e ve ni nde ve l ope dc ount r i e s ,whe r et hede ns i t yofc omput e r si smuc hhi g he rc ompar e dwi t h de ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . Wi t ht hege ne r a lt r e ndf ort hene x tg e ne r a t i onoft e l e c ommuni c a t i on ne t wor kst omovef r om c i r c ui t s wi t c he dt e c hnol og yt opa c ke t s wi t c he dt e c hnol og y,e he a l t h ne t wor kswi l lbeus e di ndat ac ommuni c a t i onne t wor ks . Ther ol eoft e l e c ommuni c at i onope r at or si nt hei nt r oduc t i onoft e l e me di c i nes e r v i c e si smuc h mor ei mpor t anti nde ve l opi ngt hani nde ve l ope dc ount r i e s . Themai ni nt e r e s tof t e l e c ommuni c a t i onope r at or si snott headdi t i onofane wt e l e c ommuni c a t i ons e r v i c ef ort he mi ni s t r yofhe al t handane wr e ve nues t r e am; r a t he r ,i ti st hec ont r i but i onoft he t e l e c ommuni c at i onc ompani e st ot hewe l lbe i ngoft hepopul at i on,byhe l pi ngt oi mpr ovea nd e xt e ndac c e s st ome di c als e r v i c e s . Fort hi sr e a s on,a sf ara st hei nt r oduc t i onoft e l e me di c i ne appl i c at i onsi sc onc e r ne d,t e l e c ommuni c a t i onope r a t or si nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e sa r et hena t ur a l par t ne r sofdoc t or s . The r ei sane e dt obr i dget hegapbe t we e nt het e l e c ommuni c at i ona ndhe a l t hc a r ec ommuni t i e s a ta l ll e v e l s . Nat i onalmi ni s t r i e sofhe a l t ha ndoft e l e c ommuni c at i onsa l s one e dt owor k t oge t he rt oi nt r oduc eat e l e me di c i nepol i c yandpr ov i deuni v e r s a ls e r vi c ewhe r ee me r g e nc y s e r vi c e s ,he al t hands oc i ali nf or ma t i ons ys t e msa r ec onc e r ne d. Theme di c alpr of e s s i ons houl dt aket hel e adi nde t e r mi ni ngwha tt hene e dsa r ea ndhow t e l e c ommuni c at i onandbus i ne s smi ghthe l p. Ofc our s e ,t hei mpl e me nt a t i onofs uc han ambi t i ouspr og r am s houl dbedonei ns e v e r a ls t a g e s ,ac c or di ngt ot hea va i l a bl er e s our c e s . The f i r s ts t e p,par t i c ul ar l yf orde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,i st oe l a bor a t eana t i onalv i s i onand unde r s t andi ngoft hepr obl e m. Thi swi l lma kei tpos s i bl et oopt i mi z et heus eofl i mi t e d r e s our c e sa ndavoi dunne c e s s ar ydupl i c a t i onofe f f or t . I ti sc l e art ha tt hei nt r oduc t i onoft e l e me di c i nehast obeba s e dont hee xi s t i ng t e l e c ommuni c a t i oni nf r as t r uc t ur e . Ne ve r t he l e s s ,f ormanyhos pi t a l si nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s , t he i rc onne c t i ont ot hene ar e s tt e l e phonee xc ha ngei sofapoorqua l i t y,andt he yof t e nne e d as s i s t anc eoni mpr ovi ngi tf orhi ghs pe e dc ommuni c at i on. I nor de rt of ac i l i t at et hewi dede pl oyme ntofe he a l t hs e r v i c e sandappl i c a t i onsf ort hebe ne f i t oft hepubl i ci nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,i npar t i c ul ar ,i ti si mpor t antt oac hi e vei nt e r ope r a bi l i t y amongs ys t e msa ndt or e duc et hec os tofde v i c e st hr oug he c onomi e sofs c al e . Cons e que nt l y , 2 2 t hede ve l opme ntofg l obali nt e r nat i ona ls t a ndar dswi t ht hei nv ol ve me ntofma j orpl a ye r s ( g ove r nme nt s ,i nt e r gove r nme nt alor ga ni z a t i ons ,nongov e r nme nt alor ga ni z a t i ons ,me di c a l i ns t i t ut i ons ,doc t or se t c . )i sake yf ac t ori nac hi e vi ngt he s eobj e c t i v e s . 7 1. 6 Fr om Theor yt oPr act i ce Asme nt i one di nt hepr e vi ouss e c t i on,not hi ngi spos s i bl ewi t houtagl obals t r at e g y,ast he e x t e ns i veus eoft e l e me di c i ner e qui r e ss pe c i f i cg e ne r a lc ondi t i onsa ndat e l e c ommuni c at i ons i nf r as t r uc t ur e . Thes c i e nt i f i c ,pr ac t i c ala ndbus i ne s ss i deoft e l e me di c i nea r ei nne e dofa me e t i ngpl ac et or e vi e wt hes t at usoft e l e me di c i nea ndt e l e c a r e ,e x pl or ene w wa y st oi mpr ov e t hee f f i c i e nc yofhe a l t hc ar es e r v i c e sus i ngs t at e of t he a r tt e c hnol ogy ,a ndde f i near oa dma pf or i t sf ur t he rde ve l opme nt . Ones uc hme e t i ngpl ac ei st het r a dee ve ntMe de Te l( bi l l e da st he i nt e r nat i onalt r adee ve ntandc onf e r e nc ef ore he a l t ht e l e me di c i neandhe al t hI CT ,s e ewww. me de t e l . l u) . Wi t haf i r m be l i e fi nt hei mpor t anc eoft e l e me di c i ne ,I TU i sa c t i ve l ys uppor t i ng t heMe de Te lor g ani z at i on. Me deTel Whe r edoe st hena meMe de Te lc omef r om? The Me d i nMe de Te ls t a ndsf orhe al t hc a r e s e r v i c e s( i ns t i t ut i onalandhomeba s e dc a r e ,pr e ve nt i ona nde duc at i on)a ndf orme di c al pr oduc t sa nde qui pme nt( me di c ali mag i nge qui pme nt ,moni t or i ngde v i c e s ,e l e c t r oni che al t h r e c or dse t c . ) . The e s t andsf ort hee l e c t r oni ca ndI Ti ndus t r yands e r v i c e s( har dwa r eand s of t wa r e ,I nt e r ne t ,e ma i le t c . ) . The Te ls t andsf ort e l e c ommuni c at i ons( whe t he ri ti sPSTN, I SDN,wi r e l e s s ,s at e l l i t e ,vi de oc onf e r e nc i ng ,VoI P,orot he r ) . Ther ol eofMe de Te li st o: or g ani z eag l oba ls pe c i a l i z e dt e l e me di c i ne e x hi bi t i on,e nhanc e dbyahi g hqual i t y s c i e nt i f i cpr ogr a m; br i ngt oge t he rs uppl i e r sofs pe c i f i c e qui pme nta nds e r vi c e swi t hbuye r s , e he a l t hpr of e s s i ona l s ,i ns t i t ut i ons ,de c i s i on make r sa ndpol i c yma ke r sf r om a r oundt he gl obe; pr ov i det he m wi t hhands one x pe r i e nc eand knowl e dg ea boutc ur r e nt l yavai l a bl e pr oduc t s ,t e c hnol ogyanda ppl i c a t i ons; Fi g. 1 Me de Te lhomepa ge f ac i l i t a t ei nt e r na t i onaldi s s e mi nat i onof knowl e dgea nde xpe r i e nc ei nt e l e me di c i ne , a ndpr ov i deac c e s st or e c ogni z e de xpe r t si n t hef i e l dwor l dwi de; beaf or um whe r es t at e of t he a r tpr oduc t s , i de as ,pr oj e c t se t c .c anbepr e s e nt e da nd di s c us s e d;and ac ta sa ni nc ubat orf orc oope r at i onand / par t ne r s hi psbe t we e ns c i e nt i f i cg r oups Fi g. 2 I TUs uppor t i ngor ga ni z a t i onof Me de Te l 7 /Fa DrMa l i naJ or da nov a ,I ns t i t ut eofPs y c hol og y,Bul g ar i a nAc a de myofSc i e nc e s ,Bul g ar i a ,Te l x:+3 59297 9 7080 ,e ma i l:mj or dan@ba s . bg 2 3 i ns t i t ut i ons ,s mal l ,me di um andl a r ges i z ee nt e r pr i s e se t c . Thi si sa nannuale ve nthe l datt heLux e x pov e nue( www. l uxe xpo. l u)i nLuxe mbour g ,i n c oope r at i onwi t ht heI nt e r nat i onalSoc i e t yf orTe l e me di c i ne( I Sf T) . AtMe de Te l2 0 05( t hel at e s ts uc he x hi bi t i on,he l d68Apr i l200 5 )s uppl i e r sa ndus e r sof t e l e me di c i nepr oduc t s ,t e c hnol ogyands e r v i c e se x c ha nge di nf or ma t i on,e s t abl i s he dne w bus i ne s s r e l at i ons hi psorr e i nf or c e de xi s t i ngone s ,i de nt i f i e ds ol ut i ons ,l ooke df orpa r t ne r sa ndne w ma r ke t s ,andvi e we dawi der angeoft e l e me di c i nes ol ut i onsc ur r e nt l yav ai l a bl eont hema r ke t . Wi t h32e xhi bi t or sf r om 2 3c ount r i e sa ndwi t hove r4 0 0i ndus t r yandme di c a lpa r t i c i pa nt s c omi ngf r om 50c ount r i e sa r oundt hewor l d,Me de Te lwa sa nout s t andi ngl ys uc c e s s f ule ve nt . I npar al l e lt ot hee xhi bi t i on,ane xt e ns i vee duc a t i onalpr og r a mmewa sc onduc t e d. Wi t h7 7 pr e s e nt at i onsf r om 2 9c ount r i e si nAf r i c a,As i a ,Eur opeandNor t hAme r i c a,par t i c i pant swe r e abl et oge ti nde pt hi nf or mat i ononne wl yde v e l ope dt e l e me di c i net e c hnol ogi e sa nd appl i c at i ons . Exhi bi t orpr e s e nt at i onsc ove r e dc omme r c i alpr oduc t s;r e s e ar c huni t spr e s e nt e d t her e s ul t soft he i rwor konl e adi nge dgepr oduc t sa ndt e c hnol ogi e sa ndout l i ne df ut ur e di r e c t i onsf ort hef ur t he rde ve l opme ntoft e l e me di c i ne;a nde he a l t hc e nt r e sdi s c us s e d t e l e me di c i neappl i c at i onsf orpa t i e ntmoni t or i ngandt hec os te f f i c i e nc yoft e l e me di c i ne appl i c at i ons . AtMe de Te l2 004,I TU or gani z e dt wos a t e l l i t es ympos i aont hef ol l owi ngs ubj e c t s: 1 )St andar di z at i oni ne he al t h( i nc oope r a t i onwi t hWHO a ndt heEur ope anSpa c eAg e nc y , ESA) 2 )Te l e me di c i nef orde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s( i npar t ne r s hi pwi t hWHO. Al s oatt hate ve nt ,t hee He al t hSt andar di z at i onCoor di na t i onGr oup( e HSCG)he l di t s i na ugur a lme e t i ng,andpar t i c i pat e di nt heI TU/WHO s e s s i onons t a nda r di z at i oni ne he al t h. De t a i l shav ebe e npos t e datt hewe bs i t ewww. me de t e l . l u. Tel emedi ci ne& e Heal t hDi r ect or y TheTe l e me di c i ne& e He al t hDi r e c t or y ,a whoswho oft het e l e me di c i neande he al t hwor l d, wa sa l s ounv e i l e datMe de Te l . Thi sa nnual l yupda t e ddi r e c t or yi spa r tofapr oj e c ti ni t i a t e d byI TU i nc oope r a t i onwi t hMe de Te la ndI s f T. I ti sa not he re xa mpl eofI TUse f f or t sf ort he g l obali mpl e me nt at i onoft e l e me di c i ne . Thedi r e c t or yf oc us e sont e l e me di c i nea ppl i c a t i onswor l dwi de ,andi si nt e nde dt opr ov i dea c e nt r all i s toft e l e me di c i nee qui pme ntv e ndor sa nde he al t hus e r s . Li s t i ngi nt het e l e me di c i ne di r e c t or yof f e r sgr e atoppor t uni t i e sf orwor l dwi depubl i c i t y amongpe opl ewhoar el ooki ngf ort e l e me di c i nepr oduc t s , t e c hnol og i e sa nds e r vi c e s . The13 2 pa g edi r e c t or yi s br oke ndowni nt of ours e c t i ons ,asf ol l ows: /e manuf ac t ur e r sa nds uppl i e r soft e l e me di c i ne he al t h pr oduc t sa nds e r vi c e s; / i ns t i t ut i onsandor ga ni z at i onsi nvol v e di nt e l e me di c i ne e he al t ha c t i vi t i e sa ndde ve l opme nt; ndonl i nei nf or mat i ons e r v i c e s me di a ,publ i c a t i onsa / c ov e r i ngt e l e me di c i nee he a l t ht opi c s; / t e l e me di c i ne e he al t hpr oj e c t sandi ni t i a t i v e s . Fi g. 3 Cove rofTe l e me di c i ne& e He al t hDi r e c t or y2004 TheTe l e me di c i ne& e He al t hDi r e c t or yi snow i ni t st hi r d 2 4 e di t i on. Thef i r s tonewa spubl i s he di n2 00 2. /I Thedi r e c t or yi sa vai l abl ef r e eofc har gea tt hewe bs i t e sofI TUD( www. i t u. i nt TUD/ / / / / e s t r a t e g ypubl i c at i ons ar t i c l e s) ,Me de Te l( www. me de t e l . l u)a ndI Sf T( www. i s f t . ne tc ms i nde x . php?8) . 8 t hexper tt r ai ni ngco ur s eatTo kaiUni v e r s i t y 1. 7 I TU e he al Backgr ound De s pi t er e c e nti mpr ove me nt si nhar dwa r eands omepos i t i veaddi t i onale xpe r i e nc e s , t e l e me di c i nei sf ac i ngmaj ordi f f i c ul t i e si nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s . Thel a c kofe x pe r t i s eand t r ai ni ngoppor t uni t i e sont e l e me di c i nehasbe c omeoneoft hemaj orobs t a c l e sf ort he de pl oyme ntoft e l e me di c i nei nt hos ec ount r i e s . Att heI TU/BDT St udyGr oup2me e t i ngi n Ca r ac as ,Ve ne z ue l a( Se pt e mbe r2001) ,t hev i c e r appor t e urf ort e l e me di c i ne ,DrI s aoNa kaj i ma ( pr of e s s ora tTokaiUni ve r s i t y)pr opos e dane he al t he x pe r tt r ai ni ngc our s e ,t obehos t e dbyt he TokaiUni ve r s i t yI ns t i t ut eofMe di c alSc i e nc e s . Thi spr opos a lwa sa dopt e duna ni mous l y .I t / wa st hef i r s ta t t e mptt oof f e rs pe c i al i z e dt e l e me di c i ne e he al t ht r a i ni ngc our s e sf ore he a l t h wor ke r sf r om de ve l opi ngc ount r i e s .I thasa l r e a dyat t r ac t e da t t e nt i onnotonl yi nJ apanbut al s of r om anumbe rofot he rc ount r i e s . Pr ogr ammeout l i ne TokaiUni ve r s i t ye xt e nde di nvi t at i onst opa r t i c i pant sf r om de v e l opi ngc ount r i e s ,i nc l udi ng I ndone s i a,Bhut an,Hai t ia ndPaki s t an,f ore he a l t h/ t e l e me di c i nea ppl i c a t i ont r ai ni ng. Thepr ogr am g av epar t i c i pant sknowl e dg ea boutc ur r e ntt r e ndsi nt e l e me di c i ne ,andabout r e s e ar c handappl i c at i onme t hodol ogyi nt het e l e me di c i nef i e l d. Cour s eac t i vi t i e sc ons i s t e doff ourpar t s: 1)Te l e me di c i ner e s e ar c handpr oj e c ti mpl e me nt at i on. 2)Advanc e si nt e l e me di c i nee qui pme nt . 3)Re s e ar c hpos s i bi l i t i e si nt e l e me di c i ne . Re s e ar c hi t e msi nc l ude d: ・t e l e me di c i nevi aPSTN i nr ur ala r e a s ・Wi bas e ds at e l l i t ec ommuni c at i ons Fia ndI P・wa ve l e tanal ys i sf orbi ome di c aldat a ・i nde pe nde ntc ompone nta nal ys i s ・UWBr adart ode t e c tv i c t i ms ・s upe rhi ghde f i ni t i onTV ・We br adi of ordi s as t e rappl i c at i on ・ambul anc ec ommuni c at i ons ・t e l e s ur ge r y ・t ogy e l e r adi ol ・t e l e c ar di ol ogy ・t e l e pr e s e nc eandvi r t ualr e al i t y 4)Enhanc e dadmi ni s t r at i onandmanage me nti nt hei nt r oduc t i onoft e l e me di c i nea ppl i c a t i ons . Ia m ac i t i z e noft heI s l ami cRe publ i cofPa ki s t a n. Ig r aduat e di nc omput e rs c i e nc ewi t ha s pe c i al i z at i oni ne c omme r c e . Is t udi e dJ apa ne s el ang uag ea ndc ul t ur ei nTokaiUni v e r s i t y, a ndaf t e rf i ni s hmyone a ndone hal fy e arJ a pane s e l ang uaget r ai ni ngpr ogr a m,Is t ar t e dmy c ar e e ra sar e s e ar c he ra tt heNakaj i maRe s e ar c hLa bi nt heTokaiUni v e r s i t ySc hoolof Me di c i ne . 8 @e Dr .Hi r os hiJ uz oj i ,TokaiUni v e r s i t ySc hoolofMe di c i ne ,Ka na ga wa,J a pa n,e ma i l: j uz oj i t s 8 . j p 2 5 Fi g . 1 Ope ni ngc e r e monywi t hMr .Yos hi oUt s umi , Se c r e t ar yGe ne r alofI TU Fi g . 2 Re s e a r c he rf r om de v e l opi ngnat i ons Par t i c i pant si nt hi sc our s ei n2000i nc l ude dr e pr e s e nt at i v e sofc ount r i e sf r om a l lov e rt he wor l d:DrYongguoZhaof r om Chi na,DrHe ndr iPr i y adi ,MrAg usSube kt i ,MrAs e p Naj mur r okhmanandMrKor e di ant oUs manf r om I ndone s i a,MrGr e g or yDomondf r om Ha i t i , MrKi nl ayPe nj orf r om Bhut an,MrMuhamma dN.Na wa zandDrMuhammadA.Sadi qf r om Paki s t an,andMsKi yokoNagamif r om Par ag ua y. Thi st r ai ni ngc our s ehasbe e nde s i gnat e dasa nof f i c i alWHO t e l e me di c i net r a i ni ngc our s ef or t heAs i aPa c i f i cr e gi on. Onepar t i ci pantsr emar ks Par t i c i pant swe r ehi ghl ys at i s f i e dbyI TUDt r ai ni ngc our s e ,ass e e nf r om t he i rf e e dba c k. Uponr e t ur ni ngt omyc ount r y ,Is ha l lt r yt ot e ac he he a l t ht omype opl e ,t oma ket hi ski ndof me di c i net e c hnol ogybe t t e rknown. Co ncl us i on Thec our s ehasbe e nofbe ne f i tt opar t i c i pant sf r om de v e l opi ngc ount r i e s ,gi v i ngt he ma n / unde r s t andi ngoft hedi f f e r e nta s pe c t sofe he al t ht e l e me di c i nes ys t e msupt oc ur r e nta ndf ut ur e t r e nds . Fr om 2 001t o2004,t e nr e s e ar c he r sf r om I ndone s i a ,Pa ki s t a n,Bhut an,Chi na,andHai t i gr aduat e df r om t heI TU e he al t he xpe r tt r a i ni ngc our s ehos t e datToka iUni ve r s i t y. Upon c ompl e t i ngt het r ai ni ng,t he yr e t ur ne dt ot he i rc ount r i e s ,whe r et he yar ec ont r i but i ngt ot he de ve l opme ntofe he al t hpr oj e c t si nt he i rr e s pe c t i vec ount r i e s . Re f er ence [1] Ehe a l t h: I TU Te l e me di c i neEx pe r tTr a i ni ngCour s e TokaiUni v e r s i t yofJ apanl e adst hewa y, I TU Ne ws, 2 6 No. 4 ,Ma y20 02 ,pp. 1 2. [2] E// he a l t hExpe r tTr a i ni ngCour s eHos t e da tToka iUni ve r s i t y, WTDC 0 2i nf or ma t i ondoc ume nt ,s e e: ht t p: / / / /i / www. i t u. i nt I TUD/ c onf e r e nc e s wt dc 20 0 2/ doc nf odoc s i nde x . ht ml 2 7 9 2 Co mmo ne he al t hap p l i c at i o ns 2 . 1 Whyi st el emedi ci neexpandi ngatt hi st i me? Att hebe gi nni ngoft hene w mi l l e nni um a l lc ount r i e sf ac et wos e r i ouspr obl e ms: 1)t hene e dt oi nc r e as et hequal i t yande f f i c i e nc yoft hehe a l t hc a r es y s t e m,pr ov i di ngopt i mal he al t hs e r vi c ef ort hee nt i r epopul at i oni nde pe nde nt l yoft i mea ndpl a c e ,and 2)t hene e dt ot r i m he al t hc ar ebudge t s . Thec ombi nat i onoft he s ene w ne e dsandt her api dde ve l opme ntofa ne l e c t r oni c sa nd t e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r a s t r uc t ur ec apabl eofme e t i ngt he s ene e dshasc r e a t e dt her i g ht c ondi t i onsf ort hede s i gnandde ve l opme ntoft e l e me di c i net oe x t e ndt oa l lpar t sofc l as s i c a l me di c i ne . Cur r e nt l yt he r ear et womai ndi r e c t i onsi nt hede ve l opme ntoft e l e me di c i ne . ・Te pe c i a l i z at i on,l e a di ngt ot he l e me di c i nei si nc or por at e di nal la r e asofme di c als de ve l opme ntofne w br anc he sora r e asofs pe c i al i z a t i ons uc hast e l e c ar di ol og y,t e l e pa t hol og y, t e l e de r ma t ol og ye t c . Thi si st her e s ul tofne t wor ki ng,wi t hs pe c i al i s t si ndi f f e r e nta r e a sof me di c alpr ac t i c ebe i ngc onne c t e dandc oope r at i ng. ・Home c ar easawayt ode l i ve re he al t hs e r vi c e sa tt hea c t ualpoi ntofne e d. 2. 2 De vel opment si nt el emedi ci ne Thef ol l owi ngpar agr aphspr ovi deanout l i neoft hedi r e c t i ont ha tt e l e me di c i nede ve l opme nt s ar et aki ng,asi l l us t r at e di nt hepr oj e c t spr e s e nt e di nPa r t2oft hi sr e por t . Be f or ee x ami ni ng e a c har e aofme di c als pe c i al i z a t i oni nde t ai l ,i ti si mpor t antt oe mpha s i z ewhatt he ya l lha v ei n c ommon. 1)Al lt e l e me di c i nea ppl i c at i onsus et hes a meba s i cc ompone nt s ,i . e . a)ame anst oc apt ur et hene c e s s ar yi nf or ma t i on b)ame anst oc ommuni c at et hei nf or mat i onr e mot e l y c )ame anst odi s pl ayt hi si nf or mat i on d)ame anst or e c e i v ef e e dbac k. 2)The yc anbepr ac t i c e danypl ac et hene c e s s a r ye qui pme nti sa v a i l a bl e . Cont r a r yt opopul ar be l i e f ,t e l e me di c i nedoe snotr e l yons a t e l l i t ec ommuni c a t i ons ,de s pi t et hel at t e rsus e f ul ne s s i npr ovi di ngac c e s st ot hemor er e mot er e gi onsonEa r t h. Ehe al t hs e r v i c e sa r ec ommonl y pr ovi de dus i ngor di nar yt e l e phonel i ne s ,i nt e g r at e ds e r vi c e sdi gi t alne t wor ks( I SDN) ,l oc a l ar e ane t wor ks( LANs ) ,wi r e l e s sl oc a la r e ane t wor ks( WLANs ) ,mobi l ec ommuni c a t i ons s ys t e ms( GSM) ,opt i c alf i br ec abl e s ,t heI nt e r ne ta ndi nt r a ne t s . 3)The r ear et woc ommuni c at i onmode s― onl i nea ndof f l i ne . 4 )Theai mi ne ac hc as ei st oi mpr ov et hequal i t yofe he al t hs e r vi c e swi t h: ・f as t e rdi agnos i s ・i mpr ove dt r e at me nta ndr e duc e dde l a y si na dmi ni s t e r i ngme di c at i ona ndpe r f or mi ng s c he dul e dt r e at me nt ・i mpr ove dc ons ul t at i onandf ol l owup 9 / +3 DrMa l i naJ or da nov a ,I ns t i t ut eofPs y c hol og y,Bul g ar i a nAc a de myofSc i e nc e s ,Bul g ar i a ,Te l Fa x: 5 9297 970 80 ,e ma i l: mj or dan@ba s . bg 2 8 ・s hor t e r dur at i onhos pi t a l i z at i on ・r e duc t i onofwa i t i ngl i s t s ,t r a ve la ndl os soft i me ・r e duc t i onofs t r e s sa ndt i mepr e s s ur e ・i mpr ove dps y c hol ogi c alc omf or tf orpat i e nt sa ndme di c a ls t a f f . 5)Ani mpor t antobj e c t i vei st oac hi e vee c onomi e sandl owe rc os t sf orhe al t hs e r vi c e s . Some 90 %ofhos pi t alc os t sa r ec ove r e dbyhe al t hi ns ur a nc es c he me s ,s oc os ts av i ngsf r om t he a ppl i c at i onoft e l e me di c i nei ndi f f e r e nta r e asofme di c als pe c i a l i z a t i ont r a ns l a t et os av i ngs f ors oc i e t yasawhol eandf ort axpa ye r s ,wi t ha t t e nda ntf i na nc i a lands oc i a lbe ne f i t s . Pot e nt i al l y,manydi f f e r e ntf i e l dsofme di c i nes t a ndt obe ne f i tf r om e he a l t h. Gi ve nt hene e d t ol i mi tt hes c opeoft hepr e s e ntr e por t ,a ndi nv i e w oft hegr e a ti nt e r e s tt hatde ve l opi ng c ount r i e shaves howni nt hei mpl e me nt a t i ona ndde ve l opme ntoft e l e pat hol og yand t e l e de r mat ol ogy,t he s et wof i e l dshavebe e ns e l e c t e df ore x ami na t i oni ng r e a t e rde t ai li n s e par at es e c t i onsf ur t he rbe l ow. Tel ecar di ol ogy Thi si st hepr ac t i c eofc ar di ol og yus i ngs t at e of t he a r ti nf or ma t i onandc ommuni c a t i on t e c hnol ogi e s( Be ol c hi2 003) . Theai mi st opr ov i dec hr oni c al l yi l lpa t i e nt swi t ha c c e s st o s pe c i al i z e de he al t hs e r vi c e sa ndi nc r e a s et he i rqual i t yofl i f ebyr e duc i ngt hec os toft r e a t me nt andmi ni mi z i ngt hei nc onve ni e nc ec aus e dbyt hene e dt ot r av e la ndbypr ol ong e da bs e nc e s f r om homeandt hewor ki nge nv i r onme nt . Te l e c ar di ol og yor i gi nat e dal mos t3 5ye ar sa g oi nr e s pons et ot hene e dt omoni t ort he c ar di ovas c ul a rpar ame t e r soft hef i r s tpa t i e nt sf i t t e dwi t hi mpl ant e dpac e ma ke r s . Thi sl e dt o t hede ve l opme ntofe ar l ys i ngl e l e adt r a ns t e l e phoni ce l e c t r oc ar di og r ams . Cur r e nt l y , i ndi vi dual swi t hpa c e make r sf or mt hel a r g e s tgr oupofpat i e nt sr e c e i vi ngt e l e c a r di ol og i c a l c ons ul t at i onandc ont i nuousmoni t or i ng . Fur t he rde ve l opme nt si nal la s pe c t soft e l e c a r di ol ogy ,a ndi t swor l dwi dedi s s e mi nat i on,a r ei n pr og r e s s . Thi si sbe c aus et hemai nbe ne f i c i a r i e soft e l e c a r di ol og yar epat i e nt swi t h c a r di ovas c ul ardi s e a s e s( CVD) ,al t houghi ti sal s ous e di nc a s e sofki dne ydi s e a s e s ,pul mona r y di s e as e s ,abnor malpr e gnanc i e se t c . CVD a f f l i c t smor et han60mi l l i onpe opl ei nEur opea nd al mos tt hes amenumbe ri nt heUSA. CVDsa r et hema i nc aus eofde at hi nEur opea nd Nor t hAme r i c a. CVDsa r enotonl yt hemos tc ommonc hr oni cdi s e a s e s ,butt he yar et hemos t e xpe ns i vedi s e as e sf ore he al t hpr ovi de r s . Tel eder mat ol ogy Thi si soneoft hemos tus e f ula ndr e wa r di ngt e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i ons ,ass ki ndi s e as e sar e e xt r e me l yc ommon. Onequar t e rofal lpa t i e nt ss e e ki ngme di c alhe l pi sdoi ngt hi sbe c aus eof s ki ndi s e as e . Whati smor e ,al mos ta l ls ki npr obl e msa r eas s oc i at e dwi t hahi g hde gr e eof ps yc hol ogi c aldi s c omf or t . Te l e de r mat ol ogyi nvol ve sr e mot ede r mat ol ogi s tc ons ul t a t i onf orpa t i e nt sa nd/ort he i rpr i ma r y he a l t hpr ovi de r s ,f orpur pos e sofdi a gnos i sa ndmanag e me ntadv i c e( Woot t on,Oa kl e y,20 02 ) . Ani mpor t antpa r toft e l e de r ma t ol ogyi st het r ans f e rofi ma ge s . Thi si snotune x pe c t e d,a s de r ma t ol ogi s t shav er e l i e doni mage sa sdi ag nos t i ct ool sf orde c a de s . I nge ne r alde r mat ol ogi s t sa r emor es ki l f uli nt hedi ag nos i sofs ki npr obl e mst hatar eg e ne r al pr ac t i t i one r sornonde r ma t ol ogi s t s . Li kemanyot he rhi ghl yqua l i f i e ds pe c i a l i s t s ,t he y ge ne r al l yr e s i deandpr ac t i c ei nmaj orur banhos pi t al soruni v e r s i t yc e nt r e s . Te l e de r mat ol og y 2 9 a l l owst hede r ma t ol ogi s tt oe xami neani mag eoft hepr obl e ma t i cs ki nwi t houtl os i ngt i me ,a nd t opr ovi dec ons ul t at i onand/ort r e at me nt . Thes e c t i onbe l ow de di c at e dt oTe l e de r ma t ol og y,e nt i t l e d Ex a mpl eofane t wor kf or unde r s e r ve dar e asofSout hAf r i c a,pr ovi de saddi t i onali nf or mat i onont e l e pa t hol ogy .I twa s i nc l ude df ori t sr e l e vanc e ,a st hepr obl e msdi s c us s e dt he r ear et hes amef ora l le he a l t h di s c i pl i ne sr e l yi ngoni maget r ans f e r r i ng. Tel ep at hol ogy Thi si spat hol ogyi nwhi c ht hes pe c i me ni sdi gi t a l l yt r a ns mi t t e dande x a mi ne dbyapat hol og i s t atadi s t anc e . Asi nt hec as eoft e l e de r mat ol ogy,t hepa t hol ogi s tr e l i e sonhi g hqual i t yi ma ge s t odi ag nos et hedi s e as e . Asi nt hec as eofot he rt e l e me di c i nedi s c i pl i ne s ,t e l e pa t hol ogyi sus e d whe nas e c ondopi ni oni sne e de d,whe r edi agnos i si spa r t i c ul ar l ydi f f i c ul torc ompl e x,orwhe n apat hol ogi s ti snota vai l abl eatt heme di c a lf ac i l i t yt r e at i ngt hepat i e nt . Themai ndi f f i c ul t yi nt e l e pa t hol ogyi show t ot r a ns mi thi g hqual i t yc ol ouri mag e s ,asc ol our s pr ov i dec r i t i c alc l ue sf orpat hol ogi c al ana t omi c aldi ag nos i s . Hi ghr e s ol ut i onc ame r a sar enow av ai l abl e ,maki ngi tpos s i bl et oc a pt ur et hemi c r os c opi ci ma gea ndr e c or di ti ndi gi t alf or m wi t have r yhi ghs pat i a lr e s ol ut i on. Howe v e r ,i mag i ngqual i t y,a ndi npa r t i c ul art hene e dt o addr e s st hei s s ueofde gr adat i onofc ol ourdat a,ar ec r uc i a lt ot hea c c ur a c yofadi a g nos i s . I nc r e as i ngl ys ophi s t i c at e ds ol ut i onsa r ebe i ngde ve l ope d( YUV e nc odi ng,di t he r i ng,me di a nc ut c ol ourqua nt i z a t i on) ,butmuc hr e mai nst obedone . I nt hes e c t i one nt i t l e d Di gi t ali magi ngi npat hol og y,as ubs e c t i one nt i t l e d Te l e pa t hol og y f orde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s pr ovi de saddi t i onali nf or ma t i onont e l e pa t hol og y. I twa si nc l ude d f ori t sr e l e v anc e ,a st hepr obl e msdi s c us s e dt he r ear et hes a mef ora l le he al t hdi s c i pl i ne s r e l y i ngoni mag et r a ns mi s s i on. Tel er adi ol ogy Theai m oft e l e r adi ol ogyi st hee l e c t r oni ct r a ns mi s s i onofr adi ol og i c a li mag e si nor de rt o r e c e i veas s i s t a nc ei nt he i ri nt e r pr e t a t i on. Li kea l lt e l e me di c i ne ,i ta l l owsmor epr e c i s e di agnos i s ,ac c e s st oas e c ondopi ni ona ndi mpr ov e dc ont i nuouse duc a t i on. Mi l e s t one si nt e l e r adi ol ogyar ei mages i z e ,t r a ns mi s s i ons t a nda r dsa nddi s pl ayqual i t y .I mag e s i z ei ss i gni f i c antasi tde t e r mi ne st het r a ns mi s s i ont i me . Di f f e r e ntt ype sofi ma g e sv a r yi ns i z e , ast hes i z ei saf unc t i onofi mag emoda l i t y . Ma mmogr a phyi ma g e sa r ea mongt hel a r g e s t , e xc e e di nghundr e dsofme gaby t e se ac h. Cur r e nt l y,v ar i oust r a ns mi s s i ons t anda r dsa r eus e d: Di c om pr ot oc ol( DI COM);Tagge dI ma geFi l eFor mat( TI FF) ,whi c hi sl e s sc ompl e xt ha n DI COM butdoe snota l l ow pat i e nti nf or mat i ont obebundl e dwi t ht hei mag edat a ,s ot ha tt he l at t e rhast obes e nta ss e par at ef i l e;J PEG ( J oi ntPi c t ur eEx pe r tGr oup) ,or i g i nal l yc r e at e dnot f ort e l e r adi ol ogybutf ori mag et r a ns mi s s i onvi at heI nt e r ne t ,whe r ei tr e mai nsi nv e r ywi deus e . J PEG us e sa ne x c e l l e ntc ompr e s s i ont e c hni queandi st hemos twi de l yus e d,de s pi t et hef a c t t hati tc r e at e sa r t i f i c i ale dg e s ,whi c har ee as i l yde t e c t e dbyt hehuma ne ye . Themaj orbe ne f i toft e l e r adi ol ogyi st ha ti tdoe snotr e qui r epar t ne r st ous et hes ame appl i c a t i onst odi s pl ayi mage s;i ti se noug hf ort hei ma g e st obet r a ns mi t t e di noneoft he s t andar df or mat s . Tel eopht hal mol og y Thi si sa not he rdi s c i pl i nebas e dont het r ans mi s s i onofi ma ge satadi s t a nc e .I nt hepa s t1 5 ye a r si thasg ai ne di ni mpor t a nc e . Thee x pe r i e nc et hatha sbe e na c qui r e dc a nber e a di l y appl i e di nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s . 3 0 Thedi agnos t i c ,s oc i ala ndf i nanc i albe ne f i t soft e l e opht hal mol ogyha vebe e nt hor oughl y a s s e s s e di nnume r ouspi l otpr oj e c t sa l lov e rt hewor l d. TheUK,t heUSA,Aus t r al i aand I s r ae la r eamongt hec ount r i e smaki nge x t e ns i veus eoft e l e opht ha l mol ogy . Hi ghl ys uc c e s s f ul pr oj e c t shav ei nc l ude ds pe c i al i s tc ons ul t a t i onsa spar tofpr i ma r yc ar e( Sha ni te tal ,1 99 8) e me r g e nc ys e r v i c e si nr ur ala r e as( Ros e ngr e ne ta l .19 98; Bl ac kwe l le ta l .1 99 7) ,c ont i nuous moni t or i ngs e c ondopi ni onsf orpat i e nt ss uf f e r i ngf r om di abe t i cr e t i nopa t hy( Li t hua ni a― Me de Te l2 004) ,s pe c i al i s tas s i s t anc ef ore y es ur g e r y,andc ons ul t a t i onsf orpr i s one r s( Bar r ye t a l .2 00 1) . Te l enur s i ng Thi si st heus eofi nf or mat i onandc ommuni c at i ont e c hni que sf ornur s i ngc ar e .I ti nvol v e st he us eofe l e c t r omag ne t i cc hanne l s( e . g.wi r e ,r a di oa ndopt i c a l )t ot r ans mi tv oi c e ,dat aa ndv i de o c ommuni c at i onss i gnal s . Te l e nur s i ngi snotne w. Forde c ade s ,nur s e sha vebe e npr ov i di ng he al t hi nf or mat i onandnur s i ngadvi c ebyt e l e phonei nc e r t a i nc as e s .I ti saqui c kl ye x pandi ng s e r vi c e . Re mot ede l i ve r yofhe a l t hpr omot i onanddi s e a s epr e ve nt i ons e r vi c e s ,aswe l la s nur s i ngdi ag nos t i c s ,t r e at me nta nde duc a t i ona r ede ve l opi ngr a pi dl y. Whi l eWe s t e r nc ount r i e s haves e e nt hegr e at e s te xpans i ont odat e ,de ve l opi ngc ount r i e sa r eal s obe ne f i t i ngf r om t e l e t e c hnol ogi e s . Te l e nur s i ngc anbeus e di nhome c ar e ,hos pi t a la ndhos pi c ec ar es i t ua t i ons . I tc anal s obepr ovi de dt hr ought e l e nur s i ngc e nt r e sormobi l euni t s . Te l e phonet r i a gea nd homec ar ear et hef as t e s tg r owi ngappl i c at i onst oda y . Thi si sc l e ar l yane xt r e me l ye f f e c t i veappl i c at i onofI CT. Thec ount r ywhe r et e l e nur s i ngi s be s tde ve l ope di st heUSA. I thasbe e ne s t i ma t e dt hata l mos t4 6%oft heons i t enur s i ngvi s i t s // i nt ha tc ount r yc oul dr e a s onabl yber e pl a c e dbyt e l e nur s i nght t p: www. i c n. c h/ ma t t e r s t e l e nur s i ng. ht m. Tel eps ychol og y Al s oknownast e l e ps yc hol ogy,e ps yc hol og y,v i r t ua lps y c hol ogyorc y be r ps yc hol og y,t hi sne w a r e aus e st hec onve r ge nc eofe l e c t r oni ce qui pme nta ndt e l e c ommuni c at i onf a c i l i t i e sf ort he e x c hangeofa udi o,vi de o,and/ort e xtf ort he r ape ut i cc ommuni c at i ons . Ge ne r a l l ys pe aki ng, t e l e ps yc hol og yc ons i s t sofs hor ti nt e r ve nt i onsandi sus e dwhe nf a c e t of ac ec ont ac twi t ha l i c e ns e dps yc hol ogi s ti si mpos s i bl eduet ot hea bs e nc eoft r ans por t ,gr e a tdi s t a nc e s ,e xt r e me s i t uat i onsa nds oon. Vi r t ua lps yc hol og i c a lc ons ul t a t i onsa r ea nal t e r na t i v ef orpe opl ewho c annota f f or dpr i v a t ec ons ul t i ng,f ore xa mpl e ,t hos ewhoar eaf r ai dt os pe a kaboutt he i r di f f i c ul t i e swi t hac ouns e l l ori npe r s on,ors hype opl ewhowa ntqui c kans we r s( Ga r c i ae ta l . 2004) . Toputi tbr i e f l y,t hankst ot hede ve l opme ntofne wi nf or ma t i ona ndc ommuni c at i on t e c hnol ogi e s ,t hi ss e r v i c enow pr ovi de st heopt i onofr api dps y c hol og i c a lc ouns e l l i ngwhi l ea t t hes amet i mee x pandi ngt hegr oupofpot e nt i a lus e r sofps yc hol og i c alhe l p. Howe v e r , t e l e ps yc hol ogyhasi t sr i s ks ,e s pe c i al l yf ort heps y c hol og i s t ,whol a c kst hepos s i bi l i t yt oc he c k us e rba c kgr oundandmus tope r at ewi t houtt henonve r ball anguag ene c e s s a r yi na ny c ouns e l l i ngandi nt e r vi e wi ngpr oc e s s . Mos tof t e ne ps yc hol ogyi sr e a l i z e di nt hef or m ofe mai le xc ha nge s ,c hats e s s i onsorc ha t gr oups ,orv i de oc onf e r e nc e s . Ont hewhol e ,i ti sv e r ye f f e c t i ve ,andpa t i e nt sr at et he i rI nt e r ne t c ont ac t swi t hps y c hol ogi s t sve r yhi ghl y . Sur v e y sr e v e al e dt hatus e r ss at i s f a c t i onv ar i e sf r om 68%( Ai ns wor t h2004;Wi l de r mut h200 4)t o8 8%( La had2 00 4) . Thi sha sg i v e ni mpe t ust ot he gr owt hofe ps yc hol ogy. I t sappl i c at i onshav et hepot e nt i alt oadva nc et hef i e l dsof ps yc hol ogyi namul t i t udeofways . Someoft hepot e nt i ale ps yc hol og yappl i c at i onsf or pat i e ntc ar ear eas s e s s me nt ,ps yc hot he r apy,c r i s i si nt e r ve nt i on,pa t i e nte duc at i one t c .I ta l s o me e t sc e r t ai nne e dsoft heps yc hol ogyc ommuni t yi t s e l f ,s uc hast e ac hi ngac t i vi t i e s ,v oc a t i ona l as s e s s me nta ndc as emanage me nt . Anot he ra s pe c tofe ps y c hol og yi st hati nmanyc a s e s 3 1 I nt e r ne tps yc hol ogi c alc ons ul t at i onsar ef r e eofc ha r g e . Howe ve r ,e ps yc hol og yi sne w; t e c hnol og yands t r at e gyal i kear ef arf r om be i ngmat ur e . Home car e Thes i mpl e s tde f i ni t i onofhome c ar ei st hede l i ve r yofme di c a lc ar et opat i e nt swhoa r e phys i c al l yuna bl et or e a c he he a l t hpr ov i de r satt hepoi ntofne e d,whi c hmaybet hepa t i e nts home ,anur s i nghous e ,ac l i ni ce t c . Thi sc onc e ptc oul dhaveat r e me ndousi mpac ta l lov e rt hewor l d,i nc l udi ngde v e l opi ng c ount r i e sa swe l la st hei ndus t r i al i z e dc ount r i e si nEur opeandNor t hAme r i c a ,wi t ht he i r r api dl ya gi ngpopul at i on. Home c ar enotonl ymake si tpos s i bl et oof f e rme di c a ls e r vi c e st oe ve r y onei nde pe nde nt l yof t i meorpl ac e ,butal s oi sc he ape rf ore he al t hpr ov i de r sa nd,c l e a r l y,mor ec onv e ni e nta nd c he a pe rf orpa t i e nt s . Fr om t hepoi ntofvi e w oft e c hnol ogy ,home c ar er e qui r e sat e l e mat i c s e nv i r onme ntf ormoni t or i ngt hepat i e ntsphy s i ol ogi c a lpa r ame t e r sande qui pme ntf ort he e xc hangeofi nf or mat i on. Deci s i ons upp or ts ys t ems De c i s i ons uppor ts ys t e ms( DSS)a r ei nve r ywi deus e ,wi t ha ppl i c a t i onsi nal lar e asof t e l e me di c i ne . A DSSi sac omput e rs ys t e m de s i gne dt os uppor tde c i s i onma ki ngac t i vi t i e ss uc h asdat aanal ys i s ,pr obl e mi de nt i f i c at i on,de c i s i onma ki nge t c . DSSha sbe c omee s s e nt i alt o or g ani z at i onsa ndc ompani e spr ovi di nge he a l t hs e r v i c e s ,he l pi ngt ot ur nmount a i nsofr a w dat ai nt ova l uabl ei nf or mat i ont hatc anbeus e df orde c i s i onma ki ng . DSSc onc e pt sandt e c hnol ogi e sar es t i l le v ol v i ng. Ne v e r t he l e s s ,e xpe r t sa gr e et ha tde c i s i on s uppor ts y s t e mswi l lr e vol ut i oni z et hede l i ve r yofe he al t hov e rt hene xt510ye a r s .I nt he e he al t hs ys t e m,t e l e me di c i nei st hepar ti nwhi c hDSSi smos twi de l yappl i e d. Att hepr i ma r y e he a l t hl e ve l ,de c i s i ons uppor tbr ows e r sa r ea l r e a dya vai l a bl e .I nnov a t i ves of t wa r epr og r ams gi vege ne r alpr a c t i t i one r s( GP)t i me l yac c e s st or e l e v ant ,t a i l or e dme di c a li nf or mat i onatt he poi ntofc ar ea ndwi l la l s oas s i s tGPst or e mai nupt odat ewi t ht hel at e s tgui de l i ne sa nd r e c omme ndat i ons . Thequal i t yofs e r vi c et opa t i e nt si nde pe nde nt l yofpl ac eandt i mewi l l c ont i nuet oi mpr ove ,t hankst ot heav ai l abi l i t yoft ool sands e r vi c e ss uc hashos pi t al manage me nts ys t e ms ,de c i s i ons uppor ts y s t e mst hati mpr ov edi a g nos i sa ndt r e a t me nt ,r e a lt i me i ma get r ans f e r sandhe al t hi nf or mat i ont hr oug hne t wor ks . Re f er ences [1]Ai / /www. / / ns wor t hM.( 2 00 4 )EThe r ap y:Hi s t or yand Sur v e y,ht t p: me t a noi a . or g i mhs hi s t or y . ht m#t oda y [2]Ba s onC. ,Ka na g as i ng a m Y. ,Cons t a bl eI . Wor ki ngt owar dapor t a bl et e l e opht hal mi cs ys t e mf or r r yC. ,He nde r us ei nma xi mums e c ur i t ypr i s ons: api l ots t udy i nTe l e me di c i neJ o ur nal& EHe al t h,20 0 1 [3]Be di t i on,Eur ope a nCommi s s i on,I nf or ma t i onSoc i e t y ol c hiL.( Ed. )( 2 0 03 )Te l e me di c i neGl os s ar y,5th e Di r e c t or at e Ge ne r al ,Br us s e l s ,Be l g i um [4]Bl ac kwe l lN. ,Ke l l yG. ,Le nt onL. Te l e me di c i neopht ha l mol ogyc ons ul t a t i onsi nr e mot eQue e ns l a nd i n Me di c alJ o ur nalof Aus t r al i a,1 99 7 [5]Ga r c i a ,V. ,AhumadaL. ,Hi nke l manJ . ,MunozR.a ndQue s z a daJ . ,( 20 0 4) Ps y c hol ogyov e rt heI nt e r ne t: y& Be hav i o ur,Vol . 7 ,1,2 93 3 OnLi neExpe r i e nc e si nCy b e r ps y c ho l og [6]La // / /pr / y c hol ogy . ht m ha dM.( 20 0 4)Te l e ps y c hol ogyht t p: i c s pc . t e l hai . ac . i l pr oj e c t s e s e nt Te l ePs [7]Li t hua ni a― Me de Te l20 04 [8]Ros di c i net ot r e a t e ngr e nD. ,Bl ac kwe l lN. ,Ke l l yG. ,Le nt onL. ,Gl a s t onbur yJ . Theus eoft e l e me opht ha l mol og i c a le me r g e nc i e si nr ur a lAus t r a l i ai nJo ur nalof Te l e me di c i ne& Te l e c ar e,1 9 98 3 2 [9]Sha ni tD. ,Li f s hi t zT. ,Gi l adiR. ,Pe t e r bur gY. A pi l ots t udyoft e l e opht hal mol og yout r e a c hs e r vi c e st o o ur nalo f Te l e me di c i ne& Te l e c ar e,1 99 8 pr i ma r yc a r ei nJ [10 ]Wi neRe l at i ons hi ps i n l de r mut hS.( 20 0 4 ) TheEf f e c t sofSt i g ma t i z i ngDi s c our s eont heQua l i t yofOnLi Cyb e r p s y c ho l o g y& Be hav i o ur,Vol . 7 ,1 ,73 8 4 [11 ]Woot t onR. ,Oakl e yA.( Eds . )( 20 0 2 )Te l e de r mat o l o g y,Roya lSoc i e t yofMe di c i nePr e s sLt d. ,London,UK 1 0 2 . 3 Di gi t ali magi ngi npat hol ogy St udi e shavei ndi c at e dt hat ,i nat ypi c alAme r i c a nme di c alc e nt r e ,s e v e nt ype r c e ntoft he c l i ni c aldat ai nt hee l e c t r oni cme di c a lr e c or da r ef r om pat hol og y ,ands e ve nt ype r c e ntof r e que s t sf ordat af r om t hee l e c t r oni cme di c a lr e c or da r ef orpa t hol og yda t a( Fe r r e i r aR,e ta l . 19 97 ) . Si gni f i c ant l y,c l i ni c alde c i s i ons uppor tpr og r a msar ehi ghl yde pe nde ntonpat hol ogy da t a . Muc hoft heana l y s i spe r f or me di nt hepa t hol ogyl abi sv i s ua l;t he r e f or epa t hol og y i ma gi ngha sbe c omeani mpor t anta ndgr owi nga r e ai nt heme di c ali mag i nge nv i r onme nt . Howe ve r ,pat hol ogyi mag i ngpr e s e nt sanumbe rofuni quec ha l l e ng e s . The s ei nc l udet hef a c t t hatpat hol og yi ma gequa l i t yi saf unc t i onofma nypr oc e s s e s ,s uc haspr oc e s s i ngoft i s s ue , c ut t i ngands t a i ni ngoft hes l i de ,abi l i t yoft hemi c r os c opet of or m ac l e a r ,i nf oc usi mag e s ui t abl ef orc apt ur i nge t c . The s ea ndot he rc ha l l e ng e shav el i mi t e dt heut i l i t yandus eof pat hol ogyi magi ngandt e l e pa t hol ogy. Fur t he r mor e ,t hedi ve r s i t y ,c ompl e x i t ya nds c opeof pa t hol og ya ndme di c a lmi c r os c opyhav ema dei tdi f f i c ul tf oror g a ni z at i onst oagr e eon s t anda r dsf orpat hol og yi magi ng . Ther e a s onsf ort hedi f f i c ul t i e si ns t anda r di z i nggui de l i ne s ands t andar dsi npat hol ogyi magi ngar ede s c r i be dbe l ow. The n,me t hodsa r epr opos e df or be gi nni ngt omovef or war dons t andar di z a t i on. Thi spr oc e s swi l lbec ompl i c a t e dandwi l lnot bec ompl e t e danyt i mes oon;none t he l e s s ,i tne e dst obes t ar t e d. Thepat hol o gyenvi r onment Thos ewhowoul da t t e mptt ode f i nes t a ndar dsorgui de l i ne sf orpa t hol og yi mag i ngne e dt o haveac l e arunde r s t andi ngoft hewi des c opeofi ma ge qual i t y or r e s ol ut i on ne c e s s a r yf or i mag i ngt obeus e f uli npat hol ogy. Oneoft hebe s twa ysofde s c r i bi ngt he s er e qui r e me nt si st o / e x ami net hewayat ypi c als ur gi c alpat hol ogi s tus e shi she rmi c r os c ope .I ne xa mi ni ngs ome c as e s ,t hepat hol ogi s twi l lnotus et hemi c r os c opeata l l ,ma ki ngadi ag nos i si ns t e adont he gr os sv i s uale xami na t i on. I not he rc as e s ,t hepat hol ogi s twi l lus ea4xobj e c t i vel e ns( wi t han opt i c a lr e s ol ut i onof∼5mi c r ons ) ,whi l ei not he rc as e sa2 0xl e ns( opt i c a lr e s ol ut i onof∼1 mi c r on)or4 0 xl e ns( opt i c alr e s ol ut i onof∼0 . 5mi c r on)i sus e d. Asaf ur t he ropt i on,t he r e ar eve r ypowe r f uloi l i mme r s i onl e ns e sa nd,be y ondt ha t ,e l e c t r onmi c r os c opy. Thec hoi c eof opt i c si supt ot hepat hol ogi s t ,andhi sorhe rj udgme nta st owhati sr e qui r e df ort hec as eat ha nd. Thes a mear g ume ntc anbeappl i e dt oot he rf a c t or st ha tha v eane f f e c toni mage qua l i t y ,s uc hasc ont r a s t ,t i s s ues t ai ni ngandt i s s uepr oc e s s i ng .I mag i ngg ui de l i ne si n pat hol ogyne e dt ot akei nt oac c ountt hef a c tt hati ti supt ot hepa t hol ogi s tt ode t e r mi nei ft he s pe c i me nori magei sofs uf f i c i e ntqual i t yt or e nde radi ag nos i s . Mi cr os cop yi magi ng Thedi f f i c ul t yofi ma ges t andar di z at i oni nt e l e pa t hol ogyi st ha ts oma nyf a c t or sc ani nf l ue nc e i magequal i t y . Thef ol l owi ngs ys t e mc ompone nt sar er e qui r e df orage ne r a lpa t hol ogy i ma gi ngs t at i on. 1)Mi c r os c ope:t he s ev ar ywi de l yac c or di ngt ot ypeofmi c r os c ope , ma gni f i c a t i on,t ypeofobj e c t i vel e ns ,c onde ns e r ,ape r t ur e ,f i l t e r sa ndl i g htvol t ag e . Eac hus e r / c anc hang eorc hos ee ac hi t e me v e r yt i mehe s heus e si t .2 )Opt i c alc oupl e r: t hi sc onne c t st he 1 0 Yuka koYa g i ,J ohnR.Gi l be r t s on,MD,Uni v e r s i t yofPi t t s bur g hMe di c alCe nt r e ,Pi t t s bur g h,PA,USA,UPMC -28 @i Canc e rPav i l i on,Pi t t s bur gh,USA,Te l: 4 12 64 7 666 4,Fa x:4 12 62 3 1 4,e ma i l:y a gi ma p. pi t t . e du 3 3 a b c d e Fi g . 1 mi c r os c opeandc ame r a,andi ti sa nar tt oc hoos et her i ghtone .3 )Came r a: t he r ear eana l og anddi gi t alt y pe s ,wi t havar i e t yofpar ame t e r ss uc hasCCD s i z e ,s ampl i ngi nt e r v al ,dyna mi c r ange ,andc ol ourc har ac t e r i s t i c s . 4)Comput e rands of t wa r e: s i z e sofRAM andVRAM a nd CPU s pe e dc hanget hes pe e dofc ont r ol l i ngt he s ehugei mag e sa ndt henumbe rofc ol our st o di s pl a y. I mag ea c qui s i t i ona ndma ni pul at i ons of t wa r edi r e c t l yi nf l ue nc ei mag equal i t y . 5) Di s pl ay: Eac hdi s pl a yha sdi f f e r e ntc ha r ac t e r i s t i c s( e . g.s pat i a lr e s ol ut i on,max i mum l umi na nc e ) andt heus e rc anc hanget hebr i ght ne s sa ndc ont r as t ,af f e c t i ngpe r c e i ve di ma gequal i t y. I ti s a l s oi mpor t antt opr ope r l yc al i br a t et hedi s pl a ys .6 )Compr e s s i on/i ma gef or ma t: s i nc et he i mag e sa r es ol a r g e ,i ti sof t e nne c e s s ar yt oc ompr e s st hei ma g e s . Wi t hr e s pe c tt oi mage qual i t yanddi ag nos t i cac c ur ac y,i s s ue ss uc ha sa c c e pt a bl ec ompr e s s i onr at i oandwhe t he rt he c ompr e s s i ons houl dbel os s l e s sorl os s yar ei mpor t a nt . Compr e s s i on/ i magef or mat:s i nc et hei ma ge sar es ol a r g e ,i ti sof t e nne c e s s a r yt oc ompr e s st he i mage s . Wi t hr e s pe c tt oi ma gequa l i t yanddi a gnos t i ca c c ur ac y,i s s ue ss uc ha sa c c e pt abl e c ompr e s s i onr a t i oandwhe t he rt hec ompr e s s i ons houl dbel os s l e s sorl os s yar ei mpor t ant . The r ear es omanypa t hol ogyi magi ngs y s t e mst hatc a nbebui l twi t hmanypos s i bl e c ombi nat i onsbe c aus et he r ear emanyc hoi c e sf ore a c hc ompone ntoft hes ys t e m. Ea c h c ompone ntpr e s e nt savar i e t yofopt i onst ot heus e r; a nde a c hus e rc anpi c kanyve r s i onof e ac hc ompone nt . Fur t he r mor e ,t hes a mes ys t e m wi t ht hes a mec ompone nt s ,whe nope r at e dby us e r sofdi f f e r e ntl e ve l sofs ki l la ndknowl e dg e ,c a nr e s ul ti ndi f f e r e nti mag equal i t yl e ve l s . Col ourdi f f e r e nt i at i onsbe t we e ns y s t e msa r es howni nFi g ur e1. Li mi t at i onsofc ur r entt e l epat hol ogy Te l e pat hol ogyi saus e f ult oolf orr e mot edi a gnos i si npat hol og y ,f ore duc a t i ona ndf or obt ai ni ngas e c ondopi ni on. I ti se s pe c i a l l yus e f uli nt hes uppor tofi s ol a t e dpat hol og i s t sa nd nons pe c i al t ypat hol ogi s t s . Howe ve r ,t e l e pa t hol ogy,i ng e ne r al ,hass e e nl i mi t e dus ef ort he f ol l owi ngr e as ons . 1)I ti sa ne xpe ns i veandt i mec ons umi ngpr oc e s s . 2)Thel i mi t e df i e l dofvi e w oft e l e pa t hol og yi ma g e s ,unl i kegl as ss l i de sdi r e c t l yvi e we dona mi c r os c ope ,of t e nmake spat hol og i s t sf e e lunc omf or t a bl e . 3 4 Fi g. 2 3 )The r ei snowi de l yac c e pt e dme t hodt ome a s ur et hei ma gequa l i t yandac c ur a c yofi mag e par ame t e r ss uc hasc ol our . I nge ne r al ,t heus e soft e l e pat hol ogyar ef or1)pr i mar ydi a gnos i s ,2)s e c ondopi ni on, 3 ) e duc at i on/QA.Eac hmayr e qui r eauni quet e l e pa t hol ogys y s t e m de s i g n. The r ear es e ve r alge ne r alt y pe soft e l e pat hol ogys ys t e ms . 1)I ns t at i cmode( s t or eandf or wa r dorl i v e ) ,i ma g e s( t y pi c al l yonl yaf e w)ar ec a pt ur e dand t r ans mi t t e df ors e que nt i alvi e wi ng. 2)I ndynami cmo de,l i vev i de oi mage sa r et r ans mi t t e da ndvi e we ddyna mi c a l l yi nr e a lt i me . 3)Dy nami cs ys t emswi t har obot i cmi c r o s co pea l l ow t her e mot ev i e we rt oc ont r olt he mi c r os c opeatt heor i gi na t i ngs i t ef oramor ei nt e r ac t i vee xpe r i e nc e . 4)Co mbi ni ngs t at i canddy nami cs ys t e mspr oduc ehybr i ds y s t e mswi t he v e nmor ef l e xi bi l i t y . 5 )Whol es l i dei magi ng( vi r t uals l i dei mag i ng)i st hene we s tde ve l opme nti nwhi c ht hee nt i r e s l i dei sdi g i t i z e d,obv i at i ngt hene e dt os e l e c ti ndi v i dua lors e que nt i a li mag e sf orv i e wi ng . De pe ndi ngont her e qui r e me nt sa ndbudge t ,di f f e r e ntt ype soft e l e pa t hol ogys y s t e ms― wi t h di f f e r e ntl e ve l sofi magequal i t y― c anbeus e d. Fur t he r mor e ,asi nt hemor eg e ne r alf i e l dof pa t hol og yi magi ng,avar i e t yofhuma nf a c t or s ,s uc ha st heabi l i t yt oc uta nds t ai nagood t i s s ues e c t i on,s e tupt hemi c r os c opea ndopt i mi z ec ont r as ta ndf oc us ,t i s s uear e as e l e c t i one t c . ar eve r yi mpor t antf ort hee f f e c t i ve ne s soft hes y s t e m. Thi smake st e l e pat hol ogys ys t e mse ve n mor ec ompl e xt oe val uat eands t a ndar di z e . Fore xa mpl e ,unde r s t a i ni ngorove r s t a i ni ngmay hi deorf ai lt or e ve ali mpor t ants t r uc t ur e si nt hef i nali mage .I tma yal s or e s ul ti nc ol our var i at i on,bas e dnotont i s s uevar i at i onbutr at he ronv a r i at i onsi nt hec ut t i ng ,pr oc e s s i ngor s t ai ni ngpr oc e s s . Col ourdi f f e r e nc e soft hes a mes t ai nbyi ns t i t ut i onort e c hni c i a nsof t e noc c ur , ass howni nFi gur e3. Us ual l ypat hol ogi s t sar ef ami l i arwi t ht hec ol ourofs t a i nsa tt he i rown 3 5 i ns t i t ut i on,ands ome t i me se ac hpat hol og i s thasaf av our i t ec ol our . Fori ns t anc e ,t hec ol ourof bl oodc e l l si nones l i dei snota l wa yst hes ameasi na not he rs l i de . Thi sc a nc r e a t ec onf us i on e ve nwhe npat hol ogi s t sc or r e s pondbyme a nsofac onv e nt i ona lpos t a lc ons ul t at i on,s ot he pr obl e mc anbee ve nwor s ewi t ht e l e pat hol og y . Ev e r yt y peofi magi ngs ys t e m hasi t sownl i mi t a t i ons . St at i ci maget el epat hol og yde pe ndsont heabi l i t yoft her e f e r r i ngpat hol og i s tors t a f ft obot h f or ma na ppr opr i at ei magewi t ht hemi c r os c opeandc a pt ur eac l e ari mag ewi t ht hec a me r a . Equal l yi mpor t ant ,s t at i cs ys t e msr e l yont heope r a t ort oc apt ur et heappr opr i at ear e aoft he /4 s l i dei nque s t i on. Us i nga20xobj e c t i v el e nsa ndas t a nda r d3 i nc h( 8. 8x6. 6mm)CCD,a s i ngl ef i e l dofv i e wi sa bout0 . 4 4x0. 33mm or0 . 1 45s qua r emm. Asat ypi c a lc ove rs l i phas a bout12. 5s quar ec e nt i me t r e sofa r e a ,as t at i cs ys t e ms a mpl e sonl yave r ys mal lpr opor t i onof t hepot e nt i ala r e aofat i s s ues e c t i on. I ti supt ot her e f e r r i ngpat hol ogi s tt os e l e c ts e v e r al ar e asofi nt e r e s tandc apt ur ei mage swi t ht hea ppr opr i a t ema g ni f i c at i on. Whe nt hepat hol og i s t ha ss pe c i f i cque s t i onsf ort hec ons ul t ant ,orme r e l ywant st oc onf i r mt hedi ag nos i sus i ngt he t e l e pat hol ogys ys t e m,s t at i ci ma get e l e pa t hol ogywor ksve r ywe l l . Howe ve r ,whe nt her e f e r r i ng / pat hol ogi s tdoe snothavee noughc onf i de nc ei nhi she rowndi a g nos i sorne e dsapr i ma r y di ag nos i st ober e nde r e d,t hes t at i ci ma g et e l e pa t hol ogys ys t e mc a nber i s ky,be c a us et he c ons ul t antpat hol og i s thast omakeadi a g nos i sba s e de nt i r e l yont het r ans mi t t e di mage s ,whi c h we r ec hos e nbyt her e f e r r i ngc l i ni c i an. Thei ma gequa l i t yofs t a t i ci mag e sde pe ndsont he pe r s onwhoc apt ur e dt he m,pot e nt i al l yl i mi t i ngt hea bi l i t yoft hec ons ul t a ntt or e nde ran a c c ur at eandc onf i de ntde c i s i on. I ti si mpor t a ntt ounde r s t andt hata hi g hr e s ol ut i on i mage i snotne c e s s ar i l yagoodqual i t yi mage ,e s pe c i al l yi ft heopt i c a li mag ef r om t hemi c r os c opei s outoff oc usorot he r wi s ei mpe r f e c t . Mos ti mage sc a pt ur e dbype opl ewhoar enote xpe r i e nc e d i nt e l e pat hol ogyordi g i t a li ma gi ngs how pr obl e mst hata r er e l at e dt ot heus eoft he mi c r os c ope ,s uc haspr obl e mswi t hf oc usandc ol ourf i de l i t y . Dy nami ci mag et e l ep at hol ogyi sl i mi t e dbymanyoft hef a c t or sa l r e a dyl i s t e df ors t at i c t e l e pat hol ogy,i naddi t i ont ot hef ac tt ha tt hedy na mi ci ma gequal i t yatt her e c e i ve rs i t e de pe ndsont heba ndwi dt hofne t wor kus e d( a ndt heamountofc ompr e s s i onr e qui r e d) .I n pr a c t i c e ,mos ts ys t e msus i ngH323orH3 2 0f ordy na mi ci ma ge sc annotpr ov i dei mag equa l i t y asg oodass t at i cs ys t e ms . Fort hi sr e a s on,oneof t e nus e sbot hs t a t i ci mag eanddynami c i ma gi ngi nones ys t e m. Thi swor kswe l l . Howe v e r ,whe nr obot i cmi c r os c ope sa r eus e d,wi t h mot or i z e ds t ag e sf orr e mot ec ont r ol ,t hes y s t e m ne e dss pe c i al i z e de qui pme ntt hati snot c ommoni npat hol ogypr ac t i c e s ,andi sunf ami l i art opa t hol ogi s t s . Cons ul t i ngpat hol ogi s t s c a nus enonr obot i cmi c r os c ope sf ordyna mi ct e l e pa t hol og y,a ndl e tt her e f e r r i ngs i t ec ont r ol t he ms oast of oc usonar e asofi nt e r e s t ,butt hes a mepr obl e mswi t hs t a t i ci mag eofa r e a s e l e c t i onr e ma i n. Anot he rf ac t ori nbot hs t at i canddyna mi ct e l e pa t hol ogys ys t e msi st ha tc ur r e nts y s t e msa r e s i gni f i c ant l ys l owe rt hant hemanualus eofagl a s ss l i deonami c r os c ope . Nomat t e rwhat ki ndofs ys t e m weus e ,i tt ake sl onge rf ort hepa t hol og i s tt oma keadi ag nos i sus i ng t e l e pa t hol ogyi ma ge s . Howe ve r ,i ft hepa t hol og i s tus e st hes ys t e ma spar tofapat hol og y i nf or mat i ons ys t e m,i tmi ghti nt hef ut ur er e duc et hes pe c i a l i s tst ot alt i met odi ag nos eand r e por t . Aut omat e dwhol e s l i dei ma gi ng( WSI )i sane wt e c hnol ogyt hathasbr oug htt hepos s i bi l i t yof s t a nda r di z at i oni npat hol ogyne ar e r . WSIi nvol v e sdi g i t i z i ngofe nt i r es l i de s( s ot he r ei sno i s s ueofs ubs ampl i ng) ,t hei magi ngpr oc e s sbe i ngaut oma t e d( e l i mi nat i ngt hene e dt of or c e s pe c i f i cpar ame t e r sande l i mi nat i nghuma nf ac t or si ni mag ec apt ur e ) . Howe ve r ,s i nc et he t e c hnol ogyi ss t i l lde ve l opi ng,i twi l lt a kea not he rf e wy e ar sbe f or ei tbe c ome sc l i ni c a l l y 3 6 Fi g . 3 a vai l abl eandaus e f uls ys t e m. Fi gur e2s howsani ma geobt a i ne dwi t haWSIs y s t e m. Met hodsf ors t andar di zat i oni npat hol o gy Whe nwet hi nkaboutme di c ali ma ges t a ndar ds ,t hi sc ommonl yi nc l ude st her e qui r e di ma ge r e s ol ut i on,t henumbe rofc ol our s ,moni t orr e s ol ut i on,c ompr e s s i onr at i o,f or mate t c . As me nt i one dabove ,pat hol og yi ma gi ngha sawi der a ng eofr e qui r e me nt s ,a ndi ss ubj e c tt o s i gni f i c a nthuma nf ac t or sa ndnoni magi ngr e l at e dpar a me t e r st hatmakeas i ngl es t andar df or pa t hol ogyi mag i ngpr obl e ma t i c . De f i ni ngar e qui r e d pi xe lr e s ol ut i on i sme ani ngl e s si ft he opt i c alf oc usors t ai ni ngqua l i t yi snotde f i ne d,ande ve ni ft he s epa r ame t e r sc oul dbede f i ne d, t hei maget ypeandqual i t yr e qui r e df ors omea s pe c t sofpa t hol og yi sr a di c al l ydi f f e r e ntf r om t ha tr e qui r e df orot he r s . Onec oul dde c i deonaf i l ef or ma tf orf i l et r ans f e r ,butt hi swoul d nota ddr e s ss omeoft hemor ebas i ci s s ue si npat hol og yi magi ng . Thei mpor t antc onc e pt sf orpat hol ogyi ma gi ngs t andar dst oc ons i de ra r e: 1)Sys t e mss houl dbeabl et os har ei ma g ef i l e s . 2 )Thes t andar dss houl dal l ow t het r ans mi s s i onofi nf or mat i ononbas e l i nec ol our sa nd r e c omme nde ddi s pl aypar ame t e r s . 3)Thei mage ss houl dbeus e f ult ot hepat hol ogi s t ,notne c e s s ar i l ybe t t e rorwor s et ha ndi r e c t e xami nat i onofas l i deunde rt hemi c r os c ope . 4)A me c hani s mt oe val uat ei mag equa l i t yobj e c t i ve l ys houl dbepr e s e nt . 5)A me c ha ni s mt oadj us ta ndc or r e c tmi nore r r or soft i s s uepr oc e s s i ngs houl dbede ve l ope d. 6)A publ i cor gani z at i ons houl ds uppor tpat hol og i s t si nt hede v e l opme ntofs t anda r ds . Tomovepat hol ogyi ma gi ngi nt oas pac ewhe r es t anda r dsc anbee f f e c t i ve l yappl i e dt he r ear e t woma i nar e asofa t t ac k. Onei nvol ve sf or ma lt r ai ni ngofpa t hol ogi s t si ni mag i ngand i ma ge r e l a t e dac t i v i t i e s . Thi smayt a ket hef or m ofawe bbas e df or malt r a i ni ngpr oc e s si n di agnos t i ci ma gi ng( e . g.c ont i nui nge duc a t i onc our s e s ) . Thes e c onda r e a ,mor edi r e c t l y appl i c a bl et ot hi spape r ,i st hede ve l opme ntoft e c hni c alme c hani s mst or e movehuma nf a c t or i s s ue si nt hei mag ec a pt ur epr oc e s s . Thegoal sa r et oc or r e c t( oratl e as ti de nt i f y )di f f e r e nc e s be t we e ns ys t e msa ndmat e r i al s ,t ode v e l opt e c hni c alpr ot oc ol sf ore val ua t i ngand/org r a di ng i magequal i t yobj e c t i ve l y ,andf i nal l y,t ode pl oyc ol ours t anda r di z at i ont e c hnol og y. 3 7 Toavoi dhumanf ac t or s ,aut oma t e d,whol e s l i dei mag i ngr obot sa nd/ori ma gi ngmi c r os c ope s maypr ovi deas ol ut i on( Fe r r e i r aR,e ta l . 19 97; GuJ ,Og i l vi eR i npr e s s ) . Howe ve r ,t he s e s ys t e mshavenoty e ta c hi e ve dc l i ni c alpr oduc ts t at us ,andar el i mi t e dt og r oupst hata r ea bl et o af f or dt he m. Al s o,i tt ake st i meandt r a i ni ngf orpat hol og i s t st oi nt e r pr e tWSIi nanopt i ma l wa y. Howe v e r ,i ti sc l e art hats uc hs y s t e mswi l lbe c omemor ewi de s pr e a di nt hene x ts e v e r a l ye ar s .I magi ngmi c r os c ope s( r obot i cmi c r os c ope swi t hbui l t i nc a me r asa ndr obot i cs t ag e s )c an pot e nt i al l yr e movepr obl e msr e l a t e dt ot hehumanf a c t or ,s uc hasv ar i a t i onsbe t we e nus e r si n t e r msofmi c r os c opef oc us ,f i l t e randbr i ght ne s ss e t t i ng s . Byha vi ngt he s epar ame t e r s s of t war e c ont r ol l e d,t he s es ys t e msc anhe l pa c hi e v ear e asofi ma gequal i t ys t anda r di z a t i on. Aut omat e dwhol e s l i dei magi ngr obot sc a pt ur eac ompl e t eg l as ss l i de( pr e f e r abl yf a s te noug ht o beus e f ulf orr e mot edi agnos i sf orf r oz e ns e c t i ons )wi t houthumani nt e r ve nt i on. Wi t ht he a ddi t i onofa ut omat e ds l i del oa de r sa ndbar c ode s ,a l ongwi t hc ont r ols l i de st omoni t or r e s ol ut i onandc ol ourpar ame t e r s ,t he s es ys t e msc anaut omat et hee nt i r ei mag epr oc e s s . Sys t e mst os uppor tt he s eQA f unc t i onsa r ebe i nge v al ua t e da tPi t t s bur gh,Ar i z onaa ndot he r c e nt r e s . Thi ss houl dl e adt oamaj ori mpr ov e me nti nt e l e pat hol ogyi mag i ng ,a ndope nt he doorf ore x t e ns i vequal i t yc ont r olandi magequa l i t ys t andar di z at i ont e c hni que s . I magequal i t ye val uat i oni sa not he ri mpor t antf ac t or . Cur r e nt l y ,t heme t hodsus e dt oe v a l ua t e i magequal i t yar eve r ys ubj e c t i veandvar ybe t we e ni ndi vi dual sa ndi ns t i t ut i ons . Thi s s ubj e c t i vi t ydoe snotne c e s s a r i l yaf f e c tdi a gnos i sbyt e l e pa t hol og yand/ ort hei ma gi ngs y s t e m. Howe ve r ,ast e l e pa t hol ogys ys t e msbe c omemor epopul a randmor eubi qui t ous ,i twi l lbe c ome ne c e s s ar yt ode ve l opmor eobj e c t i v ei ma gequa l i t ya s s e s s me ntme t hods . Eve ns ome t hi ngas ne w andunt e s t e dast hewhol e s l i dei mag e ri smaki ngr api di nr oa dsi nt ot e l e pa t hol og y ,a nd s e ve r alc omme r c i als ys t e msa r eavai l abl eont hemar ke t . Eac hs y s t e mg i ve sadi f f e r e ntv i s ua l i mpr e s s i onoft hei mage s ,anddi f f e r e ntmode l soft hes ames ys t e m gi vedi f f e r e nti mpr e s s i ons andi mag equal i t y. Wedonotknow wha tl e ve lofqual i t yofi mag ewer e a l l yne e df orc l i ni c a l us e s ,f ore duc a t i onorf orr e s e ar c hpur pos e s ,c ompl i c at i ngt hepr obl e m ofs t a ndar di z at i on. At t heUni ve r s i t yofPi t t s bur ghMe di c alCe nt r e ,weha vej us ts t ar t e di nt hi sl i neofr e s e ar c h, Fi g. 4 3 8 de ve l opi ngas ys t e mt oe val uat ei magequa l i t yobj e c t i v e l yandde f i net hel e v e lofqua l i t yf or e a c hpur pos e . Theappr oac hc anbeappl i e dt oa nyki ndofi mag i ngs y s t e mf orpa t hol og y. Fi gur e4i l l us t r at e st hepr ot ot ypeappl i c at i on. Tel epat hol o gyf ordevel o pi ngcount r i e s Theke yf unc t i ona l i t yofat e l e pa t hol og ys y s t e mi st hea bi l i t yt oal l ow al oc alphy s i c i ant os e nd mi c r os c opei mage sofat i s s ues e c t i on,al ongwi t ht e xtt ode s c r i bet hec l i ni c alc ont e x t ,t ot he r e mot epat hol ogye x pe r t .I nt heUSA andEur ope ,pa t hol ogyi ma g i ngandt e l e pa t hol ogyar e movi ngt ot heus eofWSI ,andpa t hol og i s t sa r ea bl et ol ookatt hevi r t ua ls l i det hr ought he I nt e r ne tf r om anywhe r ei nt hewor l d. Howe ve r ,i nt hec a s eofde ve l opi ngnat i ons ,popul a r t e l e pat hol ogyi ss t i l lbas e done mai l( s e nde rc a pt ur e ss t at i ci mag e sa nds e ndst he ma se mai l at t ac hme nt s ,wi t habr i e fc as ede s c r i pt i on)duet ol i mi t e dne t wor kbandwi dt handt e c hni c al s uppor t . I ns omec as e s ,t he r ei snote ve nahi s t ol og yl a bt opr ovi dehi s t ol og ys l i de sf ormi c r os c ope e x ami nat i onbyapat hol ogi s t . Now,asc ur r e ntt e l e pat hol ogypr a c t i c ede pe ndson s l i de mount e d,s t ai ne dt i s s ues ampl e s ,t hi sa bs e nc emake si tdi f f i c ul tt os e tupa ndr una t e l e pat hol ogys e r vi c e . TheUni ve r s i t yofBa s e li nSwi t z e r l andha si ns t al l e das mal lhi s t ol ogy l abatt henat i onalr e f e r r alhos pi t alofHoni ar a,Sol omonI s l ands . Spe c i me nsa r enow pr e pa r e dl oc a l l y ,andt hehi s t ol ogyi mag e sar es e ntt ot hes e r v e ri nBa s e l ,whe r epat hol ogi s t s f r om Eur opeandt heUSc anr e vi e wt hec as e sa ndpr ov i deadi a g nos i s . Cur r e nt l yt he r ear eno pat hol ogi s t spr ac t i c i ngi nt heSol omons( Br auc hl iK e tal .2 004 ) . Att heUni ve r s i t yofPi t t s bur g hMe di c a lCe nt r e ,awe bbas e dt e l e pat hol og ys y s t e m( s t or ea nd f or wa r d)andane mai lbas e ds ys t e ma r ebe i ngus e dt opr ovi deas s i s t a nc et oanumbe rof c ount r i e s ,i nc l udi ngEgypta ndI ndi a. Theas s i s t anc ec ons i s t sofl i mi t e dt e c hni c a ls uppor tby he l pde s ks t af fandi magi ngs of t wa r et ool sandme di c als uppor tbypa t hol ogi s t s . Thes c opeof t hewe bba s e dt e l e pa t hol og ys ys t e m wasr e duc e dt omaket hes ys t e ms i mpl e r .I naddi t i on, a c c e s sha sbe e npr ov i de dt ot hewe bs i t e sof f e r i ngar c hi ve de duc at i onalc onf e r e nc ev i de os ,a nd // t ot heWSIs i t ec ont ai ni nge duc at i ona lc as e s( ht t p: t e l e pat hol og y . upmc . e du) . I npr ovi di ngt e l e pat hol ogys uppor tt ode ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,at ot als e r vi c e sa ppr oa c hs houl dbe c ons i de r e d; t hi si nc l ude ss e t t i ngupt hel abor at or y,t r ai ni ngl abt e c hni c i a nsa ndpa t hol og i s t s , pr ovi di ngr e mot es y s t e ms uppor ta ndt r a i ni ng,di ag nos i s ,andc as ema i nt e nanc e . Ex i s t i ng i nf r as t r uc t ur eandne wt e c hnol ogi e sc andov e t ai lt opr ov i dene e de ddi ag nos t i cs e r vi c e s ,wi t h t r ai ni ngbe ne f i t sf ort heme di c alpr of e s s i ona l si nv ol ve d. I nt hi swa y ,pe opl ei nde ve l opi ng c ount r i e swi l lhaveanoppor t uni t yt obe ne f i tf r om t hemor eadva nc e dt e c hnol ogi e snow av a i l abl e . Re f er ences [1]Br a uc hl iK e tal . Te l e pa t hol og yont heSol omonI s l ands t woy e a r se xpe r i e nc ewi t hahy br i dWe ba nd e ma i l ba s e dt e l e pa t hol og ys ys t e m i nJ Te l e me d Te l e c ar e.2 0 0 4;1 0Suppl1: 1 47 [2]Fe f AMI A AnnualFal lSy mp o s i um,19 9 7,p. 4 49 r r e i r aR,e tal . TheVi r t ua lMi c r os c ope i nPr oc e e di ngso [3]GuJ ,and Re s e ar c h,CRC ,Og i l vi eR.TheVi r t ualSl i deand Vi r t ualMi c r o s c o p yf o rTe ac hi ng ,Di agnos i s Pr e s s( i nPr e s s ) [4]ht / /t t p: e l e pat hol ogy . upmc . e du 3 9 1 1 2 . 4 Tel eder mat ol ogy Exampl eofanet wo r kf orunder s er vedar e asofSout hAf r i ca Thepr obl em SubSahar anAf r i c ahasl ongs uf f e r e df r om ahugebur de nofdi s e as eandl i mi t e dr e s our c e st o de a lwi t hi t . Gr e atde f i c i e nc i e se xi s ti nhe a l t hc ar e ,wi t hpoora c c e s st oba s i cc a r e ,l e ta l one s pe c i al t yc ar e ,i nmanyar e a s .I nt he19 8 0s ,t heAI DSpa nde mi cbr oug htabe wi l de r i ngt wi s t t oov e r bur de ne dhe al t hc a r epr ovi de r s . Att hee ndof2 002 ,25 %ofadul t sa ge d15 4 9i nSout h 1 , 2 Af r i c a,f ore x ampl e ,we r eHI Vi nf e c t e d. Ski ndi s e as e ,al r e adyac a us eofs i gni f i c antmor bi di t y andmor t al i t ybe f or eAI DS,hasbe c omemor epr e va l e nt ,c ompl e xands t i g ma t i z i ngi nt heHI V e r a. Be c aus eoft hes ki nsr ol ei ni mmunol og i cpr ot e c t i on,i ti snos ur pr i s et hats t udi e sha ve s hownt hata tl e as t9 0%ofHI Vi nf e c t e dpa t i e nt swi l lde v e l ops ki ndi s e as edur i ngt hec our s eof 3A s t he i ri nf e c t i on. ki nc ondi t i oni sc ommonl yt hef i r s ts i g nofHI Vi nf e c t i on. Onc eHI V i nf e c t i oni se s t abl i s he d,t henumbe randnat ur eofc ut ane ousdi s e as e si saga uget ot hes t a geof i nf e c t i on. Cut ane ousc ondi t i onsa r eof t e nmul t i pl ei nas i ng l epat i e nt ,r e s i s t i ngt he r apy . Asa r e s ul t ,as i gni f i c a ntpr opor t i onofpr i ma r yc a r epr ovi de r si noneUSs t udywe r eunabl et o 4 r e c og ni z es ki ns i g nsa s s oc i at e dwi t hHI Vi nf e c t i on. I nc ont r as tt ot heUSA,whe r es pe c i al t yc ar ei swi de l yava i l a bl e ,me di c a lc a r ef r om s pe c i a l i s t s , 5 i nc l udi ngde r mat ol ogi s t s ,i ss c ar c ei ns ubSa ha r a nAf r i c a .I nt heSout hAf r i c anpubl i che a l t h c ar es ys t e m,whi c hs e r ve st hemaj or i t yofpa t i e nt si nt hi sc ount r y,t he r ei sona ve r a geone 6Wh de r ma t ol og i s ts e r v i ng34mi l l i onpe opl e . e naba s i che a l t hpr ov i de rne e dshe l pt r e a t i nga pat i e ntwi t hs ki ndi s e a s e ,r e f e r r a lt oade r mat ol ogi s ti sf r e que nt l yr ul e dowi ngt odi s t anc ea nd al ac koff undsf ort r ave l l i ng. Thepr obl e m,t he ni show t ode l i ve rc ons ul t at i onf or de r mat ol ogi c alc ar et oAf r i c anhe al t hc ar epr ovi de r sbyanal t e r na t i veme ans . 7, 8I Te l e me di c i nei st hede l i ve r yofhe al t hc a r eac r os sadi s t a nc e . nt he1 9 90s ,t e l e me di c i nema de gr e atl e a pswi t ht her i s eofi nf or ma t i ona ndc ommuni c a t i ont e c hnol og y( I CT) ,s at e l l i t e c ommuni c at i on,andhi g hr e s ol ut i onaudi ovi s uale qui pme nt . Thea ppl i c a t i onoft e l e me di c i ne i se s pe c i al l yus e f uli nt hevi s ual l yor i e nt e ds pe c i a l t i e s ,pa r t i c ul ar l yr a di ol ogy ,pa t hol og y,a nd de r mat ol ogy. Thea ddi t i onofi ma ge st oc l i ni c a lhi s t or i e si sas i g ni f i c anthe l pf ort he 9Te di a gnos i sa ndmanage me ntofs ki ndi s e a s e s . l e de r ma t ol og y,ut i l i z i ngc onv e ni e nta nd i ne xpe ns i ves t or e andf or wa r d( SAF)t e c hnol ogy ,i nvol v e sc a pt ur i ngpa t i e nti mage sand e l e c t r oni c al l yt r ans mi t t i ngt he ma s ync hr onous l yt oas pe c i al i s t ,whoc ant he nr e nde ra n -4 opi ni on. Asmos tde r ma t ol ogi c alc ons ul t at i oni snotofa ne me r g e nc yna t ur e ,ade l ayof2 4 8 hour sf orac ons ul t antsopi ni oni se nt i r e l yac c e pt a bl ef ort her e f e r r i ngpr ovi de ra ndt he 10 , 11 pat i e nt ,par t i c ul ar l ygi ve nt hes a vi ngsi nt r av e lc os t sa ndt i met or e f e r r al . 12De Ther e alt e s toft e l e de r mat ol ogywi l lbei nt hede v e l opi ngwor l d. s pi t et hel ac kofs pe c i a l t y he a l t hc ar e ,I CT c ont i nue st ogr ow a ndr e ac hmor epe opl e ,i nc l udi ngt hos ei ns ubSaha r a n 1 3Th 14Ev Af r i c a. us ,i n200 2Sout hAf r i c ar a nke d18 t hi nt hewor l di nI nt e r ne tus e . e nba s i c he a l t hc e nt r e shav et heabi l i t yt oupl oada ndt r ans mi ti mage s ,a c c ompa ni e dbyc l i ni c aldat a , v i at heI nt e r ne t .I ti si nt he s ea r e ast hatpr ovi s i onoft e l e de r ma t ol og ys e r v i c e sc oul dha v ei t s gr e at e s ti mpac t . 1 1 RoyCol v e n,M. D. ,As s oc i a t ePr of e s s orofMe di c i ne ,Uni v e r s i t yofWa s hi ng t onSc hoolofMe di c i ne ,i n c ol l a bor at i onwi t hPr of e s s orGa i lTodd,He a d,Di v i s i onofDe r ma t ol og y ,Uni ve r s i t yofCa peTown,a ndMor e t l o Mol e f iandSi nc l a i rWy nc ha nk,Me di c alRe s e a r c hCounc i lofSout hAf r i c aTe l e me di c i neRe s e a r c hUni t ,r c ol ve n @u. / / n/ t e l e de r ma t ol og y . s ht ml wa s hi ng t on. e du,ht t p: f a c ul t y . wa s hi ng t on. e du/ r c ol v e 4 0 Re s ear chi npr ogr es s Thepr oj e c tunde rc ons i de r at i onwase s t a bl i s he dt os t udyt hef e as i bi l i t yofa nds a t i s f ac t i onwi t h at e l e me di c i nene t wor kt hata i mst oe nha nc ede l i v e r yofde r mat ol og i c alc a r ei nr e l a t i v e l y r e mot ear e asofSout hAf r i c aus i ngas i mpl et e l e me di c i nes ys t e m. Anas s e s s me nti smadeoft hequal i t yofat e l e de r mat ol ogyne t wor kl i nki ngt heUni v e r s i t yof Ca peTownwi t hout l yi ngpr i mar yc ar ec l i ni c st opr ovi dec r i t i c al l yne e de dc ons ul t a t i onf or unde r s e r ve ds ki ndi s e as e dpat i e nt si nSout hAf r i c a . Theobj e c t i ve soft hi ss t udyar et o: ・Es t abl i s hac ol l a bor at i veands us t ai na bl ene t wor koft e l e de r mat ol og yc ons ul t at i on,bas e dat t heUni ve r s i t yofCa peTown( UCT)a nds uppor t i ngs e l e c t e dunde r s e r ve dar e a sofSout h Af r i c a. ・De t e r mi newhe t he rr e f e r r i ngpr i mar yhe a l t hc ar epr ovi de r sbe l i e v et hes y s t e m ha sa s i gni f i c ante f f e c tonpat i e ntout c ome s . ・Col l e c tqual i t yas s ur anc edat ar e gar di ngpat i e nta ndpr ov i de rs a t i s f ac t i onwi t ht hene t wor k. ・Expl or et hef e as i bi l i t yofe x t e ndi ngt hi sne t wor kt oot he runde r s e r v e dr e gi onsorpopul at i ons i nSout hAf r i c a . ・Be c omeamode lf oras i mi l ars ys t e mf orot he rc ount r i e si ns ubSa ha r anAf r i c a. ・Es t abl i s hs i s t e r i ns t i t ut i ont i e sbe t we e nUCT a ndt heUni v e r s i t yofWas hi ng t on( UW)vi aa vi r t uale xc hang eofi ns t r uc t i onalpat i e ntc a s e sa ndi nt e r a c t i vedi s t anc el e ar ni ng . Ev e nt ual l y , e xc hanger ot at i onswi l lbee s t abl i s he dt oe na bl eUCT a ndUW de r ma t ol og yr e s i de nt st o l e ar ndi r e c t l yf r om t hes i s t e ri ns t i t ut i ons . Thepr oc e dur ef ori mpl e me nt i ngt hi sne t wor kandas s e s s i ngi t squa l i t yi nvol v e ss e t t i ngup di gi t ale qui pme nta the al t hc e nt r e sorhos pi t al swhe r ei npe r s onde r mat ol og i c alc ons ul t at i oni s unavai l abl e . He al t hc ar epr ovi de r sr e c e i v et r a i ni ngi nt a ki ngandupl oa di ngdi gi t ali ma ge s . Pat i e nt sandpr ovi de r sar eas ke dt ogi v et he i ri nf or me dc ons e nt ,andt hepr ovi de r sc a nt he n t r ans mi tde r ma t ol og i c alpat i e nti mag e sv i aas e c ur ee mai ls ys t e m,al ongwi t hame di c alhi s t or y ands pe c i f i cr e f e r r i ngque s t i ons . A de r mat ol ogi s te xpe r i e nc e di nt e l e de r ma t ol ogi c al i nt e r pr e t at i onr e vi e wst he s ei ma ge sa ndr e nde r sa nopi ni on,wi t hf e e dbac ka ndr e f e r e nc e s ,t o t hepr i mar ypr ov i de rwi t hi n48t o72hour s . As s e s s me ntofqua l i t yme as ur e swi l lf oc usont he pa t i e nt sa ndpr ovi de r ss at i s f ac t i onwi t ht hes ys t e m,a ndt hepr ovi de r sa s s e s s me ntofout c ome i mpr ove me nta ndc os ts avi ngs . Ne t wor ks us t ai na bi l i t ywi l loc c ura sar e s ul toft hePIt r a i ni ng Sout hAf r i c ande r mat ol ogyr e g i s t r a r si nt e l e de r mat ol ogi c a lc ons ul t at i onands y s t e m manag e me nt . Thi ss t udyi nvol ve shuma ns ubj e c t sa ndhasbe e na ppr ove dbyt heUni ve r s i t yof Wa s hi ngt onHuma nSubj e c t sa ndt heUni ve r s i t yofCapeTownEt hi c sCommi t t e e s . Si t e s e l e c t i onc omme nc e donSe pt e mbe r1 ,20 04 ,wi t ht hef i r s tr e f e r r a ls e nti nl at eOc t obe r20 0 4. Themai nque s t i onsbe i ngaddr e s s e di nt hi ss t udyar e: 1)I sane t wor kt opr ovi devi r t ualde r mat ol ogi c alc ons ul t at i oni nSout hAf r i c af e as i bl eatt he pr e s e ntt i me ,wi t ht hec ur r e nts t at eoft e c hnol ogyandI Ti nf r a s t r uc t ur e ? 2 )Wi l ls uc has ys t e m bes us t ai nabl e ? 3)Wi l lout c ome sa c c or di ngt ot her e f e r r i nghe al t hc a r epr ov i de rbei mpr ove d? 4 )Wi l lpat i e nt sa ndr e f e r r i ngpr ov i de r sbes a t i s f i e dwi t ht hes ys t e m? Si gni f i canceoft hes t udy Thi spr oj e c twi l le nhanc et hede l i v e r yofde r ma t ol og i c a lc ar ei nunde r s e r ve da r e a sofSout h 4 1 Af r i c a,us i ngs i mpl eandi ne xpe ns i vet e c hnol og y. I nt hepas t ,t hec os tofc omput e r sa nd di gi t alc ame r as ,aswe l la sl i mi t e dI nt e r ne tac c e s si nt hi sr e gi on,havema det hepr os pe c t sof i ni t i at i ngas us t a i nabl et e l e de r mat ol ogyne t wor ki ns ubSa ha r a nAf r i c al e s shope f ul . The r e s ul t soft hi ss t udywi l lpr ovi deot he rc ount r i e shavi ngs i mi l a rs pe c i a l t yhe al t hc a r e de f i c i e nc i e swi t hval ua bl ei nf or mat i onont hes a t i s f ac t i onwi t handf e a s i bi l i t yoft hi sI Tbas e d s ol ut i on. Ther e s ul t soft hi ss t udywi l la l s ohav eade mons t r abl ei mpac ti nt hef ol l owi ng ar e as . 1)A de c r e as ei nmor bi di t yandmor t al i t yf r om s ki ndi s e a s et hr oug hde l i ve r yofde r mat ol og i c a l c ar et ounde r s e r ve dSout hAf r i c anpa t i e nt swhowoul dnothav er e c e i ve ds uc hc a r e ot he r wi s e . 2)A pe r pe t uat e dt e l e de r ma t ol ogyne t wor k,e v e nt ual l yma nag e dbyt r a i ne dSout hAf r i c an de r mat ol ogi s t s . 3)Cl i ni c ale duc at i oni ns ki ndi s e as er e c og ni t i onf orr e f e r r i nghe a l t hpr ovi de r s ,t hr oug h c ons ul t antf e e dbac kandpr ovi s i onofr e s our c e sf orl e a r ni ng. 4)Thepot e nt i alf ore xpandi ngas i mpl et e c hnol og i c alne t wor kt os i mi l ar l yunde r s e r ve da r e a s i ns ubSaha r anAf r i c a. Re s ul t st odat e Si nc eOc t obe r2 004,53pat i e nt sa nd9pr ovi de r sf r om 4unde r s e r ve ds i t e si nSout hAf r i c aha v e be e npar toft hepr ogr amme . Thes i t e sa r el oc a t e di nHe r manusa ndGe or g ei nt heWe s t e r n Ca pe;Umt at a,Ea s t e r nCape;andPol okwa ne ,Li mpopoPr ov i nc e( s e et hes i t emapatFi g. 1 ) . Fi g. 1 Thenumbe rofr e f e r r al sbys i t ei ss hownbe l ow. 4 2 Ther e f e r r i ngpr ovi de r swor ki nt hel oc a lpr ov i nc i alhos pi t a l s ,t r e a t i ngpa t i e nt swi t hi nt he publ i che al t hs ys t e mss e r v i ngt he s er e gi ons . Thepr ovi de r sc ons i s tofs i xdoc t or sa ndt wo nur s e s . Thepat i e nt sa r e80%a dul t s ,a ndal mos te ve nl ydi vi de dma l ea ndf e ma l e . Mos t( 8 8 %) ha dmor edar kl ypi gme nt e ds ki n( Fi t z pat r i c kt y pe sI V orhi ghe r ) . Thec ondi t i onsi nque s t i on we r emos t l yi nf l ammat or yori nf e c t i ousr as he s( 9 5%) ,t her e mai nde rbe i ngs ol i t a r ys ki ng r owt hs . Mos toft hei mage ss e nt( 90 %)we r er a t e dbyt het e l e de r mat ol og i s ta sbe i ngofv e r ygoodor e xc e l l e ntqual i t y,whi l ei nt woc as e s( 5 %) ,t hei mage swe r enoti nt e r pr e t a bl e .I ns uf f i c i e nt hi s t or i e swe r egi ve ni n43 %ofr e f e r r al s ,de s pi t et heus eofa ne l e c t r oni cf or m pr ovi di nga t e mpl at eoft her e qui r e di nf or mat i on. Si t e ss t af f e ds ol e l ybyanur s ec ons i s t e nt l yus e dt hi s t e mpl at e ,whe r e asdoc t or sc ont i nue dt ous eamor ei nf or malhi s t or yr e por t i ngs t yl e . As mal ls ampl eofpat i e nta ndpr ovi de rs at i s f a c t i onque s t i onna i r e sha sbe e nr e v i e we d. Thi s r e ve al st hatpa t i e ntc omf or twi t ht het e l e c ons ul t a t i onpr oc e s swasr at e da sv e r ygoodt o e xc e l l e nt . Pat i e ntandpr ov i de rs at i s f a c t i onove r a l lwe r er at e da se x c e l l e nt .I ti st ooe ar l yt o r e por tonf ol l owupandt hepr ovi de r spe r c e pt i onofdi s e as eout c ome . Exampl eofaSAFTel eder mat ol og yCo ns ul t at i on A.Pat i e ntdat a( s e nti nt e xtofe ma i l ): HiRo y, Pl e as ec omme ntont hi sXX ye arol d Xho s aman,p ai nt e rf or1 0y e ar s ,c o mpl e t e d TB t r e at me nt1ye arago,whopr e s e nt swi t ht he s ewi de s pr e ad i t c hi ngul c e r at i ngs ki nl e s i onsf o r abo ut1ye ar . Im t hi nki ngof s e v e r ei mpe t i go/s e c o ndar yb ac t e r i ali nf e c t i o n,upons ome unde r l yi ngc ondi t i ons uc hass c ab i e s ,e c z e mao rs e c ondar ys y phi l i s ,or? ?SLE. It e s t e d hi mt odayf orHI V and VDRL,awai t i ngr e s ul t s . Iv eputhi m onFl uc l oxac i l l i n,Phe ne r gan,and aq ue o usc r e am,t os e ehi m ne xtFr i day. Il ls e nd y ou 3e mai l s ,wi t h2p hot ospe re mai l ,no tt oj am t hes e r v e r . Woul di tbeok t omaket hepi c t ur e ss mal l e ri nf ut ur e r el os so f de t ai l ? Re gar ds 4 3 Fi g . 3 B.Pat i enti mage sat t ache d t oe mai l( Fi g. 3 5) Fi g . 4 4 4 Fi g . 5 Re s pons ef r om t el eder mat ol ogi s t Der mat ol ogyCons ul t antRe s pons e Dat e:2Apr i l ,2005 Dat er ef er r alr ecei ved:1Apr i l ,2005 Tel eder mat ol og ySi t e:Ge or ge Pat i entc ode:7Out pat i e nt Pr ov i d erc o de: 1 Co ns ul t antName:RoyCol ve n,MD I ns t i t ut i o n: UCT 4 5 NumberofI mages:6 Tot alf i l es i z e:8. 2MB Cas eSummar y XX ye arol d mal ewi t ho neye arhi s t or yo fi t c hy ,e r o de ds ki n. Hi s t o r yo f TB,t r e at me nt c o mpl e t e d 1ye arag o. Wor ksasapai nt e r . Nohi s t o r yo f at opyme nt i o ne d. HI Vs t at us no tye tkno wn. Tel ed er mat ol og i c ale xam 6i mage ss how t hee xt r e mi t i e s ,but t oc ks ,and f ac eo f anAf r i c anadul tmal e . Thei mag e s s how hype r pi gme nt e dp l ague s ,papul e sand no dul e s ,mo s te r o de d,and s o me ,e s p e c i al l yo nt he l e gswi t hhe av yc r us t i ng . Mos tl e s i onsapp e arc hr o ni c . Hi sf ac es howsas y mme t r i c al pat t e r no f hyp e r pi g me nt e d and e r yt he mat ouspl aque sov e rt hec he e ks . Hehass o mee de ma of hi sl o we re y e l i ds ,b uthi sc onj unc t i v ael o ok s par e d. As s es s ment Thi sl ooksbe s tf ors e c ondar i l yi nf e c t e dp r ur i g ono dul e s . Iwi l ls t i c k myne c ko utand pr e di c tt hathi sHI Vt e s twi l lbepo s i t i v e . Hi sar ms ,l e gsand b ut t o c kshav et heapp e ar anc e of pr ur i t i cpap ul are r upt i on c ommonl ys e e ni nr e l at i v e l yadv anc e d HI V. St ap hc ar r i ag ei s l i ke wi s epr e v al e nti nHI V pat i e nt s ,maki ngs e c ondar yi nf e c t i onal i ke l ye v e nt . Thi si sno tt o s ayt hathec oul dnthav eat opi ce c z e ma,o ranot he rs y s t e mi cc aus eo fi t c hi ngwi t hs e c ondar y l e s i onsf r om s c r at c hi ngt hathav ebe c o mei nf e c t e d. Se c ondar ys yp hi l i sus ual l ydo e s nte r ode , and t heoneye arhi s t or ywoul d maket hi sunl i ke l y. Eas yt or ul eo ut ,t ho ugh. Re commendat i ons Ic ompl e t e l yagr e ewi t hyourmanage me ntt husf ar .I naddi t i ont ot hef l uc l o xac i l l i nand p he ne r gan,Iwoul d al s ogi v ehi m at op i c als t e r o i dt ohe l pr e duc et hes ympt omsf r om t he s e c hr o ni cl e s i ons . Ei t he rLe nov at eor10% Dov at eo i nt me ntwo ul ds uf f i c e ,whi c he v e ryo uc an g i v ehi mi nr e as onab l equant i t y. Ul t i mat e l y,i f hi s Pl e as el e tmeknow t her e s ul t sof hi sHI Vt e s t . ( Foot not e:HI Vs e r opos i t i ves ubs e que nt l y) Feedbackf orRe f er r i ngPr ovi der I magequal i t y: Exc e l l e nt Hi s t or i cald at a: Suf f i c i e nt Co mment s: None Educat i onalval ue: Hi gh Re vi ew d ur i ngne xts i t evi s i t ?Ye s Re f er ences ( As s umi ngt hi spat i e nte ndsupbe i ngHI V+)Ful lPDF o ft hi sar t i c l ei sat t ac he ds e par at e l y . Et i ol ogyo fp r ur i t i cpapul arer upt i onwi t hHI Vi nf e ct i o ni nUg and a. Re s neckJSJr ,VanBeekM,Fur mans kiL,Oyug iJ,LeBo i tPE,Kat ab i r aE,Kamb ug uF, Maur e rT,Be r g erT,Pl et c herMJ,Macht i ngerEL. De par t me ntofDe r ma t ol ogyandI ns t i t ut ef orHe al t hPol i c ySt udi e s ,Uni v e r s i t yofCa l i f or ni a , 4 6 SanFr anc i s c o,Sc hoolofMe di c i ne ,CA 9 4 14 303 63 ,USA.r e s ne c k@i t s a. uc s f . e du CONTEXT:A f r e que ntc aus eofhumani mmunode f i c i e nc yvi r us( HI V)r e l a t e dmor bi di t yi n s ubSahar anAf r i c ai sac ommonl yoc c ur r i ng ,i nt e ns e l ypr ur i t i cs ki nr as h. Ther e s ul t i ngs c a r s ar edi s f i g ur i ngands t i g mat i z i ng. De s pi t et hes ubs t a nt i a lpr e val e nc eofpr ur i t i cpa pul a r e r upt i on( PPE)a mongHI Vi nf e c t e dAf r i c ans ,t hec aus eha sbe e ne l us i v e . OBJ ECTI VE: To de t e r mi net hee t i ol ogyofPPE oc c ur r i ngi nHI Vi nf e c t e di ndi vi dual s . DESI GN,SETTI NG, AND PATI ENTS:Cr os s s e c t i onals t udyofHI Vi nf e c t e dpa t i e nt swi t ha c t i vePPE f r om c l i ni c s i nUg andac onduc t e df r om Ma y19t hr oughJ une6,2 0 03. Enr ol l me ntoc c ur r e di nt hemont h pr e c e di ngMay19 . Eac hpar t i c i pantwa sc l i ni c a l l ye x ami ne dby2de r ma t ol og i s t s ,ha d l a bor at or ys t udi e spe r f or me d,wa sa dmi ni s t e r e da ne pi de mi ol ogi cque s t i onna i r e ,andha das ki n bi ops yofane wl e s i one va l uat e dbyade r ma t opa t hol ogi s t . MAI N OUTCOME MEASURES: Hi s t ol ogi c alc har ac t e r i s t i c sofne w pr ur i t i cl e s i ons . Ot he ra s s e s s me nt si nc l ude dCD4c e l l c ount ,e os i nophi lc ount ,andphys i c i ana s s e s s e dr as hs e ve r i t y . RESULTS:Of1 09pat i e nt s me e t i ngi nc l us i onc r i t e r i a,102( 9 3. 6%)c ompl e t e dt hes t udy . TheCD4c e l lc ount si nt hi ss t udy / popul at i onwe r ege ne r al l yl ow ( me di a n,46mi c r oL)a ndi nve r s e l yr e l a t e dt oi nc r e as i ngr a s h s e ve r i t y( me di anCD4c e l lc ount s: 122f ormi l d,41f ormode r at e ,a nd9f ors e v e r e; P<. 0 0 1f or t r e nd) . Ei g ht ys i xpa t i e nt s( 84 %;9 5%c onf i de nc ei nt e r v al ,7 7%91 %)ha dbi ops yf i ndi ng s c har ac t e r i s t i cofa r t hr opodbi t e s . Pat i e nt swi t har t hr opodbi t e sonbi ops yha ds i g ni f i c ant l y /mi hi ghe rpe r i phe r ale os i nophi lc ount s( me di a n,3 3 0vs180 c r oL; P= . 02 )a ndhadat r e nd t owa r dl owe rCD4c e l lc ount s( me di an,4 0vs9 9/ mi c r oL; P= . 0 7 )t hant hos ewi t hout hi s t ol ogi c a le v i de nc eofa r t hr opodbi t e s . CONCLUSI ONS: Pr ur i t i cpapul are r upt i on oc c ur r i ngi nHI Vi nf e c t e di ndi vi dual sma ybear e a c t i ont oa r t hr opodbi t e s . Wehypot he s i z e t hatt hi sc ondi t i onr e f l e c t sanal t e r e da nde x a gge r a t e di mmuner e s pons et oar t hr opoda nt i g e ns i nas ubs e tofs us c e pt i bl eHI Vi nf e c t e dpat i e nt s . Thank y ouf o rr e f e r r i ngt hi spat i e nt ! I mmedi at ebe nef i t s I mme di a t ebe ne f i t soft hene t wor kt husf a rha v ebe e ne nhanc e me ntoft r i ag e ,di a gnos t i c s uppor t ,ands ki ndi s e as emanage me ntg ui da nc ef r om ade r mat ol og i s t . Thet e l e de r mat ol ogi s ts r e s pons ewa s1 00%andt i me l y,us ual l ywi t hi n35day s( r e s pons et i me sr a ng ef r om l e s st ha n onehourt os e ve nday s ) . Ther e s pons e ,wi t ht her e f e r r ali mage s ,we r eava i l abl et og oi nt ot he pa t i e ntsme di c a lr e c or df orf ut ur er e f e r e nc e . Ther e f e r r i ngpr ovi de ra l s obe ne f i t e df r om l e ar ni ngabouts ki ndi s e as emana ge me ntand,whe nr e f e r e nc e swe r epr ov i de d,mor eg e ne r a l r e adi ngont her e f e r r e dpa t i e ntsc ondi t i on. A f ur t he re duc at i onalbe ne f i twa sgl e ane dwhe n t hePIr e vi s i t e dt hes i t e st or e vi e wt hec as e swi t ht hepr ov i de r s . Thi swa smos ta ppar e nti n Ge or ge ,W.C. ,whe r et hePIr e vi s i t e dt og i v eapr of e s s i ona lde v e l opme ntl e c t ur eon de r mat ol ogyf ort heg e ne r alpr ac t i t i one ra ndwa sa bl et or e vi e wc a s e sdi r e c t l ywi t ht her e f e r r i ng pr ovi de r s . Thi sv i s i ta l s os e r ve di nt r oubl e s hoot i ngf ora nydi f f i c ul t i e swi t ht hes y s t e m. The PIf ur t he r mor ee s t abl i s he dawe e kl yr e vi e w oft het e l e de r mat ol ogyr e f e r r al swi t ht hes t af f , i nc l udi ngt r ai ne e s ,i nt hede r mat ol ogydi v i s i ona tUCT. Thi swe e kl yt e l e de r mat ol og yr e v i e w s e s s i onhasbe c omear out i nepar toft het r a i ni ngc ur r i c ul um. Las t l y ,t hene t wor kha s pr ov i de dani nt e r c ont i ne nt alde r mat ol og ye duc at i one xc ha ng ebe t we e nUCT a ndt heDi v i s i on ofDe r ma t ol og yatt heUni ve r s i t yofWa s hi ng t oni nSe a t t l e ,USA. Chal l e ng i ngde r ma t ol og y c a s e sf r om UCT a ndUW ha vebe e ne xc ha ng e df ort r a i ne eandc ons ul t a nte duc a t i on. A l i v e i nt e r ac t i vevi de o gr andr ounds hasa l s obe e nhe l dbe t we e nt het wof ac ul t i e s . Pi t f al l s Thes y s t e m hasnotbe e nwi t houtpi t f al l s .I mageut i l i t y ,t houg hus ual l yve r ygoodt oe x c e l l e nt , c anvar y,i nt e r msofi magequa l i t yandbodys i t e . Upl oadi ngi ma ge sa ndhi s t or yt a ke st i me 4 7 outofabus ypr i mar ypr ovi de rss c he dul e . Obt a i ni ngi nf or me dc ons e nta ndans we r i ng que s t i onnai r e si sl i ke wi s ebur de ns omef orabus yhe al t hc a r epr ovi de r . Came r af ai l ur ea tone s i t e( He r manus )i mpos e dade l ayof68we e ksi nr e f e r r al s ,andt het hr e a toft he f tofe qui pme nt i sa l wa y spr e s e nt . Se c ur i nge qui pme ntg e ne r al l yc ome sa tt hee x pe ns eofe f f i c i e nc y . Fut ur eob j e ct i v es( ye art wo) Obj e c t i ve sf ort hes e c ondye aroft hi spr oj e c ti nc l ude: /popul a)Ext e ns i onoft hene t wor kt oi nc l udeot he runde r s e r ve dar e a s a t i ons . ThePIhasha d di s c us s i onswi t ht heSout hAf r i c anAr me dFor c e sr e g ar di ngs uppor tf ort hemi l i t ar yand pr i mar ypr ovi de r s . Si mi l ardi s c us s i onshav eoc c ur r e dwi t hNGOsa i di ngt hea nt i r e t r ov i r a l r ol l outi nSout hAf r i c aandwehav er e c e i ve dappr ov alt oe qui pandt r ai nt wos i t e s i nvol ve dwi t ht hi s . Twoot he rSout hAf r i c a nnat i ons ,Ke ny aa ndZambi a ,ha v ebe e ni n / c ont ac twi t hust opr ovi debot hpat i e ntpr ovi de rs uppor ta nds y s t e ms uppor t . La s t l y , i ns pi r e dbyar e c e nte ve ntwhe r ef ourpe opl ewe r es hotandapr i s ong uar dki l l e di na n at t e mptt obr e akapr i s one routwhi l ehewa si nt heGr oot eSc huurHos pi t alOut pat i e nt De par t me ntwai t i ngar e a,wear epl a nni ngt oa ppr oac hPol l s moorPr i s onr e gar di nga pos s i bl et e l e de r mat ol ogyl i nkt or e duc et her i s ksa ndt hec os toft r a ns por t i ngpr i s one r st o hos pi t alf orape r s onalde r ma t ol ogi c alc ons ul t at i on. b)Thoughpas s wor dpr ot e c t e de mai lf orr e f e r r al sandr e s pons e si swor ki ngt husf a r ,a we bbas e d,pas s wor dpr ot e c t e di nt e r f ac eof f e r sde f i ni t eadva nt ag e sf orbot hpr ovi de ra nd c ons ul t ant . Wei nt e ndt ol ookatot he rwe bba s e dpl at f or msa ndas s e s sours pe c i f i cne e ds be f or ei mpl e me nt i ngt hi s . c )Ext e ndourne t wor kofde r mat ol ogi s t swi l l i ngt ot akeont e l e r e f e r r al s . d)Es t abl i s hame c hani s mf orr e i mbur s e me ntf ort het e l e c ons ul t ant st i me . e)Expl or ef ur t he rr e s e ar c hl ooki ngati nnov a t i veque s t i ons . Exa mpl e si nc l udet heus eofc e l l phonec a me r a sa samor emobi l eopt i onf orpr ov i de r st ot r a ns mi ti ma ge s . Al s o,as t udy l ooki ngatt hef or mala s s e s s me ntoft e l e de r mat ol ogydi a gnos t i cac c ur ac yi ndi a gnos i ng i nf l ammat or ys ki nr as he si ndar kl ypi g me nt e dpat i e nt si sbe i ngof f e r e dasame di c a l unde r gr aduat er e s e ar c hmodul ea tUCT. Gr antSuppor t ・Ful br i ghtSc hol ar s hi p,Counc i lf orI nt e r na t i onalEx c ha ngeofSc hol a r s ,USA/Sout hAf r i c a ,1 Se pt e mbe r ,2004t o1J ul y,2005. ・Puge tSoundPa r t ne r sf orGl obalHe a l t h,R.Col v e n― P.I . ,1Se pt e mbe r ,2 0 04t o31 Augus t ,2005. Fur t he rg r ants uppor ti sbe i ngpur s ue dbyt hePIt oal l ow a t t e nt i ont ot hea bov ef ut ur e obj e c t i ve s . Thea i mi st oe nr olappr oxi ma t e l y10 0pat i e nt sa ndpr ovi dedat at ot hea ge nc i e s r e s pons i bl ef orhe al t hc ar ef i nanc i ngi nt hei ndi vi dualpr ov i nc e s .I fs uppor ti sobt a i ne d,a f or malbus i ne s spl anandr e i mbur s e me nts c he mec anbede v i s e dt os us t a i nt hes ys t e mf ort he l ongt e r m. Sus t ai nabi l i t yoft hi sne t wor kwi l lde pe ndonc ompe ns a t i onf ort hi se f f or t ,a swe l l a si t sus e f ul ne s sande f f e c t i ve ne s sf orpa t i e nt sa ndpr ov i de r s . Wi t houtf ur t he rs uppor t ,t hi s pr oj e c ti sa tr i s koff ai l i ngbe f or ei tha sha dac hanc et or e ac hi t sf ul lpot e nt i a l . Re f er enc es [1]J oi ntUni t e dNa t i onsPr ogr a mmeonHI V/ AI DS( UNAI DS) ,Wor l dHe a l t hOr g ani z a t i on( WHO) . AI DS / /www. e p i de mi cup dat e2002.ht t p: una i ds . or g . 4 8 [2]Ne /HSRC St l s onMa nde l a udyofHI V/ AI DS,Sout hAf r i c a nNa t i ona lHI V Pr e va l e nc e ,Be hav i our a lRi s ksa nd / /www. /hi e y200 2 . ht t p: hs r c publ i s he r s . c o. z a v. ht ml Mas sMe di aHous e hol dSur v [3]Ts s e s Lanc e t19 9 6;3 48: 65 9-6 3 . c ha c hl e rE,Be r g s t r e s s e rPR,St i ng lG. HI Vr e l a t e ds ki ndi s e a [4]Pa a uw DS,We nr i c hMD,Cur t i sJ R,Ca r l i neJ D,Ra ms e yPG. Abi l i t yofpr i mar yc ar ephy s i c i anst or e c ogni z e phy s i c a lf i ndi ngsa s s oc i at e dwi t hHI Vi nf e c t i on JAMA.19 9 5Nov1; 2 7 4( 1 7 ): 1 3 80 2. [5]Sc ,Ha e f f ne rA,Bur gG. Te l e de r ma t ol og ya sane wt ooli ns ubSa ha r a n hmi dGr e nde l me i e rP,Mas e ng aEJ -5 Af r i c a:ane xpe r i e nc ei nTa nz ani a J Am Ac ad De r mat ol2 0 00; 42: 83 3 . [6]Todd,G.Pe r s ona lc ommuni c a t i on. [7]Woot t onR. Te l e me di c i ne:ac a ut i ouswe l c ome BrMe dJ1 9 96; 31 3:1 3 75 7. [8]Ee dyDJ ,Woot t onR. Te l e de r ma t ol ogy: ar e v i e w BrJ De r mat o l20 0 1;1 4 4: 69 6 70 7 . [9]Ma nat hous a ndwor ds: e nha nc e me ntofapr e e x a mt e l e phone nnT,Col v e nR. A pi c t ur ei swor t hmor et ha c ons ul t a t i oni nde r ma t ol ogywi t hdi gi t a li ma g e s Ac a dMe d.20 0 2J ul;77( 7 ): 7 42 3 . [10 ]Wi l l i a msT,Ma yC,Es ma i lA,e tal . Pat i e nts a t i s f ac t i onwi t hs t or e a ndf or war dt e l e de r ma t ol ogy J Te l e me d -6 l e c ar e2 00 1;7( Suppl1):4 5 . Te [11 ]Whi e r r a l st oa t e dJ D,Ha l lRP,FoyME,e tal . Te l e de r ma t ol og ysi mpa c tont i met oi nt e r v e nt i ona mongr e f -2 de r ma t ol ogyc ons ul ts e r v i c e Te l e me d J E He al t h2 0 02; 8( 3): 31 3 1 . [12 ]Fr og ya ndt e l e me di c i nei ns ubSa ha r anAf r i c a BMJ 20 0 0;3 2 1: a s e rHSF,Mc Gr a t hJ D. I nf or ma t i ont e c hnol -6 46 5 . [13 ]Sc ma t ol og yi nSubSa ha r anAf r i c ai nBur gG hmi dGr e nde l me i e rP,DoeP,Pa ke nhamWa l s hN. Te l e de r ( e d. ) ,Te l e me di c i neand Te l e de r mat ol o g y. Cur rPr obDe r mat ol2 00 3;3 2:2 3 34 6. [14 ]CI l dFa c tBookOnl i ne A Wor 4 9 3 Te l e c o mmuni c at i o ni nf r as t r uc t ur e Thi ss e c t i onc ons i s t soft wos e gme nt s: 1)anove r vi e w oft e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur e 2 )ane xampl eofawor ki ngappl i c at i onofs a t e l l i t e ba s e dc ommuni c at i onf ort e l e me di c i ne pur pos e s 12 3. 1 Over vi ew oft e l e co mmuni cat i oni nf r as t r uc t ur ef ort el e me di ci ne Theus eoft e l e c ommuni c at i onsi ns uppor tofhe a l t hc ar es e r v i c e s ,par t i c ul ar l yi nt e l e me di c i ne appl i c at i ons ,of t e nr e qui r e sahi ghl ys ophi s t i c at e dmul t i me di ai nf r as t r uc t ur e . He al t hc ar e r e l at e di nf or mat i oni nt hef or m oft e xt ,dat a ,audi oorv i de o( orac ombi na t i onof t he s e )de mandsdi f f e r e nt ,andus ual l yqui t es t r i ng e nt ,s i gnalr e qui r e me nt s ,t oge t he rwi t hs e s s i on pr ope r t i e sv ar yi ngwi t ht heappl i c at i on. Oneoft hef i r s ts t e pst obet ake ni nanyr e mot e he a l t hc ar ede l i ve r yi sac l e a rde f i ni t i onoft he s er e qui r e me nt sa ndac hoi c eoft he t e l e c ommuni c at i ont e c hni que st ome e tt he m. I nt hi spar t ,anove r vi e w oft het e c hni que si sgi v e n. Thec hoi c eoft he s et e c hni que sne e ds c ar e f ulpl anni ng ,s i nc et hes pe c i alqual i t yofs e r vi c ede mande dbyt hehe al t hc ar ewi l lt y pi c a l l y r e qui r es i gni f i c anti nve s t me nt . Tr adi t i onali nf r as t r uct ur e Thepubl i cs wi t c he dt e l e phonene t wor k( PSTN)i subi qui t ousa r oundt hewor l d. The t r ans mi s s i onme di um i st ypi c a l l yac oppe rpa i r ,butot he rme di a( opt i c a lf i br ec abl e ,r a di o c ommuni c a t i one t c . )ma ya l s obeus e d. Thoughde s i gne df orv oi c ec al l s( e xpe c t e ddur at i onofaf e w mi nut e s ) ,t hi sbas i cs y s t e mc a n a l s opr ovi del owdat ar at ec ommuni c at i onst hr oughdi al upmode msc onne c t i onst ot het e r mi na l / poi nt s . Thehi g he s tr a t eac hi e v abl ef ordat at r a ns mi s s i oni s5 6kbi t s( us ua l l yc l os e rt o4 8 /s kbi t ) . Notonl ypoi nt t opoi nt ,buta l s opoi nt t omul t i poi nta ndmul t i poi nt t omul t i poi ntc onne c t i ons ar eavai l abl ewi t hPSTN; howe ve r ,t hec onne c t i onsar er e s t r i c t e dt ov oi c e( e . g.t e l e c onf e r e nc e ) andl ow dat ar at et r a ns mi s s i ons e r v i c e ss uc ha sf i l et r ans f e r( s e eI TUTVs e r i e s r e c omme ndat i ons ) . Ot he rs e r vi c e s ,s uc hasvi de oc onf e r e nc i ng ,ar epos s i bl ewi t hs ome c ompr e s s i ont e c hni que s;howe ve r ,i nge ne r a lt he yf a i lt os a t i s f yt hede mandi ngc ondi t i onsof e he al t h. A maj ori mpr ove me ntove rt hevoi c e or i e nt e di nf r a s t r uc t ur ei st heI nt e gr a t e dSe r vi c e sDi g i t a l Ne t wor k,I SDN. Asi t snamei mpl i e s ,I SDNsobj e c t i v ei st opr ov i devoi c e( i ndi g i t i z e df or m) anddat ac ommuni c a t i ononas i ngl ei nf r a s t r uc t ur e .I SDN pr e s e nt sf ul l dupl e xac c e s sonan onde mandba s i st hr ought woi nt e r f a c e s:BRI( Ba s i cRa t eI nt e r f ac e )andPRI( Pr i ma r yRat e I nt e r f ac e ) . / BRIc ons i s t soft hr e ei nde pe nde ntc hanne l s:t woB( be ar e r )c hanne l sof6 4kbi t se a c h,a ndone /sdat / a D( dat a)c hanne lof1 6kbi t s . TheBc hanne l sc anbea gg r e ga t e dt oas i ngl e12 8kbi t c ha nne l . TheD c ha nne li sus e df orc ont r ols i g nal sa ndc al lda t a . PRIhas30Bc hanne l s . I SDN ha sanumbe rofa dv ant a ge sa s s oc i at e dwi t hi t sbe i ngane ndt oe nddi gi t a ls ys t e m. As i mi l ars ys t e m,s har i ngs omede s i gnpr i nc i pl e swi t hI SDN,i sknowng e ne r i c a l l yas t i me di vi s i onmul t i pl e x i ng( TDM) . TDM s y s t e msc ons t i t ut eadi g i t a lhi e r a r c hybe gi nni ngwi t h 1 2 +9 Ta nkutBe y gu,T 썥 ur kTe l e c om De pa r t me ntofI nf or ma t i c sNe t wor ks ,Te l: 031 23 131 91 1,Fa x:+903 1 231 3 1 95 9,Ema i l:t ankut . be yg u@t ur kt e l e kom. c om. t r 5 0 /s / E1( 2, 048Mbi t ); ac hanne l i z e dve r s i oni se mpl oye dwi t hnx64kbi t s . Thoughbot hI SDN a ndTDM ne t wor ksa r ee f f e c t i vea tt r a ns mi t t i ngs y nc hr onousda t a ,t he yar e l e s swe l ls ui t e dt or e s pondi ngt ot heva r y i ngc har ac t e rofmul t i me di aappl i c at i onsa ndme e t i ng t hene e df oragua r a nt e e dl e ve lofQoSwhi l epr e s e r vi nge c onomyofne t wor ki ng. As y nc hr onoust r ans f e rmode As ync hr onoust r ans f e rmode( ATM)i sani nt e gr at e ds ol ut i ont ot her e s t r i c t i onst hata ppl yt o anys ync hr onousf l ow off i xe dl e ngt ht i mes l ot sofdat a . Si z i ngdownt hepa c ke ts t r uc t ur et oa c e l lof5 3byt e sa ndaf i r ms ys t e m ofs i g na l l i ngt oada ptdyna mi c a l l yt ov a r i ousc ha r a c t e r i s t i c s ofmul t i me di af l ow,t heATM ne t wor kove r c ome st hema i npr obl e mst ha tt het r a di t i ona l s y nc hr onousappr oa c hf ac e s . Di gi t als ubs cr i berl i nes Di gi t als ubs c r i be rl i ne s( DSL)pr e s e nta nout s t andi ngs ol ut i ons a t i s f y i ngt hebr oadbanda c c e s s ne e dsofs ma l la ndme di ums i z ebus i ne s s e sa ndhomeus e r sa l i ke . Theunde r l yi ngi de ai st o ma kef ul lbandwi dt hc a pac i t yofar e gul a rc oppe rpai r( t e l e phones ubs c r i be rl i ne )a v a i l abl eby de pl oyi ngDSLAM ( Di gi t alSubs c r i be rLi neAc c e s sMul t i pl e xe r )i nt hec e nt r a lof f i c eoft he t e l e phonyc ompany,i npl ac eoft het r a di t i ona lv oi c ee qui pme ntwhi c hus e sonl yi t s4kHz ba nd. Wi t haDSL mode m att hec us t ome rpr e mi s e s ,ahi g hbandwi dt ha tr e a s onabl e di s t anc e si sa c hi e vabl e . Thebandwi dt hobt ai ne dde pe ndsont hequal i t yoft hel i nea ndt he di s t anc ef r om t hec e nt r alof f i c ehos t i ngt heDSLAM. The r ei savar i e t yofDSL t e c hnol og i e s ,c ol l e c t i ve l yknownasx DSL. Twooft he m ar e par t i c ul ar l yus e f uli ne he al t happl i c at i ons: ・SDSL ( Symme t r i cDi gi t alSubs c r i be rLi ne ) / SDSL pr ov i de sdat ar at e supt o2. 3Mbi t si nbot hdi r e c t i onswi t hi nar ang eof3km ov e ra s i ngl ec oppe rpai r . Ast henamei mpl i e s ,t hi st e c hnol og yi ss ui t a bl ef ora ppl i c a t i onswi t h t hedowns t r e am t r af f i cl oadc l os et ot heups t r e a m,s uc hast e l e c ons ul t at i on. ・ADSL( As ymme t r i cDi gi t alSubs c r i be rLi ne ) t r e a m. 9 ADSL i sde s i gne dt ome e tt hene e df oradowns t r e a mr at egr e at e rt hant heups /sdowns /sups Mbi t t r e am a nd768kbi t t r e am i sa c hi e va bl ewi t hi naf e w hundr e dme t e r sf r om t hec e nt r alof f i c e . Theope r at i ngr angei st ypi c al l y5. 5km. Ast het r a ns por tme t hod, ADSL us e sATM. ADSL handl e sPSTN c al l sc onc ur r e nt l ywi t hda t ac ommuni c at i onbyma ki ngus eoft hel ow f r e que nc i e soft hel i nes pe c t r um f orv oi c ea ndt hehi ghe rf r e que nc i e sf ordat a . Howe ve r ,t hi s addst ot hec ompl e xi t yont hec us t ome rs i de ,r e qui r i ngt hei ns t a l l a t i onofas i gnals pl i t t e r andami c r of i l t e ratt heus e rs i de . A ve r s i onofADSL knownasG.Li t edi s pe ns e swi t ht hes pl i t t e r ,andi sde s i g ne dt obemor e / / us e r f r i e ndl y. G.Li t epr ovi de sada t ar a t ef r om 1 2 8kbi tst o1 , 544Mbi tsdowns t r e a m,a nd /st /sups f r om 128kbi t o38 4kbi t t r e am. Ot he rve r s i onsofADSL i nc l udet her e c e nt l y de pl oy e dADSL2andADSL2+. Theot he rmaj orDSL t ype sa r e: ・HDSL( Hi g hbi t r a t eDi g i t a lSubs c r i be rLi ne ) Ba s i c al l y,HDSL pr ov i de st hes a mes e r v i c ea sa nE1c onne c t i on. ・VDSL( Ve r yHi ghDat ar at eDi gi t a lSubs c r i be rLi ne ) /sdowns /sups VDSL de l i ve r s5 2Mbi t t r e am a nd2 . 3Mbi t t r e a m atdi s t anc e sofaf e w hundr e dme t e r s . Radi ocommuni cat i on Ce l l ul arr adi one t wor ksa r emos t l yf r e que nc yorc ode di vi s i onmul t i pl ea c c e s ss ys t e ms( FDMA 5 1 orCDMA)a ndc ompos e dofc e l l s( ge ne r al l yofhe x ag ona ls ha pe )de f i ne dbybas es t at i onst ha t e nabl ef r e que nc yorc oder e us e . Thet e r mi nal sc ommuni c at et hr oug hba s es t at i onsc onne c t e d t oac e nt r als wi t c hi nguni t . Ce l l ul arne t wor ksc ans uppor tma nyda t as e r vi c e s ,al t houg hv oi c ec al l sands hor tme s s agi ng r e mai nt hemai ndr i ve r s . The r ei sal ar genumbe rofdi g i t alc e l l ul a rt e c hnol og i e s:GSM,GPRS( Ge ne r a lPa c ke tRa di o Se r vi c e ) ,CDMA ( CodeDi vi s i onMul t i pl eAc c e s s ) ,EDGE( Enhanc e dDa t af orGSM Evol ut i on) ,3GSM andDECT,t onamebutaf e w. Thebac kboneofr adi oc ommuni c at i oni si mpl e me nt e dbys a t e l l i t e s . Sa t e l l i t ec ommuni c a t i on hast womai nadva nt ag e s: 1)ve r yl ar gebandwi dt h 2)i nhe r e ntpoi nt t omul t i poi ntt r a ns mi s s i onove rav e r yl ar g ear e a. Thi smake si tanat t r ac t i ves ol ut i oni nt hea bs e nc eofat e r r e s t r i a li nf r as t r uc t ur e ,whe t he rduet o t her e mot e ne s sofar e gi onort oadi s a s t e rofs omeki nd. The r ear eve r ye f f e c t i veande f f i c i e ntr adi oc ommuni c a t i ont e c hnol ogi e st ha te nabl ebot h mobi l i t yandhi ghQoS,s uc hasWi Fi . Unf or t una t e l y,adi s c us s i onoft hede t a i l swoul dgo be yondt hes c opeoft hi sr e por t . Summar y The r ei sav e r ywi der angeoft e l e c ommuni c at i ont e c hni que sr e a dyt os e r vee he al t hunde ra ny c ondi t i ons . Thr ought hes t r ongc onne c t i onbe t we e ni nf or mat i ona ndc ommuni c at i on t e c hnol ogi e s ,ave r ypowe r f ule xampl ei st heI nt e r ne t ,ne w pos s i bi l i t i e sf ore he a l t ha ppl i c a t i ons e me r gewhi l ebr i ngi ngne w pr obl e mss uc ha ss e c ur i t yal ong . 13 3 . 2 Sat el l i t ebas e dt e l e me di ci nepr ac t i ces As ucces ss t or yf r om I ndi a Backgr ound I ndi ai sf ac e dwi t ht hee nor moust as kofpr ov i di nghe al t hc a r et oavas tr ur a lpopul at i on, s pr e adi ni nac c e s s i bl eandr e mot ear e as ,i nc l udi ngdi s t a nti s l and. 80 %oft hepopul a t i onl i v e i ns ome62 7, 00 0vi l l a ge s;byc ont r a s t ,80 %oft heme di c als pe c i a l i s t sr e s i dei nt hemaj orc i t i e s . Thec ount r yi ss e r ve dbyappr oxi ma t e l y27 , 0 00hos pi t a l sa ndhe al t hc e nt r e s ,br oke ndownas f ol l ows: ・di s t r i c thos pi t al s― 67 0; ・c ommuni t yhe al t hc e nt r e s― 3 , 000; ・pr ― i mar yhe al t hc e nt r e s 23, 00 0; ・me di c alc ol l e ge sa nds upe r s pe c i al t yhos pi t al s― 2 50. I ndi af ac e sot he rc hal l e nge sa swe l l ,i nc l udi ngt hedi f f i c ul tt e r r ai n,l ongdi s t anc e s ,poor t r ans por t at i on,poorl i t e r a c y,l ow i nc omeandl i mi t e da c c e s st ome di a . As s ur i nga c c e s st o he a l t hc a r eatt hes upe r s pe c i al t yl e ve lf ort hee nt i r er ur a lpopul at i oni sal mos ti mpos s i bl e ,a s i t ua t i ont hatmi g htbec har ac t e r i z e dasa he a l t hdi v i de. Te l e me di c i nei st heonl yopt i on t hatpr omi s e st obr i dg et hi sdi v i de . Aspar toft heut i l i z at i onofs pac et e c hnol ogyf ort hede ve l opme ntoft hec ount r ysr e mot e 1 3 Rav iSa ks e na ,Pr oj e c tMana g e r― Te l e me di c i ne ,Spa c eAppl i c a t i onsCe nt r e ,I SRO,Ahme da ba d,I ndi a 5 2 r e gi ons ,t heI ndi anSpac eRe s e ar c hOr ga ni z at i on,I SRO,ha si ni t i at e danumbe rofpr og r a mme s . Oneoft hemaj orpr ogr amme si st e l e me di c i ne .I SRO ha st ake nt hei ni t i at i vet opr ov i de s at c ombas e dt e l e he al t handt e l e me di c i nef a c i l i t i e s ,i nt hef r ame wor kofas oc i a lpr og r amme . Te l e me di c i nepr omi s e st oi mpr ovea c c e s s ,r e duc et r ave lc os t sf orpat i e nt sa ndhe al t hc ar es t af f /e al i ke ,l owe re xpe ndi t ur eons t af f qui pme ntc os t ,pr ov i des uppor tt ope opl ei nt he i rown e nvi r onme nt ,andove r c omer ur ali s ol at i on. Theappl i c at i onsoft e l e me di c i near e: ・t e l e c ons ul t at i on ・t e l e di agnos i s ・r adi ol ogy ・pat hol ogy ・c ar di ol ogy ・opht ha l mol ogy ・t e l e e duc at i on ・CME( c ont i nue dme di c a le duc at i on) Te l e me di c i nes ys t e msc ons i s te s s e nt i al l yof( a )apat i e nt e ndt e r mi na l ,( b)as pe c i a l i s t e nd t e r mi na la nd( c )as e r ve r . Pat i ent endt er mi nal si ncl ude: ・A PC wi t ht e l e me di c i nes of t war eandi nt e r f ac e sf ordi ag nos t i ci ns t r ume nt s ・A v i de oc onf e r e nc i ngs ys t e m ・Di agnos t i c si ns t r ume nt s ・A 1 2l e adECG uni t ・A hi ghr e s ol ut i onXr ays c anne r ・A di gi t ali magi ngc apabl emi c r os c opef orpa t hol og y. Speci al i s t endt er mi nal si ncl ude: ・A PC wi l e me di c i nes of t wa r e t ht e ・Pr oc e s s i nganddi s pl ayoft hedi agnos t i cdat a ・A vi de oc onf e r e nc i ngs ys t e m. l l i t ebas edi nf r as t r uc t ur e Ther at i onal ef oras at e Vi de oc onf e r e nc i ngi soneoft hemai nc ompone nt sofa nyt e l e me di c i nes ys t e m. Thi sr e qui r e sa /s da t ae xc hanger at eofa tl e a s t3 84kbi t .I nde ns e l ypopul at e da r e a s ,t e r r e s t r i a l t e l e c ommuni c at i ons ys t e ms( I SDN oropt i c alf i br e )of f e rhi g hc a pa c i t yatal ow c os t;howe v e r , t he yar el e s sc os t e f f e c t i vei nr e mot ear e as ,whe r et hepopul a t i onde ns i t yi sl owe r . Fur t he r mor e ,t hec ons t r uc t i onofs uc ha ni nf r a s t r uc t ur ei st i me i nt e ns i ve . Sa t e l l i t e ba s e dc ommuni c at i oni st hemos te f f e c t i vewa yofpr ov i di ngt hene c e s s a r y c ommuni c at i onl i nks . Compar e dt oat e r r e s t r i a ll i nk,i ta l l owsubi qui t ousa c c e s sa nywhe r e wi t hi nt hes a t e l l i t esf oot pr i nt ,atamuc hl owe rc os tandwi t har e duc e dl e a dt i me . Sa t c ombas e dl i nksar et husmor es ui t a bl ef ort het e l e me di c i nene t wor k. Thec onf i g ur a t i onof at ypi c alI SRO t e l e me di c i nes at c om ne t wor ki ss hownonFi g ur e1 . Ar ound100t e r mi na l sa r e / a l r e a dyope r at i onal ,c onne c t i ng20s upe r s pe c i al t yhos pi t al s ,80di s t r i c tr ur a lhos pi t al s ,a nd ot he r sl oc a t e di nr e mot epl a c e sl i ket heAndamanandNi c obari s l a nds ,Laks hadwe e ps ,and poor l yac c e s s i bl ear e a sofLa dakhandt henor t he as t . Ma nymor ear ei nt hepr oc e s sof i ns t al l at i on( Fi g. 2 ) . Thr e et ype sofc onne c t i v i t yar epr ovi de d: ・Poi nt t opoi nt 5 3 ・Poi nt t omul t i poi nt ・Mul t i poi nt t omul t i poi nt Thet e r mi nal sus eVSATswi t ha3. 8 ma nt e nna. orne t wor kc ont r ol .I t st e c hni c alc ha r ac t e r i s t i c sa r ea s AnI SRO hubatBangal or ei sus e df / / f ol l ows:dat ar at e3 84kbi ts ,l i nkonde mand( SCPCDAMA) ,LANTCP I Pi nt e r f a c e . Twot ype soft e r mi nal sa r eus e d: 1 )s t andal one e a c hnoder e qui r e st hef ul ls of t wa r es ui t e 2)s e r ve r ba s e dt hef ul ls of t wa r es ui t er e s i de sa tt hes e r v e rnodeonl y ,t heot he rnode sbe i ng br ows e r ba s e dwi t hmi ni mals of t wa r er e qui r e me nt s Pat i e nt e ndt e r mi nal sar epr ovi de dwi t h: ・aPC wi t ht e l e me di c i nes of t wa r e ・aPCbas e dvi de oc onf e r e nc i ngs ys t e m ・a12l e adECG uni t ・a nA3s i z eXr ays c a nne rorXr a yvi e w boxwi t hdi g i t a lc a me r aands t anda ndapa t hol og y mi c r os c opewi t hdi gi t alc a me r a( a ts omel oc a t i ons ) ・aVoI Pphone ・apr i nt e r . Doc t or e ndt e r mi nal shave: ・aPC wi t ht e l e me di c i nes of t wa r e ・aPCbas e dors t andal onevi de oc onf e r e nc i ngs ys t e m wi t hPTZ( pa n,t i l t ,z oom)c a me r a ・aVoI Pphone ・apr i nt e r . Fi g . 1 5 4 Fi g. 2 I SRO t e l e me di c i nene t wor k I SRO hast ake nt hel e adt os t andar di z ee he al t hdat ai nt e r c ha ng e: ・DI COMDi gi t alI magi ngandCommuni c at i oni nMe di c i ne ・HL7ve lSe ve n He al t hLe ・Vi de oc onf e r e nc i ngs t anda r ds ・H. 323wi t hH. 261andH. 2 63vi de oc odi ng . r ans por t a bl et e l e me di c i net e r mi nal st ha tc anbe Thes at c om s ol ut i onr e l i e sont heus eoft move df r om vi l l aget ovi l l a gebyvan. Thi si sdonet oavoi dt hepr ohi bi t i v ec os t soff i t t i ng t e r mi nal si ne v e r ys i ngl evi l l age . Themobi l euni t sar ea s s i g ne dt oc ove rac l us t e rofvi l l a g e s , v i s i t i nge ac hvi l l ageatr e g ul ari nt e r val sa nda l s oonc a l l ,whe nr e qui r e d. Themobi l euni t c ons i s t sofas ma l lbusc ha s s i swi t har oof mount e d1. 8m a nt e nnaandVSAT e l e c t r oni c sf or s at e l l i t ec onne c t i v i t y. Thevansa r es e l f c ont ai ne d; i na ddi t i ont ot heVSAT t e r mi nalt he y hav eavi de oc onf e r e nc i ngs y s t e m andaPCbas e dt e l e me di c i nes ys t e m,a swe l la sdi ag nos t i c i ns t r ume nt s . The yar eal s of ul l yai r c ondi t i one d,andf i t t e dwi t hanuni nt e r r upt i bl epowe r s uppl yandpe t r olg e ne r at or .I SRO ha ss uppl i e dopht ha l mi ct e l e me di c i nevanst o: ・Sanke rNe t hr al aya,Che nnai ・Ar avi ndEyeHos pi t al ,Madur ai . Va nsa r ebe i nge xt e ns i ve l yus e dbybot ht hehos pi t a l st opr ovi dee y ec a r es e r vi c e st ol ar ge numbe rofv i l l age s . Twomor et e l e me di c i nev ansf org e ne r a lme di c i near ei nt hepi pe l i ne . Ut i l i z at i o n A us e rme e t i ngwa sor g ani z e di nNove mbe r2 00 3t or e vi e wt heut i l i z a t i onoft het e l e me di c i ne s ys t e msi ns t al l e dbyI SRO. Doc t or sf r om s upe r s pe c i al t yhos pi t al s ,s oc i a lr e s e ar c hs c i e nt i s t s 5 5 a ndt e l e me di c i nes ys t e mv e ndor spar t i c i pa t e di nt heme e t i ng . Soc i a lr e s e ar c hs c i e nt i s t s s ol i c i t e df e e dbac kf r om doc t or sa ndpat i e nt sa ts omeoft het e l e me di c i nenode sr e g a r di ngt he ut i l i z at i onandac c e pt anc eoft e l e me di c i nebyt hedoc t or sandpat i e nt s .I twa sf oundt hat t e l e me di c i nei swe l la c c e pt e dandi nc r e a s i ng l ybe i ngadopt e dbydoc t or sa ndpa t i e nt s .I tha s de f i ni t e l yi mpr ove dt hequa l i t yofe he a l t hatr e mot el oc a t i ons . Sat com s ys t emsi ndi s as t er s Thes at c ombas e dt e l e me di c i net e r mi na l si ns t al l e di nt heAnda manandNi c obarI s l a ndshav e s hownt he i rus e f ul ne s sdur i ngt het s unamidi s as t e rt hats t r uc kt hei s l andsf ol l owi ngt he2 6 De c e mbe r2 004e ar t hquakeof ft hec oas tofI ndone s i a. Thet e r mi nal ss aw e x t e ns i veus ei n or ga ni z i ngme di c als uppor tf r om t hema i nl a nds upe r s pe c i al t yhos pi t a l s . Thef ut ur e Thepr e s e ntt e l e me di c i nene t wor k,wor ki ngi nt hee x t e nde dCba ndwi t ht heI ns a ts pac e c r af t , hasnode sr e qui r i ng3. 8m/1. 8m a nt e nnas . Thi ss i z eofant e nnai snots ui t abl ef orapor t a bl e t e l e me di c i net e r mi na l ,be i ngt ool ar get obee a s i l yc a r r i e dbyahe a l t hc ar ewor ke rt r a ve l l i ngi n ani s ol at e dar e awi t has mal lv e hi c l e . Fut ur es at e l l i t e swi l lha vehi g hpowe rSba nda nd Kubandt r ans ponde r s . Thi swi l lma kei tpos s i bl et ous epor t a bl es at c om t e r mi nal s ,r oughl yt hes ha peands i z eofa br i e f c as e ,wi t has mal ldi s horaf l a ta r r a yofpat c ha nt e nna smount e dont hel i d,and e l e c t r oni c si nt hebas e . Thet e l e me di c i nes ys t e mr e qui r e sal apt oport abl e tPC wi t habui l t i n c ame r aandas mal lnumbe rofdi ag nos t i ci ns t r ume nt st ha tc a nbef i t t e de a s i l yi ns i deas mal l s ui t c a s e . Thee mphas i si nt hef ut ur ewi l lbeonwi r e l e s sc onne c t i v i t ybe t we e nt hes at e l l i t e c ommuni c at i ont e r mi na l ,t e l e me di c i nes y s t e m anddi ag nos t i ci ns t r ume nt s ,al ongwi t ht he f ol l owi ngf e a t ur e s: ・amobi l et e l e me di c i nevan ・as mal ls t e e r abl eant e nna. ・mobi l ec onne c t i vi t yt oas upe r s pe c i a l t yhos pi t a l ・at e l e he al t hki os ki ne ve r yvi l l age ・s t andar di z at i onoft e l e me di c i nes ys t e ms ・i bi l i t yofdi f f e r e ntt e l e me di c i nes y s t e ms nt e r ope r a ・t heus eofne wv i de oc odi ngs t andar dss uc hasH. 2 64a ndMPEG4 ・He al t hSat . 3 . 3 Succes s f ulus ageofCo mmuni c at i o nsSat e l l i t ef orSuppo r t i ngMed i c alTr eat menti n 1 4 t heAf t e r mat hofDi s as t e r s I nt r oduct i on Whe ndi s as t e roc c ur s ,t e l e me di c i nepl aysa ni mpe r at i v er ol ei ns a vi ngl i ve s . Ac c or di ngt ot he Ame r i c anRe dCr os s ,di s as t e ri sde f i ne da sa noc c ur r e nc es uc ha shur r i c a ne ,t or nado,s t or m, f l ood,hi ghwat e r ,wi nddr i ve nwat e r ,t i da lwa v e ,e ar t hquake ,dr oug ht ,bl i z z a r d,pe s t i l e nc e , f ami ne ,f i r e ,e xpl os i on,vol c ani ce r upt i on,bui l di ngc ol l a ps e ,t r ans por t at i onwr e c k,orot he r s i t ua t i ont ha tc aus e shumans uf f e r i ngorc r e a t e shumanne e dst ha tt hev i c t i msc a nnota l l e v i a t e wi t houta s s i s t a nc e . Te l e me di c i nei st hepr a c t i c eofme di c i neov e rdi s t a nc ewi t ht heus eof ia i i t e l e c ommuni c at i onse qui pme nt s ndi twa sf i r s ta ppl i e di ndi s as t e r sdur i ngt hemi d19 8 0 s . Att hebe gi nni ng,i nc onv e ni e nc i e ss uc hasbul ky,unc oope r at i v es y s t e msha dr e por t e dc a us i ng 1 4 Ms .Ki y okoNa g a mi ,I nv i t e dRe s e ar c he r ,Na t i onalI ns t i t ut eofI nf or ma t i ona ndCommuni c a t i onsTe c hnol og y c hi ,Kog a ne i ,Tokyo1 8 48 79 5J apanRe s e a r c he r ,Na ka j i mal a bor a t or y ,Tokai ( NI CT) ,4 21Nukui Ki t ama @e Uni v e r s i t ySc hoolofMe di c i ne ,I s e ha r a,J a pan.Ema i l: na ga mi t s 8 . j p 5 6 t e c hni c aldi f f i c ul t i e s . Subs e que ntl e ar ni ngt hr oug ht r i al sa ndt r i bul at i onsbr oughtt he i mpr ove dt e c hnol ogi cs ys t e msoft oday. Us i ngda t af r om t hepa s te a r t hquake si nJ a pa nwi l l s i mul at emobi l ephone sr e l yi ngont hepubl i cne t wor kf orme di c a lc ommuni c at i onsdur i ng di s a s t e r s . Subs e que nt l y,numbe rofSa t e l l i t eTe l e c ommuni c a t i onsc hanne l sne c e s s a r yf or t e l e me di c i nei ndi s as t e r swi l lbeaddr e s s e d. Fi na l l y,t hede ve l opme ntoft e l e me di c i nepa c ka ge unde rt hei ni t i at i ve sofTokaiUni ve r s i t yNaka j i maLa bor a t or ywi l lbei nt r oduc e df or c ons i de r at i on. 1 Co mmuni cat i o nsSat el l i t ef orTel emed i c i nei ndi s as t e r s NASA ( TheNat i onalAe r onaut i c sa ndSpac eAdmi ni s t r at i on)f i r s tbe ga nt oc onduc tr e s e ar c h i i i ont e l e me di c i nei nc oor di nat i onwi t ht hes t ar t upoft heGe mi nipr oj e c t . Theus a geof t e l e c ommuni c at i ont e c hnol ogyt of ur ni s hdi s as t e rai dbyNASA be g anf ol l owi ngt he de v as t at i ng19 85e ar t hquakei nMe xi c oCi t y. TheAdvanc e dTe c hnol og y 3( ATS3 ) c ommuni c at i onss at e l l i t epr ovi de dc r i t i c alv oi c ec ommuni c a t i ons uppor twi t hi n2 4hour soft he di s as t e r . ACTS( Adva nc e dCommuni c at i onTe c hnol ogySat e l l i t e )wa sl aunc he di n1 9 94t obeus e dt o Tabl e1 Summar yofmi l i t ar yandc i vi l i a ndi s as t e r r e l at e dt e l e me di c i nede pl oy me nt s . 5 7 t r a ns mi tme di c alr e c or ds ,i mage s ,andl i v evi de oatupt oT1( 1 . 5 44Mbps )da t ar at e s . I n1994,t heU. S. mi l i t ar ygai ne daddi t i ona le xpe r i e nc ebys e ndi ngat e l e me di c i net e a mt o s uppor tU. S.t r oopsi nHai t i . Te l e me di c i nec apabi l i t i e si nc l ude dvi de ot e l e c onf e r e nc i nga nd i v, v t r ans mi s s i onofhi g hr e s ol ut i ons t i l ldi g i t a li ma ge s( i nc l udi ngdi gi t i z e dr adi ogr aphi cf i l ms ) . TheESA ( Eur ope anSpa c eAg e nc y )be ga nac t i ve l ypur s ui nga c t i v i t i e si nt e l e me di c i nebac ki n v ii 1 99 6 nt hef or me rYugos l av i at opr ov i des uppor ti ns e t t i ngupas a t e l l i t e ba s e dpi l ot c ommuni c at i ons ys t e m be t we e nhos pi t a l si nI t a l yandt hef i e l dhos pi t ali nSar a j e voI thasa l s o t ake ni ni t i at i ve si ns e ve r alt e l e me di c i ner e l at e dpr oj e c t ss uc ha sDELTASSandI DI SCARE, unde rt hef r ame wor kofARTESpr ogr a mme Adva nc e dRe s e ar c hi nTe l e c ommuni c at i ons Sys t e ms . DELTASS( Di s as t e rEme r ge nc yLogi s t i cTe l e me di c i neAdv a nc e dSa t e l l i t eSy s t e m)i s as pac e bas e ds ys t e m de s i g ne dt oi mpr ovet hebe ne f i t sa nde f f i c i e nc yoft hema na g e me ntoft he r e s c ue ,f i r s tme di c ala i dande me r ge nc yope r a t i onsi ndi s a s t e rs i t uat i onsl i kee a r t hquake sor e xpl os i ons . Thef ol l owupoft hepr oj e c tDELTASSi sc al l e dI DI SCARE whe r es a t e l l i t e s s ys t e mshavebe e npr ove dt obebot hc os te f f e c t i veanda dapt abl et odi s a s t e r .I DI SCARE has be e nputi nt oac t i ondur i ngt r a gi ct s una midi s as t e ri nt heI ndi anOc e a ni n20 0 4byc onne c t i ng mobi l et e a msofr e s c uewor ke r swi t hhos pi t a l sv i as a t e l l i t e . Toka iUni v e r s i t ySc hoolofMe di c i nea ndt heTe l e me di c i neSoc i e t yofJ a pande v e l ope da me di c alne t wor ks panni ngt heAs i aPa c i f i cr e gi onus i ngt heETSV Sa t e l l i t edur i ng19 92t o 1 99 6c al l e dPr oj e c t AMI NE . I n199 4 ,t hee r upt i onofavol c anoc r a s he dpubl i cl i ne si n Ra ba ul( PapuaNe w Gui ne a) . AMI NE pr oj e c tt e am pr ov i de ds at e l l i t es e r vi c e sby c ommuni c at i ngme di c als c hoola tUPNG i nPor tMor e s byandhe l pe ds uppl y i ngf i r s ta i dki t s andwa t e r . Se ve r a lt e l e me di c i nee f f or t sus i ngc ommuni c at i onss a t e l l i t eha sbe e npe r f or me di nt he i mme di at eaf t e r ma t hoft heDe c e mbe r2 6,200 4t s unamii nI ndi anOc e an. I tha sbe e nr e por t e d t hatt heI ndi anSpac eRe s e ar c hOr gani z a t i on( I SRO)hasbr oughts a t e l l i t ef ac i l i t i e st ol oc a l doc t or st oc ommuni c at ewi t hhos pi t al si nt heI SRO t e l e me di c i nene t wor k. ForSummar yof mi l i t ar yandc i vi l i andi s as t e rr e l at e dt e l e me di c i nede pl oyme nt ss e eTabl e1. 2 Si mul at i ons Wehaveobs e r ve ds e ve r alc as e sofs uc c e s s f uls a t e l l i t et e l e c ommuni c a t i onus agei nDi s as t e r s . Di s as t e r s ,whe t he rnat ur alormanma dec ans t r i keanyt i me ,anypl a c e ,a ndwi t houta ny wa r ni ng. Whe t he ri tsanat ur aldi s as t e r ,s uc hasa ne ar t hqua ke ,hur r i c a neort or nado,ora t e r r or i s tat t a c kasi nt heaf t e r mat hoft hea t t ac ksofSe pt e mbe r1 1,2 001andmor er e c e nt l yt he bombi ngsi nLondon. Se eTabl e2f orc l a s s i f i c at i onofv ar i ousdi s as t e rc a s e s . J a pa ni sknownasvol c ani cc ount r y . Ac ount r yt hatha se x pe r i e nc e dma nyt r agi cdi s a s t e r si n i t shi s t or y. Ar ewepr e par e d? Wehavepi c ke dupt wodi s a s t e r soc c ur r e di nJ a pan. Onei st hemos tr e c e ntFukuoka Pr e f e c t ur eWe s t e r nOf f s hor eEa r t hqua keoc c ur r e di nMar c h20 0 5andt heot he ronei st he bi gge s tSout hHyogoPr e f e c t ur eEa r t hqua kei n19 9 5. I ns hor t ,f r om t e l e me di c i nepoi ntofv i e w t hee f f e c t i ve ne s sofmobi l et e l e phoneasat oolf ors uppor t i ngme di c alt r e at me nti nt he af t e r mat hofdi s as t e r sa ndt henumbe rofs a t e l l i t et e l e c ommuni c a t i onc ha nne l sne c e s s a r yf or t e l e me di c i nedur i ngmaj ordi s as t e r swi l lbedi s c us s e d. 2. 1 Theef f ect i ve ne s sofMo bi l ephonei ndi s as t e r s Mobi l ephone sar ec ons i de r e dt obeane f f e c t i vec ommuni c at i ont ooli nt heaf t e r mat hof di s as t e ri nge ne r al . Howe ve r ,now t hatt henumbe rofmobi l ephone shasi nc r e as e d,bot h mobi l ephone sa ndf i xe dphone sa r er e por t e dc r e a t i ngc ommuni c a t i onov e r l oadsduet o 5 8 Tab l e2 Cl a s s i f i c a t i onofv ar i ousdi s a s t e rc as e s i nc r e as e dc al l sdur i nge ar t hquake si nJ a panvii. Theque s t i onr e mai ns ,ast ot hewi s dom of us i ngt hee xi s t i ngpubl i cphonene t wor kf orme di c a lc ommuni c a t i onsdur i ngdi s a s t e r s . Mobi l e phone sr e l yi ngont hepubl i cne t wor kf orme di c alc ommuni c at i onsdur i ngdi s as t e r swi l lbe s i mul at e dus i ngda t af r om t hepas te ar t hqua ke s . Fi g ur e1i st hegr owt hofmobi l ephone s ubs c r i be r sa ndmaj ornat ur aldi s as t e r si nJ apa n. Communi c at i onr e c or dsa nds t at i s t i c a ls he e t sf ort heFukuokaPr e f e c t ur eWe s t e r nOf f s hor e Ear t hquakeha vebe e nus e d. Thee ar t hquakes t r uc kFukuokapr e f e c t ur e ,J apa na t10: 53am onMar c h20t h,2005andt hemaxi mum mag ni t uder e por t e d7. 0. Ac c or di ngt or e s e ar c h c onduc t e dbyapr i vat ec ompa ny ,ar ound70%ha dr e por t e dc hoos i ngmobi l ephoneasat oolt o c ommuni c at eaf t e rt hee ar t hquake . Fi gur e2i st het y peofc ommuni c a t i ont oolus e ddur i ng e ar t hquakeoc c ur r e di nFukuokaPr e f e c t ur e . Howe ve r ,wec ans e ei nTabl e3t hatl ar g eamountofpe opl er e por t e dc ommuni c at i ont r oubl e i nc ommuni c a t i ngvi amobi l ephone . 2. 1. 1 Met hodol ogy / Themaxi mum numbe rofc al l sf r om mobi l ephone sha sbe e nas s ume d1 47 , 94 5c al l s hour ( c al c ul at e dus i ngSt at i s t i c a ldat af r om Mi ni s t r yofI nt e r na lAf f ai r sandCommuni c a t i ons ,2 00 4 ) . Thec hanne l sf ormobi l ephonec al l sa r ede s i g ne dt or e duc ec al ll os spr obabi l i t yt o5 %orl e s s ( s t anda r dc a l ll os spr oba bi l i t yf ormobi l ephone si nJ apan) . Si nc e4 0%oft henat i ona la ve r a ge onc a l ldur a t i onf ormobi l ephonei sr e por t e d3 0s e c onds( Sour c e: Mi ni s t r yofI nt e r nalAf f a i r s andc ommuni c at i on) ,t heEar l angBviiie qua t i onbas e dont hi ss t a t i s t i c aldat a,i ndi c at e st ha t3 2 c hanne l spe rs t at i oni sr e qui r e d. I twa sas s ume dt hat1 5c a l l s ,onec a l lpe rmi nut e swe r ema de ove r1 5mi nut e sa ndt hemobi l ephonet r a ns i ts t a t i oni ns t a l l e di nt hear e ac ove r sa na r e aof 2 3. 1 4km . Theave r agedur at i onofc al l smadei mme di a t e l ya f t e rt hee ar t hqua kei st hes a meas t hatunde rnor malc ondi t i ons ,i . e . ,30s e c onds . 5 9 Fi g. 1 Tabl e3 . 2 Fi g N: Numbe rofc al l s( pe rhour ) d:Dur at i onofc al l a: N xd/3 6 00 a욑 e−욏 Ca l lLos sPr obabi l i t y= −P( 1 c+1,a) ∞ a욜 e−욏 [Poi s s ondi s t r i but i on] x! x=c+1 +1,a)= P( c c:Numbe rofc hanne l s Byus i ngt heEr l angBe quat i on,t hec al ll os spr obabi l i t yi s9 3 . 3%( pr obabi l i t yofs uc c e s s f ulc a l l / i s11 5)a ndt r af f i ci nt e ns i t yi s4 56. 069Er l ang . Thef i gur ei mpl i e st hatt hec al lt r a f f i cwa s /houri 5 4, 728t i me s nt hei mme di a t eaf t e r mat hoft hee a r t hquake . Ther e s ul t soft hes i mul a t i on i ndi c at et hatt henumbe rofmobi l ephonec al l sr e a c he da bout17. 5t i me st he i rnor mall e v e li n t hede ns e l ypopul at e dar e aofFukuokac i t y . 6 0 2 . 1. 2 Di s cus s i on A maj orr e as onf ort hehi ghde gr e eoff a i l ur eofmobi l ephonec a l l sdur i ngdi s a s t e ri st he numbe rofpe opl ec al l i ngt of i ndoutt hes af e t yoft he i rf r i e ndsa ndf a mi l y. Ac c or di ngt oSagaNe ws pape r ,Ma r c h24,20 05 ,Fukuokag ove r nme nt a lof f i c e r si nc l udi ng gove r norofFukuokahadr e por t e dt ha tpr i or i t ymobi l ephone sf ore me r g e nc yc a l l swe r e i x unabl et oc ommuni c at eaf t e rt heFukuokaPr e f e c t ur eWe s t e r nOf f s hor eEar t hqua ke . Thenumbe rofme di c alc al l si smuc hs mal l e rdur i ngadi s as t e rc ompar e dt os af e t yi nqui r y c al l s ,whi l et hedur at i onofe ac hc al li sl onge rt hans af e t yc a l l s ,duet oamountofme di c a l i nf or mat i onont hev i c t i mse xc hange d. Thet y pi c a lc al ldur a t i onf orr e al t i met e l e c ons ul t i ng x us i ngi mag edat ai sabout3 0mi nut e s. I ti si mpos s i bl et omai nt ai ns uc hl ongc al lwhe nt he mobi l ene t wor ki ss uf f e r i ngf r om t r af f i cc onge s t i on. Bas e dont her e por t sa ndne wsa r t i c l e son t hi se a r t hqua ke ,ape r c e nt ageof7 0%r e por t e dt ha thav et r i e dt ous emobi l ephonedur i ngt he e a r t hquake( Se eFi gur e2,3andTabl e3i nt heAnne x ) . 45 %r e por t e dbe i ngabl et oc ont a c t x i wi t hi n15mi nut e sa f t e rt hee ar t hquake . NTT doc omor e por t e dt ha tha sc ont r ol l e dt het r a f f i c be i ngabl et oc onne c tonc ei ne ve r y10c a l l s . Thur s ,wehaveas s ume di tt ook15mi nut e s be t we e nt hee ar t hquakeoc c ur r e nc e st i l lt het i met obec onne c t e d. Suppos e dt hec a l lwa smadeonc ei ne v e r ymi nut e s ,t he nt het ot alwoul dbe1 5t i me sa nd3 0 mi nut e sofc al l i ngt i me . Thec al ll os spr obabi l i t ywoul dbe93. 3 %. Se eFi g ur e3andFi g ur e 4 . Cons e que nt l y,i tc anbec onc l ude dt ha tunde rc ur r e ntc ondi t i on,mobi l ephone sar enota us e f ult oolf orme di c a lc ont r oldur i ngadi s as t e r . Thus ,or gani z at i onspar t i c i pa t i ngi nme di c a l / c ont r oli nt heaf t e r mat hofdi s as t e r swi l lr e qui r eanonpubl i ci nde pe nde ntl i neand ors a t e l l i t e t e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur e s . 2 . 2 Numb ero fSat el l i t eTe l e co mmuni c at i o nschannel snece s s ar yf o rt e l emedi ci nei n di s as t er s I nt heGr e atHa ns hi nAwaj iEar t hquake ,5 48 8vi c t i msdi e da nda c c or di ngt os t at i s t i c a lda t aa s ma nyas81%oft hevi c t i msdi e di nt hef i r s ts e v e nhour s ,i nt hemor ni ngont ha tda y . Se e Ta bl e4f orc a us eofde at handnumbe r s . Fi g ur e5i st hebr e a kdownof5 4 88vi c t i msdur i ng Gr e atHa ns hi nAwaj iEar t hqua kei nJ apan. TheFi r eDe f e ns eAg e nc yofMi ni s t r yofI nt e r nalAf f a i r sa ndc ommuni c at i onsr e s e r v e st heus e ofma nag e me ntc hanne l s ,whi l et hepubl i cphonene t wor kofNi pponTe l e gr a phandTe l e phone Cor por at i on( NTT)i sg e ne r al l yus e df ori nqui r i e sa bouts af e t y. Fi g. 3 Fi g. 4 6 1 Fi g. 5 2 . 2. 1 Met hodol ogy x i i Thef oc ushe r ei sonl yonc hanne l sne e de df ordi ag nos i si nt e l e me di c i nei nma j ordi s as t e r a ndt hedur at i onofe ac hc al lhasbe e npr e s ume dt hes amea st hatne e de df orv i de o t e l e c ons ul t at i oni nt e l e me di c i neFi gur e6and7s howsEr l a ngBFor mul a . Thet r ans mi s s i onofv i de oda t aus e di nt e l e me di c i ner e qui r e sat hr oughputof2. 0t o6. 0Mbps [5whe nNTSC i ma ge sa r ec ompr e s s e dbyMPEG2 8]. As s umi ngar e qui r e dt r ans mi s s i on c apabi l i t yof3 . 0Mbpsf ore a c hc hanne l ,aba ndwi dt hof8 7Mbps( 3 x 29)mus tbes e c ur e df or s a t e l l i t ec ommuni c at i onc hanne l s . Si nc ehos pi t al t ohos pi t a lc ommuni c a t i oni spe r f or me d be t we e nf i xe ds t at i ons ,oneoft heC,Ku,andKat r a ns ponde r sofage os t a t i ona r ys at e l l i t ec a n beus e df ordi s as t e r r e l i e fme di c alt r e at me nt . x i i ii Ones t udy nve s t i gat e dvi de ot r ans mi s s i onsf r om a mbul anc e st oane me r g e nc yr e s c uec e nt e r; t hei nve s t i gat i ondoe snotr e pr e s e ntane x ampl eofhos pi t a l t ohos pi t alc ommuni c at i onsbut mobi l eve hi c l et oe me r ge nc yc e nt e r . Thes t udys ugg e s t e dt ha t2 6c ha nne l sa r ene c e s s ar yf or 20 1ambul anc e ss houl dbede pl oye di nTokyowhe namaj ore a r t hqua kel i ket heGr e a t Ha ns hi nAwa j iEar t hqua kes t r i keToky o. I nanat ur aldi s as t e r ,mos toft hevi c t i msar ei nj ur e dont hef i r s tda yandt he r ei svi r t ual l yno c hanc et ha tt woormor ear e aswi l lbehi tbys e par at enat ur a ldi s as t e r sa tt hes a met i me . Bas e dont hef or goi ngt woc ondi t i ons:2 9s a t e l l i t ec ha nne l swi l lbes uf f i c i e ntf ort her e a l i s t i c ope r at i onofat e l e me di c i nes ys t e m us i nghos pi t a l t ohos pi t alc ommuni c a t i onsdur i ngamaj or di s a s t e ri nJ a pa n. Thec al c ul at e dnumbe rofc hanne l sdoe snoti nc l udema nag e me ntc ha nne l s orc ha nne l sf ori nqui r i e sa bouts af e t y . Ther e gul arus eoft r a ns ponde re nabl e st oc ommuni c at ewi t hs at e l l i t ec ommuni c a t i ons y s t e ms r e s e r ve ds pe c i f i c al l yt ous ei nna t ur a ldi s as t e rpr e pa r e dpr ogr amsi nqui r e sa ddi t i onal gove r nme nte xpe ndi t ur e s . De s pi t et hi se x t r ac os t ,s a t e l l i t ec ommuni c at i onss ys t e mshav e al r e adybe e ni ns t a l l e di ns omef i r es t at i onsandpr e f e c t ur ec i t yha l l swhe r ef r e que nt l yhi tby e a r t hqua ke si nJ apan. Thet r ans ponde r sa boa r dt hec ommuni c a t i onss at e l l i t e sa r enor mal l y s wi t c he dON,wi t hope r at i one x pe ndi t ur e spai dbyt heMi ni s t r yofI nt e r nalAf f a i r sa nd Communi c at i ons ,a st het r ans ponde r sa r eavi t ale l e me ntofJ a pansna t i ona lr i s kma na g e me nt . I nt e r msoff i nanc i alf e as i bi l i t y,2 9c ha nne l sc anbea l l oc at e dt ot hepr ov i s i onoft e l e me di c i ne dur i ngna t ur aldi s a s t e r s;c hanne l sma ybeut i l i z e di ft henumbe rofe me r g e nc y us et r ans ponde r s i si nc r e as e d. I naddi t i ont odome s t i cr e qui r e me nt s ,di s a s t e rme di c i nei sal s ot hemus ti nov e r s e as . Thus , f r om ahumani t ar i anpe r s pe c t i ve ,f or e i gnc ount r i e ss houl da l s obei nc l ude di nt hec r uc i a l me di c als e r vi c e spr ovi de ddur i ngt i me sofdi s a s t e r .J apanne e dst os e ndme di c a lr e s c uet e ams 6 2 t odi s as t e r s t r i c ke nar e aswhe r eJ I CA ( J a pa nI nt e r na t i onalCoope r at i onAge nc y )wor ke r sa nd v ol unt e e r sa r es t at i one d. Wi t hpos s i bl ec ont r i but i onst or e s c ueac t i vi t i e snotonl yona dome s t i cl e ve l ,butal s oonani nt e r nat i ona lonei nmi nd,t hes t e e r abl es potbe a ma nt e nna a boar dSupe r bi r dCi ss ui t abl ef ordi s as t e rme di c i ne . Thi ss t e e r a bl es potbe a ma nt e nna , pos i t i one dont hege os t at i onar ySupe r bi r dCs a t e l l i t eat1 44de gr e e se a s tl ongi t ude ,wi l le na bl e t opr ovi det e l e me di c i nei ndi s as t e rs i t uat i onsov e ral ar g ear e aoft heAs i a Pa c i f i c .I f2 9 c hanne l swe r eut i l i z e df r om f ourt r ans ponde r s( onewi t h36Mbpsa ndt hr e ewi t h27MHz ) aboa r dSupe r bi r d-C ont hebas i sofFDMASCPC ( Fr e que nc yDi vi s i onMul t i pl e Ac c e s s Si ng l eChanne lPe rCa r r i e r ) ,29c ha nne l swi t h3 . 0MbpsQPSK andonec ommon s i gnal i ngc hanne l( CSC)wi l lbepr ovi de d. Thef e e de rl i nks t at i onc a nbec ont r ol l e dby DAMA ( De mandAs s i gne dMul t i pl eAc c e s s )f ornnumbe r sofVSAT. Cons i de r i ngt he mut ualmodul a t i onpr oduc tbe t we e nc a r r i e rwav e s ,t heBadc oc kar r aywi l lbes ui t e df ort he c ha nne la l l oc at i onbyDAMA. Dur i ngt e l e c ons ul t a t i on,mos tdat af l ow c ons i s t sof t r a ns mi s s i onofv i de oi mag e sf r om t hedi s as t e rs i t et oar e mot er e s c ues t a t i ont hr ought he r e t ur nl i nk( f r om VSAT t ot hef e e de rl i nks t at i on) ,anas y mme t r i c a lc ommuni c at i on. Si nc e f e e de rl i nks t at i onant e nna sa r es uf f i c i e nt l yl ar gei nmos tc as e s ,t he r ea r ea l s oas uf f i c i e nt l y l a r g enumbe rofc hanne l sf orr e t ur nl i nk. Thus ,e ve nwhe nn( 2 9 )wa v e sa r et r a ns mi t t e d s i mul t ane ous l yf r om t hes a t e l l i t est r ans ponde r s ,t het r a ns mi s s i onpowe roft het r ans ponde r si s muc hl owe rt hant hes at ur at i onl e ve l . Name l y,t het r ans i ts i g na l shav eas uf f i c i e ntba c kof f , i ndi c at i ngt hatt he r ewi l lbenos e r i ousope r a t i ona lpr obl e mse ve nwi t houtmut ualmodul a t i on pr oduc tbei mpl e me nt e d. The r e f or e ,t hea va i l abi l i t yoft r a ns ponde r si sde t e r mi ne dnotby powe rc a pa bi l i t i e sbutbyf r e que nc yandi tc a ns e c ur eas i g ni f i c antnumbe rofc ha nne l si na s at e l l i t e bor net r ans ponde r . Co ncl us i o n Le as i ngs at e l l i t et r ans ponde ri sonee f f e c t i veopt i ona ndc ommuni c a t i oni nf r as t r uc t ur ec a nbe e mpl oye df orr e s e ar c hpur pos e sus i ngi t se x c e s spowe r s . Pr ompt e dbye v e nt sandc onc e r n ar oundt het hr e atofa nt hr ax,ar e s e ar c ht e a mi nt heUni t e dSt a t e s ,l aunc he dt heAnt hr ax Re s e ar c hPr oj e c t . Thepr oj e c te nt ai l e dpr e s e nt i ngake ypr ot e i nc ompone ntofa nt hr axi nt ot he g e ne r alr ot at i onoft heUni t e dDe vi c e sme mbe rc ommuni t ysv i r t uals c r e e ni ngpr oj e c t ,whi c h wor kswi t ht heGr i dMPpl at f or m ov e rt heI nt e r ne t . Thi sa l l owe dUD Me mbe r st ol e ndt he i r c omput e r si nt hes c r e e ni ngof3. 57bi l l i onmol e c ul e sf ors ui t abi l i t yasat r e a t me ntf or x i v a dvanc e ds t ageAnt hr ax . Te l e me di c i nepa c kagei sa l s oc ons i de r e dana ppr opr i a t ee nt i t yc a t e r i ngf orvar i ousdi s a s t r ous c as e s . TokaiUni v e r s i t yha ss t a r t e dde v e l opi ngas ma l l ,l i ghtandha ndyTe l e me di c i nePac ka ge us i ngmobi l es at e l l i t ec ommuni c at i onst obec ar r i e da ndt r a ns por t e de as i l ybyai r c r a f t . Thi s t e l e me di c i nepac kagec anbeus e dany whe r ei nt hewor l de x c e pti npol a rz one . Thes ys t e m a i mst ol i nkdi s as t e r s t r i c ke ndi s t r i c ta ndnon-de v as t a t e ddi s t r i c ti na nI Pba s evi aI SDN l i ne . Fl e x i bl eandac c e s s i bl et oPC de s i gne df orme di c alus ag eandc onne c t i ont ome di c alt e r mi nal s ar ebe i ngmadevi awi r e l e s sLAN. Naka j i maLa bor a t or yt e a m atToka iUni ve r s i t yi s pl a nni ngt oi nve ntt hi st e l e me di c i nepa c kag et hatc a ne as i l ybec a r r yoni nt hea i r c r af ta nd e s t a bl i s hane t wor ki ndi s as t e r s t r i c ke ndi s t r i c t . Thepa c kag ewi l lus ee qui pme ntma t e r i a l s av ai l abl eont hemar ke tt he r e f or et hei ni t i ali nv e s t me nt spr i c e sar ec ompa r at i v e l yaf f or dabl e . I nc onc l udi ng ,t e l e me di c i nef orma j ordi s as t e r si sa ni mpor t a ntf i e l dofa ppl i c at i onwhe r e c ommuni c at i onspl ayani mpor t antr ol e ,a ndwhe r eas s oc i at e dt e c hnol og y,appl i c at i onsa nd s e r vi c e sc anqui c kl ybet ur ne di nt oc onc r e t ebe ne f i t sf orma nki nd. Fi nal l y,wepr opos et hati nme di c alc ont r ola ndt r e at me nti nt hea f t e r mat hofdi s as t e r swi l l r e qui r eanonpubl i c ,i nde pe nde nta nd/ ors a t e l l i t et e l e c ommuni c a t i oni nf r as t r uc t ur e s . 6 3 Re f er ence [1]Mat he w,D. ,I nf or ma t i onTe c hnol og yandPubl i cHe a l t hMa na ge me ntofDi s a s t e r s A Mode lf orSout hAs i a n -6 s as t e rMe di c i ne ,Vol . 2 0 ,No. 1 ,De c e mbe r ,20 0 4:5 4 0 Count r i e s . Pr e hos pi t a landDi [2]NASA s a s e85 13 3 . at e l l i t eai dsi nMe x i c oCi t yr e s c uee f f or t .NASA Ne ws ,198 5.Re l e / [3]I / / ni ge mi ni . nf or ma t i onr e g a r di ngGe mi nipr oj e c ts e ef ol l owi ngwe bs i t e;ht t p: s c i e nc e . ks c . na s a . gov/ hi s t or y/ g e mi ht ml [4]Thei ni t i alt e l e c ommuni c a t i onsf r om Ha i t ius e da5 6Kbpsma r i t i mes a t e l l i t el i nke dt oas wi t c he d56 Kbps /VSAT e c omme r c i a ll i nea tWRAMC.La t e r ,t heAr mySpac eComma nda l l oc a t e dus eofaT1 a r t hs t a t i on( 1 . 54 Mbps ,v e r ys ma l lape r t ur et e r mi na l )f ort e l e me di c i neac c e s st ot heNASA ACTSs a t e l l i t es ys t e m.Thes a t e l l i t e pr ov i de df ul lT1ba ndwi dt hc onne c t i vi t yt oWRAMC us i ngac omme r c i a ll i ne .Us i ngt hi st e c hnol og y ,a hi g hba ndwi dt h,f ul l mot i onv i de ol i nkwase s t a bl i s he dbe t we e nt hec omba ts uppor thos pi t a la ndWRAMC.One or als ur g e r y,onene ur ol og y ,a ndt hr e ede r mat ol og yc ons ul t at i onst ookpl a c eov e rt hi si mpr ov e dc ommuni c at i on l i nk.I nt e r ac t i v er e mot et e l e pat hol ogyandf ul l mot i onor t hope di cj oi nte x ami na t i onswe r eal s oc onduc t e da s c onc e ptva l i da t i ont e s t sus i ngvar i ousda t ar a t e s [5]De ngs uppor t( MDI S)a ndt e l e me di c i ne Tr e v i l l eRE,Sc ot t iSD,Wi l l i a ms onMP,e tal .Me di c a ldi a g nos t i ci magi ( TMED)i nHa i t i .Ma y19 ,19 9 5. [6]Fe e t i on1 1 4 ,Ma y2 0 03:5 4 59 l i c i a niF. ,Me di c alCa r ef r om Spac e:Te l e me di c ne .ESA Bul l [7]Ohya ma t hof ma ,F. ,e tal .Ar eCe l l ul a rPhone saus e f ult oolf ors uppor t i ngMe di c a lTr e a t me nti nt heaf t e r di s a s t e r s ? .Pr oc e e di ng sofAPAMI CJ KMI& KOSMIConf e r e nc e200 3 ,Oc t obe r2 1 22 ,20 0 3Da e g u,Kor e a. [8]Er f i cme a s ur e me ntandEr l a ngBf or mul aal l owsc al c ul a t i ngt hepr oba bi l i t yt ha tar e s our c e l a ngi sauni toft r af r e que s twi l lbede ni e dduet ol a c kofr e s our c e s .TheEr l a ngBt r af f i cmode la s s ume st hatc a l l sa r r i ver a ndoml y t ophonel i negr oup,c a l ldur at i onsa r ee i t he raf i x e dl e ng t hore x pone nt i al l ydi s t r i but e d,a ndbl oc ke dc a l l sa r e notr e t r i e di mme di a t e l ya f t e rr e c e i vi ngabus ys i g na l .TheEr l a ngBCa l c ul a t ori sba s e dont heEr l angBt r a f f i c mode landi sus e dt owor kouthow ma nyl i ne sar er e qui r e di ft het r a f f i ca ndt her e qui r e dg r a deofs e r vi c ear e known. [9]Sa gaNe ws pape r , Yuus e nKe i t a it s uuj i z uHas s e ika r a2 j i kanNTT nos ouc hi kos hou-.Ma r c h,2 4 ,2 0 05,p. 3 1 [10 ]ACTS: . t e l e me di c i nevi as at e l l i t e .Ae r os pa c eTe c hnol ogyI nnov at i on.MayJ un1 99 7:5( 3 ) [11 ]ht // t p: kbc . c o. j p/ c l k/j i s hi n20 0 5/ [12 ]Sadi onsba s e donEme r ge nc yMe di c al q,M. ,Na ka j i ma,I . ,e tal . Re qui r e dCha nne l sf orSat e l l i t eCommuni c a t i Da t aobt a i ne df r om t heGr e atHa ns hi nAwaj iEa r t hqua ke,Pr oc e e di ng ,pp. 8 08 81 3 .I STS2 00 4 j 06 . [13 ]Na kaj i ma ,I . ,Na t or i ,M. ,Taki z a wa,M. ,e ta l . , Sur v e yandAna l ys i sofSa t e l l i t e bas e dTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c t s I nvol vi ngJ apana ndDe v e l opi ngNa t i ons.Me di nf o2 00 1 ,I FI PI MI A,El s e v i e rSc i e nc ePubl i s he r sB.V. [14 ]Nakaj iH. ,e tal . Hi g hl yI nc l i ne dEl l i pt i c a lOr bi t e rf orMot i onPi c t ur eTr ans mi s s i on i ma ,I . ,Ya g iY. ,J uz oj [I ] f r om Ambul a nc e,WPMC0 1:pp. 1 5 8 51 59 0,2 0 01. SBN 87 98 8 56 8 04 [15 ]ht // /( t p: www. c he m. ox . ac . uk/ ant hr ax l as tc he c ke d5Oc t obe r2 0 0 5) 15 3 . 4 A DecadeHi s t or yofPARTNERSPr oj ec t Toc omme mor at et heI nt e r nat i onalSpa c eYe ar ,t hePARTNERS( PAnpa c i f i cRe gi onal Te l e c ommuni c at i onsNe t wor kExpe r i me nt sandRe s e ar c hbySa t e l l i t e )pr oj e c twasl aunc he di n 19 92 . Ove rt hepas tf oury e ar s ,t hepr oj e c thasc a r r i e douts omee xpe r i me nt sus i ngETSV ( Engi ne e r i ngTe s tSat e l l i t e V)s at e l l i t e ,pr omot e dbyt heMPT( t heMi ni s t r yofPos t sand Te l e c ommuni c at i ons:Pr e s e ntt heMi ni s t r yofI nt e r na lAf f ai r sandCommuni c at i ons )a nds ome c or por at i veor gani z a t i ons . Thepr oj e c twa sc onc l ude da tt hee ndofMar c h1 99 6,butt he par t i c i pant ss t r ongl yr e que s t e dac ont i nuat i onbe c a us eofi t si mpor t a nc e . The r e f or e ,t he Pos t PARTNERSpr oj e c t( Phas e 1)hasbe e ns t a r t e di n1 99 6 . Al t houg ht hePos t PARTNERS pr oj e c tphas e 1wa sma i nl yus i ngTV me e t i ngs y s t e m bas e donH. 26 1,i nt hePos t PARTNERS pr oj e c tpha s e 2whi c hs t ar t e di n2003,t heI Pv6( I nt e r ne tPr ot oc olVe r s i on6)r out e r ,PC,a nd a ppl i c a t i onsf orI Pc ommuni c at i onar eadde d. Thi spape rde s c r i be sout l i ne st heove rt e nye a r hi s t or yoft hePARTNERSandPos t PARTNERSpr oj e c t ,ands howsc onf i gur a t i onsof [1] Pos t PARTNERSpr oj e c t( Phas e 1& 2 ) . 1 5 Ke nj iTanaka,Ki y os hiI ga r a s hi,Na t i ona lI ns t i t ut eofI nf or ma t i ona ndCommuni c a t i onsTe c hnol og y( NI CT) ,4-1 -8 @ni 2 ,Nukui ki t a mac hi ,Kog ane i ,Toky o1 8 4 7 95 ,J APAN ( Ema i l:ke n@ni c t . g o. j p;i ga r as hi c t . g o. j p 6 4 1 PARTNETSPr oj ect I n1992,t heMi ni s t r yofPos t sandTe l e c ommuni c at i ons( Pr e s e ntt heI nt e r nalAf f a i r sa nd Communi c at i ons:MI C) ,t heCommuni c a t i onsRe s e a r c hLabor at or y( Pr e s e ntNat i onalI ns t i t ut e ofI nf or mat i onandCommuni c at i onsTe c hnol ogy: NI CT)andot he rc or por at i veor g ani z at i ons wa ss t a r t e dt hePARTNERS( PAnpac i f i cRe g i onalTe l e c ommuni c a t i onsNe t wor kExpe r i me nt s a ndRe s e a r c hbySa t e l l i t e )pr oj e c tf ors pr e adi ngt hes at e l l i t ec ommuni c at i ont e c hni quet o As i aPac i f i cr e gi onc ount r i e sus i ngt heETSV( Engi ne e r i ngTe s tSa t e l l i t e V)s at e l l i t ea ss hown i nFi g. 1. Ne xtf oury e ar s ,ac qui s i t i onoft hedi r e c t i onsofs at e l l i t ec ommuni c a t i one qui pme nt , t r ans mi s s i onofi onos phe r eobs e r vat i onda t a,r e mot ee duc a t i on,e t c .ha v ebe e nc ar r i e doutwi t h CRL,NI ME( Nat i ona lI ns t i t ut eofMul t i me di aEduc a t i on: J a pan) ,Tha i l a nd( KMI TL: Ki ng MongkutsI ns t i t ut eofTe c hnol og yLadkr a ba ng ) ,I ndone s i a( I TB: I ns t i t ut eTe c hnol ogy Bandung)a ndFi j i( USP:Uni ve r s i t yofSout hPa c i f i c ) . TheFi g . 2s howsac onf i gur at i onof e ar t hs t at i on. 2 POSTPARTNERSPr o j ect ThePos t PARTNERS( Pha s e 1)pr oj e c t ,whi c hi sasne x ts t e pf ort hePARTNERSpr oj e c t , s t ar t e di n1 99 6. Thi spr oj e c thasc onduc t e dt e l e e duc at i on,t e l e me di c i ne ,mul t i me di a c ommuni c at i one xpe r i me nt s ,e t c .us i ngc omme r c i a lc ommuni c a t i ons at e l l i t e sbe t we e n As i aPac i f i cc ount r i e ss uc hasCRL,NI ME( andt he i rdome s t i chi g he re duc at i ons at e l l i t e ne t wor k:SCS) ,Thai l and( KMI TL andCMU: Chi angMaiUni v e r s i t y) ,I ndone s i a( I TB) ,Fi j i ( USP) ,Phi l i ppi ne s( AdMU:At e ne odeMa ni l aUni v e r s i t y ) ,andMa l ay s i a( USM :Uni v e r s i t y [2 ] Sai nsMal ays i a)a ss howni nFi g. 3,us i ngupt o2 . 0Mbpsf orc ommuni c at i onbandwi dt h [7 ]. Ma j orPe r f or manc ePar a me t e r sa r et hef ol l owi ngs ,Tr a ns mi t/Re c e i v eAnt e nna: 1 . 8m Of f s e t Par abol a;f orKMI TL,CMU,I TB,AdMU a ndUSP2 . 4m Of f s e tPa r abol a; f orUSM Ope r at i ona lFr e que nc yRa nge:KuBandTr ans mi t:1 4. 014 . 5GHzRe c e i ve:1 2. 251 2. 7 5GHz RF Out putPowe r:10W ;f orKMI TL,CMU,USM a ndI TB3W ;f orAdMU andUSP Modul at i on:QPSK Dat aTr ans mi s s i onSpe e d:6 4kbps 2. 04 8Mbps( 1 . 5 3 6Mbpsf oror di nar y * us e )Vi de oCODEC: I TUT H. 261Numbe rofEl e me nt:3 5 2e l e me nt s 28 8l i ne sSpe e dof Code c:1 . 9 20Mbpsmaxi mum Audi oCODEC:I TUT H. 7 22orH. 7 28SBADPCM or LDCELP -64kbpsVi Spe e dofCode c: 16 de oAudi oMul t i pl e xMul t i pl e x i ngMe t hod:I TUT H. 221 Tr ans mi s s i onSpe e d:641,9 20kbpsEc hoCa nc e l l e r: Ava i l a bl eLi ne s:4wi r e s Tr ans mi s s i onFr e que nc yRange:15 0Hz 7KHzDe l ayTi me: 24 0ms e c( ma x. )Re duc t i onof / Ec ho:mor et han30dBI PNe t wor kConne c t i onSys t e m Rout e rCI SCO 2 62 0: I Pv 4v6Ba s e /1 Me mor y: DRAM 64MB,Fl as h32MBI nt e r f a c e: 10 00TX Et he r ne t:1por tSe r i a lI nt e r f a c e: 4por t s Sat e l l i t eRout e r( VU2 0 0):I Pv4Bas eMe mor y: DRAM 1 28MBI nt e r f ac e:1 0BASET/ 100BASET s eI P OS:Li nuxKe r ne l2 . 2. 122016por t s Hub( Al l i e dTe l e s i sFS7 16TX)I Pv 6Ba /2. Communi c at i onSys t e m PC TOSHI BA EQUI UM S50 40CPU:Pe nt i um4 4 0GHzMe mor y: RAM ; 25 6MB,HDD;4 0GBMoni t or: 17 TFT Col orDi s pl ayOS: Wi ndowsXPSof t wa r e: DV@t a l k,DVTS,Ne t Me e t i ng,e t c . Al t houg ht hepha s e 1wasmai nl yus i ngTV me e t i ngs y s t e m ba s e donH. 26 1,i nt hepha s e 2 whi c hs t a r t e di n2003,t heI Pv6( I nt e r ne tPr ot oc olVe r s i on6)r out e r ,PC,a ndappl i c a t i onsf or I Pc ommuni c at i onar eadde dont hee ac he xi s t i nge ar t hs t a t i onsa ss howni nFi g . 4a nd5 . The pur pos eoft hephas e 2pr oj e c ti sf ol l owi ng s; 6 5 Fi g. 1 Conf i gur a t i onofPARTNERSNe t wor k. Fi g. 2 Conf i gur at i onofEar t hSt a t i onf orPARTNERSNe t wor k. Fi g. 3 Conf i gur a t i onofPos t PARTNERSNe t wor k. ・TV c onf e r e nc es ys t e m bas e donPC i nt r oduc i ngI Pv6aswe l la sI Pv4wi l lbemai n e xpe r i me nt ale qui pme ntwhe r et hee xi s t i ngs at e l l i t ene t wor ks ys t e m oft hePos t PARTNERS pr oj e c ti sf ul l yut i l i z e d. ・Us e f ul ne s sofI Pv6i nt hec a s eofs at e l l i t ec ommuni c a t i onswi l lbee xa mi ne dbye x pe r i me nt s ofmul t i c as t ,QoS( Qual i t yofSe r vi c e ) ,v 4/ v6t unne l i ng ,uni di r e c t i ona ll i nkr out i ng( UDLR) e t c . ・Fe as i bi l i t ys t udyofs uc hac ommuni c a t i oni nf r as t r uc t ur ewi l lbei nt r oduc e di nt hec as et hat t hef ul l t i mec onne c t i one nvi r onme ntbyt hec ommuni c a t i ons a t e l l i t ei sr e al i z e ds e v e r aly e a r s 6 6 Fi g. 4 Conf i gur a t i onofEa r t hSt at i onf orPos t PARTNERSNe t wor k. Fi g. 5 Snaps hot sa tCMU. 3 ACKOWLEGEMENTS Thea ut hor swoul dl i ket ot hankt heMI C,NEC Cor p. ,TOSHI BA Cor p. ,J SAT Cor p. ,Spa c e Communi c at i onsCor p. a ndARI B( As s oc i a t i onofRa di oI ndus t r i e sa ndBus i ne s s e s ) ,whi c hi s as e c r e t ar i atoft hi spr oj e c t ,f oragr e atde a loft he i re f f or t s . Re f er ences [1]Ke nj iTanaka,Noz omuNi s hi na g a,Ka z uy os hiMa t s umot o,Par a me s war anSankar a nNa mboot hi r i ,Mi t s uy os hi I i daandKi yos hiI g a r a s hi , Sat e l l i t eNe t wor kTe s t be df orPanpa c i f i cc ount r i e s PARTNERSPr oj e c ta nd Pos t PARTNERSPr oj e c t( Pha s e 1/2),I STS200 4 u14 p,J une20 04. [2]Ma nde e pSi ng hJ i tSi ng h,Sye dI dr i sSy e dHa s s a n,MohdAns ora ndR.Ba dl i s ha h, Expe r i me nt a lAna l y s i sof Tr opos phe r i cSc i nt i l l a t i oni nUSM, I STS2 00 4 r 0 1,J une20 0 4. [3]M.Ri dwa nEf f e ndia ndUt or oSa s t r okus umo, KaBandPr opa g at i onPr e di c t i oni nEquat or i a lAr e a, I STS 2 00 4 r 2 7,J une20 0 4. [4]Thi kumpor nBoonc huka ndNa l r ongHe mma kor n, Re s ul tofTwoYe ar sRa i nAt t e nua t i oni nTha i l andunde r Ne w Pos t PARTNERSPr oj e c t ,I STS2 00 4 r 2 8 ,J une20 0 4. [5]Ke v i nMa i t a v a, Pos t pa r t ne r sPr oj e c tatUSP, I STS2 0 04 r 4 8 ,J une2 00 4 . [6]Ki ns i onofCol l abor a t i on mi oKondo,Ki kuoAs a iandNor i t akaOs a wa, SCSPos t Pa r t ne r sLi nki ng: Ex pa Ne t wor k, I STS2 0 04 u0 2,J une20 04 . [7]J os eCl ar oMonj e ,Ros ul aRe ye s ,Gr e gTa ng ona na ndKi y os hiI ga r as hi , Ex t e ndi ngt hePos t PARTNERS Sa t e l l i t eCommuni c a t i onsSy s t e m Us i ngt heAt e ne oWi r e l e s sNe t wor k, I STS2 0 04 u0 3,J une20 0 4. 6 7 3 . 5 Exper i ment sons ecur es at el l i t eco mmuni cat i onsf orl ongd i s t ancei mag et r ans mi s s i o n16 1 I nt r oduct i on Se c ur et r ans mi s s i ont e c hnol ogyi sne e de dont hef undame nt albas i sf ors at e l l i t et r a ns mi s s i onof me di c ali magedat a,be c aus eanyus e rc a na c c e s st ot hes a t e l l i t ec ommuni c a t i onsne t wor kand me di c ali magedat awi t hpr i vat enat ur es houl dbepr ot e c t e d. I nt hi sr e por twei nt r oduc eour s e c ur ec ommuni c a t i onse xpe r i me nt sofi mag eda t at r ans mi s s i onbe t we e nJ a pana ndI ndone s i a. I nor de rt oe s t abl i s hs e c ur ec ommuni c at i onsbe t we e ndi f f e r e ntc ount r i e s ,wede v e l ope dc ommon vi de oe nc r y pt i on/de c r ypt i onmodul e swi t ht hec ommonke y s . Wec hoos et heVSC ( Ve c t or St r e am Ci phe r )a l gor i t hm whi c hwasde ve l ope dbyNI CT( Na t i onalI ns t i t ut eofI nf or mat i on [1,2 ]f a ndCommuni c at i onsTe c hnol ogy) ort hi spur pos e . Be c a us et hee nc r ypt i ons pe e dof [2 ]. VSC i sknownt obef as tands ui t a bl ef orr e a l t i mei mag edat ae nc r ypt i on ,5 2 Por t abl eEncr ypt i onModul e Fore xpe r i me nt swede ve l ope dpor t abl ee nc r ypt i on/de c r y pt i onmodul e . Fi gur e1s howst he Fi g. 2 Ne t wor kSt r uc t ur eofNe w Pos t Par t ne r sPr oj e c tofSa t e l l i t eCommuni c at i ons Expe r i me nt s 1 6 -1 Ke nUme no, Nat i ona lI ns t i t ut eofI nf or mat i ona ndCommuni c a t i onsTe c hnol ogy ,42 ,Nukui Ki t a ma c hi , APAN Ema i l: ume no@ni c t . g o. j p Kog a ne i ,Toky o1 87 87 9 5,J 6 8 ( a)Whol ei magee nc r ypt i onofi mag et a ke ni nJ a panwa sobs e r v e di nI ndone s i a . sobs e r v e di nI ndone s i a . ( b)Thi c ks l i ti magee nc r ypt i onofi ma get a ke ni nJ a panwa Fi g. 3 Ex pe r i me nt alr e s ul t sofone t oones e c ur ec ommuni c a t i onsbe t we e nJ a pan( NI CT)and I ndone s i a( I TB) . Le f ti ma ge sa r er e c e i v e de nc r y pt e di mage si nI ndone s i aandr i g ht i mage sa r ede c r ypt e di mage si nI ndone s i a . out l ookoft hi sde ve l ope de nc r ypt i on/de c r ypt i onmodul e .I thasRS44 9/ 42 2por twhi c h c onne c t st oI DU ( I NDOOR UNI T)a ndFPGA ( Fi e l dPr ogr a mmabl eGat eAr r a y)c hi pand [4]. wa sc omme r c i al i z e d 3 Se cur eCo mmuni cat i onsExper i ment so fI mag eDat aTr ans mi s s i on Wemadet r ans mi s s i one xpe r i me nt sbe t we e nJ a pa n( NI CT)a ndI ndone s i a( I TB:I ns t i t ut e [3]. Fi Te c hnol ogyBandung) gur e2s howss c he mat i cdi a g r amsofours at e l l i t ene t wor k s t r uc t ur e . Thi ss at e l l i t ene t wor kwasor g a ni z e df ori nt e r nat i ona lc oope r at e de xpe r i me nt si nt he As i aPac i f i cr e gi oni nt hef r ame wor koft heNe w Pos tPa r t ne rPr oj e c tf unde dbyt heJ apa ne s e Gove r nme nt .J CSAT1 BofKubandwa sus e df oroure xpe r i me nt s . Fi g ur e3s howsour e xpe r i me nt alr e s ul t s .I nt he s ef i g ur e s ,l e f ti mag e sa r ee nc r ypt e done soft heor i gi na li mag e s t ake ni nNI CT. Thos ewe r er e c e i ve di nI ndone s i abe f or ede c r y pt i ng. Na me l y,t hi se nc r y pt e d dat ai ss e ntbys at e l l i t ec ommuni c at i ons y s t e m. Ri ghti ma ge sar ede c r ypt e di mag e st a ke ni n I TB. Wei mpl e me nt e dnotonl ywhol ei magee nc r y pt i onbuta l s os omeki ndofe nc r y pt i ng mode s ,ha l fi magee nc r y pt i ng,t hi ns l i ti mag ee nc r ypt i nga nds oon. I nanye nc r y pt i ngmode s , i mag e sa r er e c ov e r e dc ompl e t e l y. Oneoft headvant age sofs at e l l i t ec ommuni c at i oni si nmul t ic a s tt r a ns mi s s i on. Howe v e r ,i ti s notg oodt hata nype opl ec anr e c e i v eda t aonPay Par Vi e w br oadc as t i ngs y s t e m,e t c . The r e f or e ,t he s es ys t e msne e dapr ope r t yt ha tt heonl ype opl ewhohav ec or r e c tke ysc an [3 ]. de c r yptdat a. Weus et hef ol l owi ngs i mpl eke ymanag e me ntf ormul t i c as tt r a ns mi s s i on I nNI CT,t hee nc r ypt i onmodul ee nc r ypt sda t aus i ng ke y1 andt he ne nc r y pt e dda t ai ss e ntt o NI CT a ndI TB. Thede c r y pt i onmodul ei nNI CT ha s ke y 1 andt hede c r ypt i onmodul ei n I TBhas ke y2. Thedi f f e r e nc eofke y 1andke y2i sonl yonebi tof5 6bi tke yl e ng t h. I n t hi se xpe r i me nt ,t hede c r ypt i onmodul ei nNI CT c ande c r y ptc ompl e t e l y( l i ker i ghti mag e si n 6 9 f i g. 3)butt hede c r ypt i onmodul ei nI TBc a nnotde c r y pt( l i kel e f ti mage si nf i g. 3 ) . The r e f or ea s pe c i f i cus e rwhohasac or r e c tke yc ande c r yptda t abutt heot he rus e rsc annotde c r yptdat a . 4 Co ncl us i ons I nt hi sr e por t ,wei nt r oduc ee xpe r i me nt alr e s ul t sofours e c ur ec ommuni c at i one x pe r i me nt sf or i ma gedat at r ans mi s s i onbe t we e nNI CT( J apan)a ndI TB( I ndone s i a ) . Mul t ic as te xpe r i me nt wa ss uc c e s s f ul l ydonebe t we e nNI CT a ndI TB. Suc hs e c ur ei ma g et r a ns mi s s i onbys at e l l i t e c ommuni c a t i onsi sus e f ula nds ui t a bl ef orl ongdi s t a nc eme di c ali mag et r a ns mi s s i onbe c aus eof t he i rpr i va t enat ur e . Re f er ence s [1]K.Ume no, Sc a l a bl eI PCor eofVe c t orSt r e a m Ci phe r,Pr oc .ofI PBas e dDe s i gn2 0 03( Gr e nobl e ,Fr anc e Nov e mbe r1 31 4,2 00 3 ) . / /www. /a ht t p: us . de s i g nr e us e . c om/a r t i c l e s r t i c l e 8 2 64 . ht ml [2]K.Ume no, I nt r oduc t i ont oJ a pa ne s ePat e ntNo. 3 0 3 0 3 41, / /www2 / / ht t p: . ni c t . g o. j p/kk/ e 41 4 s huppa n/ ki houj our na l j our nal vol 4 9no3/ 0 5 . pdf [3]A.Ha t e l l i t eCommuni c a t i onwi t hVe c t orSt r e a m Ci phe r: Ex pe r i me nti nThe s e g a waa ndK.Ume no, Se c ur eSa Ne w Pos tPa r t ne r sPr oj e c t,Pr oc .ofI STS20 0 4( Mi y a z aki ,J apan,2 0 04 ) .2 0 04 J 1 . / /www. ht t p: c ha os war e . c om/ I STS2 00 4 pr e s e nt a t i on. pdf [4]K.Ume e s e a r c h ,I TBLe c t ur e no,How t oc r e at ebus i ne s sf r om r / /www. ht t p: i nkuba t or . i t b. ac . i d/ f i l e dok/ Bus i ne s s Re s e a r c h. pdf [5]NEWS( 0 4. 0 4 . 2 0 0 5) I ndone s i aCr ypt ol ogyandI nf or ma t i onSe c ur i t yConf e r e nc e20 0 5 / /www. /ps ,l angua g e , I ndone s i a. ht ml ht t p: s dai ndo. c om/ s da/ ne ws e c om, i d, 1 3 24 , node i d, 4 7 0 4 St and ar d i z at i o ni ne he al t handi nt e r o p e r ab i l i t yp r o b l e ms 4 . 1 I nt egr at i ngt el emedi ci nes ys t emsf o re he al t h17 I nt r oduct i on Ane he al t hHos pi t alI nf or mat i onSys t e m( HI S)i st hec e nt r a li nf or mat i ons ys t e m ofa ne he a l t h e nvi r onme nt .I tr e al i z e smanybe ne f i t sofne t wor ke di nf or mat i ons y s t e msbyi nt e gr a t i ng i nf or mat i onf r om a l lt e l e me di c i nes ys t e mss uc hast e l e r a di ol og ys y s t e ms ,t e l e c a r di ol ogys y s t e ms , [ ] t e l e pat hol ogys ys t e msa ndt e l e s ur ge r ys y s t e ms 7. Typi c al l y ,di f f e r e ntl oc ala r e ane t wor ksar e i ns t a l l e di ndi f f e r e ntde par t me nt s . Di f f e r e nc e si nf or mata ndmode l sofi nf or ma t i oni n di f f e r e ntde pa r t me nt smakei nt e r ope r abi l i t yofa nHI Sdi f f i c ul t . Thi spr obl e mi se nde mi c wor l dwi dei nt hee he al t hs e c t or ,pa r t i c ul a r l yi nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s ,be c aus et heI T e qui pme ntus e di ndi f f e r e ntpar t sofa ne he a l t hor ga ni z a t i onmayha v ebe e npr ov i de dby di f f e r e ntag e nc i e sa tdi f f e r e ntt i me s . Thene e df orf ut ur ei nt e gr at i oni sof t e nne gl e c t e di nt he r us ht or api dl yi ns t al lar angeofdi f f e r e ntbi ome di c a ls ys t e ms . Al s o,v e ndor sofme di c a lI T e qui pme ntma ys e e kt ope r pe t ua t et he i rhol dov e re he al t hor g ani z at i onswi t hpr opr i e t a r y t e c hnol ogi e s . Cons e que nt l y ,i ti sc ommont of i nds ophi s t i c at e dI Ts ys t e msunde r ut i l i z e di n e he a l t hor g ani z a t i ons ,duet oi nc ompat i bl et e c hnol ogi e sa nds t andar ds . Thepr obl e m ofi nt e r ope r a bi l i t yandi nt e gr a t i onha sl e dt ot hede v e l opme ntofs t andar dss uc h asHe al t hLe ve lSe v e n( HL7) ,pr ovi di ngame s s age or i e nt e df r a me wor kf ort hei nt e r ope r abi l i t y ofHI Sbys t andar di z i nga ndaut omat i nghos pi t a li nf or mat i onpr oc e s s e s ,s uc hasadmi s s i onand di s c har ge( ADT) ,dat abas eque r y( Que r y ) ,andphar mac y. Thi spa pe ri sbas e donaj oi nt pr oj e c ti nvol vi ngt heChi l dr e nsHos pi t a li nWe s t me a d( CHW) ,t heUni v e r s i t yofWe s t e r n Sydne yandt heUni ve r s i t yofNe w Sout hWa l e st ode v e l opani nt e r ope r abi l i t yf r ame wor kf or HI St ha tma ybeofpar t i c ul a ri nt e r e s ti nt hede ve l opme ntoft e l e me di c i nei nde v e l opi ng c ount r i e s . Thi spr oj e c t( c ompl e t e di n2000)hasc ombi ne dHL7s t andar dswi t ht hel a t e s ti ndi s t r i but e d obj e c t or i e nt e ds of t wa r et e c hnol ogyt oi l l us t r a t eas t abl ef r ame wor kf ort hei nt e r ope r abi l i t yof t e l e me di c i nes ys t e ms . Thepape rs t ar t swi t hadi s c us s i onoft hepr osa ndc onsoft het hr e ema j ora ppr oac he st ot he i mpl e me nt at i onofmi ddl e wa r ef ori nt e r ope r abl et e l e me di c i nes y s t e msba s e donHL7s t a nda r ds , na me l ypl a t f or mde pe nde nt( DCOM bas e d) ,l a ngua g e de pe nde nt( J a vaba s e d) ,a ndpl at f or m andl a nguag ei nde pe nde nt( CORBA ba s e d) . Thi si sf ol l owe dbyadi s c us s i onofourc as e s t udy,whi c hus e sJ a va,CORBA andHL7. Thi si nt e r ope r a bi l i t ys ol ut i onwase va l uat e d t hr oughane ndoc r i nol ogyappl i c at i on. HI SatCHW Chi l dr e nsHos pi t ala tWe s t me ad( CHW)i soneoft hemos tmode r nhos pi t al si nAus t r al i a. Thi shos pi t alboas t sac ompl e t e l ypape r l e s ss ys t e mi ni t se me r ge nc ys e c t i ons . Ne t wor ke d c omput i nghasbe e ni ns t al l e di nt hi shos pi t als i nc ei t si nc e pt i onaf e wy e ar sa go. TM a TM I I nt e r ope r abi l i t yi sac hi e ve dus i ngCe r ne r ppl i c at i onsa ndCl ov e r l e a f nt e r f ac eEng i ne . Ce r ne rSys t e ms( f r om t heCe r ne rCor por a t i on)a tCHW a r ec ompr i s e doft hef ol l owi ng pr oduc t s:Pa t hne t( pa t hol ogyl abor at or ymanag e me nts y s t e m) ,Ra dne t( Me di c a lI mag i ng r e por t i ngRadi ol ogy,Nuc l e arMe di c i nee t c . ) ,andOCF( Ope nCl i ni c a lFounda t i on) ,whi c hi sa c l i ni c a lda t ar e pos i t or yf oroure l e c t r oni cme di c a lr e c or d. OCF c ont ai nspat i e nti nf or mat i on 1 7 @uns DrPr ade e pRa y ,Uni v e r s i t yofNe w Sout hWa l e s ,Aus t r al i a ,e ma i l: p. r ay w. e du. a u 71 s uc haspat hol ogy/me di c ali magi ngr e s ul t s ,di s c har ger e f e r r als ummar i e s ,e me r g e nc yde par t me nt s ummar i e s ,s ummar i e sf r om var i ousot he rde pa r t me nt als y s t e ms .I ta l s oa l l owse l e c t r oni c or de r i ngofs e r v i c e ss uc haspat hol og y,i ma g i ng ,a l l i e dhe al t he t c . OCF i sa c c e s s e dbyt he c l i ni c i anus i ngac l i e nta ppl i c at i on( GUI )c a l l e dPowe r c ha r t . Thes ol epur pos eoft heCl ove r l e afi nt e r f a c ee ng i nei sme s s a g i ngbe t we e ns y s t e ms . The me s s age sc anbebe t we e ns ys t e msi nt hef or matofHL7t oHL7( s a meordi f f e r e ntv e r s i ons ) , HL7t oSQL orbat c hpr oc e s s i ng . Thei nt e r f a c ee ngi nepe r f or mst hepr oc e s s i ngoft he s e me s s ag e sus i ngt r ans a c t i onaudi tl ogst hata l l owst hegua r a nt e eofde l i ve r yandal s ope r f or ms t r ans l at i onsbe t we e ndi f f e r e ntf or mat s( pr ot oc ol s ) ,e . g.HL7t oSQL. CHW ha ss pe ntas ubs t ant i ala mountoff undsont hede pl oyme ntofi nt e r ope r abl es ys t e ms t hr oughHL7. Howe ve r ,t he yar el oc ke di nbe c a us eoft he i rr e l i a nc eonpr opr i e t ar yCe r ne r appl i c at i onsa ndt heCl ove r l e afi nt e r f ac ee ng i ne . Themai nobj e c t i v eoft hi spr oj e c twa st o de v e l opamor ege ne r i cope nmi ddl e war ef ort hei nt e r ope r a bi l i t yofHI S. Thi spa pe rdi s c us s e s t hel e s s onsl e a r ne di nt hec our s eoft hepr oj e c t ,i nv ol v i ngt heus eofJ av a,CORBA a ndHL7 . 1 I nt e r o p e r ab i l i t yi s s ue si nt e l e med i c i nes y s t e ms I nt e r ope r abi l i t yc anbeofv ar i oust ype s ,r angi ngf r om me di al e v e li nt e r ope r abi l i t yt os e ma nt i c ] [ i nt e r ope r abi l i t y 4. ・Phys i c al l e ve li nt e r ope r abi l i t yde al swi t hha r dwa r el e v e li nt e r ope r a bi l i t yi s s ue s ,s uc has t c . ,notdi s c us s e di nt hi spape r . c onne c t or s ,c abl e se ・Dat al e ve li nt e r ope r abi l i t yde a l swi t hi s s ue sr e l a t e dt odat af or mat sf ordi f f e r e ntt e l e me di c i ne s ys t e ms . Thi si snott hef oc usoft hepa pe r . ・Spe c i f i c a t i onl e v e li nt e r ope r a bi l i t yi sc onc e r ne dwi t hv ar i ouse vol v i ngar c hi t e c t ur als t andar ds f ori nt e r c onne c t i on,s uc hast heOSIs e ve nl ay e rc ommuni c a t i ons t ac k. Att hi sl e ve l ,t he c onc e pt sa ndt he i rme a ni ngsa r es t anda r di z e dwi t hs pe c i f i e ds ynt ac t i cf or mul at i ons . Exa mpl e sa r eHL7,CORBA a ndJ a va,a sdi s c us s e di nt hi spa pe r . ・Se ma nt i c l e ve li nt e r ope r abi l i t yi sc onc e r ne dwi t ht heme ani ngsbe hi ndt e r msa nds y nt ax . Thi si sat hor nypr obl e m,andt hes e mant i cWe br e s e a r c he r sar ede ve l opi ngne wc onc e pt s andont ol og i e st os ol vet hi spr obl e m. Thi sl i e sout s i det hes c opeoft hi spape r . Thi s s e c t i onpr e s e nt ss pe c i f i c at i onl e ve li nt e r ope r abi l i t y ,bas e donHL7anddi s t r i but e dobj e c t s t a ndar ds . 1. 1 HL7Over vi ew He a l t hLe ve lSe ve n( HL7)i soneofs e v e r a lSt a nda r dsDe ve l opi ngOr g ani z at i ons( SDOs )a c t i v e i nt hee he al t har e na . Mos tSDOspr oduc es t andar ds( s ome t i me sc a l l e ds pe c i f i c a t i onsor pr ot oc ol s )f orapar t i c ul are he al t hdoma i ns uc ha sphar ma c y ,me di c a lde vi c e s ,i mag i ngor i ns ur anc e( c l ai mspr oc e s s i ng)t r ans ac t i ons . He a l t hLe ve lSe ve nsdomai ni sc l i ni c a land a dmi ni s t r at i veda t a . He al t hLe ve lSe ve nha sde ve l ope dame s s ag i ngs t andar dt ha te nabl e s [6 ]. di s par at ee he a l t happl i c at i onst oe x c hang eke ys e t sofc l i ni c ala nda dmi ni s t r a t i v edat a TheHL7s t andar dsf ac i l i t at et hee xc ha ng eofdat abe t we e nhe t e r oge ne ousc omput e r bas e d he al t hc ar eappl i c at i ons . Thepr i mar yc ont r i but i onoft heHL7s t andar di st hede f i ni t i onofa s e tofa bs t r ac tme s s ag e st ha the al t hc ar eappl i c a t i onsc ane xc ha ng ei nor de rt os har edat aort o not i f ye ac hot he rofi mpor t a ntc l i ni c ale v e nt s . Theappl i c a t i onofc ur r e ntdi s t r i but e d c omput i ngt e c hnol ogyt ot heHL7s pe c i f i c a t i onwoul de na bl et hee l i mi nat i onoft heHL7 e nc odi ngr ul e sandobvi at et hene e df orHL7me s s ag epa r s e r sa ndt r a ns l a t or s ,whi l epr ovi di ng c ompr e he ns i veope n,s t a ndar d,c omme r c i al l ya v ai l a bl emul t i pl a t f or mc ommuni c a t i on 72 [13]. c a pabi l i t i e s HL7al s of ac i l i t at e st hee xc hangeofda t abe t we e ni nde pe nde nt l yde v e l ope de he al t hc omput e r a ppl i c at i ons . Ut i l i z at i onoft heHL7s t a nda r de l i mi na t e sormi ni mi z e st henumbe rofc us t om i nt e r f ac e sr e qui r e dt or e al i z ei nt e r a ppl i c a t i onc ommuni c a t i on. Anaddi t i onalc ont r i but i onof HL7i st hes pe c i f i c at i onofe nc odi ngr ul e s ,whi c ha r eus e dt oma pt hea bs t r a c tme s s a ge si nt oa t e xt ba s e dr e pr e s e nt at i ont hatc anac t ual l ybet r a ns mi t t e dus i ngr e l a t i v e l ys i mpl e [13 ] c ommuni c a t i ont e c hnol og i e sa ndpr ot oc ol s . I nor de rt opar t i c i pat easar e c i pi e ntofHL7me s s a g e s ,a na ppl i c at i onmus tbepr ov i de dwi t h t heappr opr i at et r ans por tme c ha ni s m,apa r s e rt ha tma pst heHL7me s s a ge sofi nt e r e s ti nt o pr ogr a m dat as t r uc t ur e s ,andt hel ogi ct opr oc e s sHL7me s s a g e s . Si mi l ar l y,t oge ne r at eHL7 me s s age s ,anappl i c at i onmus tbepr ovi de dwi t ht hea ppr opr i a t et r ans por tme c hani s m,a t r a ns l a t ort ha tpr oduc e st het e xt bas e dme s s a ge sf r om pr og r a m da t as t r uc t ur e s ,andt hel og i ct o ge ne r at eHL7me s s age s . Theadve ntofope ns t andar di z e ddi s t r i but e dc omput i ngi nf r a s t r uc t ur e sha snow c r e a t e dan oppor t uni t yt os i mpl i f yt heHL7s pe c i f i c a t i ona nds t r e a ml i net hede ve l opme ntof HL7c ompl i anta ppl i c at i ons . Theappl i c a t i onofc ur r e ntdi s t r i but e dc omput i ngt e c hnol og yt o t heHL7s pe c i f i c at i onwoul dma kei tpos s i bl et odi s pe ns ewi t ht heHL7e nc odi ngr ul e sa nd me s s ag epar s e r sa ndt r ans l at or s ,whi l epr ov i di ngc ompr e he ns i veope n,s t anda r d, c omme r c i al l ya va i l a bl emul t i pl a t f or mc ommuni c at i onc apabi l i t i e s . Thene xts e c t i onspr e s e ntt hr e eappr oac he st oHL7i mpl e me nt a t i on: ・A pl at f or mde pe nde nta ppr oac hbas e donAc t i veX/ DCOM ( Chame l e on) ・A pl at f or mi nde pe nde nt ,l anguag e de pe nde nta ppr oa c hba s e donJ a v at ool ki t( Uni v e r s i t yof Gi e s s e n,Ge r many) ・A pl at f or mi nde pe nde ntandl a ng uag e i nde pe nde nta ppr oa c hbas e donOMG CORBA ( Ope nme d/Te l e me d) at f or mdependentAct i veX/DCOMbas e dappr o ac h 1. 2 Pl Mi c r os of ta ndi t sa l l i e shavei mpl e me nt e dadi s t r i but e dobj e c tmode lc a l l e dDCOM,wi t h Ac t i veX c ompone nt sde s i gne dus i ngDCOM[15] . [2 ] Ac t i v e Xf ore he a l t h i sac ol l a bor at i vepr oj e c tbyMi c r os of t ,Andov e rWor ki ngGr oup [6]body a ndt heHe a l t hLe ve lSe ve n( HL7) .I ti sde s i g ne dt opr ov i dee as y ,i ne xpe ns i ve he al t happl i c a t i onsa nds y s t e ms . i nt e r ope r abi l i t ybe t we e ne Ac t i veX pr ov i de saf r ame wor ki nvol vi ngt heDCOM c ommuni c a t i one nv i r onme nt ,and di f f e r e ntl e v e l sofi nf r as t r uc t ur eobj e c t sde f i ne df ore a s eofi mpl e me nt at i onofadi s t r i but e d obj e c t bas e ds ys t e ms . Ac t i ve Xi st heke ybui l di ngbl oc kf ori nt e r a c t i onbe t we e na ppl i c a t i ons ands e r vi c e s― whe t he ront hes amemac hi ne ,onal oc a lne t wor k,orov e rt heI nt e r ne t . Ac t i v e Xc ompone nt sc anbewr i t t e ni na nyl ang uag eandde pl oye dac r os smul t i pl eope r a t i ng s ys t e ms . The s ef r e e l yl i c e ns e dc ompone nt sa ndi mpl e me nt at i ong ui de l i ne sa r ebas e dont hewor kdone byt heSpe c i alI nt e r e s tGr ouponObj e c tBr oke r i ngTe c hnol ogi e s( SI GBOT)ofHL7,and s pe c i f i e st heHL7me s s a gepr of i l e sa ndAc t i ve Xba s e dv e r s i onoft heme s s a gi ngappl i c a t i on [2 ] pr ogr ammi ngi nt e r f a c e( API )de ve l ope dbyt heAndove rWor ki ngGr oup . TheAc t i ve Xf ore he al t h( AHC)me s s ag i ngc ompone nt se nc a ps ul at et heHL72. 3me s s agei nt o obj e c t sa ndmakei te as yt oc onne c tvar i ouss y s t e ms . Appl i c at i onss i mpl yr e que s tt he 73 [8]. Fi g. 1 Chame l e ona r c hi t e c t ur e a ppr opr i at eobj e c t( e . g.anadmi s s i onorame di c at i onor de r ) ,addt hea ppr opr i a t edat a e l e me nt sa ndt r ans par e nt l ys e ndt heobj e c tt oa ppl i c a t i onst ha ta r ec onf i gur e dt or e c e i vei t .A f l e xi bl ear c hi t e c t ur emake spos s i bl eami g r a t i onpat hf r om l e g ac ys y s t e msa ndi nt e r f ac ee ng i ne s t one t wor ke d,c ompone nt bas e dappl i c a t i ons . Appl i c at i onsc a ns e ndme s s a g e sv i aDCOM t o a not he rAc t i ve X appl i c at i on,ora c r os saTCP/I Pc onne c t i ont oa ne xi s t i ngHL7 c ompa t i bl e appl i c at i on. The r ear enow HL7pr oduc t sa vai l abl eont hema r ke tba s e donAc t i veX a ndDCOM. HL7 Chame l e oni soneoft hepopul arpr oduc t st hatwe r ee v a l uat e da spar toft hi spr oj e c t . The f undame nt aladvant ag eofChame l e oni st hati ts e par at e st heme s s a g ei nt e r f a c ef r om t he di f f e r e nti mpl e me nt at i onsofHL7,a l l owi nganappl i c a t i onwr i t t e nwi t honei nt e r f a c et o s uppor tawi denumbe rofdi f f e r e ntv e r s i onsofHL7 ,ass howni nFi g ur e1 . Cha me l e ons de s i gnde al swi t hpot e nt i alpr obl e msbys hi e l di ngt heappl i c a t i onc odef r om t her a w HL7dat a s t r uc t ur e .I tut i l i z e sani nt e r me di at ene s t e dda t as t r uc t ur et ha ti sgr a phi c al l ymappe dont oa [8] numbe rofdi f f e r e ntHL7me s s a get r e e s . Thene xtl e ve loft hee ngi nei st heCOM ( OCX/ Ac t i ve X)wr appe rl ay e r . Thi swr a ppe r e xpos e st hee nt i r eAPIoft heme s s agee ng i ne . TheGUIc onf i g ur a t i ona ppl i c a t i oni swr i t t e ni n De l phia ndwor kst hr ought heCOM i nt e r f a c e . TheGUIc onf i g ur at i onut i l i t yi saf ul l f e at ur e , mul t i pl e doc ume nti nt e r f a c epr ogr am. I ti sus e dt ode f i neme s s a g e sandma ppi ng,a ndge ne r a t e s t ubc odei nt hena t i v el ang uageoft heus e rsa ppl i c a t i on( Vi s ua lBa s i c ,De l phi ,C,C++ e t c . ) . Thege ne r at e dc l as s e sf or mt hei nt e r f ac ef ort heus e rsa ppl i c a t i onc ode . Ata nys t ag e ,t heGUI c onf i gur at i ont oolma ybeus e dt or e c onf i g ur et het ypeofHL7me s s a g e s wi t houtr e c ompi l i ng [8 ]. t heus e rsa ppl i c at i on Thi si mpl e me nt at i one nvi r onme ntpr ovi de sagoodi nt e r ope r a bi l i t yme c ha ni s ma mongs t di f f e r e ntve r s i onsofHL7. Si nc ei ti sbas e donCOM ( s uppor t e dbyMi c r os of tWi ndows ) ,i ti s qui t ee f f i c i e nt . Howe ve r ,asi nanydi s t r i but e da ppl i c at i ona ppr oa c hbas e donope r at i ng s ys t e ms ,t hi sa ppr oac hhast hepr obl e m ofpl at f or mde pe nde nc e . Al s o,t hi sappr oac hdoe snot t akei nt oa c c ountt hene w HL7ve r s i on3,whi c hi sbas e donanobj e c t or i e nt e dappr oa c h. 1 . 3 Pl at f o r mi nd ependent ,l anguag ede pe nde ntap pr oach TheJ aval anguag e ,andmor ei mpor t ant l yt heJ a vaVi r t ua lMa c hi ne( J VM)f r om Sun Mi c r os ys t e msa ndi t sa l l i e s ,havepr ovi de dapowe r f ul ,ope nme t hodol og yf ort hede v e l opme nt ofdi s t r i but e dappl i c a t i ons .I ti sapl a t f or mi nde pe nde nta ppr oac hbe c aus eJ VM c a nc onve r t anypl at f or m( OS)t os uppor tt hi sa r c hi t e c t ur e . Howe v e r ,t heappl i c a t i onshavet ous eas i ngl e [ ] l ang ua ge ,i . e .J a va 15. Va r i ousi mpl e me nt at i onsa r enow a va i l a bl ef orHL7mi ddl e wa r e bas e donJ a va. Wehadanoppor t uni t yt oe v al ua t et heHL7t ool ki tf r om t heUni v e r s i t yof Gi e s s e n,Ge r many. TheHL7me s s agel i br ar yf orJ avaf r om t heUni v e r s i t yHos pi t a lofGi e s s e ni sba s e dont he 74 [9 ] Fi g. 2 J av aAppl i c at i onc ans e ndme s s a g e swi t hTCPpr ot oc olov e rt hene t . [1 Fi g. 3 TheOMG EHe al t hDomai nTa s kFor c et e c hnol ogymap 0] we l l knowndi s t r i but e dappl i c at i onde ve l opme ntpar adi g m ba s e donal a nguag es uppor t( J av a ) . J avavi r t ualmac hi ne spr ovi det hepl at f or mi nde pe nde nc ei nt hi ss i t uat i on. I nt hi sc a s e ,t he HL7pac kagei sal i br ar ywr i t t e ni nJ ava ,s uppor t i ngt hepr ogr a mme rwr i t i ngJ a vaappl i c a t i ons t hatha ndl eHL7me s s age s . Wi t ht heHL7pac kage ,i ti spos s i bl et obui l dar bi t r a r yHL7me s s ag e s . The s eme s s a ge sc anbe c onve r t e di nt ot e xta nds ave di norr e t r i e v e df r om f i l e s .I ti sa l s opos s i bl et os e ndme s s a ge s [9 ] wi t hTCP/I Ppr ot oc olove rt hene t ,ass howni nFi g ur e2 . Thi sl anguage ba s e d,di s t r i but e dappl i c a t i onde v e l opme nta ppr oa c hove r c ome st hepr obl e m of pl at f or m de pe nde nc e ,andpr ovi de saf l e xi bl eme c ha ni s mf orde v e l opi ngHL7appl i c a t i onsi n J av at hatwoul dr unonavar i e t yofs y s t e ms . Howe ve r ,t hi sa ppr oa c hwi l lonl ypr ovi de i nt e r ope r abi l i t yofa ppl i c a t i onswr i t t e ni nJ a va . Ma nyhos pi t a la ppl i c a t i onshav el e g a c yc ode wr i t t e ni nl anguage sot he rt hanJ ava. He nc eac ompl e t es ol ut i ont ot hei nt e r ope r abi l i t y pr obl e mc anonl ybepr ovi de dt hr oughac ombi nat i onofHL7andCORBA. 75 1 . 4 Pl at f or mi ndependentandl anguag e i nd ep endentap pr oach TheCommonObj e c tRe que s tBr oke rAr c hi t e c t ur e( CORBA)i st hef r ame wor kand s pe c i f i c a t i onf oradi s t r i but e dc omput i ngs y s t e m de v e l ope dj oi nt l ybys e ve r a lhundr e d c omput i ngc ompa ni e sunde rt hemanag e me nta us pi c e soft heObj e c tManag e me ntGr oup ( OMG) . CORBA pr ovi de sas t andar df r a me wor kf orobj e c t or i e nt e ddi s t r i but e dc omput i ng [15]. t ha ti si nde pe nde ntofpl at f or ms TheCORBA f r ame wor ki sbe i ngus e df ori nt e r ope r abl eappl i c a t i onde v e l opme nti nmany a r e as ,i nc l udi ngf i na nc e ,manuf ac t ur i ng ,t e l e c ommuni c at i onsa nde he a l t h. Fi g ur e3s howst he var i ousCORBAbas e dbui l di ngbl oc ksde f i ne dbyt heOMG e he al t h( CORBAme d)i nt e r e s t gr oupofOMG f orus i ngCORBA i nt hee he a l t ha ppl i c at i ondomai n. TheCORBA a ppr oa c h al l owsa ppl i c at i onst obede ve l ope di navar i e t yofl ang ua g e s ,s uc ha sJ ava ,Vi s ualBas i c ,C ++,Smal [1 lTal ke t c . 0] . Thi si st hebe s tappr oa c ht oi nt e r ope r a bi l i t y ,be c a us ei ti sbot hpl at f or mi nde pe nde nta nd l anguage i nde pe nde nt . I ti snow pos s i bl et omapt hedoma i nknowl e dgeande xpe r i e nc er e pr e s e nt e dbyt heHL7 Ve r s i on2. 2Spe c i f i c a t i ont oCORBA t opr oduc eapowe r f ulf r a me wor kf ori nt e r f ac i ng di s t r i but e dme di c ala ppl i c at i ons .I nt hi smappi ng,t heHL7s pe c i f i c at i onwoul dde f i newhat t heappl i c at i onsc ommuni c at eabout ,whi l et heCORBA s pe c i f i c at i onwoul dde f i nehow t he y [13 ]. Themappi c ommuni c at e nge mpha s i z e sHL7asa ne he a l t hdoma i ns pe c i f i c a t i on,whi l e CORBA t e c hnol ogypr ov i de st hebas i sf ora nope ns t a nda r dc ommuni c at i onpl a t f or m. The r e s ul t i ngmar r i ag e: ・s i mpl i f i e st heov e r al lHL7s pe c i f i c at i on( e . g.byobvi a t i ngt hene e df orHL7s pe c i f i ce nc odi ng r ul e s ) , ・r e duc e st hec ompl e x i t yofde ve l opi ngHL7ba s e da ppl i c at i ons( e . g.bymaki ngHL7pa r s e r s r e dunda nt ) ,and ・e e se he al t hs y s t e m de ve l ope r st oe mpl oyc omme r c i al l yav a i l a bl e ,we l l s uppor t e d nabl [1 di s t r i but e dc omput i ngt e c hnol ogy 3] . Thene xts e c t i onde s c r i be sourpr ot ot ypei mpl e me nt a t i on,whi c hus e st heCORBA a ppr oa c h wi t hJ aval angua gebi ndi ng. 2 I mp l e me nt i ngdi s t r i b ut e dehe al t happ l i c at i o nsus i ngHL7andCORBA I nor de rt opar t i c i pat easar e c i pi e ntofHL7me s s ag e s ,a na ppl i c at i onmus tbepr ovi de dwi t h t heappr opr i at et r ans por tme c ha ni s m,apa r s e rt ha tma pst her e l e va ntHL7me s s a ge si nt o pr ogr am dat as t r uc t ur e s ,andt hel ogi ct opr oc e s sHL7me s s a g e s . Si mi l a r l y,t oge ne r a t eHL7 me s s a ge s ,anappl i c a t i onmus tbepr ovi de dwi t ht hea ppr opr i at et r ans por tme c ha ni s m,a t r ans l at ort hatpr oduc e st het e xt bas e dme s s ag e sf r om pr og r am dat as t r uc t ur e s ,andt hel ogi ct o ge ne r at eHL7me s s age s . Theadve ntofope ns t andar di z e ddi s t r i but e dc omput i ngi nf r as t r uc t ur e shasnow c r e a t e dan oppor t uni t yt os i mpl i f yt heHL7s pe c i f i c a t i ona nds t r e aml i net hede v e l opme ntof HL7c ompl i anta ppl i c at i ons . Theappl i c at i onofc ur r e ntdi s t r i but e dc omput i ngt e c hnol og yt o t heHL7s pe c i f i c a t i onwoul dma kei tpos s i bl et odi s pe ns ewi t ht heHL7e nc odi ngr ul e sa nd me s s a gepa r s e r sa ndt r ans l a t or s ,whi l epr ov i di ngc ompr e he ns i veope n,s t anda r d, c omme r c i al l ya va i l a bl emul t i pl at f or mc ommuni c a t i onc a pabi l i t i e s . OMG CORBA pr ovi de sadi s t r i but e dobj e c t or i e nt e df r ame wor kf orde v e l opme nta ppl i c at i ons 76 [1 Fi g . 4 Cur r e ntt ypi c a lHL7a ppl i c a t i ons t r uc t ur e 3] t hata r ei nde pe nde ntofope r at i ngs ys t e ms( pl a t f or ms ) ,l a ng ua gef ors of t wa r ede v e l opme nta nd c ommuni c at i onpr ot oc ol s . The r ei sa ne xc i t i ngoppor t uni t yt oma pt hec ons i de r abl edoma i n knowl e dgeande xpe r i e nc er e pr e s e nt e dbyt heHL7Ve r s i on2. 2s pe c i f i c at i ont oCORBA s oa s t opr oduc eapowe r f ulf r ame wor kf ori nt e r f ac i ngdi s t r i but e dme di c a lappl i c a t i ons . TheOpe nEMe d( Te l e me d)a ppl i c at i onf r om LosAl amosLabor at or ypr ov i de st hi si nt e g r at i on ]. ofHL7andCORBA[11 Theaut hor sc hos et oadopta nappr oac hus e dbyt heUni ve r s i t yHos pi t a lofGi e s s e n,Ge r ma ny ( ass howni nFi gur e2) ,wi t hCORBA s e r v i c e sa dde dt oe nabl ec onne c t i ont oot he rdi s t r i but e d s ys t e msi nt hef ut ur e . TheUni ve r s i t yofGi e s s e nHL7pac ka gei sal i br a r ywr i t t e ni nJ av a , s uppor t i ngpr og r a mme r swr i t i ngappl i c at i onsde a l i ngwi t hHL7me s s a g e s . TheHL7pac kageal l owsa r bi t r ar yHL7me s s ag e st obec ons t r uc t e d. The s eme s s ag e sc a nbe c onv e r t e df ors av i ngandr e t r i e va last e xtf i l e s . Fur t he r mor et he r ei sawayt os e ndme s s ag e s wi t hTCPpr ot oc olov e rt hene t . 3 I mp l e me nt at i o ns t r at e g y Theadvant ageofaddi ngCORBA s e r v i c e swa st ha tma ppi ngHL7s pe c i f i c at i ont oCORBA c oul dpr oduc eapowe r f ulf r ame wor kf ori nt e r f ac i ngdi s t r i but e dme di c ala ppl i c at i ons . Fi gur e4s howst hes c he me . CORBA he l psusa c hi e vet hef ol l owi ng . ・El e ss pe c i f i c at i on i mi nat eHL7e nc odi ngr ul ・El i mi nat eHL7pa r s e r ・El i mi nat eHL7t r ans l at or ・Re duc et heamountofappl i c at i onl ogi c ・St [13] andar di z et hec ommuni c at i ons e r vi c e s Fi gur e5s howst hear c hi t e c t ur alv i e w ofaCORBAbas e dHL7appl i c a t i on. Thi ss e c t i on c us s i ononappr oac he st oi mpl e me nt i ngHL7bas e dappl i c at i onsi nCORBA. pr e s e nt sadi s The r ear emanyappr oac he st hatc oul dbet a ke ni nmode l l i ngt heHL7c onc e pt sus i ngOMG I nt e r f a c eDe f i ni t i onLanguage( I DL) . The s ei nc l udet hef ol l owi ng . ・Us i ngCORBA t os i mpl yt r ans mi tASCI Is t r i ng st hatha vebe e ne nc ode dus i ngt heHL7 e nc odi ngr ul e s . Thi sa ppr oac hpr ovi de sas t a ndar dope ni nf r as t r uc t ur ef ort r ans por t i ng t e xt bas e dme s s a ge sbe t we e nappl i c at i ons . Howe v e r ,t r a ns l at i onf r om pr og r a m da t a 77 Fi g . 5 HL7Appl i c a t i ons t r uc t ur eus i ngCORBA[1 3] s t r uc t ur e st ot e xt bas e dme s s age si ss t i l lr e qui r e d,asi spa r s i ngf r om t e x t bas e dme s s a ge st o pr ogr am da t as t r uc t ur e s . ・De s c r i bi ngt hec ur r e ntHL7f undame nt a le nc odi ngc ons t r uc t s ,s uc hasme s s a g e s ,s e g me nt s , andf i e l ds ,andus i ngt he s ec ons t r uc t st ot r a ns mi tASCI Is t r i ngswhi c hha v ebe e ne nc ode d us i ngt heHL7e nc odi ngr ul e s ,butwi t hf e we rme s s ag ede l i mi t i ngc ha r ac t e r s . Thi sa ppr oa c h pr ov i de samode s ts t e pt owa r dsde f i ni ngac l e a ne ri nt e r f a c et ot heHL7me s s a ge s [12] i nf r a s t r uc t ur ei nt e r msofobj e c t or i e nt e dc onc e pt s . ・De ve l opi ngame di c aldomai nobj e c tmode l ,i nc l udi ngpat i e nt sandc ar epr ovi de r s ,a ndt he n de f i ni ngOMG I DL i nt e r f ac e sf ort he s eobj e c t swhi c hs uppor tt heHL7de f i ne di nt e r ac t i ons . Thi sa ppr oa c hmi ghtbet hei de a lappr oa c h,buti tc oul dr e qui r ey e ar sofwor kbe f or e c omi ngt of r ui t i on. ・De f i ni ngi nt e r f ac e si nOMG I DL f ore ac hoft heHL7Ve r s i on2 . 2t r ans ac t i ons e t s ,whe r e e a c hme s s agei nat r ans ac t i ons e ti sr e pr e s e nt e dbyanope r a t i onde f i ne df ort he [1 c or r e s pondi ngi nt e r f ac e 2] . Thi sa ppr oa c hof f e r sac l e a npr ogr a mmi ngl a ng ua gea nd t r ans por t i nde pe nde ntde f i ni t i onoft hea bs t r ac tHL7me s s a g e s . Al s o,whi l et hi sa ppr oa c h de mandsme t hodi c alwor k,i thast headv ant a geofe xpe di e nc y ,be c aus ei tpr e s e r ve st he [13 ] doma i ns pe c i f i cknowl e dgee mbodi e di nt hee x i s t i ngHL7Ve r s i on2 . 2Spe c i f i c a t i on . Thebas i cappr oa c ht omappi ngt heHL7abs t r ac tme s s ag e sf oruns ol i c i t e dupda t e st oOMG I DL c anbes ummar i z e dasf ol l ows . ・Fi e l dswi t hs i mpl eHL7dat at ype s( e . g.St r i ng ,Nume r i c )a r ema ppe da st hes t anda r dOMG I DL dat at ype s( e . g .s t r i ng,f l oat ) . ・Fi e l dswhi c har ec ompl e xHL7dat at ype s( e . g.Pe r s onNa me ,Addr e s s )a r emappe da sOMG I DL c ons t r uc t e dt ype s( e . g.s t r uc tPe r s onNa me ,s t r uc tAddr e s s )whe r et heme mbe r sa r es i mpl e and/orc ompl e xf i e l ds . ・HL7s e gme nt s( e . g .Pat i e ntI de nt i f i c at i on,Pa t i e ntVi s i t )ar ema ppe da sOMG I DL c ons t r uc t e dt ype s( e . g.s t r uc tPa t i e nt I d,s t r uc tPat i e nt Vi s i t )whe r et heme mbe r sa r ef i e l ds . ・HL7me s s age s( e . g .Tr ans f e rPat i e nt ,Di s c ha r g ePa t i e nt )a r ema ppe da sOMG I DL c ons t r uc t e dt y pe s( e . g.s t r uc tTr ans f e r Pa t i e nt Ms g,Di s c har ge Pat i e nt Ms g)whe r et heme mbe r s ar es e gme nt s . ・HL7t r a ns a c t i ons e t sar emappe dasOMG I DL i nt e r f ac e s . Eac he v e ntde f i ne di nt he 78 t r ans ac t i ons e ti smappe dasa nope r a t i ononani nt e r f a c e . Eac hope r a t i onac c e pt sa me s s ag eoft heappr opr i at et ypea si t si nputpar a me t e r . ・AnHL7g e ne r ala c knowl e dgme nti sma ppe da st her e t ur nv al uef ora nuns ol i c i t e dupda t e ope r at i on. 4 Thes t r at e g ys e l e c t e d Duet ot her e qui r e me nt soft hehos pi t a lt ha tonl yas ubs e tofHL7me s s ag e s( QRY)we r et obe us e df ort hi ss ys t e m,andi nvi e w oft hes hor t ag eofpr ogr a mmi ngt i me ,i twa sde c i de dt ous e t hef i r s ta ppr oac hf ormode l l i ngHL7t oCORBA. I nt hi sa ppr oa c h,HL7me s s ag e sa r et r e a t e d asASCI Is t r i ngsandpa r s e dbyt heCORBA obj e c t s . Fi gur e6s howst hei mpl e me nt at i on f r ame wor k. I twa sdi s c ove r e ddur i ngt hi spr oj e c tt ha t ,whi l ei tmi g htbede s i r abl et odos o,i t i sdi f f i c ul tt oe l i mi nat eani nt e r f ac ee ngi nea tt hi se ar l ys t ag eofpr ot ot ypi ng ,be c a us et he i nt e r f ac ee ngi nepr ovi de si nt e r ope r abi l i t ya c r os sava r i e t yofHI Sa ppl i c a t i onsc onf or mi ngt o di f f e r e ntv e r s i onsofHL7,s uppor t e dbyt heCl ove r l e afi nt e r f ac ee ng i ne ,i napr oduc t i on e nvi r onme nt . Thepr opos e ds ol ut i onwi t ht hei nt r oduc t i onofaCORBA s e r v e rwoul dr e s ul ti nt hef ol l owi ng s c e nar i o,whe r et hene e df ort hei nt e r f a c ee ngi nei sma nda t or yf orc ompat i bi l i t yr e a s ons ,a s s howni nFi gur e6. Thede ve l ope dpr ogr am hast hr e ec ompone nt s: Cl i e nt Thec l i e nti sbas i c al l yaf r onte ndCORBA obj e c tt hata s kst heus e rf ort heMe di c a l Re c or dNumbe r( MRN)oft hepat i e ntwhos eme di c alr e s ul t sha vet obeque r i e d. Ont heba s i s oft hi sMRN,t hec l i e ntpr ogr am c r e at e sa nHL7que r yme s s ag e ,r e g i s t e r si t s e l fwi t ht hes e r v e r ands e ndst hi sHL7me s s a get ot hes e r v e r . Whe nt her e s ul t sc omebac k,i ti sdi s pl a ye dt ot he us e r . A pr of e s s i onalGUIhasnotbe e nde ve l ope df ort hi ss y s t e m,ast hea ppl i c at i oni st obe i nt e g r a t e dwi t he xi s t i ngappl i c at i onsr unni ngatt hehos pi t al . Ser ve r Thes e r ve ri saCORBA s e r ve rwhi c hwa i t sf orc l i e nt st oc onne c ta nd,onc et he yar e c onne c t e d,c r e at e sas l avepr oc e s s( i mpl e me nt a t i on)t oha ndl eal lf ur t he rc ommuni c at i on. I mp l e ment at i onThei mpl e me nt at i onpr og r a mc onne c t st ot wopor t sont hei nt e r f a c ee ng i ne . Onepor ti sf ors e ndi ngt heque r yme s s ag e sa ndt heot he rpor ti st oge tt her e s ul t soft he que r i e s . Whe nac l i e nts e ndsaque r y,i tr e gi s t e r st hec l i e nta saCORBA obj e c ta swe l la s r e gi s t e r i ngt heHL7que r yme s s age . Thi si st oi de nt i f yt hec l i e ntt owhom t her e s ul toft he que r yi st obes e nt . Onc et her e g i s t r at i onpr oc e s si sc ompl e t e d,t heque r yi st he ns e ntt ot he i nt e r f ac ee ngi neoni t ss e ndi ngpor t . Ana c knowl e dge me nti ss e ntba c kf r om t hei nt e r f ac e e ngi ne ,whi c hi spas s e dont ot hec l i e nt . Ther e s ul t sc omebac kont heot he rpor tandt hi s ag ai ni spas s e dont ot hec l i e nt . Now t hei mpl e me nt at i onpr og r a mc r e at e sa n a c knowl e dge me ntt oi ndi c at et hati thasr e c e i v e dt her e s ul t s . Onc eal lr e s ul t sha vebe e n obt ai ne d,t hec l i e nti sde r e gi s t e r e d. Thes of t war es ys t e m de ve l ope de nabl e sac l i e ntt oque r yaba c ke nds y s t e mf orme di c a lr e s ul t s . Thi sma ybef orc har t i ngorr e por t i ngpur pos e s . Thec l i e nt s e r ve ri nt e r ac t i onsa r ei nt e r msof HL7me s s age s . Duet ot hef ac tt hata l lc ommuni c a t i onswi t ht hebac ke nds ys t e ma r et hr oug h t hei nt e r f ac ee ngi ne ,t her e l i abi l i t yoft hes y s t e mi nc r e as e s ,a st hee ngi nel og sa l lt he t r ans a c t i ons ,andanydownt i meatt hebac ke ndwi l lnota f f e c tt heque r yi ngc l i e nt . Thene xtphas eoft hepr oj e c twoul dbet oc r e at eadomai na ndde f i nei nt e r f ac e si nOMG I DL f ore ac hoft heHL7t r ans ac t i ons e t s ,whe r ee a c hme s s a gei nat r a ns ac t i ons e ti sr e pr e s e nt e dby anope r at i onde f i ne df ort hec or r e s pondi ngi nt e r f ac e . Thec hang e st hatc anbea c hi e v e daf t e r / i mpl e me nt i ngt heHL7CORBA s e r ve ra r ei l l us t r at e di nFi gur e6be l ow. 79 Fi g. 6 HI SMi ddl e wa r ei mpl e me nt at i onbas e donCORBA/HL7andi nt e r f ac e Eval uat i onr es ul t s Theabovepr ot ot ypewa se val uat e dbyus i ngi ta smi ddl e wa r ef ort hea ppl i c a t i onc a l l e d Ehe al t hEndoc r i nol ogy. Ourpr ot ot y pewa si nt e gr a t e dwi t ht hi sa ppl i c at i ont os uppor t HL7que r yme s s age sa c r os st hei nt e r f ac ee ng i nef r om t hev a r i ousda t aba s e se xi s t i ngi nt he e he al t hi nf or mat i ons ys t e mi nvar i oushe t e r oge ne ousne t wor ks ,s uc hast hepa t hol ogyand r adi ol og yne t wor ks . Theappl i c a t i oni sde s i gne dt ome e tt hes pe c i f i cne e dsoft heDe pa r t me ntofEndoc r i nol og y . Ase ndoc r i nol ogyde al swi t hc hi l dde v e l opme ntandg r owt h,pa t i e nti nf or mat i onne e dst obe mai nt a i ne dandc ompar e dov e rma nyy e a r soft r e at me nt . Cur r e nts y s t e msdonota l l ow t hi s l e ve loff l e xi bi l i t y ,s oi thadt obes pe c i f i c a l l yde ve l ope d. TheHL7i nt e r f a c ec ompone nt s whi c hwe r ede ve l ope dal l ow pat hol ogydat at obeque r i e dus i ngHL7f r om t hepat hol ogy s ys t e m( Ce r ne rPat hne t )a nddi r e c t l yf e di nt ot hee ndoc r i nol ogys ys t e m,a ss howni nFi g ur e7. Thi sdat ac ant he nbemani pul at e dt ome e tt heus e rsr e qui r e me nt s . Ane xampl eoft hi si s r e s ul t sf r om t e s t sonac hi l dsbonede ns i t ypl ot t e da ga i ns tt hec hi l dsa g e ,gi vi nghe i g ht ve l oc i t yme as ur e s( how f a s tt hec hi l di sgr owi ng ) . TheHL7c ompone nt sde ve l ope dwi l la l s obeus e di not he rs y s t e msde v e l ope datt heCHW r e qui r i ngdi r e c ti nt e r f ac i ngt opat hol ogyr e s ul t s . Thef ol l owi ngi sas ampl ef r om al ogont hes e r v e rmoni t or i ngt heme s s a gi ngont heCORBA Obj e c tt ot heI nt e r f a c eEngi ne ,whi c hf or war dst her e que s tt oCe r ne ra ndr e s ul t sc omi ngbac k. Cl i e ntque r yi ngMRN:9988771hasbe e nRe g i s t e r e da t2 0 0 104 1 809 18 50 Que r ywr i t t e nt oEngi ne . Que r yMe s s ageAc k( ACK)r e c df r o m Ce r ne r Re s ul tme s s ag er e c e i v e d Re s ul tme s s ag er e c e i v e d Re s ul tme s s ager e c e i v e d Re s ul tme s s ager e c e i v e d Re s ul tme s s ager e c e i v e d Re s ul tme s s ager e c e i v e d Que r yc ompl e t ef orQue r yr e que s tr e c df r om Ce r ne r Cl i e ntSuc c e s s f ul l yDe=Re gi s t e r e d 80 Fi g. 7 Ty pi c a lus e ri nt e r f ac es c r e e noft hee ndoc r i nol ogyappl i c a t i on Di r e c tac c e s st ot hepat hol ogyr e s ul t sof f e r st hef ol l owi ngadv ant a ge s . ・Re e df orma nua lr e e nt r yofdat a . duc e sdat ae nt r yr e qui r e me nt sbyobvi a t i ngt hene ・Re duc e se r r orr at e sbyt r ans f e r r i ngdat ae l e c t r oni c a l l y. ・I i ngt hec l i ni c i a nt i me l yac c e s st ot hedat avi aas i ngl es ys t e m,i n mpr ove spat i e ntc ar ebygi v af or matt hatme e t st he i rne e ds . ・Hi s t or i c aldat ar e vi e wsa ndc har t s ,c ove r i ngs e v e r a le pi s ode soft r e a t me nt ,a l l owi ngt he c l i ni c i ant or e vi e w pr ogr e s sa tagl anc e . Thi ss e c t i onha sde mons t r at e dhow CORBA/ J avaba s e dmi ddl e wa r ewa si nt e gr a t e di nt oal i v e HI Sappl i c at i on. Co ncl us i ons;f ut ur ewo r k Thi spape rhaspr e s e nt e doure xpe r i e nc ei nt hede v e l opme nta ndde pl oy me ntofdi s t r i but e d obj e c t bas e dmi ddl e war ef ort hei nt e r ope r abi l i t yofe he al t hi nf or mat i ons y s t e ms . Wes t ar t e d wi t hane val uat i onofar e als ys t e m,ba s e dont het hr e emaj ora ppr oa c he st omi ddl e war ef or / i nt e r ope r a bi l i t y; l a ng ua gei nde pe nde nt pl a t f or mde pe nde nt( DCOMba s e d) , /l pl at f or mi nde pe nde nt anguage de pe nde nt( J a va bas e d) ,a ndpl at f or m/ l ang uage i nde pe nde nt ( CORBAbas e d) . Thi swa sf ol l owe dbyade s c r i pt i onofourpr ot ot ype ,bas e donCORBA and J a va . Fi nal l y,wehaves hownhow t hi smi ddl e war ewa se mbe dde di nal i v ee ndoc r i nol ogy a ppl i c a t i onatt heChi l dr e nsHos pi t ala tWe s t e mae d. Wehavel e ar ne dt hef ol l owi ngmaj orl e s s onst hatmaybeofi nt e r e s tt ode ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . 81 I ti spos s i bl et oi mpl ementt hei nt er ope r ab i l i t yofHI Sap pl i cat i o nst hr oughCORBA,Jav a andHL7,of f er i nganumberofadvant ag e s . I ti snotp os s i bl et oel i mi nat et hei nt er f aceeng i nef r om al i v eHI S,b e caus et her ear emany ver s i onsofHL7,anddi f f er entl i veapp l i cat i o nsmi ghtb eus i ngdi f f er e ntv er s i ons . Ther ewasas t ee pl e ar ni ngc ur vef orCORBAbas edd ev e l opme nt . Al t ho ught he CORBAmedSI Go fOMG hasd ef i nedanumbe rofo bj ec t sf o reheal t h,weco ul dnotus e anyo ft hem i nt hi spr oj ectd uet op r ac t i c ald i f f i cul t i es . Mi cr o s of t .NET ar chi t ect ur e [15] over comesmanyoft hes edi f f i cul t i est hr oug he as i er t ous ewebs e r v i c es . Thi sc as es t udyhasi l l us t r at e dc e r t a i npr obl e mst ha tde ve l opi ngc ount r i e sc oul df ac ei n i mpl e me nt i nge he al t h,a ndpr e s e nt e ds ol ut i onsi nt hei nt e g r at i onofhe t e r og e ne oust e l e me di c i ne s ys t e ms . Whi l et hi spape rhasf oc us e dont hes of t wa r ei nt e r ope r abi l i t ypr obl e m att he s pe c i f i c a t i onl e ve l ,t he r ear eanumbe rofot he ri s s ue sa tt hes e mant i cl e v e lt ha tmus tbe [12 ] addr e s s e dt os ol vet hei nt e r ope r a bi l i t ypr obl e m. The s ea r et hes ubj e c tofongoi ngwor k , [14]. Ac knowl edgement s Thewor kr e por t e di nt hi spa pe rwaspa r t i a l l yf unde dbyt heRe s e a r c hPar t ne r s hi pGr antoft he Uni ve r s i t yofWe s t e r nSydne y,andTheChi l dr e nsHos pi t ala tWe s t me ad. Theaut hor swoul d l i ket ot hankDar ae s hMi s t r yandBe j oyChe r i a n,Ma s t e r sofComput i ngandI Ts t ude nt sa tt he Uni ve r s i t yofWe s t e r nSydne y,Aus t r al i af ort he i rv a l ua bl ec ont r i but i onst ot hi spr oj e c t . Re f er ences [1]Al Sa f adiY.e tal; PACS/ I nf or ma t i onSy s t e msI nt e r ope r abi l i t yUs i ngEnt e r pr i s eCommuni c a t i onFr ame wor k; nf o r mat i o nTe c hno l ogyi nBi ome di c i ne;June19 9 8;Vo l ume2;Numb e r2;p age42I EEE Tr ans ac t i onso nI 4 7 [2]Andove rWor ki ngGr oupWhi t ePa pe r;Ac c e l e r a t i ngt hemov e me ntt owar dss t andar ds bas e di nt e r ope r a bi l i t yi n / /www. . ht ml ,J a nua r y,1 99 9; e he a l t h; ht t p: i nt e r ac t i v e . hp. c om/mpga wg/ whi t e pa pe r [3]T.Che E9 6, n,C. Chaoa ndT.Gout h, Ex t e ndi ngani nt e g r at e dhos pi t a ls y s t e m be y ondt hehos pi t a l,i nMI pp. 6 8 06 84 [4]Ga ng ul yP.& Ra yP. A Me t hodol og yf ort heDe ve l opme ntofSof t war eAg e ntBas e dI nt e r ope r abl e Te l e me di c i neSy s t e ms: A Te l e El e c t r oc ar di og r a phyPe r s pe c t i v e ;Te l e me di c i neJ our nal;Vol ume6 No2 ,2000 [5]Var l i t yofHos pi t alI nf or mat i onSy s t e ms: A Ca s eSt udy,Pr o c e e di ng so fI EEE g asB.& RayP. I nt e r ope r a bi He al t hc o m2003,Sa nt aMoni c a,USA,J une20 03 / / [6]HL7 s our c eLi br ar y ,ht t p: www. hl 7. or g ,Nov1 2,2 00 1 ,HL7Re [7]Hor ac t i onso nI nf or mat i o nTe c hno l o gy s hA a nd.Ba l bac hT. , Te l e me di c a lI nf or ma t i onSy s t e ms,I EEE Tr ans i nBi o Me di c i ne,Vol3.No. 3 ,Se pt e mbe r1 9 9 9 [8]I // nt e r f a c e wa r e , Chame l e on ,ht t p: www. i nt e r f a c e war e . c om,Nov12 ,2 00 1 [9]J / /www. me d. uni gi e s s e n. oha nne sMue l l e r , HL7me s s a g el i br a r yf orJ a v a,Uni v e r s i t yHos pi t a lofGi e s s e n,ht t p: / de hl 7/ j a v a/ hl 7. ht ml ,Nov12 ,2 0 01 / / [10 ]TheObj og y ,ht t p: www. a c l . l anl . e c tMa na ge me ntGr oup( OMG) ,OMG Ehe al t hDoma i nTa s kFor c eTe c hnol / gov OMG/ CD/c or ba. ht ml ,24J ul y,2 00 0 / / [11 ]TheOpe dPr oj e c t( f or me r l yTe l e me d)ht t p: nEMe dTe a m,LosAl amosNa t i onalLabor a t or y ,Ope nEMe www. a c l . l anl . gov/ Te l e Me d/ ,Nov12,2 00 1 [12 ]We ntMe t hodol og yf orEhe a l t hI nf or mat i onSy s t e ms, e r r akkodyG.Ra yP, CSCW Bas e dSy s t e m De v e l opme Te l e me di c i neand e He al t hJo ur nal ,Vo l . 9 ,No. 3 ,2003 [13 ]R.Se e me nt i ngHL7v2 . 2Us i ngt heObj e c tManag e me ntGr oupsCommonObj e c tRe que s tBr oke r i g l e r ,I mpl Ar c hi t e c t ur e,Whi t ePa pe r ,He wl e t tPa c ka r dMe di c a lPr oduc t sGr oup,Apr i l4 ,1 9 95 . [14 ]Gaj c hf orDi a be t e s unGa ne ndr a n,Pr ona bGa ngul yandPr a de e pRa y , AnOnt ol ogydr i ve nMul t i a ge ntappr oa Ma na g e me nt,4 t hI nt e r na t i ona lWor ks hoponEnt e r pr i s eNe t wor ki nga ndComput i ng( He al t hc om2 0 0 2) ,Nanc y Fr a nc e ,J une20 0 2 [15 ]Mi / /www. c r os of tI nc , .NET Ar c hi t e c t ur e,ht t p: mi c r os of t . c om,20 0 3 82 18 4 . 2 I nt er oper abi l i t ycons i der at i onsf o rehe al t hi nd ev el o pi ngco unt r i e s I nt r oduct i on The r ei sac ommonmi s c onc e pt i ont hatut i l i z i ngI CT f ore he al t hpur pos e si nde v e l opi ng c ount r i e si sawas t e f ule xpe ndi t ur eofs c a r c er e s our c e s . Unf or t una t e l y ,t hi si snota l way sv e r y f arf r om t het r ut h:notonl ydoe xpe ns i v ehi t e c hpr oj e c t ss ome t i me sac ta sa t t r a c t i v es howc a s e s f orpol i t i c i ans ,s ome t i me st he yal s opr ovi deave nue sf ort hef l ow ofi l l e g i t i mat er e s our c e s . Ne v e r t he l e s s ,de s pi t el e gi t i mat emi s gi vi ngs ,i tc a nbear g ue dt ha tt he r ear ee ve nmor er e as ons f ori nt r oduc i ngt e l e me di c i neandmode r nI CT t ohe a l t hs e r v i c e si nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e st ha n f ordoi ngs oi nadvanc e dde v e l ope dc ount r i e s . I fs t ar t i ngf r om s cr at ch― doi tp r ope r l y I nmos tc as e sa dvanc e dc ount r i e sa l r e adypos s e s swe l l f unc t i oni ng ,s ophi s t i c a t e dhe a l t hs ys t e ms; i fany t hi ng ,t he s et e ndt obeave r s et ounde r g oi ngc os t l yc ha ng e . Byc ont r as t ,ma ny de ve l opi ngc ount r i e sa r ei nt het hr oe sofi nt r oduc i ngs ys t e mst ha tha vet obes e tupf r om s c r at c h. Mor eof t e nt ha nnot ,t hebus i ne s sc a s ef orbui l di ngs y s t e mst hathar ne s st he advant age sofne wt e c hnol og i e si ss t r ong e ri ns i t uat i onsl i ket he s e ,a ndt hepr ac t i c alar g ume nt s ar emor ewe i g ht y. Thi si se s pe c i al l yt r uewhe r eas ophi s t i c at e ds y s t e m hasnoty e tbe e ns e tup, be c a us et hi sobvi at e st hene e df orac os t l yt r ans i t i on― wi t hac c ompanyi ngf i na nc i a l , t e c hnol ogi c al ,a dmi ni s t r at i veandc ul t ur ali mpl i c a t i ons . Fi g. 1 TM Al l i a nc e :v i s i onf orc i t i z e nc e nt r e de he a l t h19 1 8 1 9 DrJ ame sKa s si sas e ni ors c i e nt i s tatt heEur ope anSpac eAge nc y ,Li f eSc i e nc eUni t ,a ndi same mbe roft he Te l e me di c i neAl l i a nc et e am. Re pr oduc e dwi t hpe r mi s s i onf r om t heTM Al l i a nc e; ESABR2 29 ,J ul y200 4. 83 Devel opavi s i onf ory ourowncount r yandpe op l e None t he l e s s ,e he al t hs houl dnotbevi e we dasa ne ndi ni t s e l f ,butr a t he ra sane nabl i ng t e c hnol ogyt hatbr i ngsanot he r wi s eunat t a i na bl ev i s i oni nt or e ac h. Be f or ei nv e s t i nge ne r g y andr e s our c e s ,howe ve r ,t heappr opr i at evi s i onmus tbede v e l ope d. Thet e l e me di c i ne 2 0r Al l i anc e e c e nt l ypubl i s he di t s Vi s i onf orc i t i z e nc e nt r e de he al t h ,de pi c t e dbe l ow. Thi s v i s i onal be i tc r e at e di nt heEur ope anc ont e xt c anbeus e df orc ount r i e sa r oundt heg l obe , whe t he rde ve l ope dorde ve l opi ng,wi t hs omeadapt at i ont ol oc alne e dsandav ai l abl er e s our c e s . I nmanywa ys ,t hi sv i s i onr e pr e s e nt sal uxur y,a ni c et ohav ef orEur ope ,s ome t hi ngt hatwi l l ke e pEur opeatt hel e adi nge dgef ora dv a nc e de he al t ht e c hnol og i e si nt hede ve l ope dwor l d. Ne ve r t he l e s s ,ass e e nbyt her e s toft hewor l d,Eur opeal r e a dye nj oy sunpa r al l e l e de he a l t h,t he l e ve lofqual i t yofwhi c hi st hee nvyofa l l .I nt hede ve l opi ngwor l dt hes i t ua t i oni sus ual l y v e r yf a rf r om i de al;goode he al t hi s ,mor eof t e nt ha nnot ,e nj oy e dbyt hepr i vi l e ge df e w, mai nl yi nde ve l ope dur banc e nt r e s;t hema s s e s ,e s pe c i al l yt hos ef arf r om c i t i e s ,s uf f e rf r om a de ar t hofqua l i f i e dpe r s onne landade qua t ef a c i l i t i e s .I ti se x a c t l yt he s eg r oupswhoc oul d be ne f i tmos tf r om t e l e me di c i neande he al t ht e c hnol og i e s ,i ft he s ear ei nt r oduc e dwi t hawe l l c onc e i ve dvi s i on,wi t haf oc usont hec i t i z e n. I nma nyc ount r i e st hi si sa s s oc i at e dnotwi t h s omec onc e ptofc i t i z e nsr i g ht s ,butwi t ht hee f f i c i e ntut i l i z a t i onofr e s our c e s ,whe r et hef oc us i sonpr ov i di ngt hes e r vi c ec l os et ot hepa t i e nti ns t e adofma ki nghi m orhe rt r av e lt oa me di c alc e nt r e . Thi si swhe r ee he al t hc anpayi t sownwa y,ase x pe r t i s ec anbepr ovi de d / r e mot e l y,t oac hi e vet hi sg oal . Thee mpowe r e dpa t i e ntc i t i z e nmi ghtbei nt r oduc e da sa s t r at e gy,butt hi sa s s ume sal e ve lofe duc a t i ona ndc ompe t e nc et ha tma ynotbea v ai l abl ea tt he s t ar t . Wher et her ear ei nad eq uat es e r vi cesandr es o ur c es ,ne wt ec hnol o gycanhel p Mor e ove r ,whe r e asa dvanc e dc ount r i e sus ual l yha v emor et hanade qua t ee he al t hs e r v i c e s al mos te ve r y whe r e ,a nds pe e dyt r ans por t a t i oni sa v ai l a bl e ,t hi si sof t e nnott hec as ei n de ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . Mode r nhe al t hc a r ef a c i l i t i e sa ndt r a i ne dpe r s onne lar eus ual l y c onc e nt r at e di nl ar gea dvanc e dur banar e a s ,l e a vi ngva s ts wa t hsofc ount r y s i dewi t hl i mi t e d andpr i mi t i vef ac i l i t i e s . Fare as i e rt hanmovi ngpe r s onne la nde qui pme nt( and,a s s umi ngt he r e al i z a t i onoft hi si mpos s i bl et as k,bui l di ngt hene c e s s ar yf a c i l i t i e st oac c ommodat et he m)i st he mov i ngofi nf or mat i on( us i ngmode r nI CT) . The r ear eal r e adyma nys uc c e s s f ule xa mpl e sof t hel owc os t ,us e f uli mpl e me nt at i onofe he al t hme t hodsa ndt e c hnol ogi e st opr ovi des pe e dy s ol ut i onst oe he al t hpr ovi s i on21. He r ear emanymor ea r gume nt st hatc oul dbec i t e dwi t hr e g a r dt ot hewhy ofi nt r oduc i ng e he al t hi nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,butt hi si snott hepur pos eoft hi sc hapt e r;r a t he r ,t hepur pos e i st oe ns ur et hati twi l lbei mpl e me nt e di nas e ns i bl ewa y,ma ki ngmaxi mum us eofr e s our c e s , wi t hal ongt e r ms t r at e gyi npl ac ei nor de rt oe ns ur es us t ai na bi l i t yandaba s i st obui l don. Ehe al t h― whatar et hepr er equi s i t e sf ors ucc e s s f uli mp l eme nt at i o n? 2 2 I nar e c e nts t udy ,e xpe r t si nadv anc e dc ount r i e swe r eas ke dwha twe r et hemai nba r r i e r st o s uc c e s s f ule he al t hi mpl e me nt a t i on. Themaj or i t yi de nt i f i e di nt e r o pe r abi l i t yasbe i ngoneoft he 2 0 2 1 2 2 Te l e me di c i neAl l i a nc e ,orTM Al l i a nc ei sapar t ne r s hi poft heEur ope a nSpa c eAg e nc y( ESA) ,t heWor l dHe a l t h Or g a ni z a t i on( WHO,Eur ope ) ,a ndt heI nt e r na t i ona lTe l e c ommuni c a t i onUni on( I TU) ,s pons or e dbyt he / /www. /t Eur ope a nCommi s s i on( EC) ; ht t p: e s a. i nt e l e me di c i ne al l i anc e . Goode x a mpl e sofpr ov i di nghe a l t hc a r ei npoora r e a swi t hade a r t horc ompl e t eabs e nc eofdoc t or sbyme a nsof Te l e me di c i neande He a l t ht e c hnol ogi e swaspr ov i de dr e c e nt l ya tMe de t e l20 0 5 . Te l e me di c i neAl l i a nc e ,De l . 12 Ex pe r t sI nt e r v i e ws ,Apr i l2 0 0 4,Que s t i on2:. . . Li s tt he3mos ti mpor t ant s hows t oppe r s. 84 mai nobs t ac l e s ,andadvi s e dur ge ntac t i oni nt hi sdi r e c t i on. Thi si s s uewa si de nt i f i e da sbe i ng c r i t i c al ,f ort headvanc e dc ount r i e s . Var i ousr e a s onswe r egi ve n. Muc he f f or tha sa l r e ady be e ni nve s t e di ns omec ount r i e s ,wi t houtne c e s s a r i l yt a ki ngt hene e df ori nt e r ope r a bi l i t yf ul l y i nt oac c ounta tt hos ee ar l ys t age s . The r er e mai nst hegr a vedange rt ha ti nt e r ope r abi l i t yac r os s Eur opewi l lbeal lt hemor edi f f i c ul ti nt hef ut ur e ,g i ve nt ha ti na de qua t epr ovi s i onswe r ema de ast hes ys t e mswe r ebe i ngde ve l ope d. Pat c hi ngupatl at e rs t ag e sc oul dbemuc hmor ec os t l y; t hemobi l ec i t i z e nandmobi l i t yofhe a l t hs e r v i c e sa c r os sbor de r swoul dr e mai ndi f f i c ul t . The mar ke twoul dr e mai ndi vi de dandwe ak;pr i va t ei nve s t me nti nt hede v e l opme ntofa ppl i c at i ons woul dr e ma i nl ow,i fnobr oa dmar ke te x i s t e d. Mor e ove r ,t hef r ontwoul dbeope nf or s t r ong e r( out s i de )f or c e st oi nva deandc onque rt hema r ke t . Al t hought heabovear gume nt sma ynotne c e s s ar i l ybec ar r i e dove rone t oonet ode v e l opi ng c ount r i e s ,t hes i t uat i oni nt he s ec ount r i e ss pe akst oe v e ng r e a t e r ,r at he rt ha nl e s s e r ,ur ge nc yand s e r i ous ne s sa sr e gar dst hec r i t i c al i t yofi s s ue .I nma nyc a s e s ,t hef i e l di ss t i l lope nandl i t t l e i nve s t me nti nI Ti nf r as t r uc t ur eha sbe e nmade ,l e tal oneI CT. Cont r ar yt ot hes i t ua t i oni n adva nc e dc ount r i e s ,agoods t ar ti ss t i l lpos s i bl e . Taki ngc a r eata ne a r l ys t ag et oas s ur et hat as oundi nt e r ope r abi l i t yphi l os ophyi sa dopt e dwi l lpa yr i c hr e t ur nsi nt hef ut ur e . Exi s t i ng s ol ut i onsc a nbec a r r i e dove randadapt e d. Ne ws ol ut i onsc a nbema r ke t e di not he r de ve l opi ngc ount r i e s( ore ve ni nde ve l ope dc ount r i e s ) .I fc a r ei sno tt a ke n,ont heot he rhand, t he nt hema r ke tc oul dbe c omee ve nmor es e g me nt e da ndnoni nt e r ope r abl e;mor e ove r ,t he s e c ount r i e sc oul dbef al s e l yc oaxe di nt oadopt i ngdi v e r s es pe c i al i z e ds ol ut i ons( e . g .bypa r t i e s a s s oc i at e dwi t hpr ovi di ngai dorl oa ns ) ,whi c hwoul dl at e rmaket he m de pe nde ntons pe c i a l s our c e sa nds pe c i f i cs ol ut i onst hatma ynotha ves t r at e gi cva l ue . Suc hc ount r i e sc oul df i nd t he ms e l ve si nt heune nvi abl es i t uat i onofha vi ngadopt e ddi f f e r e nti nc ompat i bl es ol ut i onsi n di f f e r e ntr e gi ons ,t huspr e c l udi ngt r ans r e g i ona lc ompa t i bi l i t ye v e nwi t hi nt hec ount r y . Vi gi l a nc e ,g oodpr e par at i on,andwi s eadv i c ewi t hal ongv i e wt oi nt e r ope r a bi l i t yar e par amountf orl ongt e r ms uc c e s s . As ys t emi c& hol i s t i cappr oach Def i ni t i onoft er ms Be f or epr ogr e s s i ngwi t ht hedi s c us s i onofi nt e r ope r a bi l i t yi ne he al t h,ade f i ni t i onoft het e r ms us e di sc al l e df or . Oneac c e pt e dde f i ni t i onf ori nt e r ope r abi l i t yi s: t heabi l i t yo fs y s t e ms ,uni t sorf o r c e st opr o v i des e r v i c e st oand ac c e p ts e r v i c e sf r o m ot he rs ys t e ms ,uni t s ,orf o r c e sand t ous et hes e r v i c e ss oe xc hang e dt oe nab l et he mt o 2 3 op e r at ee f f e c t i v e l yt o ge t he r Anappr opr i at ede f i ni t i onf ore he al t hi st hi s: Theus eof i nf or mat i onand c ommuni c at i o nst e c hni que si nc l udi nghe al t hr e l at e d ac t i v i t i e s , s e r v i c e sand s y s t e msc ar r i e do uto v e radi s t anc ef ort hep ur p o s e sof g l ob alhe al t h pr omot i on,di s e as ec ont r oland he al t hc ar e ,aswe l lase duc at i o n,manage me ntand r e s e ar c hf orhe al t h24 2 3 2 4 www. a t i s . or g :we bs i t eofAl l i a nc ef orTe l e c ommuni c a t i onsI ndus t r ySol ut i ons . Ba s e donL.Andr ouc hko,I TUD,I TU Wor ks hopons t a ndar di z at i onone He al t h,200 3 . 85 Domai nsofeheal t h25 I ti sadvi s abl et ovi e we he al t hi ni t se nt i r e t yasac ompl e t es y s t e mi nor de rt ounde r s t andt he c ompl e xi t yofi nt e r ope r abi l i t yandt he nt oe ns ur et ha tt hes y s t e msc a ni nt e r ope r a t e . Al t hough t hi sappr oac hmayatf i r s ts e e mr at he ra c a de mi c ,whi c ht oagr e a te x t e nti ti s ,i t spr a c t i c a l i t y wi l lbe c omeappar e ntwhe nappl i e de ve nt os i mpl es ys t e mswi t hl i mi t e ddomai ns . Ofc our s e t hef ul lbe ne f i t sa r er e a pe dwhe nt he s es ys t e mse xpa nd,t he i rdomai nswi de n,a ndhe nc e i nt e r ac t i onswi t hot he rs ys t e msbe c omemor ec ompl e x. Car e Thi shast r adi t i onal l ybe e nt hehi s t or i cc or eofe he a l t hpr ovi di nghe a l t hf orapa t i e nt . Buti n or de rt odot hi st he r ear eot he rdomai nsa s s oc i a t e dwi t hi t: s omeac c ompa nyi toutofne c e s s i t y i nade ve l ope dwor l d,s uc hasa dmi ni s t r a t i on. Butt he r ear eot he rdomai nst hata l s opl ay /c i mpor t antr ol e sr e gar di ngt hepa t i e nt i t i z e nshe a l t h,butwhi c har es ome t i me si gnor e d,s uc has e duc at i onands ur ve i l l anc e . Al t houg h,i nde ve l ope dc ount r i e s ,popul a ra ppl i c at i onsofe he al t hi mpl e me nt at i oni nc l udet he v i r t ualhe al t hr e c or d,s mar the al t hc ar ds ,a nddi s t r i but e dda t aba s e s ,t he r ear eot he r ,s ome t i me s mor eur g e nt ,appl i c a t i onsi nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s ,s uc ha st e l e c ons ul t at i on,whe r ee xpe r t i s ei s nota va i l abl el oc al l y. Buta l lt he s eappl i c at i onsr e qui r easabas i si nt e r ope r a bi l i t ybe t we e n he al t hs ys t e ms . Educat i on I thasl ongbe e nac c e pt e dt hatpr e ve nt i oni sbe t t e rt ha nt hec ur e ,bute xa c t l yhow t or e al i z et hi s i sl e s sobvi ous . Ha v i ngt her i ghti nf or ma t i ona tt her i ghtt i mei sapowe r f ult ooli nt heba t t l e ofpr e ve nt i on;I CT c oul dc e r t ai nl ypl ayake yr ol ei npr ovi di ngs uc he duc a t i onali nf or ma t i on, pr ovi de dt hati ti sa vai l abl e ,andpr ovi de dt ha tt hepot e nt i alus e rknowshow t oac c e s si ta nd i ti si naf or mt hatc anbeunde r s t ood( i nt e r ope r a bi l i t y) . Sur vei l l ance Sur ve i l l anc ec anpl ayane ve nmor ei mpor t antr ol ei nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s ,whe r ee pi de mi c s , ora bnor ma loc c ur r e nc eofdi s e a s e ,a r emor er a mpa nt; ade qua t es ur v e i l l a nc ec anpl a yan i mpor t a ntr ol ef ore a r l ywa r ni ngandpr e v e nt i onoff ur t he rs pr e a di ngofdi s e a s e . The i nf r a s t r uc t ur eofe he al t hi sane c e s s ar ybas i sf oraus e f uls ur ve i l l a nc eande a r l ywar ni ngs y s t e m, whi c hbyi mpl i c at i onr e qui r e si nt e r ope r abl eda t ac ol l e c t i on. Ad mi ni s t r at i on Thi sdomai nvar i e sf r om be i ngabur e auc r at i cne c e s s ar ye v i l ,hampe r i nga ndpe r hapsde l a y i ng t hepr ov i s i onofhe al t hs e r vi c e si ns omec a s e s ,t obe i ngani ght mar i s hqua gmi r e ,s ome t i me s e ve ne ndange r i ngt hel i ve sofpat i e nt s .I CT c a nc e r t ai nl ypl a yaus e f ulr ol ei ns pe e di ngup t he s epr oc e s s e s ,i fi ti sa ppl i e dpr ope r l y ,a ndpr ov i de dt hev ar i ousc ogsa r eabl et o c ommuni c a t ewi t he ac hot he r . As t ab l el ay er edf r amewo r kt he egg I ti sne c e s s a r ynotonl yt os t udyt hef ul lg amutofdomai nsofe he al t hi npr e par a t i onf or e he al t hi mpl e me nt a t i on,buta l s ot ovi e wt he s edomai nsal ongt hev a r i ouspos s i bl e 2 5 The s ef ourdoma i nswe r ei de nt i f i e di nTMAl l i anc esDe l i v e r abl e18:Fi na lRe por t ,whi c hi ss umma r i z e di nESA // / publ i c a t i onBR2 2 9,J ul y20 04( s e eal s o,ht t p: www. e s a . i nt t e l e me di c i ne al l i anc e ) . 86 f r a me wor ks:i nt e r ope r abi l i t yofe he al t hs ys t e msi sof t e ne r r one ous l yvi e we da sbe i ngmai nl ya t e c hni c ali s s ue .I ti s ,butt hi si sonl yoneoft hef r a me wor ksofa na l ys i s . Al t houg he ns ur i ng t e c hni c ali nt e r ope r abi l i t yi sbas i c ,or ga ni z at i onal ,c ul t ur a l ,andpol i c yf r a me wor ksmus ta l s obe wor ke dt hr oughi nor de rt or e apt hef ul lbe ne f i t sofi nt e r ope r abl ee he a l t h. TheTe l e me di c i ne Al l i anc er e c e nt l ypr opos e dt ha ti mpl e me nt at i onofe he al t hbev i e we da l ongt hel i ne sofa hypot he t i c a le g g,whos ec or ei st het e c hni c alf r a me wor k,a s s ume dt obei ndi s pe ns a bl e; t hene x t l aye r sa r eor gani z at i ona la nds oc i alf r ame wor ks ,whi c har eof t e nne gl e c t e ddur i ngpr e pa r at i on f ori mpl e me nt at i on,att hepe r i loff ai l ur e;t hene x tl ay e ri spol i c y: wi t houtat a c t i c aland s t r at e g i cpl an,e f f or tma ybewa s t e d,di s or ga ni z e dandf r ag me nt e d,a ndt hee nt e r pr i s emaygr i nd t oahal t . Onl ywhe nal lt hel ay e r sha vebe e ns y s t e ma t i c a l l ybui l ti st he r es uc c e s s f ul i mpl e me nt at i on― or ,t oc ar r yt heana l og yt hr oug h,doe sahe a l t hye he al t hc hi c ke ne me r g e f r om t hee gg. Thi sf r ame wor kanal og yi si l l us t r a t e dbe l ow: Somecons i der at i onsf o ri nt er oper abi l i t y Sys t emsneednotb ei dent i cal― butt heymus tbeabl et ot al kwi t heac hot he r meani ngf ul l y ! Af r e que ntmi s c onc e pt i onabouti nt e r ope r abi l i t yi st ha ta dopt i onoft hes a met e c hni c a l s t andar ds ,or g ani z at i onalors oc i als ys t e ms ,orpol i c i e si sapr e r e qui s i t e . Thi si snott hec as e― at eme ani ngf ul l ywi t h i ns t e ad,whati sne c e s s a r yi st hatt hedi v e r s es ys t e msbea bl et oc ommuni c e a c hot he r . Di f f e r e nts t andar dsma yi nde e dbeus e da c r os sr e gi ons ,pr ovi de dt hatt he yal l ow i nt e r ope r a bi l i t y. Appl i c a t i onsma yands houl dc ompe t ewi t he ac hot he rona nope nma r ke ti n or de rt hatdi ve r s es ol ut i onsmaybet e s t e da ndt hebe s tma ys ur v i v e . Sa me ne s se ve r ywhe r ei s nott hes ol ut i onbuti nt e r ope r abi l i t yi s . Thus ,i ti si mpor t antt os t r e s st ha tt hemos ti mpor t a nt e l e me nti nanye he a l t hs t r at e gyi st hede f i ni t i onoft hene t wor kandi nt e r f ac e st oi t . The s e ha vet obes t a ndar d,andt he r ec anonl ybeonef ort hewhol ec ount r y. ( I nt r a i ns t i t ut i ona li s di f f e r e nt . ) Fi g. 2 Mul t i l aye rs t r uc t ur eofi nt e r ope r abi l i t yf ore he a l t h26 2 6 Re pr oduc e dwi t hpe r mi s s i onofTM Al l i a nc ef r om TMABr i dg eDe l i ve r a bl e4: I nt e r ope r a bi l i t ySt udyRe por t 0 5 ) . ( dr a f ti s s ueMa r c h20 87 Pr epar ef ori nt er oper abi l i t yr i ghtf r om t hes t ar t― i twi l ls av eal o tofhe ad ac heandc o s t l at eron! I fi nt e r ope r abi l i t yi spl anne di natt hee a r l ys t age sofde v e l opme ntofahe al t hs ys t e m,i tc a n s aveal otofhe adac hei nt hel ongt e r m. Onc emi c r os ys t e mshav epr ogr e s s e dt e c hnol ogi c al l y , i nc ompl e xi t y,andwi t hus eofadvanc e dI CT,i nt r oduc i ngt hec ha ng e sne e de df ort he s e mi c r os y s t e mst oc ommuni c a t ewi t he ac hot he ra spa r tofal a r g e rmac r os ys t e m be c ome sa c os t l yandmaj orunde r t a ki ng . Howe ve r ,i ft hec onc e ptandi mpor t anc eofi nt e r ope r abi l i t yi s r e al i z e de ar l yon,whe nahe al t hs ys t e mi sbe i ngmode r ni z e d,a s s ur i ngi nt e r ope r a bi l i t yc a nbea r e l at i ve l ys i mpl et as k,t hea dde dc os t sc anbeke ptunde rc ont r ol ,andma j orv a l ueadde d. I ti s f ort hi sr e as ont hatt e c hnol ogi c al l yadva nc e dna t i onsha vemuc hmor et r oubl ena vi ga t i ngt he t r a ns i t i ont oi nt e r ope r abl ee he al t ht handode ve l opi ngnat i ons . Thene w me mbe rs t a t e soft he EU s e r veasgoode xampl e s― t he yar ei nt hepr oc e s sofr e de s i gni ngandr e c r e at i ngt he i rhe a l t h s ys t e msa l ongt hel i ne sofi nt e r ope r abl ee he a l t h,anda r eabl et odot hi squi t es uc c e s s f ul l y . Thel onge s t abl i s he ds t a t e s ,ont heot he rhand,ar eha v i ngmaj orpr obl e msr e va mpi ngand mode r ni z i ngt he i rhe a l t hs ys t e ms:t he r ei sf a rt oomuc he f f or ta l r e a dyi nve s t e di ndi ve r s e par al l e lde ve l opme nt s ,notonl yi nt hedi f f e r e ntr e gi onsofas t at e ,buti nt het hous andsof e he al t hi ns t i t ut e s( hos pi t a l s ,c l i ni c s ,r e habi l i t at i onc e nt r e se t c . )whe r edi f f e r e nt ,s ome t i me sv e r y i nc ompa t i bl emode r ns ys t e mshaveal r e a dybe e ni ns t a l l e d;s t a f fha vea l r e a dygonet hr ough c os t l yt r ai ni ngpr og r amme s ,a ndr e l uc t antdoc t or sa ndnur s e shav ebe e npe r s uade dt ous e s pe c i al i z e dmode r ns of t wa r e .I ns uc has i t ua t i on,t he r ei snat ur a l l ygr e atdi f f i c ul t yand r e l uc t anc ef orf ur t he rc hange . De ve l opi ngc ount r i e shav eagol de noppor t uni t y ,whi c hs houl d begr a s pe dwi t houthe s i t at i on: i ti spar a mountt oma kewi s eandc a r e f ulc hoi c e sbe f or e e xpe ns i v ei nve s t me nt sar ec ommi t t e d. Thus ,i ti sbe s ta v oi da nyappl i c at i ont ha tonl ypur por t s t opr ovi deabas ef orf ut ur ede ve l opme ntwi t houti mme di at e l ypr ovi di ngdai l ybe ne f i t st ot he popul at i on. Ke e pi nmi ndt hatr e s our c e sar el i mi t e da ndc os t l ymi s t a ke sc annotbea f f or de d. Ke epi nvi ew t heco mp l e t ehol i s t i cpi c t ur e― e veni fo nl yave r yl i mi t eddomai ni sb ei ng i mpl e ment e d The r emaybeat e mpt at i ont oi gnor et hebr oadhol i s t i ca ppr oac hbe c a us eonl yas mal ll i mi t e d s ol ut i onf oras pe c i f i cpr obl e mi sbe i ngi mpl e me nt e d. The r ei snot hi ngwr ongwi t hal i mi t e d appr oac h― i nde e di twoul dof t e nbet hewi s e s tr out e ,r at he rt ha na t t e mpt i ngt oi mpl e me nta c ompl e t es e tofs ol ut i onsa l la tonc e . Howe ve r ,t hi sl i mi t e ds ol ut i onmus tne v e r t he l e s ss t i l lbe gove r ne dbys t r i c ti nt e r ope r abi l i t ypr e c e pt s; mor e ove r ,i tmus tbea bl et of i ti nt oag r a nde ra nd br oade rs e tofs ol ut i onsatl at e rs t ag e swi t houtr e qui r i ngmaj orr e de s i gni ngorha v i ngt obe abandone datal at e r ,mor eadv anc e ds t a g e . Re me mbert hate heal t hi snots i mpl yas eto ft ec hni cals t andar d s― i ti sab outpeo p l e wo r ki ngwi t hpeopl e Oneoft hehur dl e st oi nt r oduc i nge he a l t hme t hodol ogyandt e c hnol og yi st ha ti ts e e ms unnat ur alt omanyus e r s ,andt he r e f or ea s s oc i at e dwi t hava guef e aroft heunknown. Toa c e r t a i ne xt e ntt hi sf e ari swe l l f ounde d,asmos tnone x pe r tI T us e r sha ves uf f e r e dt r y i ngt o ― i ns t al lorus ede vi c e st out e dasbe i ng pl uga ndpl a y whi c hi sf arf r om t het r ut h,muc hof t het i me . Ove r c omi ngt he s ec ul t ur alba r r i e r smus tc ompr i s epar toft her oa dma pdr awni n pr e pa r a t i onofe he al t hi mpl e me nt at i on. We l lbe f or ene ws ys t e msar ei ns t al l e d― e v e nwhi l et he yar ebe i ngc onc e i v e d― t hec ul t ur a l , e duc at i onal ,a ndt r ai ni ngi mpl i c at i onsmus tbes t udi e d,a ndt ac t i c a la nds t r at e g i cpl a ns pr e par e danddr awnupf ort hei nt r oduc t i onandope r a t i onoft he s ene ws y s t e ms . / I nt e r ope r abi l i t yhe r ec oul dme anmaki ngs ys t e msi nt e r ope r a bl ebe t we e npe opl e us e r sof 88 di f f e r e nt( e . g.t e c hni c al )c ul t ur albac kgr ounds ,a swe l la st a i l or i ngt r a i ni ngpr og r a msa nd a ppl i c at i onst hata r es ui t abl ef ort hedi f f e r e ntr e qui r e me nt s . Thi si spa r t i c ul ar l yt r uef or de ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,buta l s of oradvanc e dc ount r i e s ,whe r edi f f e r e ntg e ne r at i onsa ndt ype sof pe opl emakeupave r ywi dega mutofhe t e r oge ne ousne e ds . Si mul at i onandt es t i ngi nl i mi t edbutr eal i s t i cenv i r onment smaybebo r i ngandd el ayt he r ealt hi ng ― buti tp aysof fi nt hel ongr un The r ear emanyappr oac he st oi mpl e me nt i nge he al t hi nar e g i onors y s t e m. 1)Atonee xt r e mei s( a)i nt r oduc i ngac ompl e t es ys t e m,c ompr i s i nga l lpos s i bl ea ppl i c a t i ons f ore he al t h,a dmi ni s t r at i one t c . ,and( b)i mpl e me nt i ngt hene wt e c hnol og yaswi de l yas pos s i bl e . 2)Att heot he re xt r e me ,( a)onl yaf e wa ppl i c a t i onsar ei nt r oduc e d,and( b)t he s ea r e i nt r oduc e di nonl yave r yl i mi t e dpopul at i onofus e r s . Thef i r s ta ppr oac hi ss ome t i me sr e f e r r e dt oa st hebi g ba ng a ppr oa c h. I ti sr a t he rr i s ky . Thi saut horr e c omme ndst hes e c ondappr oac h. I ti sl e s sr i s ky ,a l l owsf orl e a r ni ngandl i mi t s t hedamageofe r r or s( whi c har ei ne vi t abl e ) .I ti sr e c omme nde dt oi nt r oduc ee he a l t h t e c hnol ogya ndappl i c at i onsi ni nde pe nde nt ,buti nt e r ope r abl ebl oc ks . The ymus tbe c onc e i v e dasbe i ngt hebui l di ngbl oc ksofamuc hl ar ge ra ndc ompl e t es y s t e mt hatwi l lbe upgr ade dwi t hc ompl e xi t yandpopul at i oni ng r adua ls t e ps ,wi t ht i meaf t e re a c hs t e pf or s t oppi ng,l e ar ni ngandr e f l e c t i ng . Suc c e s s f ul l yi mpl e me nt i ngas ma l ls e tofa ppl i c a t i onsi na l i mi t e dpopul a t i onwi l lpr ov i det hee xpe r i e nc eandc onf i de nc et oe x panda ndupg r a de . Cr uc i alt ot hei nt r oduc t i onofa ppl i c at i onsandt e c hnol og i e si st ha tt he ybec onc e i v e dt o ope r at ewi t honea not he ra nd,mos ti mpor t a nt l y,wi t ht heus e r . Al t ho ug hs eemi ngl yunr el at ed,di f f er enteheal t hd o mai nsar ei nt e r de pe nde ntandneedt o i nt er op er at ewi t heachot her Someoft hedi f f e r e ntdomai nsofe he al t hout l i ne di nt heabov ei nt r oduc t i onma ys e e mr a t he r unr e l at e d. Ca r e f ulr e f l e c t i onwi l ls how t hei nt e r r e l a t i ons hi ps . Onee xampl ei ss ur v e i l l a nc e , whi c hi si mpor t antf orr e c ogni z i ngunus uals pr e a di ngofdi s e as e ,orf r e que ntoc c ur r e nc e sof ne w orunus uals ympt oms . Howe v e r ,goods ur v e i l l anc ei sonl ypos s i bl ewi t hg ood a dmi ni s t r at i onofe he al t h,andf r e que ntorc ont i nuousc ol l e c t i ona ndanal ys i sofe he al t hdat a ( e . g.f r om vi r t uale l e c t r oni che al t hr e c or dsorEHRs ) . Butt hi sc a nonl ybea c hi e ve di ft he e he al t ht e c hnol ogi e sa ndappl i c at i onsf ort he s edomai nsc anc ommuni c at ee a s i l yand i nt e l l i gi bl ywi t he ac hot he r ,i . e .i ft he s edomai nsa r ei nt e r ope r a bl e . Mor e ov e r ,e xpa ndi ngon t hi se x ampl e ,wi t hi nc r e as e dt r av e lbe t we e nc ount r i e s ,di s e as ec anbec a r r i e dac r os sv e r ygr e at di s t anc e s;s ot hatt heanal ys i sa ndc ompa r i s onofda t aac r os sve r ydi s pa r at er e gi onsbe c ome s ― par amount . Thi si sonl ypos s i bl ei fi nt e r ope r a bi l i t yac r os snat i ona lbor de r s e ve nac r os s c ont i ne nt s― i sbui l ti na tt hede s i gns t ag eoft hes ys t e ms . Thes a mea r gume nt shol dt r uef or he al t he duc at i on,whe t he rr e f e r r i ngt ot hec i t i z e npat i e nt ,ort hec i t i z e nhe a l t hpr ov i de r . Don tb et oopr oud― ber eadyt ol ear nf r o mt heexpe r i e nc eofo t her s ,i ns t eadof r ei nvent i ngt hewheel The r ei sas t r ongt e mpt at i ont ode s i gnt hi ng sa sonewoul dl i ket he mt obea ndus e home gr ownt e c hnol ogyandappl i c a t i onswhe r e v e rpos s i bl e .I ti si nde e dt r uet ha tl oc al i ndus t r ys houl dbes t i mul at e d;f ur t he r mor e ,di f f e r e ntc ount r i e s ,e nvi r onme nt s ,andc ul t ur e shav e di f f e r e ntne e ds . Ne ve r t he l e s s ,i ti spr ude ntt os t udywhati sa v a i l a bl ee l s e whe r eandbui l don t hi s ,r at he rt hanr e i nve nt i ngf r om s c r at c h. Le ar ni ngf r om t hee x pe r i e nc eofot he r sc ans pa r e muc hwas t ea ndpai n. Ofc our s et hi sr e qui r e sahe a l t hydos eofhumi l i t y,s ome t i me s 89 par t i c ul ar l yl ac ki ngwhe r ei ti smos tne e de d. Thi nkandpl ant r ans nat i onal l y,noti ni s ol at i on― r e membert hatt e chno l o gyp er meat es bo r d er s The r ear eot he rg oodr e as onsf ora nal ys i ngwha ti sav a i l abl eont hemar ke t ,t oav oi d unne c e s s ar ydupl i c at i onofe f f or t: i nt e r ope r a bi l i t yandi t sa c c ompany i ngbus i ne s sc as e . I nt e r ope r abi l i t yi snotonl yi mpor t anti nor de rt oal l ow t het r a ns f e rofhe al t hda t aac r os s r e gi onsa ndnat i ons . Car e f ulandas t ut ede ve l opme ntofi nt e r ope r abl eappl i c at i onsbr oa de ns t hemar ke tf ors e l l i ngt he m out s i det hepr i mar yr e g i onofa ppl i c a t i on. Ne v e r t he l e s s ,t hef oc us s houl dbeonac hi e v i ngs hor t t e r m goal si nas t anda r ds ba s e dappr oac h,r a t he rt hant r y i ngt o e s t abl i s ht oomuc hwhe ni nt e r nalpr obl e msar epe r ha psmor epr e s s i ng . Ke epyours i ght sont hehi g hergoal― av i s i onofc i t i z enc ent r ede he al t h: abo utt he ci t i z en,f ort heci t i z en,andbyt heci t i z e n I nal lt hepl anni ngbe i ngc ar r i e douti nt hei nt r oduc t i onofe he al t honemus tnotf or ge tt he ul t i mat egoal: r e a l i z a t i onoft hevi s i onofc i t i z e nc e nt r e de he a l t hf ora l l ,wi t hf as t e r ,be t t e ra nd c he a pe re he al t hde l i ve r yt oal l ,f ac i l i t at e dbye he al t hme t hodol ogi e sandt e c hnol ogi e s . The t e c hnol ogi e st he ms e l ve sa r enott hegoa l ,butwhatt he yc ana nds houl de nabl e― abe t t e rl i f e f ora l l . Fi nal l y,c r e at et hevi s i onf oryourc ount r y,andt he nde s i gnt her oa dma p,e ns ur i ngt haty ou ke e pi nt e r ope r abi l i t yasabas i cc or er e qui r e me nt― youa r et he nmor el i ke l yt obeont her oa d t os uc c e s s ! 4 . 3 St andar di z at i o nact i vi t i e s 4. 3 . 1 Cur r e nts i t uat i o ni ne heal t hs t and ar d i zat i on27 Thegr owi ngde mandf orc onne c t i vi t ybe t we e nhe a l t hr e l at e dor ga ni z a t i ons ,wi t ht heai m of gi vi ngs uppor tt odat as har i ngands e r v i c e si nt e r ope r a bi l i t y ,ha sbe e na ddr e s s e di ndi f f e r e nt s t andar di z at i oni ni t i at i ve si nt hel as tde c a de .I nt hi sf i e l d,t r a di t i ona l l yc har a c t e r i z e dby s ol ut i onsde ve l ope donapr opr i e t a r yoradhocbas i s ,wi t hs ubs e que nti nt e gr a t i onba r r i e r sa nd i nc ompa t i bl es e r v i c e s ,ma nys t andar dsde v e l opme ntor g ani z at i ons ,bot hnat i onaland i nt e r na t i onal ,havebe e nwor ki ngt og e t he ri nor de rt oha r moni z et hehe a l t har e abyt he a dopt i onofc ommonr ul e sandpr oc e dur e s . Ev e nt houghi mpor t antr e s ul t shavebe e nac hi e ve da ndt heus eofs t a ndar dsi sc ons i de r abl y mor ewi de s pr e adt hanatt hebe gi nni ngoft hel as tde c a de ,i ns omec as e ss t a nda r di z a t i oni n e he al t hdoe snoty e tme e tt hee xi s t i ngne e dsofus e r s . Me di c ala dvanc e sa ndr api dl ye vol vi ng r e qui r e me nt smakeac ont i nuousupgr a depr oc e s sne c e s s a r yi nor de rt oma i nt ai nt he s t anda r di z at i ons i t uat i on. St andar di z at i oni ne he a l t hhasy e tt oove r c omes omei mpor t antbar r i e r s . De s pi t et hel a r ge numbe rofs t andar dsde ve l opme ntor gani z at i ons ,t he r ei sof t e nal ac kofi nf or mat i onabout t he i rwor k,andaboutt heav ai l abl es t andar ds . Addi t i ona l l y ,c ol l a bor a t i onpr obl e msa ndt he l ac kofac ommons t r at e gi cvi s i onf ac i l i t at et hee x i s t e nc eofc ompe t i ngs t anda r ds . Thes t a ndar di z a t i onc ha l l e ngec ur r e nt l yf ac i ngt hee he a l t hc ommuni t yi snott oe xt e nd 2 7 DrVi c e nt eTr av e r ,Bi oe ng i ne e r i ng ,El e c t r oni candTe l e me di c i neGr oupBET,El e c t r oni cEng i ne e r i ngDe par t me nt , / +3 s i da dPol i t 썝 e c ni c adeVal e nc i a,Cami nodeVe r as nVa l e nc i a4 60 2 2Es pa 썕 na ,Phone: 49638 7 I TACAUni v e r +3 @i 7 606or+3 49638 77000x76 0 60 ,Fax: 49 63 8 77 60 9 ,Emai l: vt r a v e r t ac a. upv. e s 90 s t a ndar di z at i ont one wa r e as ,butt omaket hee xi s t i ngs t a nda r dsc ohe r e nta nde l i mi na t e dupl i c at i on. The r ei sane e dt oc oor di nat ee f f or t sbe t we e nt hepa r t i e si nv ol ve d,t hr oug ht he di s s e mi nat i onandt hede ve l opme ntofs uppl e me nt st ot heal r e adyav ai l abl es t a nda r ds ,r at he r t ha ni nve s tmone yandt i mei nt hede ve l opme ntofne w one s . Nor ma t i v edoc ume nt sr e gar di ngf undame nt ala s pe c t sl i ket heEl e c t r oni cHe al t hRe c or d,s pe c i f i c t e r mi nol ogy,me di c ali ma gi ng,t e l e c onf e r e nc i ng,c ommuni c a t i onss e c ur i t y,dat ac odi f i c a t i onand us e ri nt e r f ac e shavebe e nde ve l ope dandappl i e dt ot hehe al t hf i e l dt ot a kea dv ant ag eoft he nume r ousa dv ant a ge sde r i v e df r om s t anda r dsc ompl i anc e: ・f a c i l i t at eac c e s sandac c e pt a bi l i t yongl oba lma r ke t s ・pr omot ei nt e r ope r abi l i t yandc ompat i bi l i t ybe t we e nmanuf a c t ur e r s ・publ i canduni ve r s alknowl e dge ・f t i on( s oc us t ome r sa r enott i e dt oas i ngl epr ovi de r ) ai rma r ke tc ompe t i ・pe r f or manc er e l i abi l i t yands t abi l i t y ・r e duc e di nv e s t me ntofde ve l opme ntt i me ,obt a i ni ngc ompe t i t i v ea dvant age sbyr e duc i ng l aunc ht i me sont hemar ke t ・c os tr e duc t i oni ne he al t hs ys t e ms ,mai nt e na nc eandupgr a de s ,apar t i c ul a r l yi mpor t anti s s ue f orde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,whi c hne e dt oopt i mi z et he i ri nve s t me nt s ・r e duc et heda nge rofs ys t e m obs ol e s c e nc e Addi t i onal l y,adi s t r i but e ds c e nar i of orda t aandr e s our c e ss har i ngwoul de nor mous l yf a c i l i t at e t hepr ovi s i onofme di c a la ndhe al t hr e l a t e de duc a t i onals e r vi c e si nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s . For i ns t anc e ,dat abas es har i ngi nadi s t r i but e dma nne randgl obalr e pos i t or i e swoul dbehe l pf uli n [ ] r e duc i ngc os t s ,e . g.wi t ht hee ar l yde t e c t i onofe pi de mi c s 3. Howe ve r ,t hei nt e r e s tt hat de ve l ope dandde ve l opi ngc ount r i e sha vei nt e l e me di c i nei sus ua l l ydi f f e r e nt . Whi l ede v e l ope d c ount r i e sc onc e nt r at et he i re f f or t sont hedi s c us s i onofs t a nda r dss ui t abi l i t y ,de v e l opi ng c ount r i e sl ookate he al t ha ppl i c at i onsi namor epr ag mat i cwa y,be c a us et he ye xpe c tt he s e s e r v i c e st odomor ewi t ht he i rl i mi t e dme di c alr e s our c e s . Ot he ri mpor t antpr obl e msi nt hea ppl i c a t i onofs t anda r dst oe he a l t hde r i v ef r om t hes l ow pa c e oft hes t andar di z a t i onpr oc e s s . Asar e s ul t ,s omec ount r i e sa r eus i ngt he i rownEHR i ns t e a d ofwa i t i ngf ort hef i na l ,i nt e r nat i onal l ys t anda r di z e dv e r s i on. Ac ompl e t eanal ys i soft hec ur r e nts i t ua t i oni ne he al t hs t a nda r di z a t i ons houl dc ov e r: ・anappr oac ht ot hemai nac t i vi t i e soft heSDOsi nv ol v e d ・al i s toft hes t andar dst hathavebe e nappr ov e ds of ari nt henat i onalandi nt e r na t i ona la r e na ・ade t ai l e dr e vi e w oft hos et hathavehadt hebe s ta c c e pt a nc ebyhe al t hs t a ke hol de r s( t hi si s be s tdonebyc ompi l i ngc ur r e ntbe s ta ndr e alpr ac t i c e si nc or por at i ngme di c als t a nda r ds ) 91 I nt e r nat i onals t andar dsor gani z at i on 92 Ame r i c ans t andar dsor gani z at i ons Eur ope anSt andar dsOr gani z at i ons 93 Theadopt i onofi nf or ma t i ont e c hnol ogyi nt hehe al t hc a r es e c t ormus tbeac c ompani e dby s t r onge rc oor di nat i onamongs tt heke ypl ay e r si nv ol ve di nt hear e aofe he al t hs t andar di z a t i on, i . e .manuf ac t ur e r s ,us e r s ,aut hor i t i e s ,publ i ci ns t i t ut i onse t c . I ti se s s e nt i alt oi de nt i f ypoi nt si nc ommoni nt hedi f f e r e ntt e l e me di c i nes t a nda r dsi nor de rt o avoi ddupl i c at i onofwor kande ns ur et hepe r t i ne nc eofs t anda r di z at i on. Thus ,i nMay2003t hewor ks hopon St a ndar di z a t i oni ne he al t h he l di nGe ne vae s t abl i s he d t heEhe al t hSt anda r di z at i onCoor di na t i onGr oup( e HSCG)a soneofi t ss i gni f i c a ntout c ome s . Thegr oupwa sf or me dwi t hr e pr e s e nt at i v e sofs e ve r a ls t a ndar dsbodi e sandWHO,a nd e ndor s e dbyI TUTsSt udyGr oup16. Thegr oupi si nt e nde dt obeapl ac ef ort hee xc ha ngeofi nf or mat i on. I twi l lwor kt owa r dst he c r e at i onofc oope r at i onme c hani s ms ,wi t ht hef ol l owi ngobj e c t i ve s . ・I de nt i f yar e aswhe r ef ur t he rs t anda r di z at i oni sr e qui r e danda s s i gnr e s pons i bi l i t i e sf ors uc h e s . ac t i v i t i ・Pr ovi degui danc ef ori mpl e me nt a t i onandc as es t udi e s . ・Cons orhe al t hpr of i l e sofe xi s t i ng i de rt her e qui r e me nt sf ora ppr opr i a t ede v e l opme ntpa t hsf s t andar dsf r om di f f e r e nts our c e si nor de rt opr ov i def unc t i ona ls e t sf orke yhe al t h a ppl i c at i ons . ・Suppor ta c t i vi t i e st oi nc r e a s eus e ra wa r e ne s soft hee xi s t i ngs t a ndar ds ,c a s es t udi e se t c . Themai nac hi e v e me nt soft hee HSCG s i nc ei t se s t a bl i s hme nta r et hec ompi l a t i onofbe s t [4] pr ac t i c e sa ndavai l abl es t anda r dsr e l at e dt oe he a l t h . Thee HSCG pe r f or msi nf or ma lc ons ul t at i onandc oor di na t i ononavol unt a r yba s i sa ndi t s r e c omme ndat i onsa r epur e l yadvi s or y. I npa r t i c ul ar ,t hegr oupdoe snots upe r s e deanyof f i c i a l andl e galc oor di nat i onpr oc e dur e si npl ac ea tt henat i onala ndi nt e r nat i ona ll e v e l . I thasbe e nobs e r ve dt hatoneoft heac t i vi t i e swhi c hhav et obes uppor t e dmos ti st he pr omot i onoft heus eofe xi s t i ngs t andar ds . Thr oughac t i vi t i e si nwhi c ht hebe ne f i t sof s t andar dsc ompl i anc ea r emadec l e ar ,manuf ac t ur e r sar ee nc our age dt oma keus eoft he m. A s t udyofi nt e r nat i onale x pe r i e nc ec onf i r me dt hatf e ws t anda r dsar ea c t ua l l yappl i e dont her e a l l i f e . Thef ol l owi ngt abl el i s t st hes t andar dswhi c he nj oypar t i c ul ar l ygr e atac c e pt anc ei nt he me di c a lwor l d. 94 Re f er ence [1]ENV pr // e nor msofTC251 . Eur ope a nSt a nda r dsi nHe al t hI nf or ma t i c s . ht t p: www. c e nt c 2 51 . or g / / [2]Ac t e e( ASTM)onEhe al t hI nf or ma t i c sht t p: www. a s t m. or g t i v eSt a nda r dsofE3 1Commi t [3]G.O.Kl l e ng e s. Ye a r bookofMe di c a lI nf or ma t i c s e i n. St andar di z a t i onofhe a l t hi nf or ma t i c s -r e s ul t sa ndc hal 2 00 2 [4]e / /pe / ∼c / HSCG we bs i t eht t p: opl e . i t u. i nt a mpos pr ot o/e hs c g/ e hs c g . ht m 95 2 8 4 . 3. 2 I TU s t andar di zat i onact i vi t i esi nt el e med i c i ne Af t e ry e ar sofr e s e ar c handpi l otpr oj e c t s ,t e l e me di c i nei sbe g i nni ngt oc omei nt oi t sown. A l ar genumbe roft e l e me di c i nes ys t e msa ndde v i c e se xi s tont hema r ke t . Se r v i c e sar ee vol v i ng f as t e rt hant heunde r l y i ngpl at f or ms . Asar e s ul t ,t hei nt e r wor ki ngofpr oduc t sf r om di f f e r e nt pr ov i de r sr e ma i nsamaj orobs t ac l ef ort hewi de rde pl oy me ntoft he s eappl i c a t i ons . The r ei sa c l e arde mandf orde ve l opme ntandi mpl e me nt a t i onofag l oba ls e tofs t andar dsf or t e l e me di c i ne . // Thi sne c e s s i t yi sc l e ar l yunde r l i ne dbot hi nt heAc t i onPl a nte Eur ope2 0 05( ht t p: www. /i / e ur opa. e u. i nt nf or mat i on s oc i e t y/e e ur ope e he al t h/wha t i s e he al t h/ i nde xe n. ht m)a ndi nt he Mi ni s t e r i alDe c l ar at i onof2 2May2003 . Thel a t t e rwa sa nnounc e di nBr us s e l s ,whe nmi ni s t e r s ofEU Me mbe rSt at e s ,Ac c e di ngandAs s oc i a t e dc ount r i e sa ndEFTA c ount r i e sme ti nt he f r ame wor koft hee he al t h2 00 3c onf e r e nc e . e he al t hr e f e r st ot heus eofmode r ni nf or mat i onandc ommuni c at i ont e c hnol ogi e st ome e t ne e dsofc i t i z e ns ,pat i e nt s ,e he al t hpr of e s s i ona l s ,e he a l t hpr ov i de r s ,aswe l la spol i c yma ke r s . Ont hi soc c as i on,Mi ni s t e r se xpr e s s e dt he i rc ommi t me ntt ot hede v e l opme ntofnat i ona la nd r e g i ona le he al t hi mpl e me nt at i onpl ansa sa ni nt e gr alpa r tofeEur ope200 5. Mi ni s t e r s de c l ar e dt he i rwi l l i ngne s st owor kt oge t he rt owar dsbe s tpr ac t i c e si nt heus eofI nf or ma t i onand Communi c at i onTe c hnol ogi e s( I CT)a st ool sf ore nha nc i nghe al t hpr omot i ona ndhe al t h pr ot e c t i on,aswe l la squal i t y,ac c e s s i bi l i t yande f f i c i e nc yi nal la s pe c t sofhe al t hc ar ede l i v e r y . . . . Mi ni s t e r ss uppor t e dc onc e r t e dac t i onst oaddr e s spar t i c ul a r l yt hede ve l opme ntofs t andar ds e nabl i ngi nt e r ope r a bi l i t yofdi v e r s es ys t e msa nds e r v i c e sa ndt oe s pe c i al l ye x pl or et he pos s i bi l i t i e sofope ns our c eappl i c at i onsf orac hi e vi ngt hi sobj e c t i ve . / Whos houl dpar t i ci pat ei ndev el opmento ft el e med i ci ne ehe al t hs t andar ds ? I nf or mul a t i ngs t andar di z at i onde c i s i ons ,t hei nvol ve me ntofa l lr e l e v a nts t ake hol de r si sof gr e a ti mpor t a nc e . Re pr e s e nt at i ve soft hee he al t hs e c t or ,i nc l udi nggove r nme nt s ,i ns ur anc e c ompani e s ,he al t hpr of e s s i onal s ,t e l e me di c i neve ndor sa ndpa t i e nta s s oc i a t i onsmus tbe i nvol ve d. Ot he ri mpor t a ntpar t i e sa r eWHO,I TU,EC ( Eur ope anCommi s s i on) ,Eur ope an He a l t hTe l e mat i c sAs s oc i a t i on( EHTEL)a ndt heCEN Se c t orFor um f ort heme di c als e c t or ( CHe F) . Thepar t i c i pat i onoft hemai ns t ake hol de r si se s s e nt i a la st hes t a nda r dshavet os a t i s f yatl e a s t t hef ol l owi ngpoi nt s . ・Tos e r veva r i ousbus i ne s smode l s ,ass t a ndar dsar ee s s e nt i a lf ort heope nma r ke t . ・Toc ons i de rt hene e dsf r om t hepol i t i c a ls i de( a ne x a mpl ei st hei mpl e me nt a t i onofe he a l t h c ar dsi nt heEur ope anUni on) . ・Toke e pi nmi ndt her e qui r e me nt soft hee Eur ope20 05He al t ha c t i ons ,a st he yhav eagl oba l a ppl i c at i on,i . e . : 2 8 / DrMa l i naJ or danova ,I ns t i t ut eofPs y c hol og y,Bul gar i anAc a de myofSc i e nc e s ,Bul g ar i a,Te l Fa x:+3 5 9297 9 7 080,e ma i l:mj or da n@ba s . bgandPr of .DrLe oni dAndr ouc hko,Ra ppor t e ur ,Te l e me di c i neGr oup,I TUD St udyGr oup2andI nt e r na t i onalUni v e r s i t yGe ne v a,Swi t z e r l a nd,e ma i l :l a ndr ouc hko@f r e e s ur f . c h DrVi c e nt eTr av e r ,Ra ppor t e ur ,Que s t i onJ 1 6,I TUT St udyGr oup1 6 . MrPi e r r e Andr 썝 ePr obs t ,Cha i r ma n,I TUT St udyGr oup16 ,e ma i l:pr obs t . pa@bl ue wi n. c h @i MrSi maoCa mposNe t o,I TUT,e ma i l: s i ma o. c a mpos t u. i nt 96 ―i mpl e me nt at i onofus e r f r i e ndl y,va l i dat e da ndi nt e r ope r a bl ei nf r as t r uc t ur e; ―e ys t e ms ,a ndpa t i e nti nf or ma t i one x c hang ebe t we e n nhanc e di nt e r ope r abi l i t ybe t we e ns he al t hc ar eor gani z a t i onst oi mpr ovee f f i c i e nc yandqual i t yofc a r e ,pl use nhanc e d c r os s bor de re xc ha ngeofhe al t hi nf or ma t i on; ―qual i t yc r i t e r i af orhe al t hr e l at e dwe bs i t e s; ―i t i onanddi s s e mi nat i onofbe s tpr a c t i c e si ne he al t h; de nt i f i c a ―e s t abl i s hme ntofas e r i e sofdat ane t wor ksa s s i s t i nge he a l t hpl a nni ngi nEur ope; ―c l a r i f i c a t i onofl e gala s pe c t sofe he a l t h. ・Tot akei nt oac c ountot he rg l obalpol i c i e sa ndl oc a ll e gi s l at i on. Ont heot he rhand,e he al t hs t andar di z at i onhast obec ons i de r e da sane s s e nt i alc ompone ntof anygl obal ,Eur ope an,nat i onalorr e gi ona ls t r a t e g yf ore he al t h. Re s our c e s ,i nt hef or m of mone yande xpe r t s ,s houl dbemadeav a i l abl ef ors t anda r dsa c t i v i t i e sc ar r i e douti nt e r na t i onal l y and,whe nr e qui r e d,wi t hnat i onali mpl e me nt at i ongui de s . WhatI TU hasdones of ar Duet oc ompl e xi t yoft hei s s ue s ,i nc r e a s e dc oope r a t i onwi t hi nI TU a ndwi t hot he rbodi e s ( SDOs ,ot he rf or aandc ons or t i a)i sne c e s s ar y . I TUT wi t ht hes uppor tofI TUD hasunde r t ake naf i r s ts t e pi nor ga ni z i ngawor ks hop ( I TUT/I TUD Wor ks hoponSt a ndar di z at i oni ne he al t h,Ge ne va ,23 25Ma y20 0 3) ,whi c h hasa l l owe dt heSDOs ,i ndus t r y,ope r at or s ,us e r sa ndot he rr e l e va ntbodi e st opr e s e ntt he i r vi e wsont hes t andar di z at i onas pe c t sofe he a l t h. Thewor ks hopnotonl ybr oughtt og e t he rke y pl aye r si ne he al t hs t andar di z at i onandi nt e r ope r a bi l i t y ,buta l s ode f i ne daf r ame wor kf or s t andar di z at i on,i de nt i f i e dar e asofpos s i bl ec oor di nat i onandc oope r at i on,pr e pa r e da s t andar di z at i onwor kpl an,andi de nt i f i e dt her ol e sofI TUTa ndI TUD. Ope ni ngt heWor ks hop,MrHoul i nZha o,t heDi r e c t orofTSB,c l e ar l ys t at e dt ha t . . .s t andar di z at i oni ne he al t hhasl ongbe e ns oug htasake ye l e me nti ns uppor toft he s e ac t i vi t i e s. The r ear emanyge ne r i cs t anda r dsus e di ne he a l t happl i c a t i onsf orv i de oc odi ng , s e c ur i t y,mul t i me di at r ans mi s s i on,andl a ngua ge sf ori ns t a nc e . Andma nyoft hos ehavebe e n de v e l ope dbyI TUT. Thei s s ueofs t andar di z a t i on,e s pe c i al l yi nt e r ope r abi l i t y ,i sve r yur g e ntf ort hede pl oyme ntof e he al t hi nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . Asar ul e ,hos pi t al si nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e sa r er e c e i v i ng t e l e me di c i newor ks t at i onsf r om di f f e r e ntdonor s ,andc ommuni c a t i onbe t we e nt he s e wor ks t at i onsi sdi f f i c ul t . Amongt he1 14par t i c i pant sf r om 4 1,c ount r i e si nc l udi ng25 de v e l opi ngc ount r i e s ,we r er e pr e s e nt at i v e sf r om t e l e c ommuni c at i ons ys t e msmanuf a c t ur e r s , s ys t e mi nt e g r a t or s ,e ndus e r sa ndI CT pr of e s s i onal swi t hi nt heme di c a lpr of e s s i on,i nt e r na t i onal andi nt e r gove r nme nt alor ga ni z at i ons ,uni v e r s i t yhos pi t a l s ,me di c ala s s oc i at i onsa ndNGOs . / Ma nys pe ake r sa gr e e dt hats t andar di z at i oni nt e l e me di c i ne e he a l t hi sawayt oi nc r e a s el e ve l s ofi nt e r ope r a bi l i t y,butmos ta l s oagr e e dt ha tt he r ea r et oomanys t andar ds ,a ndt hatt he s ea r e of t e ni nc onf l i c t ,i nt r oduc i ngc ompe t i ngs ol ut i onsf ors i mi l arpr obl e msors i mpl yi g nor e d. A s t r onge rc oor di nat i onofs t a ndar di z a t i one f f or ti ss e e nbyma nyasi mpe r at i ve . Asaf ur t he rf ol l owupt ot hi swor ks hop,ane he a l t hSt a nda r di z a t i onCoor di na t i onGr oup ( e HSCG)wasc r e at e datI TU i nOc t obe r2 00 3 . Thes t r at e gi cobj e c t i ve sofe HSCG a r et oa c t / a sac oor di na t i ongr ouponal la s pe c t soft e l e me di c i nee he a l t hs t anda r di z at i on;t os t r e ng t he n c oope r at i onamongs tt heSDOs;t of oc usont e c hni c ala s pe c t s ,t a ki ngi nt oc ons i de r a t i on 97 r e gul at or y,e c onomi c ,me di c alands oc i a li s s ue s; t oc ons i de rr e qui r e me nt sf orde ve l opme nt pat hsofe xi s t i ngs t andar dsf r om di f f e r e nts our c e s;t oa c ta ss upe r v i s orf ori mpl e me nt a t i ona nd c as es t udi e s ,e s pe c i al l yi nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s;t oi nc r e a s ea wa r e ne s sofe x i s t i ngs t a nda r ds; e t c . Anot he rr e s ul toft heI TUT/ I TUD Wor ks hoponSt a nda r di z a t i oni ne he al t hwa st he i nt r oduc t i onofane w of f i c i als t udy Que s t i on f orI TUTsSt udyGr oup1 6( Mul t i me di a / / Sys t e ms ,Se r v i c e sa ndTe r mi nal s ,s e ewww.i t u.i nt I TUT/ s t udy gr oups c om1 6) .I ti se nt i t l e d Mul t i me di af r ame wor kf ore he al t happl i c at i ons,andi si nt e nde dt oc oor di nat et het e c hni c al / a s pe c t sofmul t i me di as e r vi c e sands ys t e mst os uppor tt e l e me di c i ne e he a l t ha ppl i c at i ons . Br i e f l y,t hi sque s t i onai msa tt hef ol l owi ng. ・Pr /e e par eac at al ogueofe xi s t i ngt e l e me di c i ne he al t hs t a nda r ds . ・Gat he randanal ys et hes t andar di z a t i onr e qui r e me nt sofma j ort e l e me di c i nes t ake hol de r sa nd i de nt i f ys t andar di z at i oni t e mswi t ht hehi g he s tpr i or i t i e s . ・De ve l opaRe c omme ndat i onon Ge ne r i cAr c hi t e c t ur ef orMul t i me di aTe l e me di c i ne Appl i c at i ons. ・Pr ov i dei nput s( i fne c e s s ar y)f ore xt e ndi ngandi mpr ov i nge xi s t i ngRe c omme nda t i onson MMSys t e ms( e . g.H. 323,H. 264,V. 18) . / Thec hal l e ngei nde ve l opi ngt e l e me di c i ne e he al t hs t a ndar dsi st omakes e v e r a ldi f f e r e nt i ndus t r i e sa ndgove r nme nt a lbodi e swor kt og e t he r . Coope r a t i onbe t we e ni ndus t r y ,he al t hc ar e , gove r nme nt sandc i t i z e ns ,t onamej us ts omeoft hes t ake hol de r s ,i samus t . Wi t hs omuc he f f or tde di c at e dt ot hec r e at i ona ndi mpl e me nt at i onofg l obalt e l e me di c i ne s t anda r ds ,wha twi l lbet hea dvant ageoft he i ri nt r oduc t i on? Thebe ne f i t sha v ebe e ns uc c i nc t l y s e toutbyPhi l i ppeBouc he r( 2004): 1)Re duc e dde s i gnbur de ni nt e l e me di c i nes e c t or: a)c ommonme t hodsandt ool s; b)r e us abi l i t y; c)f as t e rde s i gnt i me . /e 2)Be t t e rc ompat i bi l i t ybe t we e nt e l e me di c i ne he a l t happl i c a t i onst ha nkst o: a)c ommonr e pr e s e nt at i onandt r ans por tf or mat s; b)e as i e rc r e at i onoft r ans f or msf r om onedat as e tt oa not he r . 3)Cons i s t e nc yac r os se he a l t happl i c at i onsby: a)he l pi ngt or e us et e c hnol ogi e s ,i mpl e me nt a t i ons ,c onc e pt s ,ands ki l l s; b)e nabl i ngmor ec ons i s t e nta ppl i c at i onmode l s 4)Longt e r m be ne f i t s: a)r e duc e dde ve l opme ntc os t s; b)i mpr ove dqual i t y; c)dat as har i ngr at he rt ha nr e pl i c at i on; d)appl i c at i onsc anpr ovi demor ea ut hor i t at i v es our c e sofe l e c t r oni che a l t hi nf or mat i on. 98 Re f er ences [1]Bouc he rP.( 20 0 4)Ope nSt a nda r dsf ori nf or ma t i onma nag e me nt ,WSC Hi ghLe ve lWor ks hoponI nt e r nat i ona l lTe c hnol ogi e s ,Ge ne v a,26 2 7Fe br ua r y2 0 04 St a ndar dsf orMe di c a [2]Pr lWor ks hoponI nt e r na t i ona l obs tP.Rol eofI TU i ne he a l t hs t andar di z a t i ona c t i v i t i e s ,WSC Hi g hLe ve St a ndar dsf orMe di c a lTe c hnol ogi e s ,Ge ne v a,26 2 7Fe br ua r y2 0 04 4 . 3. 3 TELEMEDI CI NE AND BI OMETRI CS29 1 . BACKGROUND 1-1 Whati sbi ome t r i c s ? Bi ome t r i c si sa ni ndi vi duali de nt i f i c at i ont e c hnol ogyut i l i z i ngt heuni quebi ol ogi c a l c har ac t e r i s t i c sofhumans ,andi st ypi c al l yus e dt oi de nt i f yt heowne roff or msofi de nt i f i c at i on s uc hasc as hc ar ds ,dr i ve rsl i c e ns e s ,andhe a l t hi ns ur anc eI Dc a r ds . Thec onve nt i ona l t e c hni quei st oc ompi l ei nf or mat i ononi ndi v i dua l si nt hef or m ofadat aba s eandt he ni de nt i f y i ndi v i dua l sus i ngaPI N,pas s wor d,andI Dc ar dsbas e dont hes t or e di nf or mat i on. Thi s t e c hni que ,howe v e r ,i sv ul ne r abl et oi l l e g ala c t ss uc ha sf or ge r y ,t he f t ,t a ppi ng,a ndi de nt i t y t he f t . Thebi ome t r i cme t hodme a s ur e sbi ol ogi c alobj e c t sha vi ngt hef ol l owi ngt hr e ec ha r ac t e r i s t i c s: 1.Uni ve r s al i t y( c har ac t e r i s t i c sc ommont oe ve r y one ) 2.Uni que ne s s( c har ac t e r i s t i c suni quet oe a c hi ndi vi dual ) 3.Pe r mane nc e( c har ac t e r i s t i c st hatdonotc hangeov e rt i me ) Suc hi ndi vi dua lc har ac t e r i s t i c s we l l knowne xa mpl e si nc l udef i nge r pr i nt s ,t her e t i na,i r i s ,v oi c e , hands hape ,pal m pr i nt ,andf a c e a r es t or e di nadat a bas ef ori de nt i f i c a t i on. Thi st e c hni ques i mpl yana l yz e st hebi ol og i c alc ha r ac t e r i s t i c st hatar ee xpr e s s e dus i ngi mag e s Fi gur e1 Er r ort ype s 2 9 Mr .Ya s umi t s uTomi oka ,Re s e a r c hf e l l ow,Na ka j i mal a b.Toka iUni v e r s i t ySc hoolofMe di c i ne ,I s e ha r a ,J a pa n, -7Taka OKA I nc . ,Ma i l i ngAddr e s s: 39 has hiBl dg4F.Ni s hi Shi nba s hi ,Mi na t oku, Pr e s i de ntofOf f i c eTOMI +81 @ni x: 35 77 7 37 0 2Ema i l:yt omi oka f t y. c om Toky o,10 5 00 0 3Te l:+81 35 7 77 37 0 1Fa 99 a nds i gnal s ,ande s t i mat e st hepr obabi l i t yofpat t e r nma t c hi ngwi t ht hedat ai nt heda t aba s e . Asar e s ul t ,t heout puti sonl yapos i t i v er e c og ni t i onorne gat i v er e c og ni t i on,a ss howni n Fi g. 1;not et hatt hemat c hi ngpr obabi l i t yi snot100 %. 1-2 Mar ke t I nc r e as i nggl oba lc onc e r nsa boutt e r r or i s tac t i vi t yandi de nt i t yha veboos t e dt hede ma ndf or i mpr ove ds e c ur i t y. I nc r e as e dme di aat t e nt i onhasr a i s e de ndus e r sa wa r e ne s soft hepot e nt i al ofbi ome t r i ct e c hnol ogi e si ns e c ur i t yappl i c at i ons . Si g ni f i c antmar ke toppor t uni t i e sa r et hus e me r gi ngi nappl i c at i onar e ass uc hasphys i c a lac c e s sc ont r ol ,c i t i z e ni de nt i t y ,ne t wor ks e c ur i t y, f i nanc i a ls e r vi c e s ,e nt i t l e me nta ndhe al t hc a r e . Fore xa mpl e ,I nf oShopJ a pa nr e por t st ha tt he wor l dmar ke ts i z ef orac c e s smanage me nt( ke yl e s se nt r y )a l onewa sUSD1 3mi l l i oni n2 00 2and ]. Ass [ howni nFi g . 3 ,5 0%of2 0 04bi ome t r i c wi l lr e ac hUSD70mi l l i oni n2007( Fi g. 2 )1 pr oduc t sa r ef i nge r pr i nts e ns or s . Nonc ont ac ts e ns or sa r ee x pe c t e dt oi nc r e as ei npopul ar i t yi n t hene arf ut ur e .I ft he yar eus e di nt hear e a soft e l e home c ar eandg e r i at r i cc a r e ,t hema r ke t maye x pl odei na dv anc e dc ount r i e s . Fi gur e2 TheWor l dMa r ke tf orBi ome t r i c s Fi gur e3 Pe r c e nt a g eofbi ome t r i cpr oduc t s 10 0 1-3 Ne c e s s i t yof b i ome t r i c si nt e l e me di c i ne Wi t ht hei nc r e as i ngi mpor t anc eoft hec ompr e he ns i vema na ge me ntofme di c ali nf or ma t i oni n oura gi ngs oc i e t y ,i ndi v i dua li de nt i f i c at i oni se s s e nt i alnotonl yf ort e l e me di c i nebutf or i nf or ma t i onmanag e me ntf ori ndi vi duali nf or ma t i onbr ows i ngandma ki ngi ns ur a nc epay me nt s . J apani sf ac i ngt hepr obl e m ofani nc r e as ei nt henumbe rofpe opl ewhodonotpayhe a l t h i ns ur anc ef e e s . Ast henumbe rofpat i e nt swhoat t e mptt or e c e i veme di c a ls e r vi c e si nani l l e g a l ma nne rt hr oughi de nt i f i c at i ont he f ti se x pe c t e dt og r ow,t hei mpor t anc eofi ndi v i dua l i de nt i f i c at i onwi l lbee nhanc e d. Wehavei de nt i f i e dt hef ol l owi ngne e dsi nt e l e me di c i nef ori ndi v i dua li de nt i f i c a t i on: 1.He al t hi ns ur anc eI Dc e r t i f i c at e( orI Dc a r di ns omec ount r i e s ) 2.Re mot ec ons ul t i ng 3.Eme r ge nc yt r a ns por t 4.He al t hc he c k( e x c e ptf ordi s e as e s ) 5.Re t ur nofme di c alf e e s 6.Pat i e ntc har tbr ows i ng( f ort hepat i e ntonl y) Theaboves i xappl i c at i onsr e qui r ei de nt i f i c a t i onac c ur a c yashi ghast hatne e de df ort heonl i ne banki ngs y s t e m. 2 . PROPOSAL Wef e e lt hatt hef ol l owi ngopt i c als e ns orus i ngt hevi de ophones y s t e mi sapr omi s i ng bi ome t r i c ss y s t e mf ort e l e home c ar e . 2-1 Fac e A Me t hodol ogy: Wel e ar nt hec har ac t e r i s t i c sofe a c hf ac eus i ngCCD c a me r a sa ndphot osi n a dva nc e ,pr e par eadat abas e ,ande xami net het ar ge tf ac ebas e dont hef a c epat c ht he or y( whi c h i st ot al l ydi f f e r e ntf r om t hene ur alne t wor kt he or yt hatha sa l r e a dybe e ndi s c us s e de x t e ns i ve l y ) . Pr e l i mi nar yl e ar ni ng:Ex t r ac t st her e l at i v epos i t i onsoft hee y e s ,nos e ,ande ye br ows ,anddr aws ani de nt i f i c at i onc ur veus i ngAdaboos tI mag ema t c hi ng: Ext r ac t st hee ye ,nos e ,ande y e br ow c ha r ac t e r i s t i c soft het ar ge tf ac e ,a ndmat c he st he m wi t hda t ai nt hedat aba s e B Advant ag e s:A vi de ophones ys t e m us i ngaPCbas e dorde di c at e dt e r mi na lde v i c ei sus e di n t e l e home c ar e . Thus ,c ompar e dwi t hot he ra ppl i c at i ons ,i ti se a s yt oc apt ur et hepat i e ntsf a c e i ma gef r om t hef r onte ac ht i mewi t hal mos tt hes ames i z eunde runi f or mi l l umi na t i on c ondi t i onst ha ta r ec l os et oi de al . Be c a us et hehi ghqual i t yCCD de v i c ea l l owst hedoc t ort o s e et hes ympt omsofa ne mi a,i c t e r us ,s pi de ra ngi oma,andne r vedamage ,t hev i s ua lc he c ka nd f ac ei de nt i f i c at i onc anbepe r f or me ds i mul t ane ous l y .I ti s ,howe v e r ,di f f i c ul tt oma i nt a i n c ons i s t e nti de nt i f i c at i onac c ur ac y,ast hef a c ec ha r a c t e r i s t i c smayc ha ng eove rt i me . Fa l s e i de nt i f i c a t i onasar e s ul tofpl as t i cs ur ge r yont hee ye s ,nos e ,a ndj aw ma yal s obepos s i bl e . Thus ,i ti spr e f e r a bl et ous eanot he ri de nt i f i c at i ont e c hni quei na ddi t i ont of ac ei de nt i f i c a t i on. 2-2 I r i s A Me t hodol ogy:I ndi vi dual sc a nbei de nt i f i e dbas e dont hei r i spa t t e r n,whi c hi suni quet o [ ] e ac hpe r s on.2 Thei r i spat t e r ni sf or me dwi t hi ns i xmont hsa f t e rbi r t ha nds t abi l i z e swi t hi n oneye a ra f t e rbi r t h,anddoe snotc hang eunt i lde at h. Twode vi c e sc anbeus e dt ome as ur e 10 1 Fi gur e4 Ana l y s i soft hei r i s Fi g ur e5 Thepat t e r nofr e t i na lbl oodv e s s e l s ( Ar t e r yandVe i n) t hei r i spat t e r n,asf ol l ows . 1.I ft hevi de ophones ys t e mi se qui ppe dwi t haz oomi ngf unc t i on,i tc anwor kasa ni r i s i de nt i f i c at i onde vi c e . 2 .A de di c at e dl i g ht r e ac t i onde vi c ec anme as ur et hes pe e dofl i g htr e ac t i ona nde x ami net he i r i spat t e r ns i mul t ane ous l y. I nt hei de nt i f i c at i onpr oc e s s ,t heana l ys i sz onei ss e l e c t e df r om t hei r i spat t e r ns ampl e dus i ng t heCCD,i t spr of i l ei se x t r ac t e dus i ngaGaborf i l t e randt he nc ode d. Thi sc odei sus e dt o s e l e c tt hec l os e s ti r i sc odei nt heda t aba s eba s e dont heHammi ngdi s t a nc eval ue . Thee r r or −2 4 4 r at ei s2 ,t hes amepr obabi l i t yofac oi nt os se ndi ngwi t ht hes amer e s ul t2 44t i me si na r ow. B Advant ag e s:Nonc ont ac t ,e as yt ous e ,a ndac c ur at e .I twoul dbeve r ydi f f i c ul tt of a kean i r i s ,e ve nwi t hadvanc e dpl as t i cs ur ge r yande yeope r a t i ont e c hni que s .I nc ombi na t i onwi t h t hel i g ht r e ac t i onde vi c e ,i tc anme as ur et hei r i sr e a c t i ons pe e d( whi c ha i dsi ndi ag nos i sof pr obl e mswi t ht hebr ai ns t e m andoc ul omot orne r v e )a ndi de nt i f yt hei r i spa t t e r n s i mul t ane ous l y . 2-3 Re t i na A Pr i nc i pl e:Thev e s s e l spat t e r noft her e t i nac anbeus e df ori de nt i f i c a t i on. Thi sve s s e l s pat t e r nr e mai nsunc hange dunl e s st hev e i nss hr i nkduet odi abe t e sorot he ri l l ne s s .I ti s nor mal l ydi f f i c ul tt os e et heve i npat t e r nwi t houte x pa ndi ngt hei r i sus i ngc he mi c a l s( e . g. , My dr i n) .I nr e c e ntye a r s ,howe ve r ,ade v i c ehasbe e nde v e l ope dt ha tc a ns e et heve i npat t e r n wi t houtt heus eofi r i s ope ne rc he mi c a l s . Asde di c a t e de qui pme nti sne c e s s ar yi nbot hc a s e s ,i t i snotpos s i bl et oc onduc tr e t i nai de nt i f i c at i onus i nganor ma lv i de ophones y s t e ma l one . B Adva nt a ge s:Nonc ont ac tandac c ur a t e ,butnote a s yt ous e . Thebi ol og i c alor i g i noft he r e t i nai st hes ameast hatoft hebr ai n. I nf a c t ,i ti spos s i bl et oe s t i ma t et hec ondi t i onoft he bl oodi nt hebr ai nf r om t ha ti nt her e t i na ,a ndt hebr ai npr e s s ur ef r om t heopt i cpapi l l aont he r e t i na. Somee as yt ous ede vi c e sa r ee xpe c t e dt obede ve l ope di nt hef ut ur e . Wes houl df oc us ont her e t i nade vi c easapr omi s i ngt e l e home c a r ede v i c e . 10 2 3 . PROSPECTS 31 Re l uc t anc et ous ef i nge r pr i nt s TheU. S.Vi s i tPr ogr am e mpl oye dbyt hei mmi g r a t i ona ut hor i t i e si n20 04,whi c hus e s f i ng e r pr i nt sf ori ndi vi duali de nt i f i c at i on,ha sbe e npoor l ye va l uat e dbyt hos ev i s i t i ngAme r i c a. Thi si sduet ot hef a c tt hatt hi sFBIt e c hni que ,knowna sAFI S( Aut omat e dFi ng e r pr i nt I de nt i f i c at i onSys t e m) ,hasbe e nus e dt oi de nt i f yc r i mi nal si nt heUni t e dSt a t e s . Ma nype opl e maynotac c e ptt heus eofs uc hac r i mi na li de nt i f i c at i ons y s t e mf ort ot al l ydi f f e r e ntme di c a lus e . Mos tus e r sma ypr e f e rnonc ont ac t t ypebi ome t r i ct e c hni que st hatdonotus ef i ng e r pr i nt s . Di a gnos i sus i ngt hevi de ophones ys t e m pr ov i de si nf or ma t i onont hepat i e ntsphy s i c al c har ac t e r i s t i c s . Thus ,i ti snat ur a lt ous es uc hphy s i c ali nf or ma t i onf orus e ri de nt i f i c a t i on. 32 Thr e eac c ur ac yl e v e l s A numbe rofbi ome t r i c sc ompani e sha vede v e l ope dava r i e t yofi de nt i f i c a t i ont e c hni que sus i ng f i ng e r pr i nt s ,ve i npat t e r nsoft hepal m,f a c e ,i r i s ,andr e t i nac har ac t e r i s t i c s . The s et e c hni que s a r ec ompl e t e l yunr e l a t e dt oe ac hot he r . Al t houghmor et ha noneal g or i t hm andme as ur e me ntde vi c ear ea v ai l a bl e ,t hei de nt i f i c a t i on r e s ul tc a nonl ybeonef ore ac hi ndi vi dual . Asi nt hec a s eofma t he mat i c s ,t he r ei sonl yone c or r e c ta ns we r .I ft hei de nt i f i c at i onac c ur ac yi snots uf f i c i e nt l yhi gh,us e r swi l lbe i nc onve ni e nc e d. Unl e s sani de nt i f i c at i ons y s t e mi ss har e dbymanyus e r s ,asmanys e ns or sa nd de vi c e sast henumbe rofs uc hs ys t e mswi l lbene c e s s a r y . Thi si sunr e as onabl ef orus e r s . Si nc et he9/ 11t e r r or i s ta t t a c ks ,home l a nds e c ur i t yha sbe e nf oc us e don,s oi ti sc ur r e nt l y di f f i c ul tt oe s t abl i s hani nt e r nat i ona ls t a ndar df ori ndi v i dua li de nt i f i c a t i on. Howe v e r ,a tl e as t obj e c t i veac c ur ac ygui de l i ne ss houl dbec ons i de r e d. Wef e e lt ha tt hef ol l owi nga c c ur ac y e val uat i ons houl dbei nc l ude di ns uc hg ui de l i ne s . 1.Ac c ur ac ye val uat i onoft hemat c hi ngal g or i t hm:Nume r i cde g r e eofpat t e r nmat c hi ng be t we e nt woi nputi mage s 2.Ac c ur ac ye va l uat i onoft hemat c hi ngde vi c e: Ac c ur ac yofhar dwa r e ,i nc l udi ngs e ns or s 3.Ac c ur ac ye val uat i onofi de nt i t ymat c hi ng: Ac c ur ac yofi de nt i f i c at i onoft hec or r e c tpe r s on Wi t houtt he s et hr e eac c ur ac ye val uat i ons ,noi de nt i f i c a t i ont e c hni quec anbeobj e c t i v e l y e v al ua t e d. Obj e c t i v ee v al ua t i oni st hef i r s ts t e pt owa r di nt e r na t i onals t andar di z a t i on. 3-3 Ef f or t sf ors t andar di z at i o n Thes t andar di z a t i onofbi ome t r i c si sunde r wa yi nI TUT SG1 7Te l e bi ome t r i c sa ndI SO/ I EC [ SC3 7/SC1 7/SC2 7 .3]Howe ve r ,t he r ei snof or um f ordi s c us s i ngappl i c at i onst ot e l e me di c i ne . -20 I fEHe al t hi ss t andar di z e dbyI TUT SG1 6Q28i n20 04 0 7,di s c us s i onsont he s t anda r di z a t i onofbi ome t r i c sf ort e l e me di c i nes houl dbeki c ke dof fa se ar l yaspos s i bl ej oi nt l y wi t hSG17 . Asme nt i one dabove ,t heme di c a lne e dsar edi v e r s eandt het e l e me di c i nemar ke t i sg r owi ngf as t e rt hane xpe c t e d. Wef e e lt ha tbi ome t r i c sf ort e l e me di c i nes houl dbei nc l ude d i nt heI TU s c ope .I fwel os et hi soppor t uni t y,t hei mpor t anc eoft e l e me di c i nes t a nda r di z a t i on byI TU wi l lf a l ldr as t i c a l l y . Thi si sduet ot hef ac tt ha tt heI CT t e c hnol og ywi l li nvol v et he e l de r l y,whoof t e ndonotg ooutf orme di c alc a r e ,andt ot hef a c tt hatt hebi ome t r i cma r ke ti s e xpe c t e dt oe x pl ode .I ft he r ei snoi nt e r nat i onals t a ndar d,t hemar ke tma ybedr i v e nbyade f a c t os t andar d. Al t houghdef ac t os t anda r dsa r ea c c e pt abl ef ora ppl i c a t i onsi naf r e ema r ke t , t he ymayc a us emanypr obl e msi nme di c a la ppl i c at i onst hats houl dbeunde rna t i ona lc ont r ol . Asar e s ul tofs uc hpr obl e ms ,manyde ve l opi ngc ount r i e sa ndt hewe a kande l de r l ywi l lbel e f t 10 3 be hi nd. The r e f or e ,I TU i sr e qui r e di fs t a ndar di z at i oni st obeac hi e v e di nat i me l ymanne r . Re f er ences [1]TheWor / /www. / l dMa r ke tf orBi ome t r i c sEqui pme nt ,ht t p: i nf os hopj a pa n. c om/ s t udy i z 1 7 6 2 9bi ome t r i c s ml e qui pme ntt oc . ht [2]J a f a rM.H.Al iAboulEl l aHa s s ani e n. AnI r i sRe c og ni t i onSy s t e mt oEnhanc eEs e c ur i t yEnv i r onme ntBas e d onWa v e l e tThe or y ,AMOAdv a nc e dMode l i nga ndOpt i mi z a t i on,Vol ume5,Numbe r2 ,2 00 3 . [3]Ta ome t r i cPe r f or manc eTe s t i ngandRe por t i ng s kGr oupM1 . 4. .Sc e nar i oTe s t i ngandRe por t i ngDr a f t3 . 0 .Bi /0 -0 Pa r t3:I NCI TSM1 3 5 6 3,I NCI TS1 6 0 2 D 30 4 . 3. 4 Met adat aSt andar di zat i onf orTel eme di c i ne 1 .I nt r oduct i on Te l e me di c i nei se x pe c t e dasade f i ni t i veme a nsofpr ov i di ngme di c als e r v i c e si nr ur ala r e a sor out s our c i ngt he mi nhos pi t a l swhe r enos pe c i al i z e ddoc t or s( e . g .pa t hol og i s t s )a r epr e s e nt ,a nd manyat t e mpt sha vebe e nmadef orde v e l opi nge x pe r i me nt a ls ys t e msands e r v i c e s .I nor de r t hata dvanc e dt e l e me di c i nes ys t e msands e r v i c e sa r epl e nt i f ul l ypr ov i de di nt heme di c al i nf or ma t i ons ys t e m mar ke ta ndwec anc hoos et hebe s tone sf orourpur pos eandbudg e t , howe ve r ,t he r ei sal ac kofs t andar di z at i onf r a me wor kf ore ns ur i ngi nt e r ope r a bi l i t ya mong t e l e me di c i nes ys t e ms . Nowadays ,c l i ni c aldat as t andar dsa r ebe c omi ngwi de l yac c e pt e d. Suc hs y s t e msa sHI S ( Hos pi t alI nf or mat i onSys t e ms )orPACS( Pi c t ur eAr c hi vi ngCommuni c at i onSy s t e ms )t ha t [2] [3 ] c onf or mt oHL7 orDI COM r e s pe c t i v e l yhav ec omei nt owi deus e . Conf or mi ngt ot he s e s t andar ds ,i nt e r ope r a bi l i t yi nme di c ali nf or ma t i ons ys t e mshasbe e ni mpr ov e d,a ndnow we hav eawi dev ar i e t yofc hoi c e sf ors uc hs y s t e ms . The r ei snopr obl e mi ns ynt ac t i ci nt e r pr e t a t i onofc l i ni c a lda t ai fi tc onf or mst oHL7or DI COM. I ti sr e por t e d,howe ve r ,t hati tc anbe c omedi f f i c ul tt or e a di ma ge sbyhuma ne ye s us i ngdi f f e r e ntki ndofe qui pme ntbe c aus el i g hts e ns i t i vi t yi ni ma geac qui s i t i onc a nbedi f f e r e nt amongDI COM c onf or mante qui pme nt . Ont heot he rhand,PACSc a npr oduc ei nc ons i s t e nt vi s ualdi s pl ayi fdi s pl ayc apabi l i t i e sofPACSmoni t or sa r edi f f e r e ntori ma gel a yout i nf or ma t i oni sl os t ,doc t or sc anf e e ldi f f i c ul tt oc ommuni c a t eus i ngPACS. I na ddi t i on,whe n s e c ur i t yme ansar edi f f e r e nt ,c l i ni c alda t ac annotber e f e r e nc e df r om ot he rhos pi t al s . [16] [17] [1 8] Fort e l e c onf e r e nc i ng,weal r e adyhavema nyaudi oc odi ngs t anda r ds ,v i de oc odi ng [1 [1 ] [1 [1 ] [1 ] [6] [7] 0 1] 3 4] 5 s t a ndar ds ,s t r e am dat at r ans mi t t i ngandc ont r ols t a nda r ds ,a ndc a l l [8 [9 ] ] s i g na l i ngs t anda r ds .I fanys i ng l es e toft he s es t a nda r dsi ss e l e c t e da sapa r toft he t e l e me di c i nes t andar d,howe ve r ,i nt e r ope r a bi l i t yc a nnotbeg uar ant e e d. Ther e a s oni st hat di f f e r e nts t andar dsa r eadopt e di ne xi s t i nge qui pme ntandc ommuni c a t i onl i ne s . Be c aus e t e l e me di c i nes ys t e msowet he i rus e f ul ne s st ova r i ouski ndsofe qui pme nta ndc ommuni c at i on l i ne s ,i ti sdi f f i c ul tt of or c et he mt oc onf or mt oas i ng l es t andar d. I naddi t i on,i ti sa l s o di f f i c ul tt hatwea doptas i ngl es t andar dofe r r orc or r e c t i on,f ort hepa t t e r nsandr at e sofe r r or s a r edi f f e r e nta mongc ommuni c at i onl i ne s . I nt hi sr e por t ,wee xpl ai nt her e s ol ut i onoft he s epr obl e msi nt e l e me di c i nes ys t e msbyme t a da t a [1] s t andar di z at i on ,andpr opos et os t a r tawor ki ngt e am ofme t ada t as t a ndar di z a t i oni n Que s t i on14ofSt udyGr oup2i nI TUD. 3 0 -5 Mr .Ma mor uHas hi mot o,Sy s t e m Pl at f or m Sof t war eDe v e l opme ntDi v i s i on,NEC Cor por a t i on,Shi baur a211 +8 -( -1 +8 oku,Tokyo1 0 88 55 7 ,J apa n,Phone: 1 0 ) 3 5 47 6 0 84 ,Fax: 1( 0 ) 3 54 7610 83 ( I g a r a s hiBui l di ng ) ,Mi nat Ema i l:mha s hi mot o@c d. j p. ne c . c om 10 4 2 . Met adat ai nTel emedi ci ne Me t adat ai sr e f e r r e dt oasdat aaboutda t a,a ndc or r e s pondst ot hebi bl i og r a phi c ali nf or mat i on ofbooks .I ti si ndi s pe ns abl et os e ar c handus eda t a,andha sa t t r ac t e dpubl i cat t e nt i ona st he de ve l opme ntofdi gi t all i br ar i e sa ndt heI nt e r ne t . Amongs t a ndar dsofbi bl i og r a phi c al [1 ] 9 i nf or mat i on,t heDubl i nCor e i smos twe l l known. I nma nyas pe c t soft e l e me di c i ne s ys t e ms ,wene e dme t adat ai nf or mat i on. /DI Forhos pi t ali nf or mat i ons ys t e ms ,i nf or mat i onont hede gr e eofc onf or ma nc et oHL7 COM, me di c ale qui pme nt ,s e c ur i t yt e c hnol ogi e s ,orPACSmoni t ordi s pl ayc apa bi l i t yanddi s pl ay l ay outs houl dbee xc hange d. Us i ngt hei nf or mat i onont hede g r e eofc onf or ma nc et oHL7/ / t af ort hec ommone l e me nt sofHL7 DI COM t owhi c h DI COM,wec a ne x c hangec l i ni c alda bot hhos pi t ali nf or mat i ons y s t e msc onf or mi sknownf r om t hee xc ha nge dme t ada t a. By c or r e c t i ngt hei magedat awi t ht heme t adat aofi magi nge qui pme ntc onf or mi ngt oDI COM,we c ange ta ne qui val e ntdi s pl ayofi mageda t at ot ha tofl oc a lhos pi t a l s . Bye xc hangi ng me t adat aons e c ur i t y,doc t or swhohavet heaut hor i z e dc r e de nt i a l sc a nac c e s st oda t ai nr e mot e hos pi t al st hr ought r a ns l at i onofa ut he nt i c at i onandme t hodsofe nc r ypt i oni fne c e s s ar y. And, byus i ngme t a da t aofPACSmoni t orc a pa bi l i t yanddi s pl a yl a yout ,doc t or sc a nc ommuni c at e onwat c hi ngal mos ti de nt i c aldi s pl a yofi ma gedat aa tr e mot ehos pi t al s . I nr e al t i met e l e c ommuni c at i on,i ti sne c e s s a r yt oe x c hangei nf or ma t i onondat as our c e , c ommuni c at i onl i ne sanddat ade s t i nat i on. I nf or mat i ononi mageac qui s i t i one qui pme nti sa ne x ampl eofi nf or ma t i ononda t as our c e . Es pe c i a l l y,l i ghts e ns i t i v i t yofvi de oc a me r ai sne e de di nr e al t i mevi de oc ommuni c at i on. We c a nc or r e c tt hec ol orofv i de odi s pl a ybyus i ngt heme t adat aont heda t as our c e ,anddoc t or s c anj udget hepat i e ntsc ompl e x i onandt hes t at eoft hedi s e a s emor epr e c i s e l y. Us i ngt hei nf or ma t i ononc ommuni c at i onl i ne s ,wec ang e tt hel i nes pe e dande s t i mat et he pat t e r nsandr at e sofdat ae r r or . The r ei sl i t t l ene e df ors uc hi nf or ma t i oni na s y nc hr onous me di c ali magi ngs e r vi c e swhi c hc anbedonewi t hbat c hpr oc e s s i ngandr e qui r eonl yr e l i abl e t r ans f e rt ot hede s t i nat i on. I nc ont r as t ,v i de oa nda udi oda t amus tbet r ans f e r r e dt ot he de s t i na t i onwi t hi nc e r t ai nde l ayi nor de rt oc ommuni c a t ewi t houtdi f f i c ul t y . Wi t ht hi s / i nf or mat i on,c odi ngt heaudi ov i de os i g nal satt heappr opr i a t ebi tr at eandaddi ng e r r or c or r e c t i ngc ode sonc ommuni c at i onl i ne swi t hhi g he r r orr at e sasmobi l ephone sc an a c hi e v es moot hc ommuni c at i on. Pr oc e s s i ngpowe ra nddi s pl a yc apabi l i t yoft het e r mi na l sa r es omeoft hei nf or mat i onofda t a de s t i nat i on. Fore x ampl e ,t het y pe sofc odi ngs t andar dst hatc a nbede c ode dandt he r e s ol ut i ona ndc ol orde pt hofmoni t or smus tbee xc hang e d. Thi si nf or ma t i ononda t a de s t i nat i one nabl e st hedat as our c es i t et os e l e c tt hec odi ngme t hodt hatc a nbede c ode dand t her e s ol ut i ont hatc anbee as i l yvi e we dont hede s t i nat i ont e r mi nal s . 3. Met adat aExchang e Wea l s one e ds t a ndar di z e ds t or ageande x c hang i ngme t hodsf ore f f e c t i veus eofme t a da t a. Fors t or age ,f i r s twes houl dc ons i de rt hef or matofme t adat a. Thef or matofme t a dat ai s de t e r mi ne df r om i t ss t r uc t ur e . Thes t r uc t ur eofme t adat ai sde t e r mi ne dbyi t sl a ngua geand e l e me nt voc abul ar ys c he mes e tont hel a nguag e . [2 0] Languagei sas pe c i f i c at i ont hatg i ve st hes t r uc t ur eoft e xt ualdat a. Hi s t or i c a l l y ,KI F [2 ] ( Knowl e dgeI nt e r c hangeFor mat )a ndKQML 1 ( Knowl e dgeQue r ya ndMa ni pul at i on [22] Language )we r ee ar l yat t e mptf orme t adat ae x c ha ng e . SGML ( St anda r dGe ne r a l i z e d 10 5 Fi g. 1 Di agr am ofme t a dat as t or ageandac c e s si nt e l e me di c i ne [23 ] [24] Ma r kupLanguage ) ,HTML ( Hype r Te xtMa r kupLang uage ) ,a ndXML ( e Xt e ns i bl e Ma r kupLang ua ge )a r ege ne r alpur pos el a ngua g e sf ors t r uc t ur e dt e x t ua lda t a . Mos tl a ng uag e s s e e mt obe c omeXMLbas e dt oday. I na ddi t i on,me t ada t al a ngua ges houl dha v et heabi l i t yof [2 5]o de s c r i bi ngt r e es t r uc t ur ehi e r ar c hi c al l y. RDF fW3 Ci sawe l l knowne xa mpl es a t i s f y i ng t hi sr e qui r e me nt . El e me nt voc abul ar ys c he mes e tde f i ne st hec ons t r uc t i onofme t a dat aasawhol e . El e me nt sa r e i t e mst hatc ompr i s eme t adat a,voc abul a r yi st hec ont e ntwr i t t e ni ne l e me nt s ,ands c he mei sa f r a me wor kt hatde f i ne se l e me nt sa ndvoc a bul a r y. I naddi t i on,wene e dt heme t hodofs t or a g eandt r a ns por tofme t ada t a. Anal og yt oe bus i ne s s mi ghthe l ps t a ndar di z i ngt hi spa r t . Ebus i ne s spr oc e s sc anbes e e nasapr oc e s sofe xc ha ng i ng me t ada t aofme r c ha ndi s e . Soe bus i ne s ss t andar dss uc hase bXML orWe bSe r v i c e sde f i net he me t hodofs t or ageandt r ans por ta st he i rma i npar t s .I fweus et heg e ne r alWe bSe r v i c e s t e r mi nol ogy ,da t as t or agec or r e s pondst oUDDI ,da t aac c e s sc or r e s pondst oWSDL,me s s a gi ng s e r vi c ec or r e s pondsSOAP. The r ee xi s ts i mi l a rs t a ndar dsi nt hi sa r e a ,s owes houl dc hoos et he appr opr i at eonec ar e f ul l y. 4 . Somei s s uesonMet adat aSt andar d i z at i o n Las t l y,weme nt i ons omei s s ue st ha ts e e mt ohav et obei nve s t i ga t e di nt hepr oc e s sofme t adat a s t a ndar di z at i on. Fi r s t ,t he r ei sa ni s s ueonhow t oac hi e v et hei nt e r ope r a bi l i t yofme t adat ai t s e l f . Whi l emuc h oft heaboveme nt i one dme t ada t af ort e l e c ommuni c a t i oni nt e r ope r abi l i t yha v enotbe e n s t andar di z e dye t ,s omeal r e adye xi s ti noneormor es t andar ds .I nor de rt oac hi e ve i nt e r ope r abi l i t yofme t adat aamongs e ve r a ls t anda r ds ,t wopr i nc i pl e sa r eknown. Onei st o de f i nec or r e s ponde nc eamongme t adat ar e gul at i ons ,a ndanot he ri st ode l e t equal i f i e rof e l e me nt swhi l eke e pi ngc ons i s t e nc yofe l e me ntme ani ng. Bot hme t hodsr e qui r er e g i s t r yon s c he maofme t adat a. Se c ond,t he r ei sa not he ri s s ueonhow t or e duc et hec os tofc r e a t i ngme t ada t a. Al t houg h ma nyat t e mpt shavebe e nmadeont hea ut oma t i ce xt r ac t i onofme t ada t aus i ngi mageorvoi c e r e c ogni t i on,nof ul laut omat i ce xt r ac t i onme t hodf oruni v e r s a ldat as e e mt ober e a l i s t i c .I t s e e mst obene c e s s ar yt hats e mia ut oma t i cme t hods uppor t i ngme t ada t ae xt r a c t i ons pe c i f i ct o me di c ali nf or mat i onmus tbei nve s t i gat e d. Re f er ences [1]M.Ha s hi mot o, Te l e c ommuni c at i onI nt e r ope r abi l i t yofTe l e me di c i net hr oug hMe t ada t aEx c ha ng e 10 6 St a ndar di z at i on ,APT Te l e me di c i neWor ks hop2 00 5 [2]He / /www. a l t hLe ve l7:ht t p: hl 7 . or g/ / [3]DI / / COM :ht t p: me di c al . ne ma . or g [4]e / /www. / bXML: ht t p: e bx ml . or g [5]WS/ /www. IOr g a ni z at i on: ht t p: ws i . or g/ [6]H.Sc c obs on, RTP:A Tr a ns por tPr ot oc olf orRe a l Ti me hul z r i nne ,S.Ca s ne r ,R.Fr e de r i c k,V.J a Appl i c a t i ons,I ETF RFC35 5 0,J ul y20 03 [7]H.Sc , Re a lTi meSt r e a mi ngPr ot oc ol( RTSP),I ETF RFC23 2 6,Apr i l1 9 98 hul z r i nne ,A.Rao,R.Lanphi e r [8]I e ms,J ul y20 0 3 TUT Re c .H. 3 2 3:Pa c ke t Bas e dMul t i me di aCommuni c a t i onsSys t [9]M.Ha ndl e y ,H.Sc hul z r i nne ,E.Sc hool e r ,J .Ros e nbe r g, SI P:Se s s i onI ni t i at i onPr ot oc ol,I ETF RFC2 543 , r c h1 9 99 Ma [10 ]Movi ngPi c t ur eExpe r t sGr oup, I nf or ma t i onTe c hnol og yCodi ngofMov i ngPi c t ur e sandAs s oc i at e dAudi of or /s,I Di g i t a lSt or ag eMe di aatupt oAbout1, 5Mbi t SO/I EC 11 17 2 ,1 9 93 [11 ]Movi ne r i cCodi ngofMovi ngPi c t ur e sa ndAs s oc i a t e d ngPi c t ur eExpe r t sGr oup, I nf or ma t i onTe c hnol og y Ge Audi oI nf or mat i on ,I SO/ I EC 13 8 1 8,19 9 7 [12 ]Movi ngPi c t ur eExpe r t sGr oup, I nf or ma t i ont e c hnol og yCodi ngofaudi ovi s ualobj e c t s,I SO/ I EC 1 44 96,1 99 9 / [13 ]I i s ua ls e r v i c e sa tpx64kbi t s,Ma r c h1 99 3 TUT Re c . H. 2 6 1:Vi de oc ode cf ora udi ov [14 ]I TUT Re c . H. 2 6 3:Vi de oc odi ngf orl ow bi tr a t ec ommuni c at i on ,Fe br ua r y1 99 8 ]I [15 TUT Re c . H. 2 6 4:Adva nc e dvi de oc odi ngf org e ne r i caudi ov i s ua ls e r v i c e s,Ma y20 03 [16 ]I at i on( PCM)ofvoi c ef r e que nc i e s,19 8 8 TUT Re c . G. 7 1 1:Pul s ec odemodul [17 ]I / TUT Re c . G. 7 2 2:7kHzaudi oc odi ngwi t hi n64kbi t s,19 8 8 / [18 ]I ngofs pe e c ha t16kbi t sus i ngl owde l a yc odee x c i t e dl i ne a rpr e di c t i on ,Se pt e mbe r TUT Re c . G. 7 2 8:Codi 19 9 2 [19 ]I SO 15 8 3 6:I nf or mat i ona nddoc ume nt at i onTheDubl i nCor eme t a da t ae l e me nts e t,Fe br uar y20 03 / [20 ]Knowl / / . s t anf or d. e du/ ki f ki f . ht ml e dg eI nt e r c ha ng eFor ma t( KI F):ht t p: l og i c [21 ]TheDARPA Knowl i onoft he e dg eSha r i ngI ni t i at i v eEx t e r na lI nt e r f a c e sWor ki ngGr oup, DRAFT Spe c i f i c a t KQML Ag e ntCommuni c a t i onLa ng ua g e,J une19 9 3 [22 ]I SO 88 7 9:I nf or ma t i onpr oc e s s i ng-Te x tandof f i c es ys t e ms-St a nda r dGe ne r al i z e dMa r kupLa ng ua ge ( SGML),1 9 8 6 [23 ]Hype / /www. /Ma r Te xtMa r kupLa ng ua ge( HTML)HomePa ge: ht t p: w3. or g r kUp/ / / / / [24 ]Ext i bl eMa r kupLa ng ua ge( XML):ht t p: www. w3. or gXML e ns [25 ]Re / /www. s our c eDe s c r i pt i onFr a me wor k( RDF):ht t p: w3. or g/ RDF/ 10 7 5 Pr o j e c tDe s i g nf o re he al t h /e As s e s s i ngt hebe ne f i t sofhi ght e c hnol ogypr oj e c t s ,s uc hast e l e me di c i ne he al t hpr oj e c t s ,i sa r at he rc hal l e ngi ngt as kast he s epr oj e c t sof t e nc ombi nes t at eoft hear tt e c hnol ogy ,l ongt e r m i mpl e me nt at i onandappl i c at i on,andmar ke tunc e r t a i nt i e s ,a nda r eboundt opol i t i c a l de c i s i ons . The r ei snouni ve r s alme t r i cf orap r i o r ie va l ua t i on. Ev e r ypr oj e c tpr opos a l ,i n or de rt obef ul l ye va l uat e dandpr ope r l yf unde d,mus tf ol l ow s omes pe c i f i cr ul e sorde s i g n t e mpl at e . De pe ndi ngonhow c l e ara ndpr e c i s eapr oj e c tpr opos a lha sbe e npr e par e d,t he c hanc e st hati twi l lobt ai nf undi ngwi l lbebe t t e rorwor s e . Thef ol l owi ngpar ag r aphsai mt o pr ovi debr i e fout l i ne sf orpr oj e c tpr e par at i on,a nda r eai me datc ol l e ag ue swhoa r epl a nni ngt o s ubmi tpr oj e c tpr opos a lt oI TUsTe l e c ommuni c at i onDe ve l opme ntBur e au( BDT-s e e ki ng as s i s t a nc e ,ort oanyot he ri nt e r nat i ona lorr e gi onalor ga ni z a t i on. Us ual l y,BDT a ppl i e sa one s t ages ubmi s s i on pr oc e dur e ,i . e .pr opos al sa r es ubmi t t e di na s i ngl es t ag e― i nt hef or m ofac ompl e t epr opos ala ppl i c at i on. St r uc t ur eo fapr o po s al Pr opos a l s ,wha t e v e rt hef or m oft heappl i c a t i on,ha vet oc ont ai nt wopar t s: 1Anadmi ni s t r at i vepar tt hatg i ve si nf or mat i ona boutt hepr opos ala ndt hepr opos e r s ,e . g. pr opos a lt i t l e ,pr opos e r sname sa nda ddr e s s e s ,abr i e fde s c r i pt i onoft hewor k,t ot alf undi ng r e que s t e d,br oke ndownbyt ypeofa c t i v i t y ,e t c . 2Thes e c ondpar tc ompr i s e st hes c i e nt i f i ca ndt e c hni c alc ont e ntofapr opos al .I ti nc l ude st he nat ur eoft hepr opos e dwor k,t hepar t i c i pa nt sa ndt he i rr ol e si nt hepr opos e dpr oj e c t ,t he r e as onsf orc a r r yi ngoutt hewor k,andt hee x pe c t e dbe ne f i t s . Par t1: Ad mi ni s t r at i vei nf or mat i on Ther e ade rsf i r s ti mpr e s s i oni sf or me dbyt het i t l epag ea ndove r al li mpr e s s i onf r om t hepr oj e c t pr opos al . Thet i t l epagei sv e r yi mpor t ant .I ts houl dc ont ai n: ・Pr opos a lf ul lt i t l eandac r onym,i fa ny . Thepr oj e c tt i t l ehast obeunde r s t a nda bl ee v e nt o t henons pe c i al i s ti nf i e l d. ・Li s tofpar t i c i pant s ,wi t hc oor di nat orf i r s t ,al ongwi t ht hec oor di nat i ngor g ani z at i onsna me , e mai la ndf ax. ・Pr oj e c tdur at i on: t hee s t i mat e ddur at i oni sus ua l l ypr ov i de di nf ul lmont hs . Es t i mat e ds t a r t ande nddat e . ・I /pr ni t i at i ve oj e c ts i t e . ・Be f i c i ar yc ount r y. ne ・Tot alc os toft hepr oj e c tandde s i r e dc ont r i but i onf r om t hef i na nc i ngor g ani z a t i on. I nc l udi ngat abl eo fc ont e nt s,i mme di at e l yf ol l owi ngt het i t l epag e ,make sr e adi nge as i e r . Thet abl eofc ont e nt ss houl dbede t a i l e d. Ap r o pos als ummar yi sopt i onal ,buthi g hl yr e c omme nde d. I ts houl dgi vet hef ul lt i t l eoft he pr opos al( andac r onym)a ndpr ovi deapr opos ala bs t r ac t . Thel a t t e rmus tbes uc c i nc ta nd pr ovi de ,atagl anc e ,ac l e arunde r s t andi ngoft heobj e c t i ve soft hepr oj e c tpr opos ala ndhow t he s eobj e c t i v e swi l lbeac hi e ve d. I ti ss t r ongl yr e c omme nde dt ous epl ai nl a ng uag e ,av oi di ng f or mul a eands pe c i alc har a c t e r s . Thepr opos als ummar yi sa l s ot hepl ac ewhe r et oi nc l udei nf or mat i ononpr e vi ous l ys ubmi t t e d s i mi l a rpr opos al sors i gne dc ont r a c t s .I foneors e ve r a loft hepa r t ne r sha vepr e v i ous l y s ubmi t t e dora r ei nt hepr oc e s sofs ubmi t t i ngt hes ameoras i mi l arpr opos alt oot he rf undi ng pr ogr amme s ,t hi si nf or mat i ons houl dbepr ovi de de i t he rhe r eorf ur t he ri nt hepr oj e c tpr opos al t e x t . Thi si st oav oi dpot e nt i alc onf l i c tofi nt e r e s t s . 10 8 Par t2: Pr oj ectd es cr i pt i on Thi si st hec or eoft hepr opos al ,t hemos ti mpor t antpa r t .I tha st oi nc l udet heba c kgr ound a ndj us t i f i c at i onoft hepr opos a l . Tobec l e a r e r ,i ti sr e c omme nde dt hatt hi spar tbedi vi de d i nt os e ve r als e c t i ons ,asf ol l ows: Backgr ound Par t ne r ss houl dpr ovi dei nf or mat i on,i nc l udi ngana s s e s s me ntoft hes i t ua t i ona ndwhys uc han i ni t i at i veorpr oj e c ti sne e de d. Whatc r i t i c a lde f i c i e nc yors hor t f a l lwoul dt hepr opos a l addr e s s ? Obj ect i ves Thi ss e c t i onhast oi ndi c at et hes t r at e g i cobj e c t i ve saddr e s s e d. I ft he r ei smor et hanone obj e c t i ve ,t he i ror de rofi mpor t anc ei nt hepr oj e c thast obei ndi c a t e d. Theobj e c t i ve ss houl dbes t at e di name as ur a bl eandv e r i f i a bl ef or m. I nl at e rr e vi e wsa nd as s e s s me nt s ,t hepr ogr e s soft hepr oj e c twor ki sme as ur e da gai ns tt he s egoa l s . Eval uat or swoul dl i ket os e eade s c r i pt i onoft hema nne ri nwhi c ht hepr opos e dpr oj e c ts obj e c t i ve sc ont r i but et ot hes c i e nt i f i c ,t e c hni c al ,s oc i ala ndpol i c yobj e c t i ve sofI TU i nt hea r e a s c onc e r ne d,aswe l la st heant i c i pat e dr e s ul t soft hepr oj e c t . I ti sofa dv ant a gei fpar t ne r sar eabl et ode s c r i bet hei mpa c toft hepr opos e dpr oj e c ti nt hea r e a c onc e r ne d. I mpl ement at i onpl an Thi ss e c t i onde s c r i be si nde t a i lt hewor kpl anne dt oa c hi e vet heobj e c t i v e soft hepr opos e d pr oj e c t . Ani nt r oduc t i ons houl de xpl ai nt hes t r uc t ur eoft hi swor kpl a nandhow t hepl anwi l ll e a dt he par t i c i pant st oac hi e vet heobj e c t i ve s .I ts houl dal s oi de nt i f ys i gni f i c a ntr i s ksa ndc ont i nge nc y pl ans . Thepl anmus tbebr oke ndownac c or di ngt ot ype sofa c t i v i t i e s . Wi t hi ne a c hac t i v i t yt hewor kpl ans houl dbebr oke ndownt ot as ks ,whi c hs houl df ol l ow t he l ogi c alphas e soft hepr oj e c t ,andi nc l udema na ge me ntoft hepr oj e c ta ndas s e s s me ntofpr og r e s s andr e s ul t s . Thepl a ns houl di nc l udeawor ks c he dul e ,s howi ngt het i mi ngoft hedi f f e r e nt t as ksa ndt he i rc ompone nt s( Gant tc har tors i mi l a r ) . Thi sgr aphi c alpr e s e nt at i onoft he c ompone nt shast os how t hei nt e r de pe nde nc i e sofdi f f e r e ntt as ks . Thenumbe roft as ksands ubt as ksmus tbeappr opr i at et ot hec ompl e xi t yoft hewor kandt he ov e r al lv al ueoft hepr opos e dpr oj e c t . Ea c ht as ks houl dbeamaj ors ubdi vi s i onoft he pr opos e dpr oj e c ta nds houl dal s ohaveave r i f i a bl ee ndpoi nt . Thepl a nni ngs houl dbe s uf f i c i e nt l yde t ai l e dt oj us t i f yt hepr opos e de f f or ta nda l l ow pr og r e s smoni t or i ng. Thi si sa l s ot hepl a c et oe xpl ai nwhe t he r( andwhy)ne wt e c hnol ogyorne w pr oc e s s e swi l lbe ut i l i z e d. I fas ummar ypage shasnotbe e npr ov i de d,t hi si st hepl ac et oe xpl a i nwhe t he r s i mi l ari ni t i at i ve shavebe e nde ve l ope da ndwhata c c ounti st ake nofot he rna t i onalor i nt e r nat i onalr e s e ar c hac t i vi t i e s ,andt odi s c us sa nyot he rr e l at e dpr oj e c t st hati nf l ue nc e dt he a ppr oac hf ort hi spr oj e c t .I fne c e s s a r y ,de s c r i bet hea dde dva l uet ha ti se xpe c t e df or mc a r r y i ng outt hewor katna t i onalori nt e r nat i ona ll e v e l . Par t ne r shavet obeve r ys pe c i f i cast owha tt hepr oj e c tpr opos a lwi l lde l i v e r . Thene xts e c t i on i sc l os e l yc onne c t e dwi t ht hede l i ve r abl e s . Thi si st hedi s s e mi nat i onpl a n. 10 9 Di s s emi nat i on Thee xpl oi t at i onand/ordi s s e mi nat i onpl ansha vet or e ve ala nde ns ur eanade qua t eand opt i malus eoft hepr oj e c tr e s ul t s ,whe r epos s i bl ebe y ondt hebe ne f i c i a r yr e gi on/c ount r y . Co s t Thi ss e c t i ongi ve sc os te s t i mat e sandpos s i bl es our c e soff undi ng . Par t ne r shavet os how t hat t heove r al lf i nanc i a lpl a nf ort hepr oj e c ti sade quat e . Ot heri s s ues I ft he r ear ee t hi c alorg e nde ri s s ue sa s s oc i a t e dwi t ht hes ubj e c toft hepr oj e c tpr opos a l ,t he y ha vet obet ake ni nt oac c ount .I ti sr e c omme nde dt oi ndi c at ewhi c hna t i ona la nd i nt e r nat i onalr e gul at i onsar eappl i c abl eande x pl a i nhow t he ywi l lber e s pe c t e d. Co ns or t i um andpr o j ectr es our ces Pr opos al smus tbepr e s e nt e dbyane xi s t i nguni t ,e i t he ri nde pe nde ntorf unc t i oni ngwi t hi na l oc a l l ye s t abl i s he dr e s e a r c hor gani z at i on,andpr e f e r a bl yha vi ngdi s t i nc tor ga ni z a t i ona la nd admi ni s t r at i veboundar i e s . Thi spa r ta i mst ode mons t r at ehow t hepr oj e c twi l lmobi l i s et he c r i t i c alma s sofr e s our c e s( pe r s onne l ,e qui pme nt ,f undi nge t c . )ne c e s s a r yf ors uc c e s s . Thec ons or t i um de s c r i pt i onhast oi nc l udet hef ol l owi ng. ―Of f i c i alname sofpar t i c i pantor gani z at i ons ,i nc l udi ngs hor tna me s ,i fa ny ,a ddr e s s e sand c ount r i e s . ―I nf or mat i ononac t i vi t yt y pe( i ndus t r i alor ga ni z at i on,e duc at i onort r a i ni ngor gani z a t i one t c . ) ofe ac hpar t ne r . ―Le gals t at us( gove r nme nt al ,i nt e r nat i ona le t c . ) . ―Br i e fde s c r i pt i onofac t i vi t i e sa nde xpe r t i s e . I naddi t i on,de t ai l e dde s c r i pt i onsoft her ol eofpa r t i c i pant s ,t he i rc ompl e me nt a r i t i e s ,a ndi n whatwa yt he yar es ui t e dandc ommi t t e dt ot het as ksa s s i g ne dt ot he m,mus tbei nc l ude d. Any unus ua ls t af f i ngr e qui r e me nt s ,s uc hasc ons ul t a nt sorout s i des pe c i a l i s t s ,hav et obei de nt i f i e d he r e . Pos s i bl epa r t ne r sa nddonora l s ohav et obei de nt i f i e d,ac c ompani e dbyane xpl a na t i on ofwhyt hec ons or t i um ne e dst he m. Management Thi ss e c t i ons houl di nc l udeade s c r i pt i onofhow t hepr oj e c twi l lbes t r uc t ur e da ndma nag e d,i . e .←字取り t heor gani z at i on,mana ge me nta ndde c i s i onma ki ngs t r uc t ur e soft hepr oj e c t ,t hepl a nf ort he あり mana ge me ntofknowl e dge ,i nt e l l e c t ualpr ope r t yandot he ra c t i v i t i e sar i s i ngi nt hepr oj e c t . De pe ndi ngont hes i z eands c opeofapr oj e c t ,as pe c i al l yc ons t i t ut e dmana ge me ntt e a m wi t h de di c at e ds t a f fc ov e r i ngar a ng eofs ki l l smayne e dt obes e tup. Cons or t i um manag e me ntma y i nc l udec oor di nat i onatt hec ons or t i um l e ve loft het e c hni c a lac t i vi t i e s ,knowl e dg emana ge me nt andot he ri nnovat i onr e l at e dac t i vi t i e soft hepr oj e c t; ov e r s e e i ngs c i e nc ea nds oc i e t yi s s ue s r e l at e dt ot her e s e ar c hac t i vi t i e sc onduc t e dwi t hi nt hepr oj e c t;ove r al ll e g al ,c ont r ac t ua l ,e t hi c a l , f i nanc i alandadmi ni s t r at i vemanage me ntoft hec ons or t i um;pr e par i ng ,upda t i ngandma na gi ng ac ons or t i um agr e e me ntbe t we e nt hepa r t i c i pant s ,i fandwhe nne c e s s a r y; e t c . Checkl i s tf orpr opos er s Be f or ema ki ngyours ubmi s s i on,yous houl dc he c kt hef ol l owi ng . ―Haveyoui nc l ude dal lma i nt opi c sa nds e c t i ons ? ―Doe se ac hpageoft hepr opos alhaveahe a de rs howi ngt hepr opos a lna me ? 11 0 ―Ar eal lpage snumbe r e d? ―I st hepr opos alpr e par e dasac ompl e t e ,s i ngl e s i de dpa pe rc opy( r e me mbe rt oke e pa s e l f )? c ompl e t ec opyf oryour ―Hast hec ompl e t es e tofpr opos aldoc ume nt sbe e npa c ka ge da ndc or r e c t l yaddr e s s e d? ―Doyouhaveal lt hene c e s s ar yaut hor i z at i onsf r om e ac hme mbe roft hec ons or t i um t os ubmi t t hi spr opos alont he i rbe hal f ? 11 1 / 6 Ho wt omakeat e l e med i c i ne e he al t hp r o j e c ts us t ai nab l e: Theexampl eofJapan31 I nt r oduct i on Wee xami nehe r et hec ur r e nts i t uat i onoft e l e me di c i nei nJ a pa n,e s pe c i a l l yt e l e home c a r e ,al ong wi t hac os t be ne f i ta nal ys i s .J apani snow l e a di ngt hewor l di nt hi sf i e l di nt e r msoft he numbe roft hes ys t e msi mpl e me nt e dbyl oc algove r nme nt sa ndt hemanuf ac t ur i ngofde v i c e s r e l at e dt ot e l e home c ar e . Bas e donf i e l dr e s e ar c hont hos es y s t e ms ,wepr e s e ntt he c ha r ac t e r i s t i c sa ndi s s ue soft heJ apane s et e l e home c a r es ys t e m. A.De f i ni t i ono ft e l e home c ar e Te l e home c ar ei mpl i e st heus eofe l e c t r oni cs i gna l st ot r a ns mi tme di c ali nf or mat i ononpa t i e nt s f r om r e mot ear e as . Thi si sar e al t i meandt wowa yi nt e r a c t i vet r ans mi s s i onofi nf or mat i onof l ar g ec apac i t y ,s uc hasi mage sanddat a . Te l e home c a r edi f f e r sf r om t e l e me di c i nei nt hes e ns e t hatpe r s onswhot r ans mi ta ndr e c e i veme di c a li nf or ma t i onar enotme di c a ldoc t or s ,butt he pat i e nt st he ms e l ve sa ndt he i rf ami l i e s ,nur s e s ,c a r e gi v e r s ,hous e hol dhe l pe r s ,me di c a lt e c hni c a l e xpe r t s ,ands oon. Wi t ht hec ur r e ntl e ve loft e c hnol ogy,t e l e home c a r ec annotpr ov i de adva nc e dme di c alt r e at me nta nds e r vi c e s ,andt hef oc usi sonpr i mar yc ar eandme nt alc ar e , s uc hasdi agnos i soft hepat i e ntathomebye xa mi ni ngt hei ma ge sonPC orTV s c r e e ns ,a nd obs e r vat i onofhe a l t hda t at r ans mi t t e dbyt hes y s t e m. Thet e l e home c ar es ys t e mi nus et odayi nJ a pa nc anbebr oadl yc at e g or i z e di nt ot hr e egr oups , i nt e r msofa i m,na t ur eofme di c ali nf or mat i on,e qui pme nt ,a ndt y peofne t wor k:( a) t e l e home c ar e;( b)t e l e he al t h;and( c )t y peofc ommuni t yhe al t ha ndwe l f a r emanag e me nt .I n t hef ol l owi ng,t he s ear ee xami ne donebyone . B.Te l e ho me c ar es y s t e m Thi ss ys t e ma i msa tpr ovi di ngt e l e home c a r e ,f ore x ampl e ,f orbe dr i dde npat i e nt sa ndpat i e nt s s t r i c ke nwi t ht e r mi naldi s e as e swhor e qui r eme di c alc ar e . Thec ha r ac t e r i s t i c soft hi ss ys t e m ar e t her e a l t i meandt wowa yi nt e r ac t i vet r a ns mi s s i onofmot i onpi c t ur e sv i av i de oc onf e r e nc e s y s t e msorv i de ophone s . Thi ss ys t e mi sc l as s i f i e di nt ot hr e es ubc at e gor i e sa c c or di ngt o ne t wor kt ype:( a)CATVBr oadc as t;( b)CATVLAN; a nd( c )I SDN. TheCATV ne t wor ki s ut i l i z e dby( a)a nd( b) ,andc ant r ans mi thi ghde f i ni t i onf i l m dat aat3 0c e l l spe rs e c ondus i ng ac ol ourdi gi t al( CCD)c ame r awi t h36 0 , 0 00e l e me nt s . Asf a ra st hes y s t e mi sc onc e r ne d,( a ) us e st hebr oadc as t i ngne t wor k,and( b)t heLAN ne t wor k. Ex i s t i nge x a mpl e soft heus eof( a ) i nc l udet hes ys t e msofGos hi kiTowni nHyogoPr e f e c t ur eandKa ma i s hiCi t yi nI wa t e Pr e f e c t ur e . For( b) ,t he r ei st hec ar e a t homes uppor ts y s t e mc a l l e d Ans hi nne t t o i n Mi nami Shi nanoVi l l agei nNaga noPr e f e c t ur e ,whi c hi st heonl ywor ki nge x a mpl eoft heLAN t ype . / TheI SDN t ypeoft e l e home c ar e( c )ut i l i z e sI SDN 6 4kbi t sa st hene t wor k,andi mag e i nf or mat i oni st r ans mi t t e dbyt hevi de ophones ys t e m. Thei ma gequa l i t yont hevi de ophone s c r e e ni s1 0t o2 5c e l l spe rs e c ond,andi si nf e r i ort ot ha toft heCATV t ype . Ont heot he r hand,I SDN of f e r se a s i e rc or r e s ponde nc e ,s uc hast hee x c ha ngeofme s s a g e sa mongpa t i e nt s , a ndf a mi l i e soft hepat i e nt sc ane xc hang ei nf or ma t i ont hr oughI SDN. Thi st y peofs y s t e mi s i nope r at i oni nt we nt yr e gi ons ,i nc l udi ngBe kka iTowni nHokka i do,Mog a miTowni n Yamagat aPr e f e c t ur e ,andMi t oyoRe gi oni nKa ga waPr e f e c t ur e . 3 1 @os Pr of .Ma s a t s ug uTs uj i ,Os a kaSc hoolofI nt e r na t i ona lPubl i cPol i c y ,e ma i l: t s uj i i pp. os a kau. j p 11 2 C.Te l e he al t ht ypes ys t e m Thet e l e he al t ht ypeandr e gi onalhe al t handwe l f ar emanag e me nts y s t e msdi f f e rf r om t he pr e vi oust e l e home c ar et ypei nt hatne i t he rus e si ma gei nf or mat i on. Thea i m oft hehe a l t h s ys t e mi snott ot r e att hepat i e ntsi l l ne s sbutt or out i ne l yobs e r v et hehe al t hc ondi t i onof e l de r l yr e s i de nt sorpat i e nt s ,f ori ns t anc ef ol l owi ngr e l e as ef r om hos pi t al . Thes ys t e mc ons i s t soft hef ol l owi ngde v i c e s . Fi r s t ,att hepat i e ntshome ,ac a me r a,PC,and r e mot emoni t or i nge qui pme nt( r e mot es e ns or ) ,ar ei ns t a l l e dt ome a s ur et e mpe r a t ur e ,bl ood pr e s s ur e ,pul s e ,he a r t be at ,e l e c t r oc ar di og r a m,a ndbl oodoxy ge n. Theme di c ali nf or mat i on obt ai ne dt hr ought he s ei ns t r ume nt si st r a ns mi t t e dt ome di c ali ns t i t ut i onss uc ha st hel oc al he a l t hc e nt r evi at het e l e c ommuni c a t i onsne t wor k,whi c hma ybepubl i ct e l e phonel i ne s ,l e a s e d c i r c ui t s ,I SDN,ort heCATV ne t wor k. Se ve r alhous e hol de l e c t r i cappl i anc ema nuf ac t ur e r ss uc hasPana s oni c ,NEC,Fuj i t s u,Sany o, Hi t ac hie t c .ha vebr oug htr e mot emoni t or i nge qui pme ntont hema r ke t ,andt hec ur r e ntpr i c ei s USD 2, 000t oUSD 3 , 000pe rs e t . Thi ss ys t e mi sas i mpl ede vi c e ,butwhe ni ti sus e d c ont i nuous l y ,t hec ondi t i onoft hei l l ne s ss uc ha sac hr oni cdi s e as ei ss howni ng r aphs ,whi c h a r et he nus e df ordi ag nos i sandc ons ul t a t i on. Thes ys t e mi sa l s oe f f e c t i v ef ore nc our a g i ng pat i e nt st ot akemor ei nt e r e s ti nt he i rhe al t hc ondi t i on. Someoft het e r mi na l sa r ee qui ppe d wi t has i mpl evoi c ef unc t i on,andt hedoc t orc a ne x ami net hec ondi t i onoft hepa t i e ntshe a l t h byt a l ki ngwi t ht hepat i e nt . Loc algove r nme nt sope r a t i ngahome c a r e t ypes ys t e m,a s me nt i one d,a l s ous et hi ss ys t e m. The r ea r es e v e nt y s i xl oc a lg ove r nme nt sac r os sJ a pa nwhi c h ope r at et het e l e he al t hs ys t e m,i nc l udi ngKi waTowni nMi ePr e f e c t ur e ,Ta damiTown,and Ni s hi Ai z uTowni nFukus hi maPr e f e c t ur e ,andMa nmokuVi l l agei nGunmaPr e f e c t ur e . The t ot alnumbe rofde vi c e sa mount st omor et ha n11, 00 0a sofMa r c h2 0 03 ,mor et hana ny whe r e e l s ei nt hewor l d. D.Re gi onalhe al t h and we l f ar emanag e me nts y s t e m Ther e gi onalc ommuni t yhe al t handwe l f ar emanag e me nts ys t e mi snotonl yai me datpr ovi di ng i nf or mat i onont hepat i e nt she a l t hc ondi t i on,butal s oa tpr ov i di ngc ompl e t ei nf or mat i on / r e gar di nghe a l t h/me di c alc ar e we l f ar es e r vi c e sbyma ki ngadat a bas eofr e s i de nt si nf or mat i on. Vi at hi sdat abas e ,i nf or mat i oni ss har e da mongl oc a lg ov e r nme ntde pa r t me nt swhi c hpr ovi de e a c hs e r vi c e . Ass oc i e t yage s ,i ti shi ghl yde s i r abl ef oral lki ndsofi nf or ma t i onr e l at e dt ot he e l de r l yt obec e nt r al i z e d,andal lme di c a li ns t i t ut i ons ,a dmi ni s t r a t i v ebodi e s ,andv ol unt e e r gr oupsi nt hec ommuni t yc a ns ha r et he s ei nf or mat i oni nor de rt oe ns ur et heade quat epr ov i s i on ofs e r vi c e s . Loc algove r nme nt sput t i ngt hi ss ys t e mt opr ac t i c alus ea r enotg r e a ti nnumbe r . Two e xampl e sa r eKawaiVi l l a gei nI wa t ePr e f e c t ur eandKa kog awaCi t yi nHy ogoPr e f e c t ur e .I n t hec as eoft he Yui t or iNe t wor kSys t e m ofKa waiVi l l a g e ,t hepubl i che al t hc e nt r e ,we l f ar e c e nt r ef ort heage d,KokuhoCl i ni c ,s pe c i alnur s i nghomef ort heag e d,s uppor t i ngc e nt r ef or home c ar e ,days e r vi c ec e nt r eandvi l l ageof f i c ea r el i nke dt og e t he rbyopt i c a lf i br ea ndLAN. / I ni t sda t a ba s e ,i nf or mat i ononme di c a lc a r e we l f a r ei sc apt ur e da nds ha r e dbyal lt hos e i nv ol v e di nt e l e home c ar e:doc t or s ,phys i ot he r a pi s t s ,publ i che al t hnur s e s ,di e t i c i ans ,l i f e s t y l e i ns t r uc t or s ,andot he rv i l l a ges t af f .I nKakog awaCi t y,mor et ha n1 60l oc a lme di c a l i ns t i t ut i onsar el i nke dbyt he Loc alHe a l t handMe di c alCar eI nf or ma t i onSys t e m, whi c hi sa / 64kbi tsI SDN ne t wor k,a ndt heme di c ali nf or mat i onwhi c hha sbe e ne nt e r e dbydoc t or si s s har e dbyt hos ewhoar ee ng a ge di nl oc a lme di c a la c t i vi t i e s .I nt hi swa y ,t hes y s t e m ai mst o pr e ve ntr e dundantme di c ale xami na t i on,a ndr e dundantme di c at i on,ands t r i ve sf oramor e e f f i c i e ntme t hodofpr ovi di ngme di c alc ar et ot hec ommuni t y . 11 3 E.Ef f e c t i v e ne s so ft het e l e he al t hs ys t e m Wec onduc t e daf i e l ds ur ve yamongus e r sofat e l e he a l t hs y s t e mi nNa nmokuVi l l a ge ,Ka ma s hi Ci t y ,a ndKat s ur aVi l l a ge ,a ndobt a i ne dt hef ol l owi ngr e s ul t sr e g ar di ngt hee f f e c t soft e l e he a l t h s ys t e ms:( a)s t abi l i z i ngt hec ondi t i onofdi s e a s e s; ( b)r ai s i nghe al t hc ons c i ous ne s s;( c ) de c r e as i nganxi e t yabouthe a l t h; and( d)de c r e a s i ngme di c a le x pe ndi t ur e s . He a l t hdat as e ntt o t heme di c ali ns t i t ut i oni ss i mpl e ,butbas i c . Bye x ami ni ngt heme di c a lda t ae ac hda y ,me di c a l s t a f fa r ea bl et or e c ogni z ec hange si nhe al t hc ondi t i on,andgi vea dvi c et ot heus e r s . By r e adi ngt he i rdat ar e c or ds ,us e r sar emot i v at e dt opar t i c i pa t emor ea c t i ve l yi ni mpr ov i ngt he i r he al t h. Us e r sc anc ommuni c at ewi t hme di c a ls t a f fv i at hes ys t e m2 4hour spe rday ,whi c h de c r e as e st he i rf e e l i ngsofanxi e t y . Ac c or di ngt ot her e pl i e st oourque s t i onnai r e s ,a bout2 0 pe r c e ntoft heus e r sc l ai mt he i rme di c ale x pe ndi t ur e sde c l i ne daf t e rt he ybe g ant ous et he t e l e he al t hs y s t e m. Thi si sar at he rs ur pr i s i ngr e s ul t ,a ndwehav et ov e r i f yt hi shypot he s i sby ot he rme t hodsofr e s e ar c h. Re gar di ngt heas s e s s me ntbyus e r si nours ur ve y,i nt hr e er e gi onsmor et ha nni ne t ype r c e ntof us e r sr e c ogni z e dt hes ys t e m asus e f ul ,a ndwa nt e dt oc ont i nuet ous ei t . Mor et hant wot hi r ds ofus e r swe r es at i s f i e dwi t ht hef unc t i oni ngoft hede v i c eands ai dt hatt he r ewa snot hi ngt o i mpr ov e . Mos toft heus e r sa r ee l de r l y,andt he i ri ndi c a t i onwast hati twa se as yt ol e a r nhow t oope r at ede v i c e s .I ns um,wec a nc onc l udet hatt het hr e es ys t e mss ur v e ye dar eac c e pt e dby us e r s . F.Co mpar i s o no ft het e l e he al t hs ys t e ms Asme nt i one de ar l i e r ,J apane s ehous e hol de l e c t r i cappl i anc ema nuf a c t ur e r ss uc hasPa nas oni c , NEC,Fuj i t s u,Sanyoe t c . ar es e l l i ngr e mot emoni t or i ng,andmor et han8 , 10 0ha v ebe e nus e d. Themos tpopul ari sUr ar a,i nv e nt e dandma nuf ac t ur e dbyNas ac or por at i on. I nKa mai s hi Ci t y ,Ur ar awa sa dopt e d. Ur ar ai sde s i gne df ors i mpl ef unc t i ons ,andt he r e f or er at he r i ne x pe ns i v e . Ot he rmoni t or i ngt e r mi na l sa r emanuf a c t ur e dbywe l l e s t a bl i s he dc ompani e s: Sanyos e l l sMe di c om ,whi l eNEC of f e r sSuko y akaMat e. The s ear emul t i f unc t i onuni t s , a nds i nc et hepl at f or mi saPC,f unc t i onss uc hast r a ns mi t t i ngi ma geandvoi c eda t aar ee a s i l y at t ac he d. Ont heot he rhand,t he yt e ndt obee xpe ns i v e . Cur r e nt l y,l oc alg ove r nme nt ss e e m t obeat t r ac t e dt oUr ar aduet oi t sl ow pr i c e . Wi t ht hede v e l opme ntofI nt e r ne tt e c hnol ogy , howe ve r ,t e l e phonyore ve nvi de ophones ys t e mswi l lbe c omeav ai l abl es oon. Att hatt i me ,t he t e l e he al t hs ys t e m wi l lna t ur al l ye xpandt oi nc l udef unc t i ons . G.Supp l e me nt ar yp r og r am t oi nc r e as ec o mpl i anc e Thei mpor t anti s s uer e g ar di ngt heJ apa ne s et e l e he a l t hs ys t e mi st ha tt heus a georc ompl i a nc e r at ei squi t el ow i ns omel oc algov e r nme nt s . Mos tl oc alg ove r nme nt spr ovi det hede v i c e wi t houta nyc os tt ot hee l de r l yi nt her e g i on,andt he ydonotc har g eanyf e e . Thi sme anst ha t t he r ei sl e s si nc e nt i v et ot akehe al t hda t ame as ur e me nt s . Kamai s hiCi t y,ont heot he rhand, c ha r g e sa boutUSD 2 5pe rf ami l y,andc ompl i anc eha sbe e nqui t ehi gh. 26 %oft heus e r s r e c or dt he i rdat ae ve r yday,and29. 1%atl e as tonc eawe e k. Ther e as onsa r e:( a)t hes y s t e mi s ope r at e dbyame di c alhos pi t al ,and( 2 )t heus e r sa s s oc i a t i on. Mos toft hes y s t e msofl oc al g ove r nme nt sa r eope r at e dbypubl i cnur s e s ,andnotbyme di c aldoc t or s . Thepar t i c i pa t i onof me di c aldoc t or saddst ot hec onf i de nc eoft heus e r s . Thel a t t e ri mpl i e st hatt heas s oc i a t i on r e gul ar l ypr ov i de sme e t i ngsa ndc onf e r e nc e sonhe a l t h,a ndt hi she l pst opr omot ehe a l t h c ons c i ous ne s s . The s eki ndsofs c he me sa r eve r yus e f ult oi nc r e as ec ompl i a nc e . 11 4 I I . Es t i mat i onmet hod A.Co nt i nge ntVal uat i on Me t hod(CVM) ・I nor de rt ome as ur et hebe ne f i t sofs e r vi c e swhi c har enott r a de dont hema r ke t ,t he f ol l owi ngme t hodsa r eut i l i z e di nt hi sf i e l d:( a)t r ave lc os tme t hod:( b)r e pl ac e me ntc os t s me t hod;( c )he doni cappr oac h;and( d)CVM. I nwhatf ol l ows ,weus eCVM,whi c hha s be e nr e c e nt l ywi de l yadopt e di nt hef i e l dsofHe a l t hEc onomi c sa ndEnv i r onme nt a l Ec onomi c s .I nCVM,t hebe ne f i t st ous e r sa r eme a s ur e di nt e r msofWTP,whi c hi st he mone t ar yamountwhi c hus e r sa r ewi l l i ngt opa yf orr e c e i vi ngt hes e r v i c e . Byas ki ngt he WTPofe ac hus e r ,wec ant he nc ons t r uc tt hes ur r og at ede mandf unc t i onf ort het e l e he a l t h s y s t e m. Al t houg hCVM a ndWTPha v eas t r ongt he or e t i c albas i s ,CVM t e ndst ohav ea bi asbe c aus ei ta s ksf orc onc r e t ev al ua t i onandc hoi c eunde rf i c t i t i ousc i r c ums t anc e s . Ca r e s houl dbet ake nt oc l ar i f ywhatki ndofbi a si tpos s e s s e sa ndt or e movet he m. B.Que s t i o nnai r e ・Wec onduc t e ds ur ve ysi nKamai s hiCi t yi nOc t obe r2 00 0 ,Ka t s ur aoVi l l a g ei nFe br ua r y 2001,Ni s hi ai z uTowni nJ ul y2 001,a ndSa ng awaTowni nJ a nua r y20 0 2. I nt hec a s eof Kama i s hiCi t y,wei nt e r v i e we d348us e r soft het e l e he a l t hs ys t e m,a nda s ke dque s t i ons pe r t ai ni ngt ot hef ol l owi ng: ( a )WTP;( b)e f f e c t i ve ne s s;( c )f r e que nc yofus a ge;and( d)us e r pr ope r t i e ss uc ha sa g e ,g e nde r ,i nc ome ,e duc a t i on,andhe al t hc ondi t i on. Theque s t i onna i r e r e l at e dt oWTPi sasf ol l ows:Webe g i nbyas ki ngwhe t he rt he ywoul dbewi l l i ngt opa y mont hl yc ha r g e sof5 , 500ye n( USD 4 5) .I ft he i ra ns we ri s ye s , wet he na s kwhe t he rt he y woul dbewi l l i ngt opay7, 500ye n( USD 6 2. 5 ) .I ft he yr e pl y ye s ag ai nt o7, 5 00y e n,t he i r WTPi s7 , 5 00ye n. I f no, t he nwel owe rt heamountt o6 , 5 0 0ye n( USD 5 4. 1 7 ) .I ft he y r e pl y ye st o6, 50 0ye n,t he nt hati st he i rWTP. I fa g a i nt he i ra ns we ri s no, wel owe r t heamountf ur t he rt o5, 5 00ye n. Wer e pe a tt hi spr oc e s sunt i lt he i rWTPi sde t e r mi ne d. Outofat ot alof3 4 8r e pl i e s ,29 1ha dnomi s s i ngval ue . Thedi s t r i but i onofWTPf r om t he s ur v e yi sa sf ol l ows:1 0, 0 00ye n( 16us e r s ) ,8 , 000ye n( 1) ,7, 5 0 0ye n( 1 2) ,6, 5 0 0ye n( 11 ) , 5, 50 0ye n( 62 ) ,4 , 5 00ye n( 8) ,3, 5 0 0ye n( 6 9) ,and2 , 5 0 0ye n( 1 12) . Thedi s t r i but i onof r e pl i e si ss howni nTabl eI I a. Thos eofot he rr e gi onsa r es howni nTa bl e sI I b,I I c ,a ndI I d. C.Es t i mat i ono f de mandf unc t i onand WT Ba s e dont hea bov eWTPofe ac hus e r ,wee s t i mat et hede ma ndf unc t i onoft hes y s t e m;mor e pr e c i s e l y,wee s t i ma t et hepr oba bi l i t yofac c e pt a nc et oa mount sque s t i one da ndt henumbe rof us e r swhowi l la gr e et opay. Thef unc t i ona lf or m ofde ma ndt obee s t i mat e di sa s s ume dt obe l ogi s t i c ,name l y, =1 +e Pr obabi l i t yofacce pt ance 1/( 1 xp( αβl o gWTP) ) . ・Thepr obabi l i t yofa c c e pt anc ei st her at i ooft henumbe rofus e r swhor e pl yt hatt he yar e wi l l i ngt ous et hede vi c eatt heamountofc har g e spr ov i de di nt heque s t i ons . Thee s t i ma t e d Tabl eI Bas i cc ompar i s onoft hef ours ys t e ms 11 5 Tabl eI I a Di s t r i but i onofr e pl i e s( Ka ma i s hiCi t y ) Tabl eI I b Di s t r i but i onofr e pl i e s( Ni s hi a i z uTown) I c Di s t r i but i onofr e pl i e s( Kat s ur a oVi l l ag e ) Tabl eI Tabl eI I d Di s t r i but i onofr e pl i e s( Sang awaTown) Tabl eI I I Re s ul t sofe s t i ma t i on( Ka ma i s hiCi t y ) c oe f f i c i e nt sα andβar es umma r i z e di nTabl eI I I . ・Thee s t i mat e dde mandf unc t i onf orKa mai s hist e l e he al t hs y s t e mi ss howni nFi g. 1 . The a ve r ag eWTPi sc a l c ul at e dast hea r e aunde rt hi sde mandf unc t i on,whi c hr e s ul t si n4, 5 1 9 y e n( a ppr ox i mat e l yUSD 37)pe rus e rpe rmont h. Thede ma ndf unc t i onsofot he rr e gi ons havet hes amef or m. I ns um,t heWTPofKa mai s hi ,Ni s hi ai z u,Kat s ur a o,a ndSa nga waar e4, 5 1 9ye n,3 , 17 7ye n, 1 , 64 0ye n,a nd2, 955ye n,r e s pe c t i ve l y. I I I . Co s t b enef i tanal ys i s A.To t albenef i t s I nt hec os t be ne f i ta nal ys i s ,t ot albe ne f i t sa ndc os t sa r ec ompar e dov e rape r i odofs e ve r a ly e a r s . I nt hi spape r ,t het i mes pani sa s s ume dt obes i xye a r s ,s i nc eal lde vi c epa r t sa r ehe l das i nve nt or yf ors i xye ar s . TheWTPobt ai ne dabovei spe rus e ra ndmont h,a ndi ti smul t i pl i e d 11 6 Fi g . 1 Es t i mat e dde ma ndf unc t i onofKa mai s hiCi t y byt henumbe rofus e r sa nd12mont hs . Att het i meoft hes ur ve y( Oc t obe r200 0) ,34 8us e r s we r er e gi s t e r e d. One ye arbe ne f i t st ot ala ppr ox i mat e l y1 8, 8 7 1, 3 4 4ye n( USD 15 7 , 26 1 ) .I n or de rt oobt ai ns i xye ar swor t hofbe ne f i t s ,wec al c ul a t et hepr e s e ntv a l ueofs i xye ar sbe ne f i t s wi t ha4%di s c ountr at e ,andweas s umet hatt henumbe rofr e g i s t e r e dus e r sr e mai nsa tt hes ame l e v e lf ors i xye ar s . Thi sr e s ul t si ns i xye a r sbe ne f i t st ot al l i ng95, 7 8 2, 8 6 9y e n( USD 7 9 8 , 18 2 ) . I nt hes amewa y,t ot albe ne f i t sf ort heot he rt hr e ear eal s oc a l c ul a t e d,ass howni nTa bl eI V. B.Tot alc os t s Thec os toft hes ys t e mc ove r se qui pme nt ,s a l a r i e sandwag e sofdoc t or sa ndnur s e s ,andot he r mi s c e l l a ne ousc os t swhi c hi nc l udemai nt e na nc e . Thec os tofhos tc omput e r sa tt hehos pi t a li s about1, 70 0, 00 0ye n( USD 1 4, 1 66 )whi c hi nc l ude si ns t al me ntf e e s ,a tt hec os tof25 0, 0 00ye n ( USD 2 , 08 3)pe rde vi c e . Thet ot a lc os tof2 00de vi c e si sabout3 7, 6 00, 0 0 0ye n( USD 31 3, 3 3 3 ) . De ve l opme ntofs of t wa r epr i ort oi ns t al me ntc os t4 , 0 00 , 0 0 0ye n( USD 33 , 3 33 ) ,whi c hi sa l s o c ons i de r e dpar toft hei ni t i alc os t s . Weas s umet hat1 0 %oft heval ueofe qui pme ntc a nbe c ons i de r e di t sr e s i dualv al ueaf t e rs i xye a r sofope r a t i on;t he r e f or e9 0%oft hev a l ueof e qui pme nti si nc l ude di nt hec os t s ,whi c hamount st o38 , 97 0, 00 0y e n( USD 3 2 4, 75 0) . Thi si s pai df orwi t haone t i mepayme nta tt hebe g i nni ng . Fors al ar i e sa ndwage s ,apar t t i medoc t ori spai da bout1, 728 , 00 0ye n( USD 1 4, 40 0 )pe rye ar , af ul l t i menur s ei spai dabout5 , 040, 00 0ye n( USD 4 2, 00 0) ,a ndonepar t t i mewor ke rr e c e i v e s a bout1 , 80 0, 0 00ye n( USD 1 5 , 0 00) . Thedoc t orandpa r t t i mewor ke rs pe ndha l foft he i r wor ki nghour sont hi ss y s t e m. Thus ,t ot alye a r l ys a l ar i e sa r e8, 5 6 8, 0 0 0ye n( USD 7 1, 40 0) . Ot he rmai nt e nanc ec os t s( pr i nt i ngandpos t a ge )ar eabout1 , 8 51 , 600ye n( USD 1 5, 4 3 0)pe ry e a r . Asme nt i one de ar l i e r ,t he r ear enot e l e c ommuni c a t i onsc ha r g e s . Thus ,t ot a la nnua l ope r a t i onalc os t sa r eabout1 0, 4 19 , 600ye n( USD 8 6, 83 0) . Ac c or di ngt ot hi sc al c ul a t i onofs i x y e ar sope r at i onalc os t sa swe l la st hos eofe qui pme ntwi t ha4%di s c ountr a t e ,t hec os t soft he t e l e he al t hs ys t e mi nKamai s hiCi t yt ot a l95, 7 82 , 8 69ye n( USD 7 89, 1 90) . Thet ot alc os t sof ot he rr e g i onsa r es ummar i z e di nTabl eV. 11 7 C.B/C Rat i o Fr om t heabovec al c ul at i on,t heB/C r a t i oove rt hes i x ye arpe r i odi s1. 0 7,t ha ti s ,be ne f i t s e x c e e dc os t s . Thi si sar at he rs ur pr i s i ngr e s ul t ,be c aus eal lot he rl oc a lg ove r nme nt swhe r ef i e l d r e s e a r c hwasc onduc t e ds how r at i osl e s st ha n1 .TheB/ Cr at i obe i ngl ar g e rt ha n1doe snot ne c e s s ar i l yi ndi c at et hatt heme di c alc or por at i on,Rakuz ankai ,e ar nsapos i t i vepr of i t . Si nc e i t sr e v e nue sc ons i s tofus e rc har ge sof2 , 5 00ye n,t hi sa mounti ss mal l e rt hant ha tofWTP; mor epr e c i s e l y,211pe r i phe r alde v i c e sa r ebe i ngl e as e d,and2 , 5 00ye ni sbe i ngc har ge dpe r f a mi l yofupt of ourus e r s . Themont hl yr e ve nuef r om r e nt a lde vi c e st hust ot al s5 27, 5 00ye n ( USD 4 , 396) ,wi t hanannualr e ve nueof6 , 33 0, 0 00ye n( USD 5 2, 7 50 ) . Ont heot he rha nd, a nnualope r at i onalc os t sa sobt a i ne di nt hepr e v i ouss ubs e c t i ona r eappr oxi mat e l y10, 4 19 , 6 0 0 ye n( USD 8 6, 8 30 ) . Thus ,r e ve nue sa r ef a rl e s st hanope r at i onalc os t s . Thoug hRakuz ankai i sl os i ngmone ybyi t sope r at i on,l os s e sa r ec ov e r e dbyot he rhos pi t ali nc ome . B/C r at i osof ot he rr e gi onsa r es howni nTabl eV. D.B/C Rat i of orl ocalg over nment s I ft het e l e he al t hs ys t e m ofKa mai s hiCi t ywe r et obec ons i de r e dasapr i va t ebus i ne s s ,i t spr of i t s woul dbene gat i ve;howe ve r ,asapubl i cpr oj e c t ,i tc r e at e smor ebe ne f i t st os oc i e t yt ha nc os t s . Fort heot he rt hr e el oc alg ove r nme nt s ,t hec os t sar el ar ge rt hanbe ne f i t s . The nwhydot he y i mpl e me nts uc hpr oj e c t s ? Thi si sac ommonque s t i ont oal ll oc alg ove r nme nt si nJ apa n. Le t usc ons i de rt hevi e wpoi ntofl oc algove r nme nt sf ort hi sa ns we r . Mos tt e l e he a l t hs y s t e msi n J apanar es uppor t e dbyt hec e nt r alg ov e r nme nt ,t hati s ,i tpr ovi de ss ubs i di e st ol oc al gove r nme nt si nt heamountoft hec os toft hee qui pme nt . Fora l lot he rl oc alg ove r nme nt s ,e xc l udi ngKamai s hiCi t y,t heB/C r at i oi ss ma l l e rt ha n1 . Thi sdi f f e r e nc ei sduet ot hec os tofe qui pme nt;Kat s ur a oVi l l ag epur c has e dr a t he r s ophi s t i c a t e dande x pe ns i vede vi c e sc apa bl eoft r ans mi t t i ngmot i onpi c t ur e s . Ni s hi ai z ua nd Sanga war e c e i v e ds ubs i di e sf r om di f f e r e ntmi ni s t r i e satdi f f e r e ntt i me s ,a nds i nc et he s ede v i c e s c annotbeut i l i z e dasas i ngl es ys t e m,i twa sne c e s s a r yt oi ns t a l ldi f f e r e ntki ndsofe qui pme nt f ore ac hs ys t e m. Kamai s hiCi t ypur c has e dde v i c e satt hel owe s tpr i c eandt hi smai nl y c ont r i but e st oi t sB/C r at i obe i ngt hehi g he s t . Thus ,l oc a lg ov e r nme nt sne e donl yt oc ov e r ope r at i ngc os t ss uc ha ss a l ar i e sa ndwag e s ,andmai nt e na nc ec os t s . TheB/ Cr a t i os * * r e c al c ul at e di nt hi swayar ede not e dby( B/ C) i nTabl eV.Al l( B/C) be c omel a r ge rt ha n1, andt hi si st heans we rt ot heaboveque s t i onf orl oc alg ov e r nme nt s ,s uc hpr oj e c t sc r e a t emor e be ne f i t st hanc os t s . I V. Cos t s har i ngamongpar t i es A.Decompos i t i onofWTP i nt oe f f ect s Thepr e vi ousr e s ul ts howst hatWTPi nKama i s hii s4 , 51 9ye n. He r e ,wede c ompos et hi sWTP i nt ot hee f f e c t soft het e l e he al t hs ys t e m,andc a l c ul at ewhobe ar st hec os t soft het e l e he al t h s ys t e me xa mi ne di nt hepr e v i ouss e c t i on,andt owhate xt e nt . I nt hes ur ve yofus e r s ,weas ke dwhe t he rt hes ys t e m pr ovi de df oure f f e c t s: ( a )l e s sa nx i e t yi n day t odayl i f e ,( b)s t abi l i z at i onofi l l ne s s ,( c )e nha nc e me ntofhe a l t hc ons c i ous ne s s ,and( d) de c r e a s ei nme di c ale x pe ns e s . Wer e gr e s s e dt heus e r ss t a t e dWTPont he i rr e pl i e s . Thus ,we e s t i ma t e dt hef ol l owi nge quat i on: +bx +c +e 1 2 3+d 4 x x , W=ax 1, 2, whe r ea,b,c ,anddar ec oe f f i c i e nt st obee s t i mat e d,x x x3,a ndx4ar edummyv ar i a bl e s whi c ht a ke1i ft he i rr e pl i e sa r e ye sa nd0i ft he yar e no, andei sa ne r r ort e r m. The r e s ul t sa r es howni nTabl eVI . 11 8 Tabl eI V Compa r i s onofbe ne f i t s( Uni t: Ye n) Tabl eV Compar i s onofc os ta ndB/C r at i o Bas e dont heabovee s t i ma t i on,t hee xt e ntt owhi c he ac he f f e c tha dmone t ar yval uewa s c al c ul at e d,t hati s ,how t heWTPde c ompos e si nt ot he s ef ourc ompone nt s . Thepva l ueof de c r e as ei nme di c ale xpe ns e s wasnots i g ni f i c a nt ,s ot hi sc ompone ntwa si gnor e d. The r e s ul t sa r es ummar i z e di nTa bl eVI I . Ther e s ul t soff ourr e gi onsa r es ummar i z e di nTabl e VI I I . B.Exactamounto fr e i mbur s e ment ・Thee f f e c t sofe nhanc e me ntofhe al t hc ons c i ous ne s sandl e s sanxi e t yi nday t oda yl i f e l ve s ,s i nc et he ye nr i c ht he i rpe r s onall i f e . Ont heot he rha nd, c ont r i but et ot heus e r st he ms e i naddi t i ont ot hi s ,s t abi l i z at i onofi l l ne s shasa not he re f f e c t ,s i nc ei ti she l pf ult os oc i e t yby me a nsofde c r e as e dme di c ale xpe ndi t ur e s ,l e s sme di c a lr e s our c e se t c . Thati s ,i ta l s ohasan e x t e r nale f f e c t . Thi sar gume nts ugge s t swhobe ar st hec os toft het e l e he a l t hs y s t e m. I ft he e f f e c tbe ne f i t si ndi v i dualus e r s ,t he nt he yar ewi l l i ngt opa yt hata mount . Ont heot he r hand,i fi tbe ne f i t st hee nt i r es oc i e t y,t he ni ts houl dbe a rt ha ta mount . Ac c or di ngt ot he abovef i gur e s ,i nKamai s hiCi t yi ndi v i dua lus e r sbe ar2 , 7 63ye ni nc os t ,whi l es oc i e t ypay s 34 9y e nasr e i mbur s e me nt .I nNi s hi ai z u,r e i mbur s e me nti s4 39ye n. Sur pr i s i ng l y ,t he amountof2 , 763ye nobt a i ne dhe r ei sv e r yc l os et ot hea mountof2 , 50 0ye nc har g e dby Kama i s hiCi t y. Tabl eVI Es t i mat e dc ompone nt s( KAMAI SHICI TY,N=28 8 ) 11 9 Tabl eVI I De c ompos i t i onofWTPi nt of oure f f e c t s( Kamai s hiCi t y ) Tabl eVI I I a Br e akdown( Ni s hi ai z u) Tabl eVI I I b Br e a kdown( KATSURAO) Tabl eVI I I c De c ompos i t i on( Sa ng awa) V. Co ncl us i on Sof ar ,weha vec onduc t e ds ur ve ysoff ourl oc a lgove r nme nt s . Ex c e ptf orKama i s hiCi t y,t he i r B/C r at i osar eappr ox i ma t e l y0. 5 ,t hati s ,be ne f i t sc ov e ronl yhal foft hec os t s .I na ddi t i on, r e gar di ngt hef r e que nc yofus ageoft hede v i c e ,Kama i s hiCi t yal s ohasamuc hhi g he rr at i o t hant heot he rl oc algove r nme nt s . Thus ,Ka mai s hiCi t yr e v e al squi t es pe c i f i cc har a c t e r i s t i c s . Thi si sduet ot he i re f f or t st opr omot eus age ,s uc ha saus e r sa s s oc i at i onwhi c hor g ani z e s e ve nt st oe nhanc ec ons c i ous ne s st owa r dshe a l t h,a ndt hepa r t i c i pat i onbyme di c a ldoc t or si n t hi ss ys t e m,whi c hi nc r e as e st heus e r sr e l i anc eont hes ys t e m. I ti sc l e arf r om ourpr e vi ouss t udi e st hatt het e l e he a l t hs y s t e mi sus e f ulf orc ons ul t a t i ona nd mai nt ai ni ngt hegoodhe al t hoft hee l de r l yandpa t i e nt ss uf f e r i ngf r om c hr oni cdi s e a s e swhoar e i ns t abl ec ondi t i on,butl e s ss of orc ur i ngdi s e a s e .I tt he r e f or eha saps yc hol og i c a le f f e c ts uc h aspr ovi di ngas e ns eofr e l i e ft oi t sus e r sduet ot heknowl e dgeofbe i ngmoni t or e dbya 12 0 me di c ali ns t i t ut i on24hour saday. Thi sma ke si tdi f f i c ul tt oe s t i mat ei t sbe ne f i t si nc onc r e t e t e r ms . Wear eonl ya bl et opr ovi dec onc r e t ea mount st ot hi se f f e c ti nt hi spape r . Todat e ,J apa ne s el oc alg ove r nme nt si mpl e me nt i ngt hi ss y s t e m ha v enotc har ge danyf e e ,e xc e pt f orKama i s hiCi t y. The ya l lr e c e i ves ubs i di e sf r om t hec e nt r a lg ov e r nme nt . Ka mai s hiCi t y , f ore xa mpl e ,r e c e i v e ss ubs i di e sf r om t heMi ni s t r yofWe l f ar et hr oughc ol l a bor at i oni nt woofi t s pr oj e c t s-Spe c i alPr oj e c tf orPr omot i ngRe g i ona lHe al t h,andPi l otPr oj e c tf orPr omot i ng Te l e me di c i ne . Kat s ur a oVi l l ager e c e i v e ds ubs i di e sf r om t heMi ni s t r yofWe l f a r ea ndMi ni s t r y ofAg r i c ul t ur e ,Ni s hi a i z uf r om t heMi ni s t r yofWe l f ar e ,La ndPl anni ngAg e nc y ,andt he Mi ni s t r yofAg r i c ul t ur e ,andSangawaf r om t heMi ni s t r yofWe l f a r eandMi ni s t r yof Agr i c ul t ur e . Duet ot heunf avour abl ebudge ts i t ua t i oni nJ apa n,howe ve r ,l oc alg ov e r nme nt s c annol onge rr e l yons uc hs ubs i di e s . Fors us t a i nabi l i t yoft het e l e he al t hs y s t e mf r om a f i nanc i alpoi ntofv i e w,ane wf r a me wor ki sr e qui r e d. Re i mbur s e me ntus i ngme di c a li ns ur anc e i sonepos s i bi l i t y. I nor de rf ors uc hr e i mbur s e me ntt ober e a l i z e d,anal ys e ss uc hast he c os t be ne f i ta nal ys i sc ar r i e douti nt hi spape rpr ovi de sat he or e t i c a lf ounda t i on. Re g ar di ngt heme t hodol og yoft heanal ys i s ,i nt hi spa pe rwes e l e c t e df ourr e g i ons ,a ppl i e d CVM t oe a c ht e l e he a l t hs y s t e m,a ndmadeac ompa r i s onoft her e s ul t s . Thi si s ,howe v e r ,i s nott hemos ta ppr opr i at eme t hod. I ti sne c e s s a r yt opoolt heda t aoft hef ourr e g i ons ,a nd t he npr oc e e dwi t ht heanal ys i s . Thi si sas e par a t et a s kf ort hef ut ur e . Re f e r e nc es [1]M.Ts uj i ,S.Mi ya ha r a,andF.Ta oka , AnEs t i mat i onofEc onomi cEf f e c t sofTe l e home c ar e:Hos pi t a l Cos t Sa v i ng soft heEl de r l y ,i nMe di nf o2 001,Pa t e l ,V.L. ,R.Roge r s ,a ndR.Ha ux ,e ds . ,London: I OSPr e s s , -3 2 00 1 ,pp. 8 2 5 3 . /t [2]M.Ts c a r e e l e he a l t hSy s t e mi nJ a pa n, Bus i ne s sBr i e f i ng:Gl ob ale he al t h,pp. 7 26 , uj i , TheTe l e home London,J an.2 0 02 [3]M.Ts ,F.Ta oka ,K.Ka mat a ,H.Ohs a ka ,a ndT.Te s hi ma , AnEmpi r i c a lAna l y s i soft he uj i ,W.Suz uki As s e s s me ntoft heTe l e home c a r eSy s t e m andBur de nofCos t s: Ba s e donaSur v e yonKama i s hiCi t y( i n J a pa ne s e ) ,J ap anJ o ur nalo f Me di c alI nf or mat i c s ,Vol . 2 2 ,No. 1 ,pp. 7 68 9,Apr i l2 0 02 . [4]M.Ts uj i ,W.Suz uki ,a ndF.Ta oka , Home Me di c al Car ea ndI T: Fort heFut ur eDi f f us i onoft heTe l e he al t h s e ) ,Japane s eJo ur nalof Canc e rChe mo t he r apy,Vol . 2 9 ,No. 3,pp. 439 4 2,De c e mbe r2 002 . Sy s t e m ( i nJ apane [5]M.Ts , AnEmpi r i c alAnal ys i sofaTe l e he al t hSy s t e mi nt e r m ofCos t s ha r i ng , uj i ,W.Suz uki ,a ndF.Ta oka , .1 ,pp. 41 43 ,20 0 3 J our nalof Te l e me di c i neand Te l e c ar e,Vol . 9 ,Suppl [6]M.Ts uj i ,andW.Suz uki , AnAppl i c a t i onofCVM f orAs s e s s i ngt heTe l e he a l t hSys t e m:AnAnal ys i soft he Di s c r e pa nc ybe t we e nWTPandWTA Bas e donSur v e yDa t a, J a panCe nt r ef orEc onomi cRe s e a r c hDi s c us s i on Pa pe rNo. 6 9,Toky o,Se pt e mbe r2 00 1 . 12 1 PART 2 CASE REPORT 1 Bang l ad e s h32 I nt r oduct i on Theadve ntofmode r nc ommuni c at i ont e c hnol ogyha sunl e as he dane w wa veofoppor t uni t i e s andt hr e at st ot hede l i ve r yofhe al t hs e r v i c e s . Te l e me di c i ne ,abr oadumbr e l l at e r mf or de l i ve r yofme di c alc ar ea tadi s t a nc e ,hasr e a c he dar oundt hewor l d,andnow he al t h pr of e s s i onal sc anc ommuni c a t ef a s t e r ,mor ewi de l y,a ndmor edi r e c t l ywi t hc l i e nt sa nd c ol l e ag ue s ,nomat t e rwhe r et he yar e . The s eki ndsofpr omi s i ngappr oac he sr e s ul t i ngi nt he opt i mi z at i onoft het r e a t me ntofpat i e nt sbye s t abl i s hi ngi nt e gr a t e da ndc ompr e he ns i v ee he a l t h ne t wor ksa r ei ne xi s t e nc eduet ot her a pi dgr owt hofTe l e me di c i ne . He nc e ,Te l e me di c i neor He a l t hTe l e mat i c sore he al t hhasbe c omet hepr i mepr i or i t yt ot hehe a l t hpol i c ymake r s ,s oc i a l s e c ur i t yf undsa nde he al t hpr ovi de r st hr oughoutt hewor l d. I nBang l ade s h,t hes t a t usof e he al t hi ss i mi l art ot heoneofma nyde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s:me di c alpr ac t i t i one r si n Bangl ade s hof t e nope r at ei nr e l at i vei s ol a t i on,de a l i ngwi t hdi ve r s ehe al t hc a r ene e ds ,ma nyof whi c har i s ei nf r e que nt l ybe c aus eoft hes ma l lpopul a t i onss e r ve d. Wor l dwi det he r ei s di f f i c ul t yi nr e t ai ni ngs pe c i al i s t si nnonur bana r e a s . Thedi s t r i but i onofs pe c i a l i s t si n Bangl ade s hi si nde e dl ops i de d. The r ear emor ene ur ol ogi s t sa ndne ur os ur g e onsi ns omec i t i e s; s i mi l ar l yt e r t i ar yc ar ehos pi t al sa r ea l s oc onc e nt r a t e di npoc ke t swi t hl a r g es e g me nt soft he popul at i onhav i ngnoac c e s s . A pr ope rde pl oyme ntoft e l e me di c i neanda s s ur a nc eofabe t t e r t e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur ec ane as i l yr e s ol v et he s epr obl e msa nda l s oc ane ns ur eabe t t e r [ ] e he al t hc ondi t i onf ort hee nt i r epopul a t i onofBa ngl ade s h 1. Fi g. 1 3 2 Ma munBi nI bneRe a z ,Fac ul t yofEng i ne e r i ng ,Mul t i me di aUni v e r s i t y,63 1 0 0Cy be r j ay a,Se l a ng or ,Ma l a ys i a , @mmu. e du. my Ema i l: ma mun. r e a z 12 2 Co unt r yover vi ew Bangl ade s h,ac ount r ywi t ht hear e aof1 44, 0 00s qkm,i swi de l yknownf ori t she r oi chi s t or yof I nde pe nde nc e . Thec ount r yi ss i t uat e di nbe t we e nI ndi aandMy a nma rwi t hha vi ngt heBayof Be ngala ti t ss out he r nbor de r . Ac ount r ywi t ht hepopul at i onof14 4, 31 9, 62 8i sa l s oknowna s oneoft hemos tde ns e l ypopul a t e dc ount r yi nt hewor l d. Mos toft hec ount r yi ss i t uat e don de l t a sofl ar ger i ve r sf l owi ngf r om t heHi mal aya s ,t husof t e nf ac et hepr obl e msoff l oods . De s pi t eofa l lt he s epr obl e ms ,Bangl ade s hi sknowna sal a ndofmi r a c l e sa ndhe r oi c ac c ompl i s hme nt s . Us i ngt r adi t i onalme t hods ,f ar me r spr oduc ee noug hf oodt oma i nt a i noneof t hede ns e s tc onc e nt r a t i onsofr ur alpe opl ei nt hewor l d. Be s i dea gr i c ul t ur e ,Nat ur a lga sa nd Gar me nt sa r et het woi mpor t a nts e c t or st ha tpr ovi des ubs t ant i als uppor tt ot hec ount ys e c onomy. Ba ngl ade s hhasape rc api t aGDPof$20 00. Thepopul at i onbe l ow pov e r t yl i nei s 4 5%a sof2 004. Thepopul at i ongr owt hr at ei s2 . 0 9%. Bi r t hr a t eandde a t hr at ei s3 0 . /1, / 0 1bi r t hs 000popul at i onand8. 4de a t hs 1, 0 00popul a t i onr e s pe c t i ve l y. Thei nf a ntmor t a l i t y /1, [2] r a t ei s62. 6de at hs 00 0l i vebi r t hs . I CT I nf r as t r uc t ur eofBangl ades h Ther api di t yandt hee as eofa c c e s st ome di c ali nf or mat i ona r ee s s e nt i a lc ondi t i onsf ort he qual i t yoft hehe l pt ot hepat i e nt s ,f ort heme di c alr e s e ar c he sa ndf ort hec he c ki ngoft he de ve l opme nt si nt hehe al t hs e r v i c e . Thi sc r e a t e sas t r onge mpha s i sonha v i ngabe t t e rI CT i nf r as t r uc t ur ei nor de rt oe s t abl i s hTe l e me di c i nes e r v i c ei nBa ng l ade s h. Thusi ti swor t hyt o di s c us sa boutt hec ur r e nts i t uat i onoft heI CT ne t wor kofBa ng l a de s h,f r om whi c ht hef ut ur e s t e psc a nbeme as ur e d. Thepr e s e nts t a t usoft heI CT ne t wor kofBa ng l a de s hi spr e s e nt e d be l ow wi t hr e s pe c tt ot e l e phonel i ne s ,I SPsa ndWi deAr e aNe t wor ki ng. ・Tel ephonel i nes:Ac c or di ngt ot heCI Af a c tbook,c ur r e nt l yt he r ea r e7 4 0 , 0 0 0f i x e dphone us e r sa nd1. 3 65mi l l i onc e l l ul arphoneus e r si nBa ng l a de s h. Whi l ee a c hf i xe dphonel i ne [2 ] c os t sappr ox i ma t e l yUSD 3 00ande ac hc e l lphonel i nec os t sf r om USD 5t oUSD 3 0 0. ・I nt er nets er vi cepr ovi der s:A s mal lHonol ul uba s e dt e l e c om a ndi nt e r na t i onals a t e l l i t e I nt e r ne ts e r vi c e spr ovi de r( SI SP)c al l e dUSAT i sof f e r i nghi g hs pe e ds at e l l i t eI nt e r ne t s e r v i c e s ,mar ke t e dasSkyTi ge r .ne t ,t obus i ne s s e st hr oughoutAs i a. Thec ompa nyi snow upl i nki nghi ghs pe e dSky Ti g e r .ne tI Pda t as e r v i c e st oal lt heAs i anc ount r i e s . TheI nt e r ne t c amel at ei nBangl ade s h,wi t hUUCPe ma i lbe gi nni ngi n1 993andI Pc onne c t i v i t yi n199 6 . Fi g . 1 Ne x tg e ne r a t i onI CT ne t wa r ksi nBang l ade s h 12 3 ByJ ul y1997t he r ewe r eane s t i mat e d5, 50 0I Pa ndUUCPa c c ount si nt hec ount r yandby t hee ndof2 00 3t heac c ounthol de rr e ac he dt omor et han24 0, 00 0t hr oug hdi f f e r e ntI nt e r ne t Se r vi c ePr ovi de r s( I SP) ,whoar eof f e r i ngI nt e r ne ts e r vi c e swi t hbandwi dt hr a ng i ngbe t we e n /sa /st [ ]. 6 5kbi t nd2Mbi t hr oughVSAT,Br oa dba nda ndZac kne tdownl i nk .2 ,3 ,4 ・Wi dear eane t wo r ki ng:Te l e c om ne t wor ksi nBa ng l a de s har ebe i ngmode r ni z e d. Dat a Ne t wor ks( LAN,MAN,WANLoc a l ,Me t r opol i t an,andWi deAr e aNe t wor k)a r ee me r g i ng . Di gi t als wi t c he sc apabl eofs e r vi c e ss uc hasI SDN a r ebe i ngi ns t a l l e dal lov e rt hec ount r y . /pr Var i ouspubl i c i vat eor gani z a t i onshav eora r ei nt hepr oc e s sofi ns t al l i ngLAN i nt he i r br anc he s . Whe npr i v at epr ovi de r smode r ni nf r a s t r uc t ur ebe c ome sc ompl e t e l yf unc t i onal , or ga ni z a t i onswi l lbeabl et oi nt e r c onne c tt he i rs i t e s . Va r i ouspr i va t eor g ani z at i onsar ei n ne e dofs uc hi nt e r c onne c t i vi t y. Ast hede mandofabe t t e rI CT i nf r a s t r uc t ur ei si nc r e a s i ng duet ot her e c e ntde pl oyme ntofTe l e me di c i ne ,e gove r nme nt ,t heg ove r nme nthasa l r e a dy pr opos e danne xtg e ne r at i onBangl ade s hI CT i nf r as t r uc t ur e . Thede ve l opme ntoft hi s ne t wor ki snow unde rpr oc e s s . Thene x tg e ne r a t i onI CT ar c hi t e c t ur eofBangl ade s hi s de pi c t e di nFi g ur e1. Thec ha r a c t e r i s t i c soft hepr opos e dar c hi t e c t ur ec ons i s toft hef ol l owi ngmode l: ・Acces snet wo r ks:Ac c e s spr ovi de sc onne c t i vi t yf r om t hec us t ome rpr e mi s e st oc or ene t wor k. Ac c e s smaybepr ovi de dt hr oug hPac ke ts wi t c he s ,f i xe dwi r e l e s s ,Ca bl ef ac i l i t i e sa nds wi t c he d a c c e s ss c e na r i os . ・Cor /Bac enet wo r ks: Cor e kbonet e c hnol ogypr ov i de sSONET/WDM/ DWDM/ATM/I P ba s e dhi ghl yr e l i a bl e ,hi ghl yav ai l abl e ,l ow c os t ,hi ghc apa c i t yands c a l abl el ongha ul c onne c t i vi t ybe t we e ne dgene t wor ks . Thebac kbonene t wor kwi l lbes ha r e df orv oi c eand / dat a. Thec or ene t wor kwi l lnotpr ov i def e a t ur e ss e r vi c e st oe ndc us t ome r s ,norwi l li t i nt e r f a c ewi t hi nt e l l i ge nc ene t wor k. ・Edgenet wo r ks:Edgene t wor kswi l li nt e r f a c ewi t hc us t ome r sv i at hea c c e s st e c hnol ogyand wi t hot he rne t wor ksvi ac or et e c hnol ogy . Edg ede vi c e swi l lt a r g e ts pe c i f i ct r af f i c( s uc ha s , I P,ATM,Fr ameRe l ayandWi r e l e s s )a l l owi ngf a s tt i met oma r ke tf ort ar ge t e dc us t ome r s . ・Tel ephonycal lcont r ol:Te l e phonys e r v i c e swi l lbes uppor t e da c r os sapac ke tba s e d Mul t i s e r vi c ene t wor kus i ngs e ve r alopt i onsf ore s t a bl i s hi ngt hevoi c epa t hi nc l udi ngI P, /SI SVCsorVPPVCs . Thepac ke tbas e da r c hi t e c t ur ewi l lbebas e dont heMGCP/ H.3 2 3 P [ ] ar c hi t e c t ur e 3. Aboveal l ,Bangl ade s hhass i gne das ubma r i nec abl ea g r e e me ntwi t hot he r12c ount r i e son Ma r c h27,20 04t hatwi l lope nahi ghs pe e d,l owpr i c e dI nt e r ne ta ndt e l e c ommuni c a t i ons gat e wa yt ot heus e r sf r om J une200 5. Bang l ade s hse nt r yt ot he1 3 me mbe rc ons or t i um, SEAMEWE4i nac r onym,wi l ls l as hI nt e r ne tandl ong di s t anc et e l e phonec a l lc os t sa nd gr e a t l yboos tbr ows i ngs pe e d. Thec ount ywi l lhav ea10 g i g abyt edat at r ans f e rc a pac i t ype r s e c ond,6 8t i me smor et hant hec ur r e ntc apa c i t y . Thes e r vi c ei se x pe c t e dt obes t ar t e df r om t he [ ] mi ddl eoft heye a r2 0 06 5. Cur r entHe al t hSi t uat i oni nBangl ade s h: Theove r al lc ondi t i onoft hehe al t hs i t ua t i oni sne e de dt ober e v i e we di nor de rt oobt ai na c l e ari de aaboutt hec ount r ysov e r al ls i t ua t i on. A c ompar i s onofs omebas i che a l t hi ndi c at or s ofBa ng l a de s hf ort hr e edi f f e r e ntye ar si spr e s e nt e di nt a bl e1: 12 4 Tabl e1 Bas i che a l t hc ar eda t aofBangl ade s h I ndi cat or s Popul at i ongr owt hr at e% Bi r t hr at e( pe r1 , 0 0 0popul at i on) De at hr at e( pe r1, 000popul at i on) I nf antmor t al i t yr at e( pe r1 , 000l i vebi r t hs ) Ma t e r nalmor t al i t yr at e( pe r1 , 000l i v ebi r t hs ) 1 96 0 2. 5 46 21 1 4 9 3 . 8 2 00 3 2 . 3 29 8 46 3 . 8 2 0 05 2 . 09 30. 01 8 . 4 62. 6 3. 0 Sour c e:CI Af ac tb ookBangl ade s h[2],2005and Co unt r ySt at i s t i c sbyUNI CEF[6] e1s howst hata l li ndi c at or shavei mpr ove ddr a s t i c a l l yi nbe t we e nt hey e ar1 96 0and2 00 3 . Tabl Buta f t e rt hati tdi dnotr e al l yc ha nge datac ons i de r abl epac e .I ns omec as e s ,t hel e v e lhas de c r e as e d. Oneoft hemaj orr e as onsoft hi sde gr adat i onoft hei ndi c a t or si st heuna vai l a bi l i t y [1 ] oft hepr ope rhe a l t hc ar es ys t e mse s pe c i a l l yi nt heRur a la ndRe mot ea r e a sofBa ngl a de s h . ThusTe l e me di c i nec anbeas ui t abl es ol ut i onf ore s t a bl i s hi ngabe t t e rhe a l t hc a r es y s t e mi n Ba ngl ade s h. DemandofTel emed i ci nei nBangl ades h Te l e me di c i nemayi nf ac thaveamor epr of oundi mpac tonde ve l opi ngc ount r i e ss uc has Bangl ade s ht hanonde ve l ope done s . Thi si sbe c aus emos toft hede v e l ope dc ount r i e sa l r e ady haveapr ope rhe al t hc ar es ys t e mi ns t al l e d. Mor e ove r ,a l lt hos ec ount r i e sha v eapr ope ra c c e s s t oa l lt hepl ac e si nt hec ount r y . Whi l e ,i nBa ng l a de s h,al lt he s ef ac i l i t i e sa r ea bs e nt . Thi shas ma deBa ng l a de s hape r f e c tpl ac et of l our i s hTe l e me di c i ne . Thepr i mer e as ons ,whi c hha ve [8,9 ]: ma det hede mandofe s t abl i s hi ngTe l e me di c i nes t r ong e r ,a r easf ol l ows ・Hi ghr at eoff or ei gnt r avelofBangl ad es hip at i e nt s: Mos toft hepe opl ei nBang l ade s hdo notr e a l l yr e l yont hec ur r e nthe al t hc a r es ys t e m. Abov ea l l ,Ba ng l a de s hi snots uc ha c ount r y ,whi c hi swe l le qui ppe dwi t ht hemode r nme di c a lt ool s . Asar e s ul t ,mos toft he pe opl ehaveat e nde nc yt ovi s i tt hene i g hbour i ngc ount r i e ss uc hasI ndi a ,Thai l a nd,and Si ngapor ee t c . whe r et he yc anf i ndr e l i abl eme di c at i on. Byi mpl e me nt i ngTe l e me di c i ne ,a r e l i abl ehe al t hc ar es ys t e mc anbee s t a bl i s he d. ・Lackofp r operd i agnos t i cf aci l i t i e s: Asapoorc ount r y ,Ba ng l a de s hc annota l wa ysa f f or dt o buyal lt hos ec os t l ydi a gnos t i cme di c alf ac i l i t i e s . ButTe l e me di c i nec anal wa yspr ovi de t hos ef ac i l i t i e swi t houts pe ndi ngahugeamountofmone y . ・Lackofq ans: The ual i f i edal l i edheal t hcar epr o f es s i onal sands p e ci al i ze dphy s i c i f ol l owi ngt abl es ummar i z e st hehe al t hr e s our c e sa v a i l abl ei nBa ngl ade s h: Tab l e2 Humanr e s our c e si nhe a l t hc ar ei nBangl ade s h ・Numbe rofRe gi s t e r e dPhys i c i an・29, 74 6 ・Phys i c i an-Popul at i onr at i o ・1: 4, 5 21 ・Numbe rofRe gi s t e r e dNur s e ・16, 97 2 ・Nur s e Popul at i onr at i o ・1: 7, 12 7 ・Sour [7] c e:Co unt r yHe al t hPr of i l ebySNDP Bangl ade s h r e l ys uf f e r i ngf r om t hepr obl e m ofnothavi ngs uf f i c i e nt Tabl e2s howst hatBa ng l a de s hi ss e ve numbe rofqual i f i e dpr of e s s i onal s .I ns omec as e s ,i tdoe snotha v es pe c i al i z e dphy s i c i a nsi n c e r t ai nf i e l ds . Thr ought heTe l e me di c i nene t wor k,Bang l ade s hc a ne a s i l yge tt hea c c e s soft he 12 5 v as tnumbe roff or e i gnphys i c i ansa swe l last hel oc a ls pe c i a l i z e dphy s i c i a ns . ・I mpr operdi s t r i but i onofheal t hcar es y s t em: Thehe a l t hc a r es y s t e mi snotpr ope r l y di s t r i but e di nBangl a de s h. Mos toft heRur a lands ubur ba na r e adoe snotha vepr ope r he al t hc ar ef a c i l i t i e s .I ns omec a s e s ,t hos ea r e a sa r enotwe l lc onne c t e dwi t ht heur ban ar e as . Thus ,dur i ngt hec r i t i c a ls i t ua t i onsi tbe c ome sa l mos tha r dt opr ovi deappr opr i at e he al t hc ar et ot hepa t i e nt s . A Te l e me di c i nes ys t e mc anke e pa l lt hos er e mot ear e a swe l l c onne c t e dwi t ht hebe t t e r e qui ppe dur ba na r e as . Fr om t heabovedi s c us s i oni tc ane as i l yber e a l i z e dt hat ,e s t abl i s hi ngapr ope rTe l e me di c i ne ne t wor ki nBangl ade s hwoul de nt i r e l ybeabe ne f i c i ala ppr oac h. Someoft hepot e nt i a lf i e l ds whe r et hi sTe l e me di c i nec a nbeappl i e dar el i s t e dbe l ow: ・Eme r ge nc yMe di c a lCa r e ・Te l e c ons ul t a t i on ・Phy s i c i a nt oPhys i c i anSe c ondOpi ni on ・Fol l owt hr oughme di c alc ons ul t a t i onf or ・Pat i e nt sr e c e i vi ngt r e at me nta br oad ・Rur e alHe al t hCar ・Pos t di s as t e rme di c almanage me nt ・Ehe al t hPr of e s s i ona lTr ai ni ngPr ogr a m ・Me di c alEduc at i on,Cont i nui ngMe di c a l ・Educ at i on,andPat i e ntEduc at i on ・Mi l i t ar ya ndPr i s onEhe al t hSys t e m ・Me di c alRe s e ar c handDe ve l opme nt Gover nmentI nce nt i vesonTel emedi ci ne: Thegove r nme ntofBang l ade s hhast ake nTe l e me di c i nea sapot e nt i a ls ol ut i ont oov e r c omet he c ount r yshe al t hc ar epr obl e m. Forabe t t e ri mpl e me nt at i onofTe l e me di c i ne ,t heg ov e r nme nt i nc l ude daf e ws pe c i f i cpol i c i e si nt he Nat i ona lI nf or mat i onandCommuni c at i onTe c hnol og y ( I CT)pol i c y,Oc t obe r20 02[10]. The s epol i c i e sa r ei nc l ude dunde rs e c t i on3. 8. The pol i c i e sa r ee xa c t l yquot e dhe r e: ・Thema i nf oc usi nt heus eofI CT a ndc ommuni c a t i ont e c hnol ogi e si nEhe a l t hwi l lbet o de l i ve rne wc apabi l i t i e sf orhos pi t al sande he al t hpr ovi de r s .I CT s houl dbeus e dt o de ve l ops uc hc apabi l i t i e ss pe c i f i c al l yi nt hea r e asofe l e c t r oni cme di c a lr e c or ds ,t e l e me di c i ne , me di c ala ndhe al t he duc a t i one t c . ・Te l e me di c i neSy s t e m Ne t wor ks ha l lbei nt r oduc e dt hr oughoutt hec ount r yf orc os t e f f e c t i v e de l i ve r yofhe al t hc ar es e r vi c e s . TheTe l e me di c i neNe t wor kwi l lbeus e df orr ur a lpat i e nt manage me nt ,di s t antme di c ale duc at i on,t r ai ni ngofhe a l t hpr of e s s i ona l sandt ode ve l opmas s a wa r e ne s sf ordi s e a s epr e v e nt i on. ・De ve l opme ntofBa ng l a de s hHe a l t hPor t als houl dbegi v e npr i or i t yf ora ppr opr i at eg r owt hof e he al t ha ndt e l e me di c i ner e f e r r als ys t e m. I nt e r na t i onalt e l e c ons ul t at i ont hr oug h t e l e me di c i nef orc r i t i c alpat i e nt swi l lbepr omot e di nbot hpr i v at eandpubl i cs e c t or . ・Al lpubl i chos pi t al sa ndme di c alr e s e a r c hc e nt r e ss hal lbel i nke dbyc omput e rne t wor kswi t h 12 6 Me di c alc e nt r eofe xc e l l e nc east hec e nt r alhubi nor de rt oma kee xpe r ts e r v i c e sa v ai l a bl e t hr oughoutt hec ount r y. Thi sne t wor kma ybeg r adual l ye xt e nde dt ot hel oc all e ve l . Be s i de ss e t t i ngt hepol i c i e s ,t heg ove r nme nta l s oa r r a nge dqui t eanumbe rofwor ks hopsa nd s e mi na r st ot r ai nande nc our aget hephy s i c i a nst ous et heTe l e me di c i nef ac i l i t i e s . The Honor a bl eSt a t eMi ni s t e rc hai r e dawor ks hoponTe l e me di c i nea nde he a l t hi nc l udi ngs ome 200phys i c i ansf orHe al t handFami l yWe l f ar e ,Gove r nme ntofBangl ade s h,on9J a nua r y 20 04 . Thewor ks hopwasahuges uc c e s sasi tg r e a t l ya t t r a c t e dt hee l e c t r oni cme di aaswe l l ast hee nt i r ege ne r alpe opl eofBangl a de s hasapar tofpubl i cawa r e ne s s . Bang l a de s h Te l e me di c i neAs s oc i at i on( BTA)hadt ake nac onc r e t es t e pt owa r dsor g ani z a t i onofa t e l e me di c i nene t wor ki nSout hAs i a,c al l e d Sout hAs i a nAs s oc i at i onofTe l e he a l t h I ni t i at i ve s( SAATHI ) ,whi c hs uppos e st oi nc l udeSAARC c ount r i e s ,Ba ng l ade s h,I ndi a, Sr i Lanka,Paki s t an,Ne pa l ,Bhut an,andMa l Di ve si n2 00 2. TheSAATHIa l s owant e dt o e xt e ndt oMyanmar ,Thai l a ndandot he rc ount r i e soft heFar Eas ti nc l udi ngChi na . SAATHIs uppos et oe s t abl i s hf r om ani nt e r nat i onalme e t i ngont e l e me di c i nei nBa ng l ade s h i ne ar l y2003,howe ve ri ti ss t i l li nt hedi s c us s i onl e v e l . For ei gnI ncent i vesonTel emed i c i nei nBangl ade s h: Asat hi r dwor l dc ount r y,i ti sbe yondt hec a pa bi l i t yoft heGove r nme ntofBa ng l a de s ht o c onduc tf ul l f l e dge dTe l e me di c i nepr oj e c t swi t houtt hehe l poff or e i gna ut hor i t i e s . Thus ,mos t oft hepr ogr e s st hathasbe e ndonei nt heTe l e me di c i nes e c t orwa swi t ht hei nv ol ve me nt sof f or e i gnbodi e s .I nf ac t ,t heve r yf i r s tTe l e me di c i nei ni t i at i v ei nBang l ade s hwast ake nbyt he ] Swi nf e nChar i t abl eTr us tofUni t e dKi ngdom[11 . I nJ ul y1999,t heSwi nf e nChar i t abl eTr us ti nt heUK e s t abl i s he dat e l e me di c i nel i nki n Bangl ade s h,be t we e nt heCe nt r ef ort heRe ha bi l i t a t i onoft hePar a l y s e d( CRP)i nDhakaand me di c alc ons ul t ant sa br oad. Thi sl owc os tt e l e me di c i nes ys t e m us e dadi g i t alc ame r at o c apt ur es t i l li mage s ,whi c hwe r et he nt r ans mi t t e dbye ma i l . Dur i ngt hef i r s t1 2mont hs ,27 t e l e me di c i ner e f e r r al swe r emade . Thes pe c i a l t i e st hatwe r ei nv ol v e di nc ons ul t i ng: ne ur ol ogy ( 44%) ,or t hopae di c s( 40%) ,r he umat ol og y( 8 %) ,ne phr ol ogy( 4%)a ndpa e di a t r i c s( 4 %) .I ni t i al e mai lr e pl i e swe r er e c e i v e datt heCRPwi t hi nadayofr e f e r r a li n7 0%ofc a s e sandwi t hi n t hr e eday si n1 00 %,whi c hs howst hats t or e andf or wa r dt e l e me di c i nec a nbebot hf a s ta nd r e l i abl e . Te l e me di c i nec ons ul t a t i onwasc ompl e t e dwi t hi nt hr e eday si n1 4c a s e s( 5 2 %)a nd wi t hi nt hr e ewe e ksi n24c as e s( 89%) . Thi ss uc c e s s f ult e l e me di c i nes ys t e m wor ke dwe l lasa mode lf orf ur t he rt e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t si nBa ngl a de s h. Anot he rpr oj e c tonTe l e me di c i nename da se he al t h& Le ar ni ngPr oj e c t wa sc onduc t e dby El e naMur e l l iofUni v e r s i t yofPi ac e nz a,I t al yandThe odor osN Ar va ni t i sofTheUni ve r s i t yof [1 ]. Thepr Bi r mi ngham,UK i nJ anua r y200 3ande nde di nApr i l2 0 0 4 ,1 8 oj e c twa s c onduc t e dwi t ht heai mt opr omot ei nt e r nat i onalc oope r at i onsonTe l e me di c i ne . Thec r e at i on ofaMe di c alPor t ala ndas e r i e sofs e mi na r swe r es e e nasa ne mi ne nts t e pf or wa r dt oi mpr ov e i nt e r nat i ona lc oope r at i onandunde r s t andi ng ,be i ngaba s i sf ort hewor l dwi dei mpl e me nt a t i on ofs e c ur eme di c alne t wor ks ,c r os s s e c t or alc ommuni c a t i ona ndt hepr ovi s i onofhi g hqual i t y we bs i t e sf ort hehe al t hr e l at e di nf or mat i onofc ons ume r sa ndpa t i e nt s . Thef oc us e soft he e he a l t h& Le a r ni ngpr oj e c twe r et opr ovi deknowl e dgeandi ns t r ume nt sus e f ult ot he de ve l opme nta ndt hemana ge me ntofhe al t hi nf or mat i ons ys t e ms ,t ot heaut oma t i cs uppor tt o c l i ni c alr e s e ar c h,e pi de mi ol ogi c als ur ve y s ,t e l e c ons ul t i ngandt e l e di a gnos i ss e r v i c e sa nd i nt e gr at i onbe t we e nhe al t hi nf r as t r uc t ur e si nEur opea ndAs i a ,i nor de rt og i v et ot hepa t i e nt s abe t t e ra ndf a s t e rme di c alt r e at me nta ndc ar e . St ude nt s ,r e s e ar c he r s ,I TC pr of e s s i onal sa nd he a l t hope r at or sf r om publ i candpr i vat ei ns t i t ut i ons( na t i ona la ndi nt e r na t i ona l ) ,i npa r t i c ul a r f r om Eur opeandAs i awe r eat t e nde das e r i e sofs e mi na r sde l i ve r e dv i avi de oc onf e r e nc eus i nga VSAT a ndt heMy me ns i nghr e gi onalnode . The s es e mi na r swe r ee s pe c i al l yaddr e s s e di na r e a s , 12 7 whi c hwe r eamongt hemos tc e nt r ali s s ue si ni nf or ma t i onandc ommuni c a t i ont e c hnol og yf or [1,18]. t hehe al t hc ar e Ba s e dont heout c omeofawor ks hopont e l e me di c i net hatwa she l di nDhaka ,Ba ng l a de s h,i n J anuar y2004,t heSwe di s hSout hAs i anSt udi e sNe t wor kpr opos e dapr oj e c tt ode ve l ops ome bas i ct e l e me di c i nes e r vi c e st obepr ovi de dt or ur alhe al t hc e nt r e si nc ol l abor at i onwi t h Gr ame e nHe a l t hpi ng ,Ml a r dade ni nVs t e ra ndt heBI RDEM hos pi t a li nBa ng l a de s h. The ne t wor khaspl a ne dt ode v e l opg ui de l i ne sf orpr ope rmanag e me ntofme di c a le qui pme ntf or c l i ni c aldat ac ol l e c t i on,r e l i a bl et r a ns mi s s i onofdat abe t we e nt hepa t i e nta tt her ur alc e nt r eand t hes pe c i a l i s t satt her e f e r r e dc e nt r ebyde ve l opi ngr e l i a bl es of t wa r ea ndhar dwa r epl at f or m a ppr opr i at ef ort hee xi s t i ngi nf r as t r uc t ur e . Thepr oj e c ta l s oe v al uat e st hec l i ni c ale f f e c t i v e ne s s , s e c ur i t y,r e l i abi l i t yoft e l e me di c i net e c hnol og yandi t se f f e c t sonqua l i t y,c os ta nda c c e s s i bi l i t y [1 ofc ar eandi nve s t i gat e swa ysf ori t ss us t a i na bi l i t y 2] . Aboveal l ,i ts houl dbenot i c e dt hata l lt he s epr oj e c t swe r epi l otpr oj e c t sa ndnoneoft he s e f or e i gnbodi e shass t ar t e dt hec omme r c i a li mpl e me nt a t i onofTe l e me di c i nei nBa ngl a de s h. I ncent i vesbyt heNGOso nTel emedi ci nei nBang l ade s h: Theve r yf i r s tc omme r c i ala ppr oac ht oe s t a bl i s ht heTe l e me di c i nes e r v i c ei nBa ngl a de s hwa s t ake nbyal oc alpr i va t ec ompanyc al l e d Ba ngl a de s hTe l e me di c i neSe r v i c e( BTS) i n20 0 2 . Eve nt hought hec or ei ni t i at i vewasor i g i na t e df r om BTS,t heGove r nme ntofBa ng l ade s hha s pr ovi de dt he i re ve r ys uppor tt omaket hi se nt i r ee f f or tas uc c e s s f ulone . TheBTS,whi c hi s a l s oknownasTheTe l e me di c i neRe f e r e nc eCe nt r eLt d. ( TRCL) ,i she a de dbyDrSi kde rM. Zaki r . TRCL haspi one e r e dde v e l opme ntofi nt e r na t i ona lt e l e c ons ul t at i ons e r vi c e si n /Ne Ba ngl ade s hi npar t ne r s hi pwi t hUni ve r s i t yofNe br a s kaMe di c alCe nt r e br as kahe al t h Sys t e m( UNMC/NHS)a ndSe c ondOpi ni onSof t wa r e ,LLC. OnNov e mbe r200 2,TCRL ofBangl ade s handFONEMED Gl oba lHe al t hSe r v i c e sha ss i g ne d a nof f i c i ala gr e e me nt . Unde rt hepac t ,FONEMED wi l las s i s tTRCL t oe xpanda c c e s st o he al t hc ar eandc r e at ephys i c i anne t wor kst hr oug houtBangl a de s h. Thet e a m wi l lc ol l abor a t e wi t hl e adi nguni ve r s i t yme di c alc e nt r e s ,i nt e r na t i onalf i na nc i a li ns t i t ut i onsa ndf oundat i onsi n e x t e ndi ngf ami l yhe a l t hc ar et or ur alc ommuni t i e sa ndc onne c t i ngdoc t or sf r om r e mot ec i t e st o [1 na t i onalandi nt e r nat i onalt e l e he al t hf a c i l i t i e s 3]. Thi spa r t i c ul ara ppr oa c hha she l pe dt he Te l e me di c i nes e c t orofBangl ade s ht oc r os sami l e s t one . OnJ une2004,Me r i di anHol di ngsI nc . ss ubs i di a r yCGICommuni c a t i onsSe r vi c e sI nc . ha s e nt e r e di nt oat e ami ngandj oi ntma r ke t i ngag r e e me ntwi t hTRCL. Unde rt het e r msoft he agr e e me nt ,bot hc ompani e swi l lj oi nt l yma r ke ta ndpr omot et he i rc ompl e me nt a r yand c ompat i bl epr oduc t sf ort e l e he al t handt e l e me di c i net oc ur r e nta ndpr os pe c t i v ec us t ome r s ,as we l la ss uppor t i ngt hepur s ui tofmut ua l l yadva nt ag e ousbus i ne s soppor t uni t i e s ,i nt hegl oba l t e l e me di c i near e na. The ya l s o hav eag r e e dt hatt hej oi ntt e a m of TRCL a ndCGICommuni c a t i ons I nc . wi l ls e t uppi l otr ur a l me di c a lc e nt r e si nBa ngl ade s h unde rt he I nt e gr at e dRur a l He al t hI nf or mat i onSys t e m ( I RHI S)pr oj e c tofTRCL i n Bangl ade s h. Unde rt hi sI RHI S pr oj e c t ,TRCL hast hepl anof de pl oyi ng64r ur a lme di c alc e nt r e s Fi g. 2 BTSne t wor ki nf r as t r uc t ur ei nBang l ade s h i nal lt he64di s t r i c t sof 12 8 Bangl ade s h. Thec ur r e ntne t wor ki nf r a s t r uc t ur eofTRCL/BTShass howni nFi gur e2 . Al t houghi ti sapr i vat e l yf unde dpr oj e c t ,Gov e r nme ntoft hePe opl esRe publ i cofBang l a de s h [1 i spl ayi ngas i gni f i c a ntr ol ei nI RHI Spr og r a mi mpl e me nt a t i on 4,15] . Re co mmendat i onsandFut ur eI ni t i at i v es: Al t hough,phys i c i anss ayt hati nt he or yt he yar ei nt e r e s t e di nTe l e me di c i nes e r v i c e ,l oc al phy s i c i a nshaves of a rpr ove dr e l uc t antt ous et hef i r s tt e l e c e nt r ei nSonag az i ,avi l l ageof [1 Ba ng l a de s h 6] . He a l t he xpe r t ss ug ge s tt ha tt hi smaybet hec a us et hatr ur a ldoc t or sa r e r e l uc t antt opubl i c l ys how t he i rl ac kofknowl e dg e . Ot he r sf e e lt ha tt he r ei sat e nde nc yt ous e t he i rownc omput e rr at he rt hanvi s i t i ngt hec e nt r e . Butpe r ha pst hebi gg e s ts t umbl i ngbl oc kt o t hes uc c e s soft hi ss e r v i c ei st hef ac tt hata tpr e s e ntt hec our s e sa ndCDRom s t udyi snot r e c og ni z e dbyanof f i c i alc e r t i f i c at ef r om t heBa ng l ade s hMe di c alCounc i l . Thust he gove r nme nts houl dpl ayavi t a lr ol ei nor de rt or e s ol v et hi spr obl e m. Be s i de ss ol vi ngt he s e pr obl e mst he r ear eaf e wi ni t i at i ve st hatar ene e de dt obeac c ompl i s he di nor de rt ohav ea pr ope ri nf r as t r uc t ur ef orTe l e me di c i ne . The ya r ea sf ol l ows: ・I ul f i l l e dbymi d2 00 6 CT i nf r as t r uc t ur ede v e l opme nt:Thi spar t i c ul arappr oa c hwi l lbef whe nBa ng l a de s hwi l lbec onne c t e di nt heSEAMEWE4s ubmar i nec abl e . ・Co s t e f f e c t i v eand af f or dabl eTe l e me di c i nes y s t e m de v e l o pme nt ・Mor er e s e ar c hf o rCl i ni c als uc c e s s ・Lowc os tde v i c ef ore ndus e r ・Us i c i ansand p r o f e s s i o nal s e r f r i e ndl ys ys t e mf orphys ・I nt e r c ount r y,c r os s c ount r yand t r ans c o nt i ne nt alc o o pe r at i o nf o rc o nt i nue dr e s e ar c hand de v e l op me ntof t e l e me di c i nene t wor kf ore he al t hde l i v e r y,e duc at i onand s c i e nt i f i cwor ks . ・Pr ot hephys i c i ans:Thedoc t or sar ene e de dt obet r a i ne dpr ope r l yi nor de rt o op e rt r ai ni ngt e ns ur eane f f i c i e nts e r vi c e . Onc et hedoc t or sbe c omef a mi l i a r i z ewi t ht hes y s t e m ands t a r t unde r s t at i ngt hebe ne f i t soft hes e r vi c e ,t he ywi l lc ont i nuet or e l yonTe l e me di c i ne . Las t l ys omegr e atwor dsf r om Pr of . DrYunuss houl dal wa ysbeke pti nmi nd, . . .I fy o u wantt oc hanget hewor l d,dontge ts t uc k wi t ht hei nf r as t r uc t ur e ! Conne c t i v i t yi sno ta pr obl e m. Pe opl ear et hepr obl e m. Wene e df ut ur i s t i ct hi nki ng i nhe al t hc ar easwe l l . We s e et hatc o mpo ne nt sar eg e t t i ngc he ap e rand e as i l yav ai l abl e . Whati sne e de di sc ont e nt and t oc r e at eawar e ne s s . Andi ts houl db eab us i ne s s mode l:Thi spr o j e c to rs e r v i c es houl d s t and o ni t sownf e e t ,maybenoti nt hef i r s tye ar s ,b utasanai m. I ts houl d notde pe nd / /www. ondono r sand p r oj e c tf undi ng. . . .( ht t p: e he al t h. bham. ac . uk/de s c r i pt i on/de s c r i pt i on. ht m) Co nc l us i o n Ne ve r t he l e s s ,Te l e me di c i nei sbe gi nni ngt oha veani mpor t a nti mpa c tonma nyas pe c t sofhe a l t h c ar ei nBang l ade s h. I fi ti si mpl e me nt e dni c e l y,t e l e me di c i nema yal l ow Bangl a de s ht o l e apf r ogove rot he rde ve l ope dne i ghbor si ns uc c e s s f ulhe a l t hc a r ede l i ve r y . Me di c i ner e s t son s ol i dpr i nc i pl e s ,whi c hc ant r ans c e ndpol i t i c ala nds oc i a ldi v i s i ons . Te l e me di c i nes houl d a l l ow Ba ng l a de s ht oi mpl e me nta dvanc e si nt hes pi r i tofhi s t or i c a lr oot s ,e v e natadi s t anc e . Re f er ence [1]Mur / / e l l iE,Ar v ani t i sT N, e he a l t h& Le a r ni ng:t heBa ng l a de s he x pe r i e nc e.We bs i t e:ht t p: www. hon. c h/ / / a c t s99 2 5 81 3 77 . ht ml Me dne t 2 00 3a bs t r / [2] CI / / /c /publ a t i ons ATheWor l df a c t bookBa ng l a de s h2 00 5f orBa ng l a de s h We bs i t e:ht t p: www. c i a. gov i a i c 12 9 / f a c t book/ g e os bg. ht ml [3]Ahme // e b2 00 0 . dA, St r a t e g i e sf orDe v e l opi ngBa ng l a de s hI nf or ma t i onI nf r a s t r uc t ur e. We bs i t e:ht t p: www. or g/ s hor tnot e1 8 . ht m -2 [4]Ra 7 8 ,2 0 0 1, hma nH, I nt e r ne ti nBangl ade s h: A Mi l l e nni um Pe r s pe c t i v e,Ne pa lI T Conf e r e nc e: J an2 / / / / / / Ka t ma ndu,Ne pa l . We bs i t e: ht t p: www. s dnbd. or gs dii s s ue sI Tc omput e rI T Re v ol ut i on A Mi l l e nni u ht m Oppor t uni t y . [5] BANGLADESH:Ba ngl a de s hf i na l l yl ogsont os ubma r i nec a bl e,TheDai l ySt ar ,Ma r c h,2 00 4 . We bs i t e: / /www. l a . e du/ a r t i c l e . a s p? pa r e nt i d=9 04 6 ht t p: as i ame di a . uc / [6] Atagl / /www. / c ount r y ba ng l a de s hs t at i s t i c s . ht ml a nc e: Bang l a de s h,s t a t i s t i c s,We bs i t e: ht t p: uni c e f . or g i nf oby / / [7] Count / / g/ s di i nt e r na t i ona ldays r yhe al t hpr of i l ebySDNPBangl ade s h1 9 99,We bs i t e:ht t p: www. s dnpbd. or /doc /c he a l t h/ WHD0 4 ume nt s ount r yhe a l t h pr of i l e . pdf [8]Mi aA K, Te l e me di c i nei nBangl ade s ha ndTr a i ni ngofDoc t or sDur i nge HL Pr oj e c t,I nt e r nat i onal / / Conf e r e nc eone he al t hi nDe v e l opi ngCount r i e s2 0 04 ,31 s tMay 1 s tJ une ,2 0 04 ,Rome ,I t a l y ,We bs i t e:ht t p: /pr e hdc . pc . uni c at t . i t ogr a mme . ht m [9]Bhui y a nK A, e HL Pr oj e c tDi s s e mi nat i oni nBa ng l a de s ha ndi t sFut ur eI mpa c t,I nt e r nat i onalConf e r e nc eon // / e he a l t hi nDe ve l opi ngCount r i e s2 0 0 4,31 s tMa y1s tJ une ,2 0 04 ,Rome ,I t a l y ,We bs i t e: ht t p: e hdc . pc . uni c at t . i t pr og r a mme . ht m [10 ] Na // t i ona lI nf or ma t i onandCommuni c a t i onTe c hnol og y( I CT)Pol i c y,Oc t obe r ,2 0 02 ,We bs i t e:ht t p: www. / / bc c bd. or ght mli t pol i c y . ht m [11 ]Vas t e r s onV,Swi nf e nP,Swi nf e nR, Ane v a l ua t i onoft hef i r s t s a l l oD J ,HoqueF,Fa r quha r s onR M,Pat ye a rse x pe r i e nc ewi t hal owc os tt e l e me di c i nel i nki nBa ng l a de s h ,J our na lofTe l e me di c i nea ndTe l e c a r e ,v ol . -1 7,no. 3 ,pp. 12 5 3 8( 1 4) ,J une ,2 00 1 . / /www. /2 [12 ]Swe sNe t wor k,We bs i t e: ht t p: s a s ne t . l u. s e i t . ht ml di s hSout hAs i anSt udi e [13 ] TheTe a lHe a l t hI ni t i at i v ef or l e me di c i neRe f e r e nc eCe nt r eLt d( TRCL)andFONEMED Announc eRur / /www. / Ba ng l a de s h . We bs i t e: ht t p: f one me d. c om/pr pr 1 1 0 5 02 . ht m [14 ]Be // nnoorK S, Te l e me di c i nei nBangl ade s h . We bs i t e: ht t p: www. e he a l t h. bha m. ac . uk/ [15 ] Me oi ntmar ke t i nga ndt e a mi nga gr e e me nt r i di a nHol di ng sCGICommuni c at i onsSe r v i c e ss ubs i di ar yi nksj wi t hTe l e me di c i neRe f e r e nc eCe nt r eLt d.. J une ,2 0 04 . We bs i t e: // /a /v ht t p: www. hoi s e . c om/ v mw/ 0 4 r t i c l e s mw/LVVM0 7 0 46. ht ml [16 ]We // / /l / ade s h. ht m bs i t e: ht t p: www. g l oba l f oot pr i nt s . or g i s s ue s oc a l he a l t h/bangl [17 ]We // bs i t e: ht t p: www. t e l e me d. no/ c pa r t i c l e 1 2 10 6 115 2 3 1a. ht ml [18 ]We // . uk/de s c r i pt i on/ de s c r i pt i on. ht m bs i t e: ht t p: www. e he a l t h. bha m. a c Ac knowl edgement Theaut horwi s he st ot hankPr of . Na ka j i maf orhi sg ui danc eands uppor tt oa t t e ndand / pr e s e ntt hepape ri nI TUD Ra ppor t e ursGr oupme e t i ngonQue s t i on1412 ,Tokyo,J a pan. 13 0 2 Bhut an33 Wat s on,c omehe r e . Ine e dyou . Theme s s ag es poke nbyAl e xa nde rGr aha m Be l love rt he f i r s tt e l e phonei sc ons i de r e dbymanyt obet hef i r s tonl i nehe al t hme s s a g e . Si nc et he n,qui t ea phe nome nalc hange shavet a ke npl ac ei nt heI nf or mat i onTe c hnol og yandi t sappl i c a t i ons . Te l e me di c i ne ,He al t hTe l e mat i c s ,Te l e he al t horl at e l ye he a l t ha r es omeoft hepopul ar t e r mi nol og yus e dt ode f i net heus eoft e l e c ommuni c at i oni nhe al t handi samaj ora ppl i c a t i on t hati sg ai ni ngmome nt um. Backgr ound Bhut ani sal a ndl oc ke dc ount r y ,l oc at e di nt hee as t e r nHi mal a yasbe t we e nChi naa ndI ndi a andc ove r sa bout4 6, 500s qua r eki l ome t r e s .I twa sne ve rc ol oni z e da ndha sal a r ge l y s e l f s uf f i c i e ntpopul at i ont hathadl i mi t e dc ont ac twi t ht heout s i dewor l dunt i lt het ur noft he c e nt ur y . Thet ot alpopul at i oni se s t i ma t e da ta bout0 . 8mi l l i ona nda bout80pe r c e ntoft he pe opl el i v eons ubs i s t e nc ef ar mi ng,s c at t e r e di ns par s e l ypopul at e dr ur a lv i l l ag e s . De t e r mi ne d t obal anc ede ve l opme ntandc hange ,t hee s s e nc eofmode r ni z at i oni nBhut a nha sbe e nabl e nd oft r adi t i onandpr ogr e s swi t hs t r onge nvi r onme ntc ons e r va t i ona sc l e ar l yr e f l e c t e di nt he de v e l opme nt a lphi l os ophyofGr os sNat i ona lHappi ne s s( GNH)r a t he rt hanGr os sDome s t i c Pr oduc t i on( GDP) . Thepe rc api t aGDPs t a ndsj us tatUSD 7 58wi t hag r i c ul t ur ea st he domi nants e c t ora ndHydr opowe ra st hehi ghe s tr e v e nuee a r ne r . Te l e c ommuni c at i onf ac i l i t yi nt hec ount r yi snow f ai r l ywe l le s t abl i s he dwi t hs t a t e of t he a r t / /s nat i onwi de34Mbi tsdi gi t almi c r owa v es ys t e ma ndf e w mi nors wi t c hi ngc e nt r e swi t h8Mbi t l i nks . Dr ukNe t ,t heonl yI nt e r ne tSe r v i c ePr ovi de r( I SP) ,pr ovi de sdi a l upI nt e r ne t / / / / c onne c t i onsa t3 3. 6kbi tsa ndl e as e dl i neopt i onsof6 4kbi ts ,1 2 8kbi ts ,25 6kbi t sa nd512 /s /st kbi t .I tha st wos ymme t r i c alups t r e a mc onne c t i onswi t h1Mbi t oBr i t i s hTe l e c om /st Conc e r t ,1Mbi t oKDDI ,J apa nandt het hi r dl i nkf r om I NTELSAT. Dr ukNe t ,wi t ht hr e e i nt e r nat i ona lc onne c t i v i t yands ma l lc us t ome rbas e ,i sbe t t e rof ft ha nmos tr e gi onalI SPs . Wi t has t r ongPr i mar yHe al t hCar e( PHC)a ppr oac h,t hec ount r yha sac hi e v e dabout9 0 pe r c e nthe al t hc ove r age . Thes uc c e s s i vea nnualhe al t hs ur ve y sof198 4,9 4and2 0 00c l e a r l y s how t hei mpr ovi ngt r e ndi nmos toft hehe al t hi ndi c a t or s . Bhut a ni sas oc i al l ywe l f ar eor i e nt e ds t a t eandi tgi ve st hehi g he s tpr i or i t yone qui t y ,ge nde r bal anc eandpr ot e c t i ngt hei nt e r e s toft hevul ne r abl eanddi s a dva nt ag e d. Educ at i ona ndhe al t h a r ede l i ve r e dmos t l yf r e e . De s pi t eal le f f or tt oe ns ur e e qui t yi nac c e s st ohe al t hc ar es e r vi c e st hr oug han e qui t abl ybal anc e dpl ac e me ntofi nf r as t r uc t ur ea nd s e r vi c e s ,i ti sl i ke l yt hatl e ve lofa c c e s si snott hes ame asr at eofut i l i z at i onoft he s es e r vi c e sa ndf ac i l i t i e s . As s e e ne l s e whe r ehe al t hi ne qual i t i e spr obabl ydoe xi s t be t we e nr e gi onsa ndac r os st hepopul at i ong r oups . Thec ount r ynow hasawe l l s pr e adne t wor kof2 9 Hos pi t al s ,166Bas i cHe al t hUni t s( BHU)and4 55 Out r e ac hCl i ni c s( ORC) . Thea ge ol dt r a di t i ona l me di c i nes ys t e mi swe l li nt e gr at e dwi t hi nt heov e r al l he al t hs e c t ora ndi sa vai l abl ei nal lt het we nt y dz ongkhags ( di s t r i c t s ) . Thought her e f e r r als ys t e m hasbe e ns t r e ngt he ne d 3 3 Ki nl a yPe nj or ,Ga kiTs he r i ng ,Te l e me di c i neFoc a lPe r s on,Mi ni s t r yofHe a l t h. 13 1 mos t l yt hr oughaf ai r l ywe l lma i nt ai ne df l e e tofambul a nc e sa ndus eoft e l e c ommuni c a t i on f ac i l i t i e s ,t hehi ghe ra nds e c onda r yl e ve lofhe al t hc a r ei sc ompa r at i v e l yunde r de v e l ope d. At t hes amet i me ,t he r ei snome di c alc ol l e g eoruni ve r s i t yi nBhut a n. Thenumbe rofme di c a l 3 4 /popul doc t or si s1 22 ,ordoc t or at i onr at i oi sa bout1: 655 7 ,whi c hbyanys t a ndar di sv e r y ba d. Al t houghpr i mar yhe al t hc ar es y s t e mi sof f e r e dbyna t i onal l yt r a i ne dpa r ame di c s ,t he s e c ondar ya ndt e r t i ar yl e ve lc ar ei si nne e dofmor ec onc e r t e de f f or t s ,l i kee l s e whe r emos toft he s pe c i al i s tdoc t or sar ec onc e nt r at e di nbi g ge rr e f e r r a lhos pi t al s . Ther api dt r a ns i t i onofpopul at i onf r om al ar ge l yag r ar i ans oc i e t yt oamar ke te c onomy br oug hta boutar api dc ha ng ei nt hee pi de mi ol ogyofdi s e a s e s . Li f e s t y l er e l a t e dhe al t h pr obl e msar enow e me r g i ng. Mode r nda ysdi s e as e sa sdi abe t e s ,c a r di ov as c ul arpr obl e ms , c anc e r s ,r oadt r a f f i cac c i de nt s ,i ndus t r i ali nj ur i e sa ndoc c upa t i onaldi s e as e sa r ea s s umi ng gr aduali mpor t anc e . The r e f or ewhi l ee ns ur i ngac ont i nue de xpa ns i onofbas i cs e r vi c e pac kage s ,i nc r e as i ngat t e nt i onmus tbepai dt ot hene e df ors e c ondar yandt e r t i a r yl e v e lc a r e . Pr ovi s i onoff r e ehe al t hc a r ebr i ngsi nt of oc ust hei s s ue sofs us t ai nabi l i t y. Ther e c ur r e ntc os t oft hel ar genumbe rofhe al t hc ar epr of e s s i onal sa ndt hec os tofdr ugsandhos pi t a le qui pme nt i se s c al at i ng. Fur t he r ,wi t he nha nc e dknowl e dgea bouthe a l t hc ar eandt heavai l a bl ef ac i l i t i e s t he r ei sagr owi ngde ma ndf orbe t t e ra ndhi ghe rs e r vi c e sf r om t hec i t i z e ns . Se ndi ngpat i e nt st o I ndi af ort e r t i ar yl e ve lc ar ei ss t i l lc ons i de r e dmor ec os t e f f e c t i v e . Mos toft he s ec os t l yr e f e r r a l s c anbeat t r i but e dt ode l aye ddi agnos i sduet ot her e mot e ne s soft hepa t i e ntandl ac kofpr ope r di agnos t i c sf ac i l i t yi nt hepe r i phe r alhos pi t al s . Addi t i onalbur de nofi mme di at ee he a l t hde l i ve r yi st hes pe c i f i cna t ur eofBhut an. Thi si s amongs tt hemos tr ugge dandmount a i nousc ount r i e si nt hewor l d. Thet e r r ai nr a nge sf r om about100me t e r ss ubt r opi c a lf oot hi l l si nt hes out h,t hr ought het e mpe r a t ez one s ,t odi z z yi ng he i ght sofove r7, 5 00me t e r si nt henor t h. Whi l et hehi ghHi mal a ya nMount a i nsi nnor t he r n Bhut a nar eunde rpe r pe t uals now,r ai nf a l lc a ndi f f e rwi t hi nr e l a t i ve l ys hor tdi s t a nc e sa ndi s he avydur i ngt hemons oons e as onwi t hhi g hr i s kofc ut t i ngof ft hepe r i phe r ala r e a st hr oug h r oadbl oc kage s . Ove r7 2 %oft hec ount r yi sc ove r e dwi t hf or e s t sa ndt heGov e r nme nti s de t e r mi ne dt oc ons e r v et hi swe al t ht hr oughana t i ona lpol i c yt oma i nt ai natl e as t6 0%f or e s t c ov e r a ge . Thi sna t ur a ll ands c a pehasma det hede l i v e r yofbas i che al t hs e r vi c e snotonl y di f f i c ul tandc os t l ybuta l s oof t e nde l aye d. Tabl e1 Ke yHe al t hI ndi c a t or s 3 4 Roug he s t i ma t ef or1 22doc t or swi t he s t i ma t e dpopul a t i onof0 . 8mi l l i ons . 13 2 Tel emedi ci nei nBhut an Thehi ghc ommi t me ntoft hegove r nme ntt ot hehe al t hs e c t ori sr e f l e c t e di nana v e r ag ea nnual a l l oc at i onof10-11%oft hegove r nme nte x pe ndi t ur e sf orhe al t h. Howe v e r ,t hey e ar l yi nc r e as e of1 8%i nhe al t hc ar ee xpe ndi t ur eove rt heye a r shasbe e nac onc e r nt ot hehe al t hs e c t or . The gove r nme nti ss e e ki ngva r i ousf i nanc i ngme c hani s mst oa ddr e s st hei s s ueofs us t a i nabi l i t y. TheHe al t hTr us tf und,whi c hhasbe e nope r at i onal i z e d,i se x pe c t e dt os uppor tt heba s i c e s s e nt i al soft hePr i mar yHe al t hCar e ,whi l eot he ropt i onsl i keus e rf e e sons e l e c t e ds e r v i c e sa r e be i ngi mpl e me nt e d. Ther e l i anc eondonor s ,mos t l yf orc api t ale xpe ndi t ur e ,i squi t ehe av yat about55%dur i ngt heEi ght hFi ve Ye arPl anpe r i od. I nge ne r al ,t hee a r l i e s tus ageoft e l e c ommuni c at i ont e c hnol og yi nHe a l t hc oul dbet hepe r i od whe nt hef i r s tt e l e phones e r vi c ewa si nt r oduc e di nt hec ount r yaboutt hr e ede c ade sa go. The pr omi ne nc eandi mpor t a nc eofs uc ht e l e c ommuni c at i onne t wor kwa si nt e ns i f i e ddur i ngt he7 t h Fi veYe a rPl anwhe nmanyr e mot eBHUswe r ec onne c t e dwi t hs ol arope r at e ds i ngl ec ha nne l VHF r adi ot e l e phone swi t ht hes uppor tofWHO a ndl at t e rDani da . Theut i l i t yandbe ne f i tof s uc hc ommuni c at i ont e c hnol ogyi sappa r e ntf r om t hef ac tt hati the l pe di nmaki nge x pe r t c ons ul t at i onpos s i bl ef ort her e mot ehe al t hwor ke r swi t ht hedoc t or si nt hehos pi t a l s . Pe r haps t hegr e a t e s tbe ne f i twa si nbr i ngi ngaboutqui c ke randbe t t e r manag e dr e f e r r a l sf r om t heBHUs t ot heHos pi t a l st he r e bys avi ngmanyc r i t i c a ll i v e s . Some3 0r e mot eBHUsnotr e ac he dby t e l e c ommuni c at i onne t wor kar es t i l lus i ngt hos eVHF phone squi t ee f f e c t i v e l y. Co mi ngo f Te l e me di c i ne Thel at e s ta ndmor eadvanc e dappl i c at i onofI Ti nHe a l t h,t e l e me di c i ne ,e manat e df r om no ot he rt hanHi sMa j e s t y,t heKi nghi ms e l fdur i ngt heaudi e nc et ot het he nDi r e c t orGe ne r a lof WHO,DrH.Nakaj i mai n1997. Thet houghtofha vi ngI nt e r ne twa snowhe r ei ns i ghta tt hat t i meandt husde v e l opme ntoft hei ni t i alt e l e me di c i nepr opos alwa sbas e dona ni de aof i nt r ane tne t wor k. Al mos taye arl at e rt heTe l e c ommuni c at i onSe c t orwa spr e par i ngt owar ds e s t abl i s hme ntofanat i onwi deI nt r a ne tc onne c t i on. Howe ve r ,t hei na ug ur at i onoft heI nt e r ne t s e r vi c et omar kt heSi l ve rJ ubi l e eCe l e br a t i onoft heCor onat i onofHi sMa j e s t yt heKi ngi n J une199 9a c c e l e r a t e dt hede ve l opme ntofTe l e me di c i nei nt heBhut ane s eHe a l t hSe c t or . I T/ BDT Mul t i pur p os eCo mmuni t yTe l e c e nt r ePr o j e c t Aspe rt hef r ame wor koft heBue nosAi r e sAc t i onPl an( BAAP)Pr ogr a mme9I nt e g r at e dRur al De ve l opme nt ,t heTe l e c ommuni c a t i onDe v e l opme ntBur e au( BDT)ofI nt e r na t i ona l Te l e c ommuni c at i onUni on( I TU)l aunc he dapi l otpr oj e c ti nBhut anonMul t i pur pos e Communi t yTe l e c e nt r e( MCT)whe r e i nTe l e me di c i newa soneoft hec ompone nt s .I twa s e xe c ut e di n1999andJ akari nc e nt r alBhut anwa sc hos e na st hei de a ls i t emos t l yf or c onv e ni e nc eofr e adi l yavai l abl et e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur e .I nc onj unc t i onwi t ht hi s MCT pr oj e c t ,at e l e r adi ol ogypi l otpr oj e c twa sc onduc t e dbe t we e n1 99 9and2 00 0by c onne c t i ngt hedi s t r i c thos pi t a la tJ akarwi t hJ i g miDor j iWa ngc hukNa t i ona lRe f e r r a l Hos pi t al( J DWNRH)i nThi mphu. Theobj e c t i veoft hi spi l otpr oj e c twa st ode mons t r a t et he f e a s i bi l i t yoft r ans mi t t i ngXr a yi ma ge sa ndECG pa t t e r nst of a c i l i t a t ee xpe r tc ons ul t a t i onf r om J DWNRH. Thr oug ht hedona t e dt e l e me di c i nee qui pme ntt hei ma get r ans mi s s i onswe r e c onduc t e ds uc c e s s f ul l yt he r e byde mons t r at i ngt heappl i c abi l i t yoft het e c hnol og y . WHO spar t i c i pat i on Fol l owi ngt hehi s t or i caudi e nc eoft hef or me rDG wi t hHi sMa j e s t y ,WHO ha ss uppor t e di n de v e l opme ntoft e l e me di c i neac t i vi t yi nBhut anbyf i e l di ngi nv ar i ousc ons ul t anc i e s . Dur i ng J ul yandAugus t19 98 ,DrNar ongKas i t i pr adi t hofTha i l andi nhi spr e l i mi nar yr e por tt o 13 3 WHO,SEARO c ameupwi t hf i vemode l s .I n Apr i l199 9,ami s s i onf r om t heI nf or mat i on Sys t e msMa na ge me nt( I SM)ofWHO,Sout h Ea s tAs i a nRe g i ona lOf f i c e( SEARO) he a dquar t e rwa sf i e l de di nt os t udyt he s i t uat i onofhe a l t h,I Ta ndt e l e c ommuni c a t i on i nf r as t r uc t ur ei nt hec ount r yanda l s ot oa dv i c e t heappr opr i at et e c hnol og yf orat e l e me di c i ne s y s t e mf ort hec ount r y. Thi smi s s i onv al i da t e d Fi g. 1 Te l e c ons ul t at i ons a nds uppl e me nt e dDrNar ongsr e por tt he r e by f i nal i z i ngt het e l e me di c i nepr opos alofc onne c t i ngMonga rRe g i ona lRe f e r r a lHos pi t a li nt he e a s twi t hJ DWNRH t obef unde dbyWHO. Ac c or di ngl ybot ht hehos pi t a l swe r ee qui ppe d andt heBhut a nTe l e c om ma det hec onne c t i onoft het wohos pi t al st ot heI nt e r ne tt hr ough64 /sde kbi t di c at e dl e as el i ne s . He al t h Te l e mat i c s Thei mpor t anc eoft as kf or c et omoni t ora ndg ui det hede ve l opme ntoft hepr oj e c twa sf e l t r i ght l yf r om t hei nc e pt i onoft het e l e me di c i nea c t i v i t i e s .I nApr i l20 00 ,t heTa s kf or c ewa s f or me dc ons i s t i ngofpe r s onne lf r om t heMi ni s t r yofHe al t h( MoH) ,hos pi t a l sandt heWHO Count r yof f i c eunde rt hec hai r mans hi poft heDi r e c t orofHe a l t h. Fur t he r ,i twa ss t r e ng t he ne d t oi nc l udemor eme mbe r sf r om t her e l e v ants e c t or sl i ket heBhut a nTe l e c om,De pa r t me ntof I nf or mat i onTe c hnol ogyandt heDr ugs ,Va c c i neandEqui pme ntDi v i s i on. t h No Thef or malbe gi nni ngoft heBhut anHe a l t hTe l e mat i c sPr oj e c twa smadeon1 1 v e mbe r 2 00 0,whe nt heTe l e me di c i nec onne c t i onbe t we e nt het woma j orr e f e r r alhos pi t al si nt he c ount r ywasi na ugur at e dbyt het he nHe a doft heGove r nme nt ,Honor abl eLyonpoYe s he y Zi mba. I nApr i l2 000WHO e nl i s t e dt hes e r vi c e soft wos hor t t e r mc ons ul t a nc i e st ope r f or m ani nde pt hi nv e s t i g at i onoft e c hnol ogi e sands e r v i c e sr e qui r e df ori mpl e me nt at i onofHe a l t h Te l e mat i c st hr oughoutt heKi ngdom. Thec ons ul t a nc i e sc ons i s toff i r s ts i xmont hss t udybya n I Te xpe r tt hatl at t e rwasf ol l owe dbyat hr e ewe e kss t udybyane x pe r ti nI T wi t hme di c a l bac kgr ound. Thes t udyc ul mi nat e di nde ve l opme ntofapr e l i mi na r ydr af tHe al t hTe l e ma t i c s Ma s t e rPl a n. I nc ol l abor a t i onwi t ht heToka iUni v e r s i t y,J apa n,t woTe l e ECG pr oj e c t st hr oug hJ a pans Gr a ntAs s i s t anc ef orGr as s r oot sPr oj e c t( GGP)hasbe e nope r at i ona l i z e di nMa r c h20 03 . Unde rt he s epr oj e c t s ,t het wohos pi t al si nLhunt s ea ndTr a s hi ya ngt s ear ebot he qui ppe dwi t ha l apt opc omput e ra ndamul t i pur pos eECG mac hi newhi c hhasa12l e a dECG,Ca r di o e c hogr a m,Phonoc ar di ogr am,andc omput e rai de dana l y z e rs of t wa r ef orf ac i l i t a t i ngTe l e ECG andTe l e e c hoc ar di ogr aphc ons ul t at i ons . Thel i nka ge soft het wohos pi t al swi t hJ DWNRH ar et hr oughDi al upt ypewor ks t at i onl i nki ngwi t hPSTN a ndI nt e r ne t . TheTokaiUni v e r s i t y hasc onduc t e dv ol unt ar yt r a i ni ngandt ut or i al sf ort heus e r soft het wohos pi t al sa nda f ol l owupvi s i twa sma deatt hee ndofoneye a rt oe x t e ndf ur t he rt r a i ni ngandt ut or i al st o ove r c omet hei nt e r pr e t at i onandt e c hni c a ls hor t c omi ngs . Suc hc ol l abor at i on,wehope ,wi l lbe c ont i nue di ny e ar st oc omeandt hushe l pf ul f i l lt hegoa lofc ove r i ngal lt her e mot ehos pi t a l s unde rt heHe al t hTe l e ma t i c sPr oj e c t . Cur r e ntSi t uat i o n Se r v i c e spr o v i de d: TheBHTPi se nvi s age dt opr ov i dec ons ul t at i onsi nr adi ol ogy ,de r mat ol og y ,c a r di ol og yand ot he rg e ne r alc ons ul t at i onsi naddi t i ont ot hebe ne f i tofa c c e s s i bi l i t yt ot heWor l dWi deWe b 13 4 ( www) . Fur t he ri twasa l s oe nvi s age dt hatt hene t wor kwoul dbeus e f uli nbr i ng i ngabouta be t t e r c oor di nat e dr e f e r r aloft hepa t i e nt st ot heJ DWNRH. Ge l e phuGe ne r alHos pi t ali ns out hi st hene xtt obeadde dt ot hene t wor kwi t ht hes uppor tof WHO. I naddi t i onot he rhos pi t al shav i ngac c e s st oI nt e r ne t ,l i keRi s e r booi nt hee a s t ,ar eal s o c onduc t i ngs i mpl et e l e c ons ul t at i onst hr oug he mai l ,whi c hi sv e r ye nc our agi ng . Thel as tt obe adde dt ot hene t wor kasofnow a r eTr as hi y angt s ea ndLhue nt s ehos pi t a l s . The r ewe r eonl y363c ons ul t a t i onsc a r r i e dove rdur i ngt hepe r i odf r om Se pt .2 00 1t oFe b.2 0 04 . Duet oe qui pme ntbr e akdowni nMonga r ,t he r ewa snot e l e mat i cac t i v i t ydur i ngFe br uar y 2002,whi c he xpos e st hev ul ne r abi l i t yoft hepr oj e c tt ov i r ust hr e at sandf l uc t ua t i ngvol t ag eof t hee l e c t r i c i t ys uppl y. Fi g ur e1s howst hatTe l e Radi ol ogywi t h13 4c ons ul t at i ons( 37 %)i st hemos tpopul a r a ppl i c a t i onf ol l owe dbyTe l e Me di c al( 2 1%)a ndTe l e De r ma t ol ogyc ons ul t a t i on( 15 %) . Te l e Or t hope di c s( 9 %)a ndt he not he rc ons ul t a t i onst ha ti nc l udeSur gi c a l ,Pae di at r i c s , Ps yc hi at r i c ,Pat hol ogy,Gy nae c ol ogy,ENT,Or alSur ge r y,Ana e s t he s i ol og yandENT c ons ul t a t i onsmar kupt ot her e s t18%. Be s i det he s edat at he r ewe r e70t e l e c a r di ol ogy c ons ul t a t i onsf r om Tr as hi y angt s eandLhue nt s ehos pi t al swi t ht heAPT 2 ndopi ni onc e nt r ea t TokaiUni ve r s i t y. Theave r agemont hl yTe l e c ons ul t a t i onss how pos i t i v er e s ul t st ha tc oul dbet r ans l at e dbot h e c onomi c al l yaswe l la spat i e ntwe l f ar e .I nanave r a ger e f e r r a l si nOr t hopae di cc as e sde c r e a s e d bymor et han40%wi t hi nt hef i r s ty e arofope r at i ont hatc oul dbeat t r i but e dt obe t t e rdi ag nos i s f a c i l i t a t e dbyTe l e r adi ol og yandTe l e or t hopae di cc ons ul t a t i ons . DrYongg uoZhao =Nu.48)f c a l c ul at e dadi r e c ts avi ngofNu.5, 40 0( USD 1 ore ac hav oi de dr e f e r r a lc a s e . Re f e r r ali nme di c alc as e showe ve ri nc r e a s e ds ubs t ant i a l l yf r om t hes e c ondy e ar ,whi c hpar t l y c a na gai nbeduet obe t t e rdi agnos i sf r om Te l e ECG c ons ul t a t i ons . Thi sr e f l e c t st ha t t e l e me di c i newhi l ebr i ngi ngaboutr e duc t i onofr e f e r r a l si nc e r t ai nf i e l dc a na l s oi nc r e a s et he r e f e r r al si nc e r t ai not he rf i e l ds ,whi c hi nbot hc a s e sc ang oal ongwayi nbr i ngi ngabout t i me l yt r e at me ntandt husc os ts avi ngst ot heHe al t hSe c t ora ndt hei ndi vi dualpat i e nt s . Fur t he r ,t heove r al la ve r agemont hl ypa t i e ntr e f e r r ala f t e ri nt r oduc t i onoft e l e me di c i nehas i nc r e as e di ndi c a t i ngt hatt e l e me di c i nec a nnotbee x pe c t e dt oma keadr as t i corr e ma r ka bl e r e duc t i oni npat i e ntr e f e r r al s . Thi si nc r e a s ei nr e f e r r a li nme di c a lc a s e si sunde r s t anda bl e . Wi t ht heavai l abi l i t yoft e l e c ons ul t at i onsa nde qui pme nt sl i keECG ande c hoc a r di og r am ma c hi ne sne wc as e sa ndpr e vi ous l yundi ag nos e dc a s e sa r ebe i ngdi agnos e d. Fore xa mpl e ,a ni ne t e e nye arhi ghs c hools t ude nta tTr a s hi y angt s edi s t r i c twa sha vi ngpe r s i s t e nthe mopt ys i s anddi z z i ne s sf ort hel as tt woye ar sbutr e ma i ne dundi a gnos e d. Shewa si mme di a t e l yr e f e r r e d t oJ DWNRH af t e re c hoc a r di ogr am s howe daor t i cr ootdi l at a t i onc aus e dbys e v e r eaor t i c r e gur g i t at i on. Si mi l ar l yt hephys i c i anatr e mot ehos pi t a lwi l lke e pont r e a t i ngac as eofhe at f a i l ur ewi t hdi ur e t i c sbutwi t ht heav ai l abi l i t yoft e l e c ons ul t at i onsa nde c hoc a r di og r a m,a r e f e r r alma ybene e de dt or e movet hec a us eofhe a r tf a i l ur el i ker he umat i cmi t r a lv a l ve .A c oupl eofc hi l dr e nwi t ht hec onge ni t alhe a r tde f e c t sofVSD we r eal s or e f e r r e d. Thuswi t hi n t woy e a r ss i nc ei t sope r a t i ont heHe al t hTe l e ma t i c sPr oj e c tde mons t r a t e spos i t i v ebe ne f i te ve n i ni t sc l i ni c ala ppl i c at i ons . Fut ur ePr os pect i ve ThePr oj e c te nj oyst hehi g he s tpol i t i c alc ommi t me nt . Att hepol i c yl e v e l ,t heMi ni s t r yof He al t h( MoH)al wa yss e e st e l e me di c i neasa ne f f e c t i ves t r at e gyt ome e tt hec hal l e ng e sof r e ac hi ngt heunr e a c he d,e nha nc i ngqual i t yands us t ai na bi l i t y. He nc et hef ut ur eof t e l e me di c i nei sv e r yopt i mi s t i candmanye xpans i onpr ogr a msa r et husi nt hepi pe l i ne . 13 5 Si nc ehe l pi ngt heHe al t hSe c t ori ni ni t i a t i ngt heTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c t ,WHO hasbe e na c t i v e bys uppor t i ngi nhumanr e s our c ede ve l opme ntande qui pme nts uppl yt hr oughi t sbi e nni um c ount r ypr ogr a mme sa ndot he rme c hani s ms .I ti se nv i s ag e dt hatWHO wi l lc ont i nuei t s s uppor te s pe c i a l l yi nc r i t i c als of t wa r ec ompone nt sl i kehuma nr e s our c ede v e l opme nt . Tel er ad i o l o gya sr e f l e c t e di spopul a ra ndBhut a ns houl dc a pi t a l i z eoni t . Cur r e nt l yf i l m di gi t i z e ri sus e dt oac qui r edi gi t ali mag eoft heXr a yf i l mt a ke nonc onve nt i ona lma c hi ne . Us eofdi gi t alXr ayt e c hnol ogywi l lbec os te f f i c i e ntandc onve ni e nti nt hel ongr unasi twi l l g e tr i dofma nyr unni nge x pe ns e sl i ker e ag e nt sa ndc he mi c a l sa swe l la sr e duc i ngt her e pe a t e d e x pos ur eofpa t i e nt st ot heXr ay. Fur t he ri twi l lbr i nga boutf a s t e rs e r v i c ea nds pac e e c onomy. Forade ve l opi ngc ount r yl i keBhut anwhe r ee ve nt hef i l m qual i t yi spoor ,s uc h di gi t alXr ayt e c hnol ogys houl dbet hef i r s tl i neofc hoi c ei nTe l e r a di ol ogy. Ass uc hDi gi t a l Ra di ogr aphi cEqui pme nts houl dbec ons i de r e df orpr oc ur e me ntofa nyXr aymac hi ne s . Thepr e s e ntt el ecar di ol og yl i nksbe t we e nTr as hi ya ng t s ea ndLhunt s ehos pi t al sa ndMRRH, J DWNRH a nd2ndopi ni onc e nt r ea tTokaiUni ve r s i t ys howe dpr omi s i ngr e s ul t si nt i me l y di agnos i sofl i f et hr e at e ni ngdi s e as e s ,pi npoi nt i ngne c e s s a r yr e f e r r al sandi mpr ove dpa t i e ntc a r e andmanage me nt . Suc ht e l e c ar di ol og ypr oj e c t ss houl dbec ons i de r e dt of ur t he rr e mot edi s t r i c t hos pi t al s . Co l l abor at i onwi t hBhut anTel ecom Thet e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur e ,wi t houta nydi s put e ,i st hema i nbac kboneofa ny ne t wor kf orus eofDr ukNe tofBhut a nTe l e c om,whi c hi st hec ount r ysonl yI nt e r ne tSe r v i c e Pr ovi de r( I SP) . A hi ghl e ve ls t udyt ourt oTha i l a nda ndMa l ays i ai ne ar l y20 01f ul l y c onvi nc e dt heHe a l t hSe c t ort hatt hee x pans i onoft e l e me di c i neac t i v i t ys houl dbei npa r a l l e l wi t ht hede ve l opme ntoft e l e c ommuni c a t i oni nf r as t r uc t ur ei nt hec ount r y . Tof ur t he re nhanc e t hec ol l abor at i onandt oal s oe ns ur et he i rc ont i nue ds uppor tt hee xpa ns i onoft hee xi s t i ng He al t hTe l e mat i c sTas kf or c ewi t ht hei nc l us i onofar e pr e s e nt a t i v ef r om t heBhut anTe l e c om hasbe e nma de . Thi si sa l s oi nl i newi t ht her e s ol ut i on4 1agr e e dbyal lme mbe rc ount r y dur i ngt heWor l dTe l e c ommuni c at i onDe v e l opme ntConf e r e nc eofI s t a nbul ,2 0 0 2. TheNi nt hFi veYe arPl anhasc omme nc e dwi t he f f e c tf r om J ul y2 002 . Wi t hi nt hema i n obj e c t i veofe nha nc i ngt hequal i t yofs e r vi c e,I nf or mat i onTe c hnol ogy( I T)i ss l ot t e dasoneof t hec r i t i c als t r at e gi e s . Re c ogni z i ngt hepot e nt i alofI Ta sac os te f f e c t i v es t r a t e g yi nvi e w of t hec ount r ysuni quef e at ur e s ,t hee x pe r i e nc egai ne df r om t het e l e me di c i nel i nkagebe t we e nt he MongarandThi mphuhasbe e nus e df orf ur t he re xpans i on. Wi t havi s i ont oc ove ra l lt he di s t r i c thos pi t a l sunde rt hePr oj e c tabudg e t ar ypr ovi s i onofNu.3 1. 13 2mi l l i on,mai nl yf or r e c ur r e nte xpe ndi t ur e ,ha sbe e ne ar mar ke d. Co ncl us i onandRec ommendat i ons Thet e l e me di c i neac t i vi t yi nBhut ant hr ought heHe al t hTe l e mat i c sPr oj e c ti st husbe c omi ngan e f f e c t i vec ompl i me nt ar ys t r at e gyi naddr e s s i ngt hei s s ueof r e ac hi ngt heunr e ac he dand s us t ai na bi l i t y. Thel ong t e r mg oaloft hePr oj e c ti st oc ov e ra l lt heDi s t r i c thos pi t a l sunde r t hepr oj e c tandgi v e nt heus e f ule x pe r i e nc e ss of art he r ei snot ur ni ngba c kont hi sdr i v eof e xpans i on. Ass uc ht hef ol l owi ngs e t sofr e c omme ndat i onsba s i c a l l ys t e mme dupf r om t he e xpe r i e nc eoft hePr oj e c tt husf a r: ・Thepopul ar i t yofTe l e r adi ol ogys houl dbec a pi t al i z e duponbyi nc or por at i ngi ti nf ut ur e e xpans i ons . Toe ns ur el ongr uns us t ai na bi l i t yandal s owi t hi t sf a r r e ac hi nga dv ant age s He al t hs houl doptf orDi gi t alRadi og r aphi cEqui pme nt( Xr a yma c hi ne s )a ndi n Comput e r i z e dRadi ol og y. ・Thedr a f tMa s t e rPl anofHe a l t hTe l e ma t i c sne e dst ober e v i e we da ndf i nal i z e da tt hee a r l i e s t 13 6 t opr ovi deas t r ongbas i sf ort hee xpans i onoft het e l e me di c i nea c t i v i t yi nt hec ount r y . ・TheHumanc la ndt hePr oj e c ts houl ds t r i vet oupda t ei t sl i mi t e d ompone nti sv e r yc r i t i c a pe r s onne lt hr oughpe r i odi ct r a i ni ngs .I nt hi sr e l at i oni de nt i f i c a t i onoft r a i ni ngi ns t i t ut e s bot hi nt her e gi onandabr oadne e dst obeunde r t a ke n. ・Thet r ai ni ngofdoc t or sa ndot he rus e r sne e dst obec ont i nue dvi g or ous l ya sar e gul ar ac t i vi t yoft hePr oj e c t . ThePr oj e c tt hr oughi t sl oc als i t e ss houl de nha nc ei t sc apac i t ya s t r ai ne r s . ・Cont i nue dMe di c a lEduc at i on: Te l e me di c i nec ons ul t a t i onse nabl e st hephys i c i ansa tr e mot e di s t r i c thos pi t al st ol e ar nabouts omeoft hea dv anc e si ndi ag nos i sa ndma nage me ntof me di c ala ndr adi ol ogypat i e nt s . Toi mpr ovet he i rl e a r ni ngandqual i t yofpa t i e ntc ar e , phys i c i ansa tr e mot edi s t r i c thos pi t al ss houl dc ompi l eac ompl e t er e c or dofe ac hpat i e ntwi t h pr ope rhi s t or y ,phys i c ale xami nat i ona ndr e s ul t sofdi agnos t i ct e s t sav ai l abl ea tt he i r hos pi t a l st opr ompt l yr e s pondt ot heque s t i onsr a i s e dbys pe c i a l i s t s . ・Thee opl a yf ornotonl ygui di ngt he xi s t i ngHe al t hTe l e mat i c sTas kf or c eha sgr e at e rr ol et f ut ur ede ve l opme ntoft heTe l e me di c i neac t i vi t ybuta l s oi nga r ne r i ngs uppor tf r om v ar i ous s t ake hol de r s . Ass uc hi tne e dst obes t r e ng t he ne dwi t ht hei nc l us i onofnotonl y r e pr e s e nt a t i v e sf r om t heTe l e c om a ndot he rg ov e r nme ntSe c t or sbuta l s of r om br oadc a s t i ng Se c t or . ・Thec ol l abor at i onwi t ht heTokaiUni v e r s i t yI ns t i t ut eofMe di c alSc i e nc e s ,J apa nwi l lbe f ur t he rc ont i nue dnotonl yf orde ve l opi ngs oundg r a ntpr opos al sbuta l s ot oc ol l a bor a t ei n t hef i e l dofHumanRe s our c eDe ve l opme nt . ・Thepos s i bl er ol eoft hePr oj e c ti nPubl i cHe a l t ha ndMa nag e me ntt hr oug hc ol l a bor a t i on wi t ht hee x i s t i ngHMI S/I nf or mat i onUni tc oul dbewor t he x pl or i ng. Thi swi l le ns ur ea s i ngl ene t wor kwhi c hwi l lbeus e dmor ee f f e c t i ve l yThepos i t i ver e s ul t st hathavebe e n ge ne r at e ds of ara r equi t es hakyi nabs e nc eofamor er e al i s t i cande f f e c t i v eanal ys i spur e l y duet os ma l la ndg r e at l yf l uc t uat i ngda t a. Ass uc hac ompr e he ns i ves i t ua t i ona la ndc os t be ne f i ta na l ys i sne e dst obec onduc t e dt ov al i dat et hepos i t i ver e s ul t s . ・Qui t eanumbe rofi ne xpe ns i vewi r e l e s sg adg e t sa r enow a va i l abl e ,whi c hg ua r a nt e e ss pe e d a ndr e l i abi l i t yi nt e r msofdat at r ans mi s s i onc a pa c i t y. Tor e duc et heove r he ade xpe ns e sa nd t oe na bl ee f f i c i e nc y,us eofwi r e l e s sc ommuni c at i ont e c hnol og yc oul dbewor t he x pl or i ng . ・Toke e pabr e as twi t ht hec ha ng e s ,t het e r mi nol og yHe a l t hTe l e mat i c ss houl dbeupgr ade dt o e he al t h. I nt hi sl i nei ti spr opos e dt ha tt hePr oj e c tber e na me dasBhut ane he al t hPr oj e c t ( BEP) . Al lr e c omme ndat i onsa r eappl i c abl et oot he rc ount r i e s . Ac knowl e dg ement Theaut horowe ss pe c i alg r at i t udet oPr of .I s aoNaka j i maandhi st e am f ort hegui danc ea nd s uppor t . Cr e di tal s ogoe st oc ol l e ague sa ndf r i e ndsi nt heMi ni s t r yofHe a l t h,Bhut anf or pr ov i di ngadvi c eandne c e s s ar yi nf or mat i on. Re co mmende dLi t er at ur e 1 )DrNar ongKa s i t i pr a di t h,Di r e c t or ,I nf or ma t i onTe c hnol og yOf f i c e ,Mi ni s t r yofPubl i cHe a l t h,Tha i l and: ti nBhut a n,Pr e l i mi na r yRe por t ,WHO Mi s s i on Te l e me di c i nePr oj e c 2 )Yongg uoZha o,e ta l ,Nakaj i maLabor a t or y ,Toka iUni v e r s i t yMe di c alRe s e a r c hI ns t i t ut e ,Ka na g a wa,J apa n: He a l t hTe l e mat i c si nt heLa ndofThunde rDr ag on 3 )DrYong guoZha o,WHO Shor t t e r mc ons ul t a nt: Re vi e w ofMe di c a lAs pe c t sofHe al t hTe l e ma t i c sPr oj e c ti n Bhut a n,As s i gnme ntr e por t: 1 7Nov 7De c2 00 1 4 )Ga r ySha nnon,e tal:Cha pt e r5: Or g a ni z at i onmode l sofTe l e me di c i nea ndRe gi ona lTe l e me di c i neNe t wor ks , Te l e me di c i neJ our na lande he a l t h,Vol . 8,Nov e mbe r1 ,2 00 2 13 7 5 )DrI s a oNakaj i ma ,MD,PhD,TokaiUni v e r s i t ySc hoolofMe di c i ne ,Ka nag a wa: TheFut ur eofTe l e me di c i ne / s t i on1 4/ 2 ,I TUD St udyGr oups ,Doc ume nt2 18 9E,23Aug us t20 0 0 I mpl e me nt a t i on,St udyGr oup2,Que 6 )St e v eMe t c a l f ,WHO Shor t t e r mc ons ul t a nt: He a l t hTe l e ma t i c spr oj e c ti nBhut an,Ma s t e r pl a nDe ve l opme nta nd I mpl e me nt a t i on,Ve r s i on2 . 0 ,Se pt e mbe r2 0 01 7 )Bhut a ne s ee c onomydoi ngwe l l ,Kue ns e lsonl i nea r t i c l eonFr i day ,Oc t obe r1 12 0 0 2@ 2 1:2 2:1 3EDT BST, = = / / 2 0 28 &mode &or de r 0 &t hol d=0 ht t p: www. kue ns e l onl i ne . c om/ ar t i c l e . php? s i d= 8 )Ea s tBhut a nTe l e ECG Pr oj e c t ,Appl i c at i onf or mf orJ a pa nsGr a ntAs s i s t anc ef orGr a s s r oot sPr oj e c t( GGP) / / / 9 ) A Wa l kAc r os sBhut ant oSus t a i nHe a l t h; Me di aI nf or ma t i onKi t( Onl i ne ) ,ht t p: www. mov e 4 he a l t h. g ov. bt /i me di a nde x . ht ml 1 0)PPD,Mi ni s t r yofHe a l t h& Educ a t i on. Bhut an; He a l t hSe c t or9 t hFi veYe a rPl a n( dr af t ) 13 8 3 Bul g ar i a35 Backgr ound Bul gar i ahasat ot alar e aof1 10910s q.km a ndpopul at i onof7 , 60 0, 00 0. Loc a t e dont he Ba l kanPe ni ns ul a,Sout hEas t e r nEur ope ,I tc ont r ol ske yl andr out e sf r om Eur opet oMi ddl e Eas ta ndAs i a . Bul gar i anMi ni s t r yofHe a l t hr e t a i nsr e s pons i bi l i t yf orov e r al ls upe r vi s i onof t hehe al t hc ar es ys t e m,admi ni s t e r e dt hr oug ht he2 8Re gi onalHe a l t hCe nt r e sa ndt hr ough manag e me ntofa l lr e gi onale me r ge nc yc a r ec e nt r e sa ndhy g i e ne e pi de mi ol og i c ali ns pe c t or a t e s pl usanumbe rofnat i onalr e s e a r c hc e nt r e s . Pol yc l i ni c s ,s ma l la ndme di ums i z e dhos pi t al sand hos pi t al spr ovi di ngs e c ondar yc ar ei sownbymuni c i pa l i t i e s . Thepr i vat es e c t orc ons i s t s mai nl yofphar ma c i e s;de nt alc l i ni c s ,l a bor a t or i e sands pe c i a l i s tc a r er at he rt ha nf i r s tc ont ac t pr i mar yc a r e . Thenumbe r sofphys i c i ans ,de nt i s t sa ndnur s e spe r1 00 , 0 00pe opl ear e35 4,6 6 a nd60 3r e s pe c t i ve l y. Bul g ar i ahad9. 8hos pi t a lbe dspe r1 , 00 0popul a t i on( 1 99 7)a nd5. 9 phys i c i anc ont ac t spe rpe r s on( 1 99 8) ,whi c hi si nt heave r a ger a ng ef orEur ope anc ount r i e s . Fi nanc i ng:He al t he xpe ndi t ur ei s3 . 8%ofGDP( 1 99 8)TheHe a l t hI ns ur a nc eAc t( 19 9 8)s e tup aBi s mar c ki anNat i ona lHe a l t hI ns ur a nc eFund( NHI F) . Fundsde di c a t e dt oe he a l t h i nf or ma t i c sa r epa r t soft hebudge t sofMi ni s t r yofEhe al t handMi ni s t r yofSc i e nc eand Educ at i on. I nt r oduct i on Thepur pos eoft hi se s s a yi st opr e s e ntt e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i oni nr ur a la r e aandi t spr osa nd c onsasf or e s e e ni nong oi ngBul gar i anpi l otpr oj e c t . Thepr oj e c ti sc of unde dbyBul gar i aandI nt e r nat i onalTe l e c ommuni c a t i onUni on( I TU) ,ha s s t ar t e datOc t obe r1s t ,2003andwi l lc ont i nuef ort woy e a r s .I twa sde ve l ope di nc onj unc t i on // / / wi t ht heVa l e t t aAc t i onPl an( ht t p: www. i t u. i nt I TUD/uni va c c e s s pr ogr a m3. ht ml )t ha t s oughtt opr omot euni ve r s a la c c e s st obas i ct e l e c ommuni c a t i ons ,br oadc a s t i ngandI nt e r ne ta s t ool sofde ve l opme nti nr ur a landr e mot ear e a s . Thepr oj e c tf oc us e si te f f or t st owa r d i nt r oduc i nge he a l t hi nr ur alands e mi mount a i nous r e gi oni nBul gar i a. I thast ode ve l op,t e s ta nd e val uat et hee f f e c t i ve ne s sofal oc al ,pa c ke t bas e d wi r e l e s sa c c e s si nf r as t r uc t ur er e l y i ngmai nl yon2. 4 GHzf r e que nc ybandandopt i cc onne c t i onsi nr ur al ar e a,bui l di ngande qui ppi ngpubl i ct e l e c e nt r e si n 10vi l l age sa ndc onne c t i ngt he mi nane t wor k. I n addi t i on,t hene t wor ki sc onne c t e dt ol oc a l Eme r ge nc yme di c alc e nt r ea nds pe c i al i z e d t e l e s e r ve ra tBul g ar i anAc ade myofSc i e nc e . Thus t hepr oj e c thast opr ovi deapl at f or mf ort hewi de i nt r oduc t i onofmul t i me di as e r vi c e ss uc ha s t e l e me di c i ne( e s pe c i al l yt e l e c a r di ol ogy) , t e l e ps yc hol ogy,t e l e e duc at i one t c . Pr oj e c tpar t ne r s ar e:f r om Swi t z e r l andI TU a ndf r om Bul gar i aMi ni s t r yofTr ans por ta nd Communi c at i on,nat i onalTe l e c ommuni c at i on Company,t heAs s oc i at i onofTe l e c e nt r e s , Fi g . 1 3 5 / DrMa l i naJ or danova ,I ns t i t ut eofPs y c hol og y,Bul gar i anAc a de myofSc i e nc e s ,Bul g ar i a,Te l Fa x:+3 5 9297 9 7 080,e ma i l:mj or da n@ba s . bg 13 9 Se pt e mvr iCommuni t y( t her e gi onwhe r et hepr oj e c tt a ke spl ac e )a ndSol a r Te r r e s t r i al I nf l ue nc e sLabor a t or yatBul ga r i anAc a de myofSc i e nc e s( STI LBAS) . STI LBASi s r e s pons i bl ef ort hee he al t hpar toft hepr oj e c t ,i nc l udi ngt e l e c a r di ol og yandt e l e ps yc hol og y. Pr oj e c tst ar g e tr e gi oni sas ma l ls e mi mount ai nousdi s t r i c t ,Se pt e mv r ic ommuni t y. Ther e a s on t odi r e c ta t t e nt i ont oar ur a la r e ai st hat3 1 . 6%ofBul g ar i a npopul a t i onl i v e si nr e mot evi l l a g e s . I ft hepe r c e ntofc i t i z e nsf r om s mal lt ownsi sa dde d,mor et hathal fofBul ga r i ansl i ve si nr ur a l ar e as . Pe opl ei nr ur ala r e asa r ei nunf a vour abl ec ondi t i onswhe na c c e s st oI Pbas e d t e c hnol ogi e si sc ons i de r e d. Today ,awi devar i e t yofne wt e l e c ommuni c a t i onappl i c at i onss uc ha se ma i l ,t e l e me di c i ne , e c omme r c e ,t e l e e duc at i onande t c . ,hav ema deac c e s st oi nt e r ac t i vemul t i me di as e r vi c e sa s i mpor t antf orr ur ala ndr e mot ec ommuni t i e sa sv oi c ec onne c t i v i t yal one . Si nc ee a c hr ur al di s t r i c torc ommuni t yr e qui r e sadi f f e r e ntmi x t ur eofvoi c e ,t e xt ,i mag e ,vi de oa nda udi o c ommuni c at i onst ome e ti t sne e dsbe s t ,t oda yst e l e c ommuni c a t i onne t wor kope r a t or smus tbe abl et os uppor tawi der angeofs e r vi c e s ,appl i c a t i onsa ndba ndwi dt hl e v e l sa tar e a s ona bl e c os t . Toac c ommodat et he s ene wa ppl i c a t i ons ,t hef oc usofne w ne t wor kc ons t r uc t i onar ound t hewor l di ss hi f t i ngr api dl yf r om c onve nt i ona lPSTN t oI Pbas e dt e c hnol ogi e s .I ti s i mpor t antt hatr ur ala r e asnotbes i de l i ne ddur i ngt hi spr oc e s s . Se pt e mv r iCommuni t yi sa ni de alr e pr e s e nt a t i veofr ur ala r e a .I tc ov e r s3 49km2i nc l udi ng nor t hpa r t sofRodopimount a i nsa ndwe s tpa r t sofSr e dnagor amount a i na ndhas30, 1 36 i nhabi t a nt sl i vi ngi nt ownSe pt e mvr ipl us1 3vi l l ag e smos toft he m wi t h1 , 000 2 , 5 0 0r e s i de nt s . Wi t hi t ss c ar c i t yofpubl i cf ac i l i t i e sa ndt e c hni c alpe r s ona l ,di f f i c ul tt opog r aphi c a la ndc l i mat i c c ondi t i onst hatma kec r i t i c alde mandsone qui pme ntpl usl ow l e ve lofe c onomi ca c t i vi t y,ba s e d ma i nl yonag r i c ul t ur e ,a ndl ow pe rc api t ai nc ome ,hi ghpe r c e nt ageofune mpl oy me nt , unde r de ve l ope ds oc i a li nf r as t r uc t ur e sa ndhi ghc al l i ngr at e spe ror di nar yt e l e phonel i ne , Se pt e mvr ic ommuni t yi spe r f e c tpl ac et ode ve l opandt e s twi r e l e s si nf r a s t r uc t ur e sa ndi t s mul t i me di aappl i c at i ons .I twa sa l s oc hos e nbe c a us eofc onc e nt r a t e dne t wor kofe x i s t i ng t e l e c e nt r e s . Thepe r s onne lonhandi shi g hl yqua l i f i e dandi npos i t i ont oope r a t eand mai nt a i nt heWi r e l e s sI Pba s e ds ys t e m;t hea r e ai ss e mi mount ai noust ha tr e qui r e ss i g ni f i c ant i nve s t me nt sf orc abl ec ommuni c at i onne t wor k; t hepe r c e nt a g eoft hepopul at i onwi t hhome c omput e r si sne gl i gi bl eandt hec os toft e l e phoneandl e a s e dl i ne si sv e r yhi gh. Net wo r k Thee xi s t i ngwi r e l e s sac c e s st e c hnol og i e swi l lnotbe di s c us s e dhe r e ,ne i t he rt hi si st hepl ac et oe x pl ai nt he f i nalc hoi c eofbot hwi r e l e s sa ndt e l e me di c i ne e qui pme ntt hatwi l lbeus e d. Al lde v i c e sa r epi c ke d outbyt heongoi ngauc t i ons .I ti si mpor t antt o me nt i ononc ea gai nt hatt hegoali st oc onne c tt e n publ i cs i t e si nt hec ommuni t y,whi c hi sa l mos t6 5%of c ommuni t yvi l l age s( Fi g. 2 ) . Thene t wor kc ons i s t sof t e nwi r e l e s sr out e r sa ndf ort hec onne c t i v i t ybe t we e n a nyt wonode sa tl e as tt hr e epat hsa r epos s i bl e . The wi r e l e s ss ys t e mi nt e r c onne c t swi t hpubl i cs wi t c he d t e l e phonene t wor kt hr ought het r a ns i tg at e wa y( TGW) t hatwi l lbei ns t al l e datt hel oc ale xc hangei nt het own ofSe pt e mvr i . 3al r e adye xi s t i ngt e l e c e nt r e s( vi l l a ge si n bl ac konFi g. 1 )a r ei nc or por at e di nt hene t wor k. I n t her e mai ni ngvi l l age s ,t e l e c e nt r e sa r eor g a ni z e da nd 14 0 Fi g . 2 Vi l l age si nc l ude di nt he ne t wor k e qui ppe daspar toft hepr oj e c t . Tel ecar di ol ogy Thepr oj e c tg i ve ss pe c i ale mphas i st ot e l e c ar di ol og y, duet ot hef ac tt hatc ar di ov as c ul a rdi s e as e sar e l e adi ngc aus eofde at hi nBul gar i a( WHO,20 0 3) . Thee xami nat i onofpul s e ,bl oodpr e s s ur ea nd e l e c t r oc ar di ogr am a r et hef i r s ta ndt hatswhyt he Fi g . 3 Compar i s onofpe r c e nt ageof mos tof t e nus e dt ool spr ov i di ngc l ue st o > e l de r l y( 65yr s )i nBul ga r i a c ar di ovas c ul arpr obl e ms . A phys i c i anc ane a s i l y a ndEur ope de t e c tma nyhe ar tc ondi t i onsbe f or es y mpt oms be c omeappar e ntbyme as ur i ngpul s e ,bl oodpr e s s ur e / a ndbyus i ngane l e c t r oc a r di ogr am. Tha ti swhyt hea bi l i t i e soft hephy s i c i ans GPst o moni t orpr e c i s e l yandqui c kl yt he s epa r a me t e r sa r et hemos ta dv anc e dme t hodt or e ve a lf i r s t s ympt omsofc omi ngmyoc ar di ali nf ar c torot he rc ar di ov a s c ul arc ompl i c a t i ons . Gr oupst hatwi l lbe ne f i tf r om t e l e me di c i neappl i c at i ona r epat i e nt ss uf f e r i ngf r om c a r di ova s c ul ardi s e as e s; pat i e nt sonme di c a t i ons ,whi c hma yaf f e c tt hehe a r ta sECG,bl ood pr e s s ur eandpul s emoni t or i ngde t e r mi net hei mme di at ee f f e c t sofc hange si na c t i v i t yor me di c at i onl e ve l s;e l de r l y. Thel at t e rg r oupi se s pe c i al l yi mpor t a nta sc ong e s t i v ehe ar tf ai l ur e , i st hes i ngl emos tf r e que ntc aus eofhos pi t al i z a t i onf orpe opl ea g e d6 5ye a r sorol de rand be c aus et hepe r c e nt ageofe l de r l yi nourpopul a t i oni sr api dl yi nc r e as i ng( Fi g. 3 ) . Thene t wor kandt hes e r vi c e sa r epr e s e nt e ds c he mat i c a l l yonFi g . 4. Loc alt e l e c e nt r ei sde pi c t e dont hel e f ts i deoft hepi c t ur e .I t swi r e l e s sr out e r swi l lpr ovi de c onne c t i ont oal lot he rt e l e c e nt r e sf r om t hene t wor kandt oSe pt e mvr iEme r g e nc yMe di c a l Ce nt r e( c e nt r alpar t ) . Aspar toft hepr oj e c tg e ne r a lpr a c t i t i one r si nt hevi l l ag e sa r es uppl i e d wi t he l e c t r oni ct e l e c ar ede vi c e s por t abl ebl oodpr e s s ur eme t e r sandpor t a bl e4c hanne l e l e c t r oc ar di ogr aphs( ECG hol t e r s ) .I ti sade c i s i onofl oc alGPt owhom f r om a l lpa t i e nt si n t hevi l l aget oof f e rt hepos s i bi l i t yf orl ongt e r m moni t or i ngandf ur t he rt e l e c ons ul t a t i ons . The ECG hol t e r sha ve12MBf l as hme mor y ,whe r ede pe ndi ngont hebat t e r i e sus e df r om 30upt o Fi g. 4 Pr oj e c tsne t wor kandt e l e me di c i nes e r vi c e s 14 1 7 2hour sECG r e c or dsma ybes ave d. Thea va i l a bl ewi t ht hehol t e rs of t wa r ei sus e r f r i e ndl y andal l owsc ont i nuousr e al t i meECG anal y z e s;ST me as ur e me nt sa nda na l ys e st r a c ksf or r hyt hm andmor phol ogi c alc hange s;ma r ksa nyabnor malECG e poc h;c omput e se ve r ymi nut e he ar tr at e ,QRSwi dt handRR v ar i abi l i t y;e t c . Thepos s i bi l i t yt ha tv i l l a geGPwi l la na l yz et heECG r e c or dus i ngt heav ai l abl es of t wa r ei snot / / e xc l ude d. I ft heGPi snots ki l l e de noug hori fhe s hef e e l sne c e s s i t yt oc ons ul ts pe c i a l i s t ,he hec hanc evi al oc a lt e l e c e nt r e st ot r ans f e rabnor ma lpar t sofECG r e c or dora l lECG s hehast r e c or dsdi f f i c ul tf ordi ag nos t i c st ol oc alme di c alc e nt r e . Thef e e dbac khe l psf orpr ope ra nd f as tt r e at me nta ndf ol l owupofpat i e nt s . Thusbot hl oc a lme di c a lpe r s onne la ndpa t i e nta r e i nc l ude di nt hepr oc e s soft e l e c ons ul t a t i ons ,t e l e di a gnos t i c sa ndt e l e t r e at me nt . Se pt e mvr iEme r ge nc ys e r vi c e sc e nt r ene ti sr e pr e s e nt e di nt hec e nt r eoff i g . 3. I t spa r t i c i pa t i on i nt hene t wor ksi sa ne xc e l l e ntde c i s i on,a st hehi g hqual i f i c at i onofme di c a lpe r s ona lf r om t hi s c e nt r ewi l lpr ovi dec ont i nuoust e l e c ons ul t a t i onsdur i ngt het i meoft hepr oj e c ta nda f t e ri t s e nd. Thee qui pme ntofme di c alc e nt r ei nc l udeamongal lot he rme di c a lde vi c e saddi t i ona l c omput e r s ,vi de oc ame r a sa ndt e l e phonel i ne s ,s pe c i a l l yde di c at e dt oc onne c t i onwi t ht he c ommuni t ypubl i cne t . Te l e c ons ul t at i onswi l lbeor g a ni z e da ts pe c i f i cpr e ar r ange dhour s , whi c hmayva r yf ordi f f e r e ntv i l l age s . I nor de rt omakeal lc ons ul t at i ons ,di s t a ntdi a gnos t i candt r e a t me nte as ya ndc ont r ol l a bl e , e l e c t r oni cve r s i onsofpat i e nt sr e c or dswi l lbeus e d. Oneoft heav a i l abl ea tt hemar ke t e l e c t r oni cdat apac kage s ,appr ove dbyNat i ona lHe al t hI ns ur anc eI ns t i t ut i on,wi l lbec hos e n. Thusa l ldat amaybec he c ke dpe r i odi c a l l ya nda na l y z e di nde t a i l sdur i ngpr oj e c tt i mea nd a f t e ri t se nd. Whati smor e ,t omaket het e l e c a r di ol og ys e s s i onsmor ee f f e c t i v e ,c ar di ol ogi s t s , c ons ul t ant sf r om t hee me r ge nc yc e nt r ewi l lr e c e i vet hes a mebl oodpr e s s ur ea ndECG s of t wa r e pac kaget hata r eavai l abl ewi t hbl oodpr e s s ur eandECG hol t e r s .I nas hor tt i mea f t e r a na l yz i ngpat i e nt sECG r e c or dsc ar di ol ogi s t swi l ls e ndv i ae mai lorv oi c emai lt he i r r e c omme nda t i onsf orf ur t he rt r e a t me nta ndmoni t or i ng . Oneaddi t i onalt e l e s e r ve ri si nc l ude dont her i ghtha nds i deoff i g. 4 . Thi si st het e l e s e r ve rat STI LBAS,whi c hi sunde rt hes upe r vi s i onofSTI LBASTe l e me di c i neg r oup. Thel a t t e rha s t o: ―Se r veasme t hodol ogi c a ls upe r vi s or ,i . e .t of ol l ow a ndhe l pbot hvi l l a g eGPsa ndSe pt e mv r i me di c alc e nt r es t af ft oor gani z eandc ar r youta l lt e l e me di c i nes e r v i c e s; ―Fol l ow t hes t r i c tf i l li nofa l lpat i e nt se l e c t r oni cda t ar e c or ds;t hepr e c i s eandc or r e c tus eof c ar di ov as c ul arde vi c e s;pr e c i s ea ppl i c a t i onofbl oodpr e s s ur eandECG s of t wa r e; ―St or et e l e e he al t hs e r vi c edat af orf ut ur eana l ys i s . I naddi t i onTe l e me di c i neg r ouphast os t udyanda nal y z e: ―Me di c ale f f e c toft e l e me di c i nes e r vi c ei nt e r msoft i meoft r e at me nt ,t i mef orr e c e i v i ng c ons ul t at i onse t c . ; ―Fi na nc i a le f f e c toft e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i onc ompar e dt onor ma lf ac e t of ac ev i s i t s( r e duc t i on ofhe a l t hc ar ec os t sbyr e duc i ngt henumbe rofvi s i t st hatme di c a ls t a f fne e dst oma ket o t he i rpat i e nt s; byc ut t i ngdownonpat i e nt sj our ne yst ohe a l t hc e nt r e sors pe c i a l i s t s c ons ul t at i ons;byr e duc i ngt hel e ngt hofs t a yi nhos pi t al sa nde t c . ) , ―Ps yc hol ogi c ale f f e c toft e l e me di c i nes e r v i c e ,i . e .as s e s s me ntt hes at i s f ac t i onoft heme di c a ls t a f f appl yi ngt e l e c ons ul t at i ons ,ana l yz i ngt e l e e he al t hac c e pt a nc ef r om t hepoi ntofv i e w of pa t i e nt sa ndr e l a t i ve se t c . BASt e l e s e r ve rmayhave3mor eappl i c a t i ons: 14 2 ―Toor gani z e ,i fa ndwhe nne c e s s ar y,c ons ul t at i onswi t hhi g hl yqual i f i e dme di c als pe c i a l i s t . swi t ht heme di c a ls t af fofDrGr e e nbe r gc l i ni ci nSof i a , Ne got i at i onsar ei npr ogr e s ―Toor ndnur s e sf r om t her ur a l gani z e ,t e l e e duc at i onandt e l e t r a i ni ngf orme di c aldoc t or sa a r e a,t oor ga ni z et e l e c onf e r e nc e s ,t e l e t r adi ngf ort e l e me di c i nepr oduc t se t c . ―Toor z e ,i fa ndwhe nne c e s s ar y,t e l e ps y c hol ogi c alc ons ul t at i ons . Thes t a f foft he ga ni I ns t i t ut eofPs yc hol ogy( I P) ,BAS,wi l lbei nv ol v e di ndi s t antps yc hol og i c alc ons ul t a t i ons . Thi si smos ta ppr opr i a t ede c i s i onasI PBASi st hel a r ge s tnat i onalc e nt r ef orf undame nt al ps yc hol ogi c a ls t udi e sandt r ans f e rofs c i e nt i f i cac hi e ve me nt si ndi f f e r e ntbr anc he sof ps y c hol ogyandt e c hnol og y, Tel eps ychol og y Anot he rs t r at e gi cgoaloft hepr oj e c ti st ode ve l opa ndof f e ravi r t ualhi g hqual i t y ps yc hol ogi c als e r vi c et ope opl ef r om r e mot ear e a st hatha dnopos s i bi l i t yt oc ons ul t pr of e s s i onal . Te xt ,c ol ouri mage s ,s hor t s e g me ntv i de oa ndaudi oc l i pswi l lbet r a ns mi t t e d dur i ngt hec our s eoft hepr oj e c t . Thust hepr oj e c te mpl oyss t at e of t he a r tr e mot ene t wor ki ng t e c hnol ogyt oe nabl ee xpe r t st oc ommuni c a t edi r e c t l ywi t hpat i e nt sandt ope r f or mr e mot e c ons ul t at i ons ,s upe r vi s i on,ps y c hol ogi c a le v al ua t i onsandc ont i nuousmoni t or i ngaswe l la st o advi s er ur alps yc hol ogi s t sa nde he al t hwor ke r s . Thr e ear et hemai nr e as onst oi nc l udet e l e ps y c hol og yi nt hepr oj e c t: ―Theme anst oof f e re ps yc hol og i c alc ons ul t at i onsa r eava i l abl e . Expe r i e nc eofot he r c ount r i e sr e ve al e dt hei mpor t anc eofe ps y c hol ogya ndi t se f f e c t i v e ne s s( Ai ns wor t h2 004; Gar c i ae tal .2004;Lahad2004; Wi l de r mut h2 0 04 ) . Butf or e i g ne x pe r t i s ei snota ppl i c abl e i ft he r ear enota c c ur at ec ondi t i onst oi nt r oduc ei ta ndi ft hi se x pe r t i s ei snotadj us t e dt o l oc alc har ac t e r i s t i c sa ndr e qui r e me nt s . ―I nBul gar i at he r ei sade mandofs uc hs e r vi c e s . Al t houghc omput e r sandI nt e r ne ta r enot %ofI nt e r ne tvi s i t or sa r el ooki ng,f orps yc hol ogi c a l avai l abl ei ne ve r yhous e hol d,about1 i nf or mat i onands uppor t . Whatus e r sar el ooki ngf or ? Thea ns we ri ss i mpl e ma nype opl e know how t he ys houl dl i vehe al t hi e r( f ood,we i ght ,e xe r c i s ee t c . )butar enotabl et oa dj us t t he i rl i f et ot hi sknowl e dge .I nt e r ne tus e r sa r eve r ymuc hl ooki ngf ors uc hi nf or mat i on. I n addi t i on,t he yar el ooki ngf orps yc hol ogi c a la dvi c ea ndc ouns e l l i ngi nl ot sofar e asc ove r i ng l i f e s t yl epr obl e ms ,l one l i ne s s ,me l anc hol y ,j e a l ous y,ma r i t a lpr obl e ms ,al c ohola nddr ug de pe nde nc e ,bul i mi ae t c . Al loft hi sma ybej us ta par tofe v e r y dayl i f e ,or ma ybes e r i ousme nt al i l l ne s s e s ,ora ny t hi ng i nbe t we e n. Eve nl e s s s e r i ouspr obl e msa r e of t e nac a us eofmi s e r y andl ac kofc a pa c i t yf or pr oduc t i vewor kand he al t hi e rl i f e . Se ve r al we bs i t e sa l r e adye xi s t of f e r i nge xc l us i ve l yora s par toft he i rs e r v i c e vi r t ualps yc hol ogi c al Fi g. 5 Loc a lv i r t ualps y c hol ogi c a ls i t eof f e r i ngon-a ndof f l i ne c ons ul t at i ons( Fi g. 5) . c ons ul t at i ons 14 3 Somear ef r e e ,s omer e qui r es ma l lf e e . The us e r sc ont a c tt he s es i t e sus ual l yf r om home . I nt hepr oj e c tst ar ge tr e gi onhomec omput e r s andI nt e r ne tac c e s sf r om homear er e a r . De ve l opme ntofl oc alpubl i cf r e eofc har ge t e l e c e nt r e s ,asr e al i z e di nt hi spr oj e c t ,i sa s ol ut i onof f e r i ngabi gge rpr opor t i onof popul at i onac c e s st ovi r t ualps yc hol og y c ons ul t at i ons . ―I naddi t i on,t r a di t i onal l y,ps yc hol ogi c alhe l p hasbe e nt r e at e dast heCi nde r e l l aofhe a l t h s e r vi c e sde s pi t eofi t si mpor t anc e . Wor l d Fi g. 6 Wor ki ngpl a c ef orv i r t ua l He al t hOr gani z at i one s t i mat e st hatnowa da ys ps y c hol ogi c a lc ons ul t at i ons a l mos t1 , 50 0mi l l i onpe opl es uf f e rf r om ps yc hol ogi c alpr obl e msa ndne e dhe l p. De s pi t eoft hi sf a c t ,ps yc hol ogi c alc ons ul t i ng,wi t hs omee x c e pt i ons ,i snotc ove r e dby i ns ur anc ef unds . Eps yc hol ogyof f e r sr e l at i ve l yc he e ps ol ut i onwhi c hma ys a t i s f i e dpa t i e nt s andwi l lnotpute nor mousbur de nonhe al t hc a r ebudge t . Ent hus i as t i cl i c e ns e dps yc hol og i s t sa r ei nv ol ve di nvi r t ualps y c hol og i c a lc ons ul t at i ons . / Pot e nt i alpat i e ntus e r shavet ovi s i tl oc a lt e l e c e nt r e swhe r es pe c i a l i z e d,hi dde nf r om v i e wa nd s oundpr oofpl ac e sf orps yc hol ogi c alc ons ul t a t i onsar ee qui ppe d. Thus ,i fa ndwhe nne c e s s ar y , us e r sr e l yont e c hni c aladvi s e sa ndont hehe l poft e l e c e nt r es t af f . Thet e c hni c a ls t a f fwi l lnot at t e ndt e l e s e s s i ons . Di r e c tc onne c t i oni sor gani z e dbe t we e nl oc a lt e l e c e nt r e sa ndas e r ve ra t STI LBAS. Thel a t t e ri st hewor ki ngpl a c ef orv i r t ua lps y c hol ogi c alc ons ul t a t i ons( Fi g. 6 ) .I n or de rt omakee ps yc hol ogi c alc ont ac ta se as i e ra spos s i bl e ,3mode l sofc ont a c t sa r ef or e s e e n: ―Exc hangeoft e xtme s s age s ,i . e .e ma i l s; ―I ne tt e l e phonyand nt e r ―Vi de oc onne c t i on. Bot honl i neandof f l i nes e s s i onsa r epl anne d. Of f l i nes e s s i onsr e l ye nt i r e l yont e x tme s s ag e s . Vi s ua lc ont ac twi l lbeus e donl yi nc as eofne c e s s i t yanda f t e rpr e l i mi nar yag r e e me ntbe t we e n us e randps y c hol ogi s t .I ti se s s e nt i a lt obeunde r l i ne dt ha tt hepr oj e c tdoe snotf oc uson t r e at me ntofs e v e r eme nt alc ondi t i ons .I ti snotor i e nt e dt owar dst hes e r i ousi l l ne s s e s ,whi c h mayr e qui r ehos pi t al i z at i on. Eps y c hol og y,a sf or e s e e ni nt hepr oj e c t ,i st a r ge t e da tt hos e ma nype opl e ,f r om a l la geg r oups ,whoar es uf f e r i ngi ns i l e nc e ,whodonots e e kadoc t oror ps y c hi at r i s tbutwhoc anbea i de di nac hi e vi ngabe t t e ra ndmor epr oduc t i v el i f eby ps yc hol ogi c ala dvi c e . I nawor d,wepr e f e randputt hes t r e s sont e xt me s s age sasmai nc ommuni c at i ons our c eof e ps yc hol ogi c alc ouns e l l i ng . Re as onst opr e f e re ma i lc ont a c t sa r e: ―Ema i l sa r ee as yt ous e ,f ami l i art oma nypot e nt i a lpat i e nt sandve r ys i mi l art owr i t i ng l e t t e r s .I naddi t i ont he ypr ovi deanonv i s ualandnona udi t or y ,pr i v at ea ndr e l i abl ewa yof c ommuni c at i onandc r e a t eaps yc hol og i c als pac ei nwhi c hpai rofpe opl ei nt e r a c t s , ―Emai l sc r e a t eat e xtt al kasJ ohnSul e r( 2 0 04)br i l l i a nt l ye xpl a i ns . Fort hos ewhol ov et o wr i t e ,e ma i li sahe ave n. Lot sofpe opl ef e e lt ha tt he yc a ne x pr e s st he ms e l ve sbe t t e ri nt he wr i t t e nwor ds . As ki l l f ulwr i t ei sa bl et oc ommuni c a t ec ons i de r abl ede pt ha nds ubt l e t yi n t hede c e pt i ve l ys i mpl ewr i t t e nwor d. Wr i t i ngmayi nv ol vedi f f e r e ntme nt a lme c ha ni s mst ha n 14 4 i npe r s ont al kaswr i t t e ndi al oguer e f l e c t sadi s t i nc tc og ni t i v es t y l et ha te nabl e ss omepe opl e t obemor ee xpr e s s i ve ,s ubt l e ,or gani z e d,orc r e a t i vei nhow t he yc ommuni c a t e . Thuswr i t t e n t e xtof t e nr e ve al spe r s onalc har ac t e r i s t i c ,whi c hi sofs i gni f i c anthe l pdur i ngvi r t ua l c ons ul t at i ons . ―Ema i l smaybeanonymousa save r a geI nt e r ne tus e r sa r enota wa r ehow t ot r ac kdownt he or i g i nandi de nt i t yt heme s s age .I fus e r swa nt ,t he ymayus eps e udonym,notr e alna me s . Theonl yr e qui r e me nti st oke e pt hes ameps e udonym dur i ngt hee nt i r edur a t i onof e ps yc hol ogi c a lc ont ac t s . Thi spot e nt i a lf ora nonymi t yandt hel ac koff ac e t of a c ec ue s di s i nhi bi t ss omepe opl e ,whi c hi sv e r yi mpor t a nti ns mal lpat r i ar c halc ommuni t i e sa st hos e e nga ge di nt hepr oj e c t . Pe opl ef e e lf r e et os a yt hi ngst he ywoul dntor di na r i l ys ay , e nc our age st he mt obemor eope n,hone s t ,a nda f f e c t i ona t e . ―Emai lc ont ac t sus ual l ya r eof f l i neanddonotoc c uri nr e a lt i me . Thi si se s s e nt i a lf or /pat us e r s i e nt sa sg i ve st i met ot hi nk,e va l uat eandc ompos et he i rme s s a ge si namos t appr opr i at ewa y. Thes amec ountf orl i c e ns e dps y c hol ogi s t ,whoi snotpr e s s e dt or e s pond ont he s pota ndi fne c e s s ar ymayt akeadv ant a geoft hi sandde di c at emor et i meon c ons i de r i nge v e r ypar t i c ul arc as e .I naddi t i on,t heas ync hr onousc ha r ac t e rofe mai l e xc hangegi v e sc hanc et oadj us tt hes pe e dofv i r t ua lc ouns e l l i ngac c or di ngt ot hene e dsoft he us e r s .I nt e r ac t i vet i mec anbes hor t e ne dors t r e t c he d,a sne e de d. ―Las e as t ,e mai l se xc ha ng ee na bl e sust or e c or dt hei nt e r a c t i onsbys a v i ngt he tbutnotl t ype dt e xtme s s age s . Ofc our s e ,us a geofe ma i l shasne gat i ves i t e st oo: ―Somepe opl emaynotbeat t r ac t e dt oe mai lbe c a us ei ti nvol v e st ypi ng. Ev e r y oneknows how t ot al kbutnote ve r yonef e e l sc omf or t a bl et ypi ng. De f i ni t e l y,t het ypi ng/ wr i t i ngba r r i e r wi l lf i l t e rs omeus e r s . ―Emai la nonymi t yi snotf undame nt a l l ya good t hi ng .I tma yt ur noutt obe ba d as we l l .I tc ut sbot hways . ―Spam i sa not he rne gat i veas pe c tofe mai l i ng . Al le mai lus e r sar es ubj e c t e dt oj unkma i l s ai me dt os e l ls ome t hi ng. Thi smaybeas e r i ouspr obl e m,a spe opl es ubj e c t i v e l ye xpe r i e nc e e ma i la sape r s onals pa c e . Re c e i v i ngs pa m maybe a tbac ks omeus e r s . For e s e e ns ol ut i oni sa va i l abl eI nt e r ne tt e l e phonyandpr e s c he dul e ds e s s i onswi t hl i c e ns e d ps yc hol ogi s tf ort hos ewhoar enotwi l l i ngorr e a dyt or e l yone mai lc ont ac t s . Expect edout come s ―Che apt e l e me di c i nes e r vi c es ui t abl et oi mpr ov equal i t yofhe a l t hc a r eandhe a l t hmoni t or i ng ofpat i e nt sf r om adi s t anc e; ―De ve l opme ntofa dvanc e di nt e r a c t i vee nvi r onme ntf orme di c als t af fa ndpat i e nt s; ―Ne w knowl e dgeac qui r e dc onc e r ni ngt hea c c e pt a nc eofi nt e l l i ge nte nvi r onme ntbypa t i e nt s andt hei nf l ue nc eoft e l e me di c i nes e r vi c eonl i f es at i s f a c t i onandons a t i s f a c t i onf r om v i r t ua l he al t hs upe r vi s i on; Si g ni f i c antr e duc t i onofpar tofhe al t hc ar ebudge t sde di c a t e dt ohomehe a l t hvi s i t s . Pot ent i alp r obl ems Par t ne r sa r ewe l la wa r et hatt he yl lf ac es i gni f i c antpr obl e msdur i ngt hee nt i r edur a t i onoft he pr oj e c t . Someoft he s epr obl e msa r eal r e a dyar e a l i t y ,ot he ra r es t i l ll at e nt . Fe w oft he 14 5 pr obl e mst hatwea r el ooki ngt oove r c omea r e: ―Ne gat i veat t i t udeora tl e as ts us pi c i ont owa r dst e l e me di c i nea ppl i c at i onsa nde s pe c i al l yt o di s t a ntc ons ul t a t i onsasc ompar e dt of ac e t of a c es e r v i c e . Thi si sapr obl e m wehav ea l r e a dy me ta ndt r y i ngt obe atdown. Bot hme di c als t af fandpot e nt i a lus e r sa r es us pi c i ons . Thi s at t i t udei sc hange dve r ys l owl yandwi t hl ot sofe f f or t s . ―Thel ac koft e c hni c ale xpe r i e nc eofbot hl oc alme di c a ls t af fa ndpat i e nt s . Fort hemome nt t woar et hewayst oove r c omet hi sobs t a c l e:( 1 )t r a i ni ngc our s e sf orv ol unt e e r st ous eand be c omef ami l i arwi t hI nt e r ne tt e c hnol ogyand( 2)t e c hni c als uppor tofus e r si nl oc a l t e l e c e nt r e s . ―Anot he rs e r i ouspr obl e mi sune ve nas s e s st oI nt e r ne t . Thepr of i l eofI nt e r ne tus e r si nt he c ount r yr e ve al st ha t( a)I nt e r ne tus a gei ns mal lv i l l ag e si st i me ss ma l l e rt ha ni nt hec a pi t a lor bi gc i t i e s;( b)The r ei sas i gni f i c antag eands e xdi f f e r e nc e si nI nt e r ne tus aget oowi t ht he i nc r e as eofme anaget hepe r c e ntofI nt e r ne tus e r sdr opsa ndr e ac he s3 . 1%i nt heag e g r oup>50yr s .I naddi t i on,me nas s e s sI nt e r ne tal mos tt i me smor et hanwome n( ABC De s i gn& Communi c at i on200 3a& b) . Thi spr obl e mi snote as yt oov e r c ome . Pa r t i a l s ol ut i oni sde ve l opme ntoff r e ec ommuni t yt e l e c e nt r e s ,whi c hi sas t r a t e gi cgoaloft he pr oj e c t . Adv e r t i s e me nt sa ndac t i vei nvol v e me ntofl oc ala dmi ni s t r a t i v eandme di c al aut hor i t i e sal s ohe l ps .I ns omec as e sge ne r a lpr ac t i t i one r sa r et hos ewhohavet opus ha l i t t l epe opl et ous ev i r t ualc ons ul t at i ons . ―Fe ar sofl oos i ngpr of i t s . Thi si sas i gni f i c antpr obl e me s pe c i al l yi nt hec a s eof t e l e ps yc hol ogyc ouns e l l i ngal t houg hi ti sc or r e s pondst ot e l e c ar di ol ogy ,t oo. The s ea r et he mai nf e ar sa sf ort hemome nta de quat er e i mbur s e me ntpol i c ydoe snote x i s t s . He al t h i ns ur anc ef undsdonotc ove rv i r t ualc ons ul t at i ons . Ora g ai n,t hi si st hepr obl e mt os e par a t e c har i t yandbus i ne s s . Butt he s ef e ar sa r enotwe l l f ounde da tl e as ti nt hec as eofv i r t ual ps yc hol ogyhe l p. I ti sr e c ogni z e dt ha tt r a di t i onalps yc hol og yc ons ul t a t i onss e r veonl y f r ac t i onoft hepopul at i onwhor e al l yne e di t . Toma nype opl eI nt e r ne ts e e msmor epr i v a t e , andt hi spe r c e i ve dpr i vac yhe l pst he mc r os st heba r r i e rofs t i g mat os e e khe l pt hr oug h t e l e c ouns e l l i ng. I nt e r ne ti spr ovi di ngabr i dg eac r os soneoft heba r r i e r st ha tke e ppe opl e f r om ge t t i ngt hehe l pt he yne e d. Thust e l e ps y c hol ogye xpandst heg r oupofpot e nt i al pat i e nt sa ndr e a c he spe opl et hati nmos tc a s e swi l lne v e rme e tps y c hol ogi s tf ac e t of ac e . About6 0%ofvi r t ualps yc hol ogypat i e nt sc ons ul tl i c e ns e dps y c hol ogi s tf ort hef i r s tt i mei n t he i rl i f e . Whati smor e ,ove r65 %oft e l e ps yc hol og ypa t i e nt sunde r t aket hene x ts t e pt owa r d f ac e t of ac ec ons ul t at i onsa ndt r e at me nt( Ai ns wor t h2 00 4) . Thus ,s i mpl ee s t i ma t i ons r e v e a l e dt ha te v e nwhe nvi r t ualps yc hol og yc ons ul t a t i onsa r ef r e eofc ha r g e ,e v e nwhe nt he y a r eof f e r e dasc ha r i t y,t her e s ul ti sa ni nc r e as eofpa i df ac e t of a c ec ons ul t at i ons . Puti n anot he rwor ds ,e f f or t sde di c a t e dt ot e l e ps y c hol ogi c a lc ha r i t yatt hee ndr e c e i ve dr e wor d. Or ,i nt hec as eofv i r t ualps yc hol ogy,c har i t ye nhanc e sbus i ne s s . The r ei snodoubtt ha tt he s ames c he mewi l la ppl yt ot e l e c ar di ol ogyaswe l l . ―Ens ur i ngt e c hni c als e c ur i t yandc onf i de nt i a l i t yofv i r t ua lc ons ul t a t i onsmayal s obea pr obl e ma sde s pi t eofnume r oust e c hni c a ls ol ut i ons ,t hepos s i bi l i t yf oruna ut hor i z e da c c e s s t ovi r t ua li nf or mat i onc annotbet ot al l yne g l e c t e d. ―Anot he rpr obl e ma c c ount i ngmai nl yt ot e l e ps yc hol og yandt oas ma l l e re xt e ndt o t e l e c a r di ol ogyi st hel ac kofnonve r ba lc ommuni c a t i onc ha nne l s . Thi si st hebi g g e s t di s adva nt ag eofv i r t ualc ommuni c at i ona shuma nf a c ea ndbodyl ang ua g ear er i c hi n me ani ngande mot i ons . The s eac c ount sbot hf orps yc hol og i s t sa ndf orpat i e nt s . Whe none c a nnots e eot he rpe opl esf ac e sorhe a rt he ms pe a khei sl oos i ngal ls ubt l evoi c eandbody l a ng uagec ue s . Thusa s s e s s i ngt henuanc e sofc ommuni c at i ngi sv e r ydi f f i c ul t . Thel ac kof 14 6 f ac e t of ac ec ue sma yr e s ul ti nambi gui t y. Thi se nha nc e st het e nde nc yt opr oj e c tonc e e xpe c t at i ons ,wi s he s ,anxi e t i e sandf e ar si nt owha tt heot he rpe r s onwr ot e ,unt ot hes ome wha t s hadowyf i gur es i t t i ngatt heot he re ndoft heI nt e r ne t . Ps y c hot he r api s t sc al lt hi sa t r ans f e r e nc er e a c t i on or pr oj e c t i on . I ti sunc ons c i ousa ndc oul dl e adt o mi s unde r s t andi ngsa spe opl edonotr e a l i z ehow i ti ss t e e r i ngt he i rbe ha v i our . Asus ual ,t he c oi nhast wos i t e s ,i . e .t hepos i t i onofot he ra ut hor si sj us tt heoppos i t e . The yc l ai mt ha t e xc ha ngeoft e xtme s s age sc ar r i e sus pa s tt hedi s t r ac t i ngs upe r f i c i a la s pe c t sofape r s ons e xi s t e nc eandc onne c t susmor edi r e c t l yt ot he i rmi nda ndpe r s ona l i t y. Fort he ms e e i ngi s e qua lt obe l i e vi ng. The s ea r et headvoc a t e sofvi de oc hanne l s .I nanat t e mptt omi ni mi z e t hi spr obl e m,t hepr oj e c tg i ve sapos s i bi l i t yt oa ddvi de oc onne c t i oni fa ndwhe nne c e s s ar y . Thi swi l lbedoneonl yaf t e rpr e l i mi na r yagr e e me ntofus e r s . Unde rdi s c us s i oni sa pos s i bi l i t yt o pr oj e c t aphot oofps y c hol ogi s tl e a di ngvi r t ualc ons ul t a t i ons . Hope f ul l yt hi s hast ode c r e as et het r ans f e r e nc er e a c t i ons . De s pi t eoft heaboveme nt i one dpr obl e ms ,pa r t ne r sbe l i e v et hate x pe c t e dout c ome swi l l c ompe ns at ea l ldi f f i c ul t i e s . Pr e di c t abl er e s ul t sa tpr oj e c tse ndar e: ―I mpr ove dqual i t yofe he al t hs e r vi c eduet oe a s i l y,c he a p,f as t ,pr i v a t e ,ata nyt i meandf r om a ny whe r ec ont ac tbe t we e nme di c als t af fa ndpa t i e nt s; ―De v e l opme ntofa dv anc e di nt e r ac t i vee nvi r onme ntf orme di c als t af fa ndpa t i e nt s; ―Ne w knowl e dgeac qui r e dc onc e r ni ngt hea c c e pt a nc eofi nt e l l i g e nte nvi r onme ntbypat i e nt s a ndt hei nf l ue nc eoft e l e me di c i nes e r v i c eonl i f es at i s f ac t i ona ndons at i s f a c t i onf r om v i r t ua l he al t hs upe r vi s i on; ―Si gni f i c antr e duc t i onofpa r tofhe al t hc ar ebudg e t sde di c at e dt ohomehe al t hv i s i t sa sa r e s ul tofa voi danc eofi nc onv e ni e nc eoft r av e l l i ng; ―Cos ta ndt i mes avi ngandi nc r e as e dps yc hol ogi c alc omf or t . I naddi t i on,wehopet of i ndt hepr e c i s ebor de rl i nebe t we e nc ha r i t yandbus i ne s s . Thei ni t i a l i de ai st oof f e rf r e es e r vi c et i l lt hee ndoft hepr oj e c t . Af t e rat woye ar spe r i odt hepr oj e c tha s t obe c omes e l f s uppor t e d. Thi swi l lbedonea ske e pi ngmanys e r vi c e sf r e eofc ha r gebutatt he s amet i mei nt r oduc i ngs omepr e pai ds e r vi c e s ,t oo. Ani de at hatwi l lbec he c ke di st oas k s mal lf e ewhe ne c ons ul t at i onse xc e e dagi v e npr e de f i ne dnumbe r . Thusbot hus e r sa nd me di c als t af fwi l lbepr ot e c t e dt hos eus e r swhone e ds hor tt e r mt r e a t me ntwi l lc ont i nuet o r e c e i vef r e eadvi c e s ,whi l eatt hes amet i mepay me ntwi l lbee ns ur e df orpr of e s s i onal s . Re f er ences [1]ABC De / /www. s i g n& Communi c at i on( 2 00 3a)Onl i nes t a t i s t i c s ,Ne w Me di aEz i ne ,14.04 .20 0 3,ht t p: a bc bg . ? b&00 1 25 c om/ c g i bi n/ e z i ne . pl [2]ABC De / /www. s i g n& Communi c at i on( 2 00 3b)Bul g ar i anI nt e r ne tus e r s ,Ne w Me di aEz i ne ,1 4.04 .20 0 3 ,ht t p: bi n/ e z i ne . pl ? b&00 2 49 a bc bg . c om/ c g i [3]Ai // / / oday ns wor t hM.( 2 00 4 )EThe r apy:Hi s t or yandSur ve y ,ht t p: www. me t a noi a. or g i mhs hi s t or y. ht m# t [4]Ga r c i a ,V. ,Ahuma daL. ,Hi nke l manJ . ,MunozR. a ndQue s z adaJ . ,( 2 0 04 )Ps y c hol ogyov e rt heI nt e r ne t: ,Cy be r ps y c hol og y& Be ha v i our ,Vol . 7 ,1,2 93 3 OnLi neExpe r i e nc e s /Te [5]La / / /pr / e s e nt l ePs y c hol og y. ht m ha dM.( 20 0 4)Te l e ps y c hol og yht t p: i c s pc . t e l ha i . a c . i l oj e c t s pr [6]Sul // l pma g az i ne . c om/ e rJ .( 20 0 4)Theba s i cps yc hol ogi c a lf e a t ur e sofe ma i lc ommuni c a t i onht t p: www. s e l f he / / a bouts t a f fj s bi o. ht ml [7]WHO ( // 2 0 03 )He al t hf orAl lDa t aba s e ,ht t p: www. who. dk/hf a db [8]Wi l de r mut hS.( 2 00 4 )TheEf f e c t sofSt i g ma t i z i ngDi s c our s eont heQua l i t yofOnLi neRe l a t i ons hi ps , -84 Cybe r ps y c hol og y& Be ha v i our ,Vol . 7,1 ,7 3 14 7 4 Camb o d i a36 Backgr ound Ca mbodi a( Fi g. 1)i sSout he as t e r nAs i a,bor de r i ngt heGul fofTha i l a nd,be t we e nThai l and, Vi e t nam,andLaos . Mos tCambodi ansc ons i de rt he ms e l v e st obeKhme r s ,whos eAng kor Empi r ee xt e nde dove rmuc hofSout he a s tAs i aandr e ac he di t sz e ni t hbe t we e nt he1 0 t ha nd 1 3t hc e nt ur i e s . Atpr e s e ntCambodi ahasat ot alar e aof1 81 , 0 40s qkm a ndpopul a t i onof a bout1 3, 60 0, 0 00 . Thegov e r nme nti smul t i par t yde moc r a c yunde rac ons t i t ut i ona lmona r c hy e s t abl i s he di nSe pt e mbe r1 993. I nt r oduct i on TheI nt e r ne tVi l l ageMot omanpr oj e c tc onne c t ss ma l lv i l l a ge si nCa mbodi at ot heI nt e r ne ta nd e mai lc ommuni c at i onst hr oughani nnov at i v e ,y e ts ur pr i s i ngl ys i mpl e ,s y s t e m. Sol ar powe r e d vi l l ages c hool s ,t e l e me di c i nec l i ni c sa ndt hegov e r norsof f i c eha v ebe e nc onne c t e dt ot hel ar g e r wor l d,t hr oug hf i veHondamot or c yc l e se qui ppe dwi t hMobi l eAc c e s sPoi nt sa nda25 6Kb/s Sat e l l i t eupl i nk. Eac hoft hes c hool si ns ur r oundi ngvi l l a ge sc ans e nda ndr e c e i vee mai l . Ma nyoft he s evi l l age shadnopr e vi ousc ommuni c at i onsi nf r a s t r uc t ur e . Nopos t als ys t e m,no t e l e phone s . Manyvi l l age sc anonl yber e ac he dv i aoxc a r tormot or c yc l e .I ti sav i t al ,f i r s t s t e pf ort he s evi l l a ge si nga i ni ngac c e s st omuc hne e de de duc a t i ona l ,me di c alande c onomi c oppor t uni t i e st ha tt he ywoul dot he r wi s enothav e . Ca mbodi aSc hool s .c om ope r at e s225r ur als c hool st hr oughoutCa mbodi awi t hf undi ngf r om pr i va t edonor sandt heWor l dBank. Mor et han5 0oft he s es c hool sa r el i nke dt ot heout s i de wor l dvi aI nt e r ne twi t hMobi l eAc c e s sPoi nt( MAP)pl a c e donmot or c y c l e s . Pr oj ect Obj e c t i ve soft hi sc ommuni c at i ons y s t e mi st opr ovi dev e r yl owc os ts y s t e mf orv i l l a g e st ha t l ac kc ommuni c at i onsi nf r a s t r uc t ur e ,l i kephonel i neorc e l l ul arc ove r age ,butha v ev e hi c l e st hat pa s sbyf r e que nt l y. Thes ys t e mg i ve sv i l l a gepe opl e ,not a l way s on,s t or e a ndf or wa r d c onne c t i ons ,s har i ngi t sa c c e s sde vi c e ,i . e .c omput e r spl usWi Fia c c e s spoi nt ,l oc at e da ts c hool s andvi l l ageki os ks . Thes ys t e m hast hr e emai nc ompone nt s: ・Hub( HubI nt e r ne tAc c e s sPoi nt ):Thi si sapl ac ei na t own( notr ur alvi l l age )whe r et he r ei sar e l i abl e c onne c t i ont ot heI nt e r ne t( di a l up,f i br eorSat e l l i t e ) ・Mobi l eAc c e s sPoi nt( MAP):A wi r e l e s sde vi c e mount e donave hi c l et ha tt r a ve l sf r om t heHubt ot he vi l l age sa ndba c k. I nt hi spr oj e c ti nCambodi a, mot or c yc l e sa nds ome t i me soxc ar t sar eus e da st he ve hi c l ef orMAP. I not he rpr oj e c t ,f ore xa mpl ei n I ndi a,bus e swe r eus e dasMAP. ・Vi l l ageFi xe dAc c e s sPoi nt( FAP):Sc hool sorvi l l age Ki os kwhe r ec omput e r( s )a r ei ns t al l e d. Vi l l a ge r sand s c hoolc hi l dr e nus et he mt os e ndandr e c e i veme s s a ge s . Me s s age st obee xc hange dar et e mpor a r ys t or e di na 3 6 Fi g. 1 /Ame -7 Be r nar dKr i s he r ,Cha i r man,J a pa nRe l i e ff orCa mbodi a r i c a na s s i s t a nc ef orCa mbodi a,Addr e s s: 41 6 05 @me Hi r oo,Shi buy aku,Toky o,J a pa n,Emai l: be r ni e di a. mi t . e du 14 8 PCboxc onne c t e dt ot hec omput e r sunt i lt he yar ec ol l e c t e dbyMAP. I nt hi swa y ,me s s a ge s c anber e t r i e ve de ve ni fus e r st ur ne dof ft hec omput e r s . Ope r at i onsoft hec ommuni c at i ons ys t e msar ea sf ol l ows: ・Mot or c yc l e s( MAP)dr i ve sbyvi l l ag et opi c kupme s s ag ef r om v i l l a gea c c e s spoi ntt ha ts t or e s me s s ag eor i gi nal l yc r e at e datt hec omput e r s . Mot or c yc l e sne e dnots t opf orpi c kup,onl y dr i ves l owl yatt hevi l l a geac c e s spoi nt . ・Themot or c y c l evi s i t sot he rvi l l a ge sont hepi c kupr out ef ormor eme s s age s . ・Whe nr e t ur ne dt oHubpl ac e ,MAPs e ndsi t ss t or e dme s s ag e st ot hehuba ndont ot he I nt e r ne t . ・Ne xtday,ori nne xtpi c kupr i de ,mot or c y c l e sobt ai nme s s ag e satt hehub. The y,t he n,dr op of fme s s age satv i l l a geac c e s spoi nt sa ndatt hes a met i mepi c kupne w me s s a ge s . ・Thi sc ol l e c t i onandde l i v e r yc yc l ec r e at e sa s t or e andf or wa r dwi r e l e s sne t wor k wi t hal a r g e c a pa c i t y a ve r a gevol umeof4 0Mbyt e spe rv i l l ageac c e s spoi nt . a) b) Fi g. 3 a)Sc hoola ndVi l l a g eKi os k( Vi l l ag eFi xe dAc c e s sPoi nt )a nd b)Mot or c yc l e( Mobi l eAc c e s sPoi nt ) Techni calc har act er i s t i csf o rWi Fiac ces spo i nt s( Hub,MAP,andFAP): ・Radi 02. 11b/gi nt e r f ac ea t2 . 4GHz ,1 0 0mW out put oc ar d:I EEE 8 ・I nt e r f ac e:2x10/100MbEt he r ne tpor t s ・1xs e r i alpor t ・CPU:c us t om e mbe dde dPC r unni ngLi nux ・Me mor y: 6 4MBSDRAM,256-512MBc ompac tf l as hme mor y ・Powe r:ac c e pt s8 14vDC powe rs uppl y ・Envi -60de r onme nt:ope r at i ont e mpe r at ur e0 g r e e s Thepr i c e sf orac c e s spoi nt sa r ea boutUSD 6 00,s l i ght l ydi f f e r e ntde pe ndi ngont het y peof ac c e s spoi nt si nt hec ommuni c at i ons y s t e m. Whe namot or c yc l ec ome swi t hi nt her angeofVi l l ageFi xe dAc c e s sPoi nt ,a s e s s i on oc c ur s . Dur i ngt hi spe r i odmot or c yc l et r a ns f e r sda t awi t ht heFAP. Theav e r ag el e ng t hofa s e s s i oni sa bout2mi nut e sa nd20Mbyt e sofdat ac oul dbes e ntf r om mot or c yc l et oFAP 14 9 andt hes ameamountofdat aFAPt omot or c y c l e . Thi s4 0Mbyt e sc or r e s pondst o2 , 00 0 e mai l s ,ori fphot oi ss e nt ,200pi c t ur e s . Fi g . 2pr e s e nt st hec onc e pt uali l l us t r at i onof t hi ss t or e andf or wa r ds ys t e m,whi l eFi g . 3and4i l l us t r at e st her e al i t y . Be nef i t soft hepr oj ec t I nt e r ne tope nst hel ar geknowl e dges our c e sf ort hes c hoolc hi l dr e n. I fs omec hi l dr e nc a nbe e duc at e dt obe ne f i tf r om t he i rknowl e dg eofc omput e r s ,Eng l i s handi nma noe uvr i ngt he I nt e r ne t ,t hef ut ur epr os pe c tofbr i ngi ngc omput e r r e l at e dwor ki nt ot he s ev i l l a g e sc anr ai s et he e c onomi cl e ve la ndwe l lbe i ngofi t spe opl e . Wear ei nt hepr oc e s sofhe l pi ngt oc ons t r uc t2 0 0 r ur a ls c hool si nCambodi anv i l l age s ,unde rama t c hi ng f undpr og r a m whe r edonor sc ont r i but e $1 4, 00 0t obui l dat hr e e t of i ver oom s c hoolwi t ht he i rnameoni ta ndt hi sc ont r i but i oni s mat c he dbyt heWor l dBankt hr oughCambodi asSoc i a lFund,f oranaddi t i onal$ 12, 0 00. The donormaya ddanopt i ona l$1, 700t oc ove rt hec os tofs ol a rpane l s ,pl a c e dont her oof ,whi c h pr ovi des uf f i c i e nte ne r g yt oope r at eac omput e r( dona t e dbyAppl e J apan,TheMI T Me di a La bor a t or y ,De ut s c heBanki nTokyoands e ve r alot he r s )f orf i v e s i xhour sada ys ot he s c hool c hi l dr e nc ange ts omet r ai ni ngi nwor ki ngwi t hc omput e r s . Chi l dr e ni nt he s evi l l age sa r et aughthow t ous ec omput e r sbyor phansa g e d8t o1 1whohav e ma s t e r e dc omput e rl i t e r ac yandI nt e r ne ts ur f i ngove rt hepa s ty e ara ndaha l fa tac omput e r c e nt r ewehe l pe dt oe s t a bl i s hatt heFut ur eLi g htOr pha nag ei navi l l a geout s i deofPhnom Pe nh. TheComput e rCe nt r ewa sbui l twi t hadonat i on. The s eor phansha vebe e nt r ans f e r r i ngt ot her ur a ls c hool s ,ast he yg oup,whe r eweha v es e tup c omput e r s ,andar et e ac hi ngt heot he rc hi l dr e na ndt e ac he r show t owor konac omput e r . TheMe di aLabgi ve st e c hni c a la dv i c et ot hi sMot omanpr oj e c t . Compone nt sf ort he c ommuni c at i ons y s t e ma r epr oduc t sofFi r s tMi l eSol ut i onsbas e di nBos t on,USA.Wi Fi s t or e andf or wa r ds ys t e msf r om Fi r s tMi l eSol ut i onsha vebe e nadopt e dbys i mi l arpr oj e c t si n I ndi a,Ni g e r i a,J or da nandCol ombi a. Cont r i but i onswe r ea l s omadebyHondaf ort hemot or c y c l e sf orMot oman,aswe l la sby Sanyof ort hes ol arpane l sa tt hes c hool s . TheI nt e r ne tVi l l ageMot oma npr oj e c twa sf i r s te s t a bl i s he dt opr ovi der ur alc hi l dr e n oppor t uni t i e st ol e ar nt hec omput e r sa ndc ommuni c at ewi t ht hewor l dbye mai l s . Thi s i nf r as t r uc t ur egavet heoppor t uni t yt oe s t a bl i s hat e l e me di c i nepr og r am bye na bl i ngt os e nd me di c a lphot os .I navi l l a ge vi s i t e d,doc t or st r a ns mi tt he i r f i ndi ng svi at heI nt e r ne t ,wi t h di g i t alphot oat t a c hme nt s ,t ot he c ha r i t ySi hanoukHos pi t a landt o Doc t or sofTe l e pa r t ne r sa tt he Ma s s ac hus e t t sGe ne r alHos pi t a li n Bos t on,USA f ordi a gnos i sa nd e v al ua t i on. Bas e dont hef i ndi ng s t r ans mi t t e dbac kwi t hi nhour s ,t he pat i e nt sar et ake nt oPr ovi nc i a l Hos pi t a l( t wohour sa wa y)ort o Phnom Pe nh,t hec api t a lof Ca mbodi a,i ft hec as ei ss e r i ous . Fi g. 2 15 0 Co ncl us i ons Thi spr oj e c thasc r ac ke dt hedi gi t aldi v i debyope ni ngupr e mot e ,r ur alv i l l a ge st oe c omme r c e , t e l e me di c i ne ,par t i c i pat or yde moc r a c y ,e ma i le x c ha ng e sa mongc hi l dr e ni nc ount r yand ove r s e as ,aswe l la st oe l e a r ni ng. I tope nst hepat ht opov e r t yr e duc t i ona nde c onomi c de ve l opme nt .I tc ane ve nt ual l ypr ovi dee mpl oy me ntoppor t uni t i e si nt her ur a la r e as ,s uc has i ndat ae nt r y,g r e a t e rl oc al i z e dg ove r nme nt ss ot ha tr ur alpopul at i onsdonotha vet omovet o t hei nne rc i t i e sa ndpot e nt i a l l ymaket he mr i c he rt ha nt hos ewhoha v emove dt oi nne rc i t i e s . Ad di t i onalLi t er at ur e www. c ambodi as c hool s . c om www. vi l l age l e ap. c om www. f ut ur e l i ght . or g www. s ave 3l i ve s . c om www. c ambodi adai l y. c om www. s i hos p. or g www. r at anaki r i . c om www. Tr ave l Wi t haHe ar t . c om www. pove r t yr e dux. c om( unde rc ons t r uc t i on) 15 1 5 Et hi o p i a37 Tel emedi ci nepi l otp r oj ect Backgr ound Et hi opi ai ss i t uat e sEas t e r nAf r i c a,we s tofSoma l i a . Uni que amongAf r i c anc ount r i e s ,t heanc i e ntEt hi opi anmonar c hy mai nt ai ne di t sf r e e dom f r om c ol oni alr ul e ,wi t ht hee x c e pt i on oft he193641I t al i anoc c upat i ondur i ngWor l dWa rI I .I n 1974ami l i t ar yj unt a,t heDe r g,de pos e dEmpe r orHai l e SELASSI E( whohadr ul e ds i nc e1930)ande s t abl i s he da s oc i al i s ts t at e . Ac ons t i t ut i onwasadopt e di n19 94and Et hi opi asf i r s tmul t i pa r t ye l e c t i onswe r ehe l di n1 99 5. A t woandahal fye arbor de rwa rwi t hEr i t r e ae nde dwi t ha Fi g . 1 pe ac et r e at yon12De c e mbe r2 000. Fi nalde mar c a t i onoft he boundar yi sc ur r e nt l yonhol dduet oEt hi opi anobj e c t i onst oani nt e r nat i onalc ommi s s i ons f i ndi ngr e qui r i ngi tt os ur r e nde rs e ns i t i vet e r r i t or y . Et hi opi ahasat ot alt e r r i t or yof1 , 1 2 7, 1 2 7 s qkm andpopul at i onof7 3, 053, 286. I nEt hi opi at hehe al t hc ar es ys t e mi sa bl et opr ov i debas i cs e r vi c e st oonl yabout6 4%oft he popul at i on. I ti se s t i mat e dt hatabout6 0-8 0 %oft hehe al t hpr obl e msar er e l at e dt oi nf e c t i ous a ndc ommuni c abl edi s e as e sa ndnut r i t i onalpr obl e ms( Mi ni s t r yofHe a l t h,200 4 ) . Mos toft he r ur alpopul a t i ondi s t r i but e di ndi s t a ntg e ogr aphi c a ll oc a t i onsa pa r tf r om t hehi ghde ns i t y ur banar e a si nr e s pons ehasnoac c e s st oori sf a rf r om mode r nhe al t hc ar e ,l e a di ngt oi nabi l i t y oft hehe al t hc ar ede l i ve r ys ys t e mt or e s pondbot hquant i t a t i ve l ya ndqual i t a t i ve l yt ot hehe a l t h ne e dsoft hepe opl e . Thi spr obl e mf ur t he ra gg r a va t e dbyl ac kofi nv e s t me ntf orhe a l t hc a r ei n r ur alar e a sa nds hor t a geofme di c aldoc t or sa ndl a c kofi nc e nt i ve si nr e t a i ni ngt he mi nr ur al a r e a s . /popul Ther at i osofhe a l t hf ac i l i t i e s at i onoft hec ount r yf or2 00 3s how 1: 5 84 , 52 2( hos pi t a l ) ,1: 163, 155( he al t hc e nt r e s ) ,1:27, 4 14( he a l t hs t a t i ons )a nd1: 5, 7 40( hos pi t a lbe ds ) . Thi sc a l l st o gi veat t e nt i ont oi nve s tonI CT f ore f f i c i e nthe a l t hc a r ede l i ve r ys ys t e m byi mpr ov i nghe al t h manage me nt ,f ac i l i t at i ngr e f e r r als ys t e m,r e duc t i onofme di c alc os tande nha nc i ngc ur at i vea nd pr e ve nt i v eme di c alc a r e . Amongt he s eTe l e me di c i newi l lbeoneofi nnov at i vet e c hnol og i e s us i ngt het e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur et or e vol ut i oni z et hehe al t hc ar ede l i v e r ys ys t e m of ourc ount r y. Thepi l otpr oj e c thasonepur pos eandf ourout put s: Pur pos e Thepur pos eoft hepi l otpr oj e c ti st or e a c ht heunde r s e r v e dbye f f i c i e nt l yut i l i z i ngt hec l i ni c a l Spe c i al i s t ,Bi ome di c a ls c i e nt i s t sa ndpubl i che a l t hpr of e s s i onal swhoa r ec onc e nt r a t e di nt he bi gg e rc i t i e sus i ngt heTe l e me di c i nes ys t e m. Out put sandact i v i t i es ・Al l ow t heunde r s e r ve dr e gi onst oge ta c c e s st oMe di c a la ndHe a l t hi nf or mat i onove rt he Nat i onalTe l e me di c i neNe t wor kf r om t hec e nt r a lMe di c a lDa t a bas eandot he ri nt e r na t i ona l 3 7 Na t i onalTe l e me di c i neCoor di na t i ngCommi t t e e ,p. o.box10 4 7Addi sAbaba,Te l 51 1 3 25 ,Fa x 5 2 33 7 0,Et hi opi a 15 2 Fi g . 2 me di c alwe bs i t e st hr ought heI nt e r ne tt og r a ntc ons e ns usbui l di nganda wa r e ne s sr i s i ng . ・He i onsg e tme di c a lc ons ul t anc ys e r v i c e sf r om t hec e nt r ea nd l p/al l ow t heunde r s e r ve dr e g ot he rs i t e swhe r eme di c als pe c i al i s t sa ndc ons ul t a nt sa r eappr opr i at e l yava i l a bl eor c onc e nt r at e d. Thi si st hemaj orpar toft hepr oj e c ta ppl i c at i onus i ngTe l e me di c i neasa n i nf or ma t i onandc ommuni c at i ont ool( I CT) . ・As l s i s the al t hpr of e s s i onalg e ts i mpl ef or m ofdi s t a nc eme di c a le duc at i onov e rt hena t i ona Te l e me di c i nene t wor kf r om t hec e nt r et owhe r e ve rt he yar el oc at e d. ・Ena / bl et heme di c al he a l t hpr of e s s i ona l swhoar enomi nat e dt ous et het e l e me di c i nes ys t e m i ns t a l l e datt hos es i t e si nt heunde r s e r v e dr e gi onst obeabl et oope r a t et hes y s t e m,a nd br ows et heI nt e r ne tandal s oe na bl et heEt hi opi a nTe l e c ommuni c a t i onCor por at i ont e c hni c a l s t a f fbeac qua i nt e dwi t ht het e l e me di c i nes y s t e mc onf i gur at i on. Co or di nat i on I nc l os ec oope r at i onofEt hi opi anTe l e c ommuni c at i onAut hor i t y( ETA)t heNa t i ona l Te l e me di c i neCoor di na t i ngCommi t t e e( NTCC)e s t abl i s he dhav i ngme mbe r sf r om Et hi opi a n Te l e c ommuni c a t i onCor por at i on( ETC) ,Mi ni s t r yofHe a l t h( MOH)a ndAddi sAba ba Uni ve r s i t yFac ul t yofMe di c i ne( AAUFOM) . TheEt hi opi a nTe l e me di c i nepi l otpr oj e c t c onne c t st hec e nt r alr e f e r r alhos pi t alt o1 0r ur als i t e s( Fi g. 2) . I nt hi spr oj e c ti ti ss uppos e dt opr ac t i c eTe l e r adi ol og ya ndt e l e de r mat ol og ybyus i ngTi kur Anbe s s a,Gonde ra ndJ i mmauni ve r s i t yhos pi t a l sass pe c i al t yc e nt r e sf orRadi ol ogy c ons ul t at i on,andALERT hos pi t a lf orde r mat ol ogi cc ons ul t a t i on. TheEt hi opi anTe l e me di c i nepi l otpr oj e c tc omme nc e dbyc onduc t i ngba s i cI T andt e l e me di c i ne / t r a i ni ngf or20phy s i c i a nsf r om 1 0pi l otpr oj e c ts i t e sf r om Augus t9/2 0 04upt oAug us t20 ni nf or mat i onSoc i e t yi ni t i a t i vet r a i ni ngc e nt r ei nUNECA. Thet r a i ni ng 2 00 4i nAf r i c a i nc l ude sus eofI nt e r ne t ,www br ows i ng ,f i l et r ans f e rpr ot oc ol ,a ppl i c at i onoft e l e me di c i ne ,and 15 3 pr ac t i c alde mons t r at i onoft e l e de r mat ol ogyandt e l e r a di ol og yc onduc t e d. Al ongwi t ht hi s e qui pme nt sf r om I TU ( I nt e r nat i onalTe l e c ommuni c a t i onUni on)a ndt e nt e l e me di c i nede s kt op c omput e r sa r edi s pat c he dt ot e npi l ots i t e s . Thi spi l otpr oj e c twi l ls t ayf oroneye arbypr a c t i c i ngt e l e r adi ol og yandt e l e de r mat ol og yi nt he aboveme nt i one ds i t e s . Dur i ngt het r i alphas eoft hepr oj e c tt het e l e me di c i nes of t wa r ef r om WDSc ompanywor ksf or2 8day sa ndi ti se x pi r e dandne e dsa c t i v at i ona g ai n. I ti sa c t i va t e d i nf i vec e nt r e sbuts t i l lt hes of t war ede v e l ope dt e c hni c ale r r or s . Be c a us eoft he s et e c hni c al di f f i c ul t i e swi t ht hehe l pofEt hi opi a nt e l e me di c i nee xpe r tf r om abr oa d,i ti spos s i bl et o de ve l opne w us e rf r i e ndl ys of t wa r ewhi c hf i t sf ort hepi l otpe r i oda ndwhi c hne e dsf ur t he r i mpr ove me nta ndde ve l opme ntf orf ut ur emul t i pur pos eus e . Ar easofc oncer n: ・Te l e me di c i net r ai ni ngandSt udyt ouri nawe l le s t a bl i s he dTe l e me di c i nec e nt r e s . ・Onj obt r ai ni ng ・Loc als of t war ede ve l opme nt t i vesoft r ai ni ngands t udyt our: Obj ec ・Es t abl i s ht e c hni c a lpr oj e c tt e am:t e c hni c ale x pe r t swi l lber e c r ui t e dt opar t i c i pa t ei nt he t e l e me di c i neandf ut ur eTe l e he al t hpr og r am andt heal l oc a t i onofr e s our c e sa ndt a s kswi l lbe ag r e e d. ・Thet e c hni c alwor koft hepr oj e c twi l lbec ont i nue da f t e rt hes t udyt oura l ongwi t ht he de ve l opme nta ndagr e e me ntofapl ant opr ovi dee f f e c t i vet e l e me di c i nene t wor kbyi t st e r ms ofr e f e r e nc e . ・Es t abl i s ht e c hni c all i ai s ons:t he r ear ema nyg r oupsa tana t i ona landi nt e r na t i onall e v e l i nt e r e s t e di nt heus eofTe l e me di c i nene t wor kt e c hnol ogyt os uppor tt heunde r s e r ve da nd vul ne r a bl epe opl eatt he i rhomepl ac e . Re l e vantgr oupsne e dt obei de nt i f i e da ndal i a i s on e s t abl i s he dt oi de nt i f yt hei s s ue sf r om t he i rpe r s pe c t i vea ndbe ne f i tf r om at e c hni c aldi al og ue aboutt heke yi s s ue si nt hi sa r e na. ・St ake hol de rc ons ul t a t i on:t e c hni c a le x pe r t sa ndus e rr e pr e s e nt a t i ongr oupswi t ha ni nt e r e s ti n t hi sa r e awi l lhaveanoppor t uni t yt oi de nt i f yt heke yi s s ue s ,c ont r i but et owa r dsi de nt i f y i ng whe r ec ons e ns usbui l di ngi sne c e s s ar y ,a ndi nf l ue nc et hei s s ue sa g e ndaont e l e me di c i ne . ・Thee t hi c a la nds e c ur i t yi s s ue sofI CT a c c e s sa ndus ag ewi l lbes t udi e da ndt hei mpl i c a t i ons t i oni de nt i f i e ds ot ha tappr opr i at er e c omme nda t i onsf orourus ec a nbe f orha r moni z a de ve l ope d. ・Conc l us i onsandr e c omme ndat i onswi l lbemadeont heba s i soft hee xpe r i e nc ef r om t he s t udyt oura ndwi l lbeadopt e dt oours i t ua t i ona ndde ve l opa sar e por tf orouri mme di a t e us e . Out p uto ft r ai ni ngands t udyt our: ・Tohav ee x pe r t sont e l e me di c i neappl i c at i onswhoc a nbeTr a i ne r soft r ai ne e son t e l e me di c i ne . ・Tr ai ni ngoft het e c hni c a lwor ki nggr ouponpr a c t i c a lt e l e me di c i nea ppl i c a t i ons ,e s pe c i al l yon Te l e de r mat ol ogyandTe l e r adi ol og y. ・Adopt i ngagoodI CT pol i c yonhe a l t ha ndt e l e me di c i nes t r a t e g ywhi c hi sa ddr e s s i ngt he unde r s e r ve dr ur alpopul at i on. 15 4 ・Re duc t i oni nt r ave lc os t sf orpa t i e nt swa sde mons t r at e d; ・Phys c c e s sa ndahi ghde g r e eof i c i ansa ndal l i e dhe a l t hpr of e s s i ona l swi l lha vei nc r e as e da s at i s f a c t i onwi t ht hec ont i nui ngpr of e s s i ona lde v e l opme nta nde duc at i onoppor t uni t i e s; ・Expe c t e dI mpr ove me nt si nqual i t yofc ar e ・I ts t i mul at e sandpar t i c i pa t emanypubl i candpr i v at ehe al t hs e c t oror g a ni z a t i onst ot hi nk abouthow t he yc a nus et e l e me di c i net oi mpr ov et he i rs e r v i c e s; ・Tode v e l ope f f i c i e ntmoni t or i ngande va l uat i ons ys t e m. Ont hej obt r ai ni ng Obj ect i ve: ・Tohavet r ai ne dTe l e me di c i nee x pe r tone a c hpi l ota r e a . Out put: ・He al t hpr of e s s i onala bl et os e ndandr e c e i veme di c a lda t at hr oug ht hene t wor k. ・Be ne f i t i ngapat i e ntf r om goi ngf ur t he rdi s t a nc e ・Be i c i ansa tt her e mot es i t et oha vet e l e e duc at i ons e r vi c et hr oug hwe bbr ows i ng , ne f i t i ngphys r e c or de dCD mat e r i al sa ndf r om t e l e c ons ul t at i onspr oc e s s . Fundi ngs our c e:Wor l dBank,I TU,UNECA Locals of t war edevel op ment Obj e c t i ve: ・t ohavel oc al l ya dopt e df r i e ndl ys of t wa r e ・St r e ngt he ni ngl oc alc apac i t y ・Sof t wa r ec ompa t i bl et ol oc alt e l e c ommuni c at i ont e c hnol og y. ・Ens ur i ngt hes us t ai nabi l i t yoft hepr oj e c t . Out put: ・De ve l opi ngaTe l e me di c i nes of t wa r ewhi c hi sr e l i a bl e ,af f or dabl e ,a ndc ompa t i bl e ,us e r f r i e ndl ya ndt i mee f f i c i e nt . 15 5 6 Ge o r gi a38 Backgr ound -4 Ge or gi ai sl oc at e di nt heSout hCauc as us; i nt hel ong i t udeof4 0° 7°E. ,i nt hel a t i t udeof4 1 ° 2 1 4 4 °N. Ar e a:69. 700km . / I t spopul at i oni s4. 693. 892( J ul y2004) ,5 6 %r e s i de nt i al ,4 4%r ur a l . Bi r t hr at e: 10 . 1bi r t hs 1. 0 0 0 /1. popul at i on. De at hr at e:8. 98de at hs 0 00popul at i on. Li f ee x pe c t anc yatbi r t h:t ot al 2, 3 popul at i on75. 62ye ar s;ma l e 72. 35ye ar s;f e ma l e 79 . 4 4ye ar s . Thec api t alTbi l i s ihas 1 , 3 1 . 2 53 . 0 00i nhabi t ant s . Thec ount r yi sdi v i de di nt o9di s t r i c t s ,65r e gi ons ,5t ownsof 1, 3 Re publ i cDe pe nde nc e( wi t houtAbkha z i aa ndTs khi nv a l i ) . Ma j ore c onomi c alv e c t or sofGe or gi aar eag r i c ul t ur e( vi ne s ,t e a,c i t r ons ,haz e l nut ,mi ne r al wa t e r s ) ,t r ans i tofoi la ndga sf r om Ca s pi a nba s i n,mi ni ng,t r ade . GDPpur c ha s i ngpowe r 3 , 4 par i t y$12. 18bi l l i on. GDPr e alg r owt hr at e5 . 5 % . Tel ecommuni cat i on Ge or gi adoe snothaves t at e -orpr i v at ec ompa nyowne ds at e l l i t e ,maj orc ont r a c t e ds at e l l i t e s― ndEUTELSAT. Fi br eopt i cc a bl ene t wor ks y s t e mi sf unc t i oni ng I NTELSAT,TURKSAT a a si nt hec api t a lofGe or gi a― Tbi l i s i ,s oi nr e gi ons . Thema g i s t r alopt i c a lf i br ec a bl ei s or g ani z e dbySTM4andSTM16s ys t e msofSDH g e ne r a t i on. I tbe l ongst ot hepr i va t e ope r a t orc ompanyFopt ne t . The r ea r et woc onne c t i onpoi nt swi t hTr ans As i a Eur opepr oj e c t― 7 .I nt e r ne tSe r vi c ePr ov i de r s― l i c e ns e d― 30,a c t i v e l ywor ki ng6wi t h Pot ia ndTbi l i s i <2. ar ound100. 00 0s ubs c r i be r s( 5 %c ount r y wi de ,a ppr ox i mat e l y7 %i nTbi l i s i ) .I nt e r ne t c onne c t i oni sr e al i z e dbydi al up,l e as e dl i ne sa ndDSL t e c hnol og y. Si nc e20 04t hewi r e l e s s c onne c t i ont hr oughMot or ol asCa nopyt e c hnol ogyi sa v ai l abl e( Poi ntt oPoi nta ndPoi ntt o Mul t i poi ntc onne c t i onsi n5, 7GHzFr e que nc y /Ful r ang ewi t hTDD/ TDMA Hal f lDupl e x 8 /1 RJ 45Aut oDe t e c t1 0 00Bas e TI nt e r f ac e ) . > Numbe roft e l e phone si nt hec ount r y600. 000( 140pe r1. 000popul at i on) ,i nTbi l i s i― ove r4 50. 000( 340pe r1 . 000) . Numbe rof de c ade s t e paut omat i cphones t at i ons c ount r ywi de― 33; c oor di nat eaut oma t i c ― phones t at i ons 48; e l e c t r onaut oma t i c phones t at i ons― 1 2; di g i t ala ut omat i cphone s t at i ons― 19. Le ngt hofi nt e r ur banmag i s t r al r out e s― 4. 17 3, 5km;c oax i a lands ymme t r i c a l i nt e r ur banmagi s t r alr out e s― 7. 1 42km; ai r magi s t r alr out e s― 350, 4km;r adi or e l a yl i ne s 1 0 ― 803km9, . Mobi l ephone s― 3ope r at or s( 2GSM s t andar d,1anal ogue )wi t hove r3 50. 000 1 1 , 1 2 mobi l ephoneus e r s . Magt i Com ― 55. 9 % s ubs c r i be r s;Ge oc e l l― 37. 3%s ubs c r i be r s; Me gaCom ― 6. 8%s ubs c r i be r s . 3 8 Fi g. 2 Ma j orf i be ropt i cc abl e @g E.Kl di a s hv i l i ,T.Be r i s hvi l i ,Ge or g i a nTe l e me di c i neUni on( As s oc i at i on) ,Tbi l i s i ,Ge or gi a,kl di a s hvi l i e or gi a. t hol og y . or g; gt u@g e or g i a . t e l e pa t hol og y. or g t e l e pa 15 6 He al t hCar eSys t em Numbe rofhe al t hc a r eor gani z at i onsc ount r y wi de― 251; numbe rofme di c aldoc t or s― 43. 9pe r1 . 00 0 popul at i on;numbe rofnur s e s― 50 . 9pe r1 . 00 0 popul at i on5. Fi g. 3 Le ve lofc omput e r i z a t i on Ma nage me ntoft hes e c t ori smai nl yi mpl e me nt e dby t heMi ni s t r yofLa bour ,He al t h,andSoc i a lAf f ai r s ( MoLHSA) . Unde rt he199 5r e f or ms ,r e s t a t e di nt he20 002 009he a l t hpr og r am,t heMi ni s t r y hasc hange di t se mpha s i sf r om i mpl e me nt at i onofhe a l t hc a r et os uppor tf orpr e ve nt i ve ac t i v i t i e s ,aswe l lasr e gul at i onandac c r e di t at i onofhe al t hs e r vi c e sa ndt r a i ni ng. Af t e rt he c ompl e t i onoft her e f or m pl anni ngpr oc e s si n1 995 ,r e f or mswe r er api dl yi nt r oduc e di na numbe rofa r e as ,s uc haspr i va t i z at i on,t hee s t a bl i s hme ntofs oc i ali ns ur a nc eandt he i nt r oduc t i onofne w me ansofpa yi nghe a l t hc ar es t a f f . Ye t ,de s pi t es omeoft hes uc c e s s e si n unde r t aki ngt he s ec hange s ,t her e f or msha venoty e t ,byandl ar ge ,br oughtaboutt hee x pe c t e d he al t hbe ne f i t st ot hepopul a t i on. Oneoft hema i nc hal l e nge sha sbe e nt heove r a l lv e r yl ow al l oc at i onoff undst ot hehe al t hbudge ta ndc ons e que nthi ghl e v e l sofi ndi v i dua ldi r e c t payme nt sbypat i e nt swi t hi na de quat er i s ks ha r i ng .I nt e r msoff i na nc i a lr e f or ms ,Ge or gi aha s c ompl e t e l yc hange dt hef undi ngoft hehe al t hs y s t e mf r om a ne nt i r e l ys t a t ef unde ds y s t e mt o 13. oneofs oc i ali ns ur anc ea nds omes t at eandpr i va t ef undi ng TheSt a t eMe di c alI ns ur anc eCompa nywasc r e at e di n1 9 96t oa dmi ni s t e rt hene w nat i ona l he al t hi ns ur anc es ys t e m. I ti sf i nanc e dbot hbySt a t et r a ns f e r sa nd3+1%t axe sf r om e mpl oy e r s ande mpl oye e sa ndc ov e r st hec ar et oonl yabout1 0 %ofpopul a t i onunde rs pe c i al16 s t at e s uppor t e dpr ogr ams( ps yc hi at r y,mot he randc hi l dr e nc a r e ,i nv al i ds ,i mpove r i s he d, he modi al ys i s ,onc ol ogi candTBpat i e nt s ,r e f ug e e s ,i nha bi t a ntofmount a i nr e gi onse t c . ). The r ear eatl e as t3pr i vat ei ns ur a nc ec ompani e s Al da gi ,I me diL I nt e r nat i onal , Br i t i s hCa uc as i anI ns ur anc eCompany,howe v e r ,wi t honl y<5%ofa dul tpopul a t i on par t i c i pat i ngi npr i vat eme di c ali ns ur anc es c he me s . The r ei snof i na nc i a ls uppor tf or me di c i ne spur c has e ,orpubl i cr e gul at i onofphar ma c e ut i c alpr i c e s ,unl e s st hepe r s oni sc ov e r e d unde rt hes pe c i als t at e s uppor t e dpr ogr am ( e . g.pr ov i s i onofi ns ul i nf ordi a be t e spat i e nt s ,TB dr ugsf orTBpat i e nt se t c . ) . Tel eme di c i nepr oj ect s I nGe or g i at he r ewe r ei mpl e me nt e dt woI TU s uppor t e dt e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t s . Thef i r s tone wa ss t ar t e di nSe pt e mbe r1998andi nvol ve dt hec onne c t i onoft heI ns t i t ut eofRadi ol ogyi n Tbi l i s it ot heDi ag nos t i cI ma gi ngCe nt r ei nLaus a nne ,Swi t z e r l andvi at heI nt e r ne ti nor de rt o ac qui r eme di c a ls e c ondopi ni ons .I nt hef r a me soft hi spr oj e c tVi da rVXR1 2Pl uswa sus e d f orCT a ndMRIi mage sdi gi t i z at i on14. Thes e c ondt e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t― Te l e c ar di ol ogy,i twa si mpl e me nt e dt hes i mpl eme t hodof ECG t r ans f e rus i ngor di nar yt e l e phoner e c e i v e r .I twa spa r t l yf unde dwi t he xc e s sr e ve nue s ge ne r at e dbyt heI nt e r nat i onalTe l e c ommuni c at i onUni on( I TU)Te l e c om e xhi bi t i ons . Pr oj e c t e na bl e dat r a ns t e l e phoni ce l e c t r oc ar di og r a mf ordi a gnos t i ca nde me r ge nc ys e r v i c e s . The pr oj e c twa soneofs e ve r a lot he r swhi c hwe r ei mpl e me nt e di ns e l e c t e dde ve l opi ngc ount r i e sa s par toft heI TUss t r at e gyt ous ei nf or ma t i ont e c hnol ogyt ohe l phe al t hpr of e s s i ona l ss ol ve s omeoft hemos ta c ut ehe al t hc ar ei s s ue si nde v e l opi ngaswe l la se me r gi nge c onomi e s , a c c or di ngt oRe c omme ndat i onNi neoft heVa l e t t aAc t i onPl ana dopt e dbyt heI TU i n199 8 . Par t ne r si nt hepr oj e c ti nc l udet heTbi l i s iCa r di a cCl i ni cGULI ,Te l e c ommuni c a t i onCompany 1 4, 15 ofGe or gi aandt heTe l e me di c i neFounda t i onofRus s i a . 15 7 Buti nGe or gi at he r ewe r ei mpl e me nt e dot he rt e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t st oo. I n1 996a nd19 9 7 Nat i onalAs s oc i at i onofCanc e rCont r ole s t abl i s he de ma i lc ommuni c at i ona ndc onduc t e d t e l e r adi ol ogi c alandt e l e mor phol ogi c alc onf e r e nc e st hr oughf i nanc i als uppor tofOpe nSoc i e t y Ge or gi aFoundat i on. Par t i c ul ar l y,Xr a ygr ams ,hi s t og r a msa ndc a nc e ri nc i de nc edat aba s e 1 6. we r et r a ns f e r r e df r om Ba t umi( Adj a r ar e g i on)t oTbi l i s iNat i onalCa nc e rCe nt r ebye mai l He ar ta ndVas c ul a rCl i ni cus e sAgf aDe l uxeSl i deSc a nne rf ort e l e r adi ol og y. Thec e nt r ea l s o t r ans f e r sphonoc a r di ogr ams ,ECG a ndVi de o.avif i l e st ome di c alc e nt r e si nGe r manya ndUS f ors e c ondopi ni ongat he r i ng. Eme r ge nc yCa r di ol ogyCe nt r ea ndNat i ona lI nf or ma t i onLe a r ni ngCe nt r ear ei mpl e me nt i ng t e l e c or onogr aphy( t e l e c a r di ol ogy/t e l e r a di ol ogy )― t r ans f e rofxr ayi mag e sf ors e c ondopi ni on t oGe r manandTur ki s hc ol l e ague s( byus a g et hebot hHPSc a nj e ta ndAppl e1s c anne ra swe l l 4 asOl y mpusCa me di aD620L hi ghr e s ol ut i ondi gi t a lc a me r a ). Ce nt r eofDi s as t e ra ndEme r ge nc yMe di c i nehasde ve l ope ds of t wa r ea ndt e s t e dTe l CoNe t― me r ge nc yme di c i ne . Te l e c ons ul t at i onne t wor kpr oj e c tf ore I n2004i nGe or g i awase s t abl i s he dnongove r nme nt a lor g ani z at i onGe or gi anTe l e me di c i ne Uni on( As s oc i at i on) ,whi c hor gani z e sr e mot ec ons ul t a t i onsa nde duc a t i ona ls e s s i onsi n di f f e r e ntme di c alf i e l ds . Re mot ec ons ul t a t i onsar ei mpl e me nt i nga si ns t at i c( t hr oug h c ons ul t at i onals e r ve r sa nde mai l )s oi ndynami c( t e l e c onf e r e nc i ng )mode sbyus i ng 1 7 Ne t Me e t i ng . Thes ameappr oac hi sus e di nc ar r y i ngoutofe duc at i onals e s s i ons . At2 0 05 Ge or gi anTe l e me di c i neUni on( As s oc i a t i on)s t a r t si mpl e me nt a t i onofNATO Ne t wor ki ng I nf r as t r uc t ur ePr oj e c t Vi r t ualHe al t hCar eKnowl e dgeCe nt r ei nGe or g i a18,whi c ha i ms c r e at i onoft e l e me di c i nec ons ul t at i ons e r v e r ,or g a ni z a t i onofe Le ar ni ngc our s e sa nda l s os e t up oft e l e me di c i neuni ti nKut ai s i . Ge or gi anTe l e me di c i neUni on( As s oc i a t i on)i sa l s o i mpl e me nt i ngBSEC pr oj e c tAs y s t e mt of i g htHI V/ AI DS,t ube r c ul os i sa ndmal a r i ai nBSEC c ount r i e swi t hahe l pofi nf oc ommuni c a t i ont e c hnol ogi e s17i nc ol l abor at i onwi t hRus s i aand Ukr a i ne . Re f e r e nc es [1]www. par l i ame nt . g e [2]www. who. i nt [3]www. / / /f / c i a . g ov c i a publ i c a t i ons a c t book/ ge os g g . ht ml [4]Be me di c i neGl os s a r y .5 t he dn.Br us s e l s: I nf or ma t i onSoc i e t yDi r e c t or at e Ge ne r a l ,20 0 3 ol c hiL,e d.Te l e [5]www. mol hs a . g e [6]www. i nf r a . gov . ge [7]www. f opt ne t . g e [8]www. t e l e ne t . g e [9]www. t e l e c om. ge [10 ]www. e l e kt r oka v s hi r i . g e [11 ]www. ma g t i g s m. c om [12 ]www. . g e g e oc e l l [13 ]www. /bi /bi / bi s ni s . doc . g ov s ni s s doc 0 30 5 21 g g he a l t h. ht m [14 ]www. / / 2 2 . ht ml hoi s e . c om/ vmw/ 99 a r t i c l e s v mw/ LVVM0 899 [15 ]www. g ul i . ge [16 ]www. /l na c c . or g . ge ung . ht ml [17 ]ht / / t p: g e or gi a . t e l e pat hol ogy . or g [18 ]www. ogs pot . c om v hc c g e or g i a . bl 15 8 3 9 7 Gr e e c e:Mat e r ni t yTe l e med i c i neSe r v i c e si nt heAe g e anI s l and s Backgr ound Gr e e c ei ss i t uat e di nSout he r nEur ope ,bor de r i ngt heAe ge an Se a,I oni anSe a,andt heMe di t e r r ane anSe a ,be t we e nAl ba ni a andTur ke y. I thasapopul at i onof1 0 , 6 68 , 354( J ul y200 5 e s t . )andat ot ala r e aof131, 94 0s qkm. Hi s t or yofTel emedi c i nei nGr eece Gr e e c ehasbe e ne ngage di nTe l e me di c i neSe r v i c e ss i nc e19 8 9. Thee xpe r i me nt ala ndpi l ota ppl i c a t i onpe r i odl as t e df r om 1988-1991,whe r ei twa sde mons t r a t e dbe yonda nydoubtt he be ne f i c i alus eofTe l e me di c i nei npr i mar ye he a l t hs e t t i ng s ,t he ma j or i t yofwhi c hwe r ei ni s l andandmount ai nar e as . Thede s i gnandi mpl e me nt at i ons t r at e g i e soft hes e r v i c e swe r edonebyt heMe di c a lPhy s i c s La bor a t or yoft heSc hoolofMe di c i neoft heUni ve r s i t yofAt he ns . Thes uppor tc e nt r ewa s e s t abl i s he di nt heSi s manog l i onRe gi ona lGe ne r a lHos pi t al ,whi c hi sl oc at e di nt hegr e a t e r At he nsar e a. Thes e r vi c epe r i ods t ar t e di n1992wi t ht hei ns t a l l at i onof12r e mot et e r mi na l si npr i mar y e he al t hc e nt r e sal love rGr e e c e . TheSi s ma nogl i onGe ne r a lhos pi t alr e mai ne da nds t i l l r e mai nst hes uppor t i ngt e r t i ar yhos pi t al . Todayt heSi s ma nogl i onTe l e me di c i neCe nt r ea nd t hehos pi t alc l i ni c sa nds t af fs uppor t4 2Ehe al t hCe nt r e sa nd20Publ i cSur ge r i e s . The me di c als t at i onsope r at ewi t hs of t wa r ea ndha r dwar eha ndl i nge l e c t r oni ce he al t hr e c or dsa nd I SDN c ommuni c at i onc a pabi l i t i e si nc l udi ngvi de oc onf e r e nc i ng . Si s ma nog l i onphy s i c i a nsha v e be e ns uppor t i vet ot hedi s t antEhe al t hwor ke r sa ndpat i e nt si nmor et han9, 0 00c a s e ss of ar . Anout s t andi ngr e s ul toft hes uppor tofpr i ma r ye he al t huni t sf r om t heSi s ma nogl i onHos pi t al i st hatne ar l y40%t her e que s t e de v ac ua t i onswe r eav e r t e dt hankst ot heTe l e me di c i neSe r v i c e s wi t hc ons i de r abl ec os ts avi ngandc onve ni e nc ef orpat i e nt sandt he i rf a mi l i e s . Si nc e19 98s e ve r alot he ri ns t i t ut i onsha vebe e ni nvol v e di nt hede s i gnandi mpl e me nt at i onof Te l e me di c i nes e r vi c e si nGr e e c e . Thema j or i t yoft hei ni t i at i v e ss t e mf r om c l i ni c sa ndme di c a l uni t sope r at i ngt i nt hec ont e xtoft heNat i ona lHe a l t hCa r eSy s t e m. Thepr i v at es e c t ori s l ac ki ngbe hi nd,de s pi t eanumbe rofnot i c e abl ei ni t i a t i v e ss e v e r a ly e ar sa go. Te l e me di c i neappl i c at i onsa ndde mons t r at i onswe r ema dei nl ar genumbe r si nGr e e c ei nt he c ont e x toft hepa r t i c i pat i onofGr e e ki ns t i t ut i ons( Uni v e r s i t i e si npar t i c ul a r )i nR&D pr oj e c t s c of i nanc e dbyt heEur ope anUni on. Exa mpl e sofTe l e me di c i nea c t i vi t i e si nc l udet hos ei n Ge ne r alPr ac t i c e ,Ca r di ol ogy,Ma t e r ni t y ,As t hma,Toc og r a phy,Or t hope di c se t c . I na s s e s s i ngt hede ve l opme nt st ha thavet a ke npl a c ei nGr e e c ei nt hepa s t1 0t o1 2y e a r sone c ans e es e ve r ali s s ue sc l e ar l yr e l a t e dt ot her at he rs l ow upt akeofTe l e me di c i neSe r v i c e si n Gr e e c e . The s ec onc l us i onsmi g htbehe l pf ult ope r s onsi nt e r e s t e di npur s ui ngs i mi l ar e nde av our si nt he i rowne nvi r onme nt . Te l e me di c i nes e r v i c e sr e qui r eane wf r ame wor kf ore he al t hs e r v i c e sde l i v e r y ,t e am wor k, s ui t abl eme di c a lg ui de l i ne sa ndpr ot oc ol s ,c ompl e t eandunambi g uousdoc ume nt at i onofa l l a c t s ,c ont i nuousa udi tande val uat i on,l i t e r a c yi nt e l e mat i c . 3 9 Dr .Mi c ha e lGa t z oni s ,Me di c a lPhy s i c sLabor at or y,Sc hoolofMe di c i ne ,Uni v e r s i t yofAt he ns ,Gr e e c e . 15 9 Thel i s ti ndi c at e swhe r eat t e nt i onhast obepl a c e da ndwha tpr e c aut i onshav et obet a ke nt o ove r c omeobs t ac l e s . Har dwor k,pe r s i s t e nc e ,de di c at i onandknowl e dg ear ene e de dt o c ompl e t es uc c e s s f ul l yaTe l e me di c i neSe r v i c epr oj e c t . I nt r oduct i on HERMES( Te l e mat i cEhe a l t hRe mot e ne s sa ndMobi l i t yFac t or sI nCommonEur ope a n Sc e nar i os )a4t hFr ame wor kPr ogr ammePr oj e c toft heCommi s s i onoft heEur ope anUni on, de s i g ne dapl at f or mf ort hede ve l opme ntofqua l i t yas s ur e dTe l e me di c i neSe r v i c e sa tt hepoi nt ofne e d. I nt hec ont e xtoft hepl at f or mse va l uat i on,t heHERMESc ons or t i um ha s i mpl e me nt e dMat e r ni t yTe l e me di c i neSe r v i c e sbe t we e nt hePr i mar yEhe al t hCe nt r e soft he I s l andsofNa xosa ndMykonos ,i nt her e gi onoft heAe ge anSe a,a ndt heAr e t a i e i onUni v e r s i t y Hos pi t ali nAt he ns ,Gr e e c e . Ma t e r ni t ys e r v i c e sar eofma j ori mpor t a nc ef ort heAe ge anI s l a nds ,mai nl yduet ot he i r i s ol at i on,e s pe c i al l ydur i ngwi nt e r . Tr a di t i onal l y ,ma t e r ni t ys e r v i c e si nNa xosandMykonos ar eof f e r e dbyt heEhe al t hCe nt r e soft hos ei s l a nds ,aswe l la sbyobs t e t r i c i a nswor ki ngi n pr i vat epr ac t i c e s . Ehe al t hCe nt r e si nbot hNa x osandMykonosar ema nne dbyI nt e r ni s t s , / Ge ne r alPr ac t i t i one r sandyoung,nons pe c i al i z e dphy s i c i a ns . Thel ac kofgy na e c ol og i s t s r i c i anst oge t he rwi t ht hel i mi t e de xpe r i e nc eoft hes e r vi ngs t a f fonobs t e t r i ci s s ue s ,pos e obs t e t di f f i c ul t i e si nt her out i nef ol l owupofpr e gnantwome na ndi nt hehandl i ngofe me r ge nc y c as e s . Pr i vat epr ac t i c e s ,ont heot he rhand,a r eus ual l ynota de quat e l ye qui ppe dt ohandl e di f f i c ul tore me r ge nc yc as e s . Asac ons e que nc e ,pr e gnantwome nc hoos et ot a ket he i rf ol l ow upe xa mi na t i onsa tt e r t i ar y hos pi t al si nAt he ns . Fur t he r mor e ,t he ypr e f e rpr i va t eove rpubl i cmat e r ni t yhos pi t a l s . Dur i ng t he i rpr e gnanc yt he yhavet ot r ave lt oAt he nsa smanya s10t i me s . Tr av e lc os t s ,i nc l udi ng c l i ni cf e e s ,hot e ls t a yi ngandt r ave le xpe ns e s ,ar e( i nt hema j or i t yofc as e s )unde r t ake nbyt he l adi e st he ms e l v e s . Eme r ge nc yc as e sa r ee va c ua t e dt ot e r t i a r yhos pi t a l se i t he rbyboa tor a e r opl ane ,de pe ndi ngont hes e ve r i t yoft hec as eandonwe at he rc ondi t i ons .I ti sar a t he r c ommons i t uat i ont hatdur i ngwi nt e r ,t r a ve l l i ngbyboatore v e nbypl a nei sof t e ni mpos s i bl e duet oadve r s ewe at he rc ondi t i onsf ora sl onga sonewe e k. I nor de rt oas s i s tpr i ma r yc ar ephys i c i a nst obe t t e rhandl edi f f i c ul tt odi a gnos eand/or e me r ge nc ymat e r ni t yc as e s ,andi npr ov i di ngqua l i t yr out i nef ol l ow ups e r vi c e st ot hel oc al popul at i ons ,wehavei nt r oduc e dMat e r ni t yTe l e me di c i neSe r vi c e sbe t we e npr i ma r ye he a l t h uni t ss uppor t e dbyat e r t i ar yObs t e t r i c sa ndGy na e c ol ogyCl i ni c . Met hods Ma t e r ni t yTe l e me di c i neSe r v i c e shav ebe e nde s i gne da c c or di ngt ot heHERMES7 s t e p 1 me t hodol ogy . Al lus e rc at e g or i e s( phys i c i ans ,mi dwi ve s ,t e c hni c i ans ,r e pr e s e nt a t i ve soft he l oc alc ommuni t y)i nvol ve dhav epl aye danac t i v er ol edur i ngt hee nt i r ede s i g npr oc e s s . Us e r vi e wshavebe e ns ys t e mat i c al l ygat he r e dwi t ht hea i dofas pe c i al i z e dt ool ,t heHERMES 2. Th Que s t i onSe t es e r v i c e shav ebe e nmode l l e da c c or di ngt ot hes e r vi c e spr ovi de di nt he Lot hi anRe gi onofSc ot l and,byt heRoya lI nf i r mar yofEdi nbur gh. 3i Phys i c i ansa ndmi dwi f e sha ves t udi e dt heGui de l i ne sf orAnt e na t a lCa r e nus eatt he Edi nbur g hr e gi onandhaveagr e e dt hatt he yc anbeus e di nGr e e c easwe l l . Rout i nee xa mi na t i onsofpr e gnantl adi e sa r eba s e donphy s i c a le x a mi na t i onss uc ha sbl ood pr e s s ur er e c or di ngs ,ur i neanal ys i sandme as ur e me ntoft heut e r i nes i z e . Thewe l l be i ngoft he babyi sa s s e s s e dus i ngf e t almove me nt s(ki c ks)a swe l lasr e c or di ngsoft hef oe t alhe ar tr a t e , obt ai ne dus i ngac ar di ot oc ogr aph. Ca r di ot oc og r amsa r ee as yt oa c qui r ei ne v e r yda ypr a c t i c e 16 0 a ndt he ypos enot hr e at st ot hehe al t hofe i t he rt hemot he rort hef oe t us . The ypr ovi de i mpor t anti nf or mat i onont hedynami cc ondi t i onoft hef oe t us . Thehar dwa r ea nds of t war ei nf r as t r uc t ur eoft hepa r t i c i pa t i ngs i t e si nc l ude saI nt e lPe nt i um bas e dPC,e qui ppe dwi t h32MBofRAM,r unni ngMi c r os of tsWi ndowsNT Wor ks t a t i onor Wi ndows9 8. ThePC i sa bl et opar t i c i pat ei napoi nt t opoi ntv i de oc onf e r e nc es e s s i onus i ng I nt e lsBus i ne s sConf e r e nc i ngSys t e m. TheI SDN a da pt e roft heConf e r e nc i ngs ys t e mi sa l s o us e dt oe s t a bl i s haI SDN ( TCP/I P)l i nkbe t we e nt hepar t i c i pa t i ngs i t e sf ort het r a ns mi s s i onof apa t i e ntsEl e c t r oni cRe c or d. Thel i nkwa se s t a bl i s he dt hr ought heI SDN r out e r( CI SCO 1604)oft heMe di c alPhys i c sLabor at or y. I nt hi ss t udyc ar di ot oc ogr ams( CTG)we r ea c qui r e dus i ngt heHunt l e i ghBabyDoppl e x4di gi t a l c a r di ot oc og r a phandwe r er e c or de di nadat a bas eus i ngt heOx f or dI ns t r ume nt sTe a mvi e w 5 s of t wa r e . Te amvi e w Sof t wa r ewasa l s oi ns t al l e da tt hes uppor t i nghos pi t a la ndwasus e dasa vi e we rf ort het r a ns mi t t e dCTGs. TheTe amv i e w So f t war eand we b b as e dv i e we rar ec omp os e do ff o urpar t s: a)Admi ni s t r at i on: phys i c i ansa nd/ ormi dwi v e sus et hi smodul et oc r e a t epa t i e ntEl e c t r oni c Re c or ds . Ba s i cadmi ni s t r at i vedat a( na me ,da t eofbi r t h,e x pe c t e dda t eofde l i v e r y)we r e r e c or de danda l lpat i e ntdat ai nc l udi ngt heCTG t r ac e swe r es t or e di nar e l a t i ona lda t a ba s e , R ⃝ t ypi c al l ybas e donMi c r os of tsAc c e s s . b)CTG Tr ac e s:t hemodul ei sus e dt oa c qui r e ,vi e wa nda nnot at eCTG t r ac e s . Tr ac e sa r e di s pl aye ds ync hr onous l yt ot he i ra c qui s i t i on. Theus ualr e c or di ngt i meofaCTG i s2 0 mi nut e s . c )Di al ogboxe swhe r ephys i c i ansormi dwi f e sc ande s c r i beque s t i onst ot hee x pe r t s:Us i ngt he s amedi a l ogboxe st hee xpe r t satt hes uppor t i nghos pi t alc anr e c or dt he i ropi ni on,whi c h c anbev i e we dl at e rbyt her e mot ephys i c i a ns . d)Te l e mat i cmodul ef ort r ans mi s s i on: wi t hac l i c kofabut t ont heEl e c t r oni cPa t i e ntRe c or d ( EPR)c anbet r ans mi t t e dt oands t or e di nt heme di c als e r v e r,whi c hi ss i t ua t e da tt he Me di c alPhys i c sLabor at or yoft heUni ve r s i t yofAt he ns . Fr om t heme di c a ls e r v e r ,da t a c anal s ober e t r i e ve dandupda t e dbyt hes uppor t i nghos pi t al . Theme di c a ls e r v e ri sba s e d onMi c r os of tsSQL Se r ve r ,i ns t al l e donI nt e lsPe nt i um Wor ks t at i onr unni ngWi ndowsNT Se r v e r . Te l e me di c i neSe r v i c e sa r ei ni t i at e dbypr i mar yc a r ephys i c i a nsa nd/ ormi dwi ve s ,whe nt he yar e c onf r ont e dwi t hane me r ge nc ymat e r ni t yc as e ,ort he yar ei nne e dofe xpe r ta dvi c eonar out i ne f ol l ow upe xami nat i onofapr e gnantwoma n. Te l e me di c i nes e s s i onsa r ei ni t i at e dwi t hpat i e nt c ons e nta ndt he yt y pi c a l l yi nc l ude: 1 )Cr e at i on( orupda t e )oft hepa t i e ntsEl e c t r oni cPat i e ntRe c or d( EPR); 2 )Re c or di ngoft hec ar di ot oc ogr am ( CTG)t r a c eandi ns e r t i oni nt her e c or d; 3 )Tr ans mi s s i onofEPR t ot heme di c als e r v e rhos t e datt heMe di c a lPhy s i c sLabor a t or y ( Sc hoolofMe di c i ne ,Uni ve r s i t yofAt he ns ); 4)Al e r toft hephys i c i ansoft he2ndObs t e t r i c sa ndGy na e c ol ogyDe par t me ntoft heAr e t ai e i on Uni v e r s i t yHos pi t ali nAt he nsvi ae mai l ,t e l e phoneorvi de oc onf e r e nc e; 5 )Re v i e w oft heEPR oft hepat i e ntbye xpe r tphy s i c i ans ,r e c or di ngoft he i ropi ni onand s t or ageoft headde di nf or mat i ont ot hes e r ve ra r c hi ve s; 6 )Di s c us s i onoft hec as ebe t we e nhos pi t a le xpe r t sandr e mot ephys i c i anand/ormi dwi f e s ,v i a 16 1 t e l e phoneorv i de oc onf e r e nc e( de pe ndi ngont hec a s e )i fne e dar i s e s; 7 )Handl i ngt hec a s eatr e mot es i t easa gr e e d. Re s ul t s Dur i ngt hei ni t i ali mpl e me nt at i onphas e ,bot ht e c hni c ala ndc l i ni c a la s pe c t soft hes e r v i c ehav e be e ne val uat e d. Eva l uat i onoft heEl e c t r oni cEhe al t hRe c or d,vi de oc onf e r e nc i ngandCTG r e c or di ngandpr oc e s s i ngmodul e sf oc us e dont he i rr e l i a bi l i t y,us e r f r i e ndl i ne s sa ndav a i l abi l i t y . Ne t wor ke val uat i onf oc us e doni t sr e l i a bi l i t y ,a va i l a bi l i t yands pe e d,e x pr e s s e di nt e r msoft he t i mer e qui r e dt ope r f or m ke yope r at i ons . Cl i ni c ale va l uat i onf oc us e dont heade qua c yoft he c ommuni c at e di nf or mat i onf orr e ac hi ngade c i s i onwhe ndi s t a nc es e par at e spat i e nta nde x pe r t phys i c i an. Dur i ngt hepe r i odbe i ngr e por t e d( Aug us t1 9 98― Fe br ua r y200 0 )t hi r t yTe l e me di c i nes e s s i ons havet ake npl ac ebe t we e nt heEhe al t hCe nt r eofMy konosa ndt he2ndObs t e t r i c sa nd Gy na e c ol ogyCl i ni c ,whi l et e ns e s s i onswe r eor i gi na t e df r om t heEhe a l t hCe nt r eofNa x os . I nal lc a s e sas i ng l eat t e mpts uf f i c e dt oe s t a bl i s ht heTe l e me di c i nel i nk. Thet i mer e qui r e dt o t r ans f e rpat i e ntEHCRsbe t we e nt hepr i mar ya ndt e r t i a r ys i t e swa sal wa y sl e s st han1 5s e c onds . Communi c at i onpr obl e mswe r enote nc ount e r e ddur i ngt hee nt i r epe r i od. Vi de oc onf e r e nc i ngl i nkswe r ee s t abl i s he daf t e rEHCR dat aha dbe e nt r a ns f e r r e d,t oa l l ow / c ommuni c at i onbe t we e nt hec ons ul t i ngandt hepr i ma r yc a r ephys i c i ansand ormi dwi v e s r e que s t i ngas s i s t anc e . Thel i nkswe r eag ai ne a s i l ye s t abl i s he d,r e ma i ne dac t i vedur i ngt he e nt i r ec ons ul t at i onsandwe r ef oundt obeofg oodqua l i t yf ort hepur pos e soft hes e r vi c e . TheEl e c t r oni cPa t i e ntRe c or dandt heCTG r e c or di nga ndpr oc e s s i ngmodul e swe r ef oundt o ber e l i abl e ,asnopr obl e mswe r ee nc ount e r e d. The i ra va i l a bi l i t ywa se x pe c t e dt obehi g hby de s i g n,whi c hpr ove dt obet r ue . Thea va i l abi l i t yandr e l i abi l i t yoft hes e r v e ronwhi c ht he pa t i e ntEPRsar es t or e d,att heMe di c alPhys i c sLa bor a t or y ,we r eal s of oundt obehi gh. Theus eofa l lmodul e spr ove dt obee a s y . Par t i c i pat i ngme di c a lpr of e s s i ona l sf e l tc omf or t a bl e wi t ht hes of t wa r eaf t e ras hor tt r ai ni ngpe r i odofa boutoneda y. Theav e r aget i mer e qui r e dt o s t udyandupdat eane xi s t i ngpat i e ntEPR wa sa ppr oxi mat e l yf i ve( 5)mi nut e s ,whi l et het i me r e qui r e dt oc r e at eane w EPR was1 0mi nut e s . Thet i mer e qui r e dt or e c or daCTG t r ac ea nd t oat t ac hi tt ot hepa t i e ntr e c or dwasa r ound2 5mi nut e s . Thi si si na c c or dwi t ht heMa t e r ni t y Gui de l i ne ,whi c hs t at e st hate a c hr e c or di ngs houl dbeofa tl e a s t2 0mi nut e sdur a t i on. The ov e r al lt i mer e qui r e dt or e c or dpat i e ntdat af ort hef i r s tt i mewa s ,t he r e f or e ,l e s st han35 mi nut e s ,whi c hwa sc ons i de r e dac c e pt a bl e . Ma t e r ni t yTe l e me di c i nes e r vi c e swe r eof f e r e di n4 0c a s e s . Al lc a s e s ,c onc e r ne dpr e gna nt wome nt aki ngr out i nef ol l owupe xami nat i ons . Al lc a s e sbutonewe r ef oundt obenor ma l . Onl yoneoft hepat i e nt spr e s e nt e dwi t hac ompl i c a t e dc l i ni c alc ondi t i on,na me l yt hatof pr e ma t ur el aboura s s oc i at e dwi t hpl ac e nt apr ae vi a. Pr i ma r yc a r ephys i c i a ns ,f ol l owi ngt he a dvi c eobt ai ne dus i ngt het e l e me di c i nes y s t e m,e v ac ua t e dt hepa t i e ntt oAr e t a i e i onhos pi t a l . Ov e r al li nt hi ss t udy,t hec ont e nt soft hepat i e ntEPR,i nc l udi ngt heCTG t r a c e ,pr ov e dt obe ade quat ei nr e a c hi ngas af ede c i s i onf ora l l40c a s e s . Ma t e r ni t yTe l e me di c i nes e r vi c e swe r ef oundt obeas i g ni f i c anta i dt oPr i mar yCa r eUni t st ha t donothaveac c e s st os pe c i al i z e dobs t e t r i ce xpe r t i s e . Bypr ovi di nge he al t he mpl oy e e soft hos e uni t swi t he as y,onde mandac c e s st oe x pe r tadv i c e ,t he yi mpr ov et hequa l i t yoft hes e r v i c e s pr ovi de dt opr e gnantl adi e s;t he yal l ow a nopt i mals e l e c t i onofc as e st ha ta r ei nne e dof e v ac uat i ont ot e r t i ar yuni t s ,whi c h,t oge t he rwi t hi mpr ovi ngt hequa l i t yofl oc a l l yof f e r e d r out i nef ol l owupe x ami nat i on,mayl e a dt oas ubs t ant i a lr e duc t i onofc os t sandpat i e nt 16 2 s at i s f ac t i on. Asar e s ul t ,pat i e ntdi s pl a c e me ntc anber e duc e dt oami ni mum f orr out i ne e xami nat i ons . Duet ot hebi gnumbe rofpr e gnanc i e spe ra nnum i nt het woi s l ands( 5 0on ave r age ) ,t hi sl e adst oac ons i de r abl er e duc t i onofmobi l i t yc os t s . Ther e t ur nont he i nve s t me ntoft het e l e mat i ci nf r as t r uc t ur eandt heme di c a lde vi c e sc a nt husbeac hi e ve di na l i t t l emor et ha naye a r . Di s cus s i on De s pi t et hef a c tt hatt hec ont e ntofpat i e ntr e c or ds ,i nc l udi ngCTGs ,we r ef oundt obe s uf f i c i e ntf ort r e at i ngmat e r ni t yc a s e s ,i twa sge ne r a l l yr e c og ni z e dt ha tamor eg e ne r i c c us t omi z at i onoft heEPR s of t wa r ewoul di nc r e a s et her i c hne s sofi nf or mat i oni tc ont ai nsa nd woul df a c i l i t at ee xpe r t si ngai ni ngabe t t e runde r s t andi ngoft hec a s e sbe i nghandl e d. I nf or mat i onpr ov i de dor al l y( e . g .v i av i de oc onf e r e nc e )a ndnots t or e di npat i e nt sr e c or ds i nc r e as et hel e ng t hofTe l e me di c i nes e s s i onsandi nc r e as et her i s kofl oos i ngormi s i nt e r pr e t i ng t hedat a. TheMe di c alPhy s i c sLabor at or yoft heUni ve r s i t yofAt he nsi nc ol l a bor a t i onwi t ht he par t i c i pat i ngs i t e shasnow de v e l ope d,as ophi s t i c a t e d,we bbas e d,El e c t r oni cEhe al t hRe c or d Sof t war e( EHCRS) ,whi c haddr e s s e st heabov eme nt i one dr e qui r e me nt s . Thes of t wa r ei s c ur r e nt l ybe i ngt e s t e dandi ts houl dbei ns t a l l e datt hepar t i c i pa t i ngs i t e swi t hi nt hene x tf e w mont hs .I naddi t i ont oCTG t r ac e s ,EHCRSa l l owspa t i e ntr e c or dst oc ont ai nal li nf or ma t i on r e qui r e dt oe s t abl i s hadi agnos i sf orapr e s e nt i ngc ompl ai nta ndt ode c i deonr e qui r e d f ol l owupac t i ons . Exampl e sofs uc hi nf or mat i onar e: t hec ompl e t eme di c a lhi s t or yoft he pat i e ntwi t he mphas i soni mpor t antobs t e t r i candgy nae c ol ogi c a lda t a ,ul t r as ounddat a ,t he r e s ul t sofpr e vi ousphys i c a le xami nat i onsa ndt her e s ul t sofl abor a t or yandot he ri nve s t i ga t i ons unde r t ake ni nt hepas t . Fur t he rmor e ,Me di c alPhys i c sLabor at or yi st e s t i ngt hepos s i bi l i t yoft r ans f e r r i ng,i nr e a l t i me , ul t r as oundvi de os i gnal s ,byus i ngt hev i de oc onf e r e nc i nge qui pme nt .I ni t i a lt e s t sha vebe e n s uc c e s s f ul . Thes uppor t i nghos pi t alwi l lde c i dewhe t he rt hequa l i t yoft het r ans mi t t e dda t ai s a de quat ef ordi a gnos t i cpur pos e s . I naddi t i ont oi mpr ovi ngt e c hni c ala ndf unc t i onala s pe c t sofmat e r ni t ys e r v i c e si nt heAe g e a n r e gi on,f ut ur ewor kwi l lf oc usont he i rmor er i g or ouse v al uat i on. Thei ni t i alr e s ul t s ,howe ve r , ar ee nc our agi ng Ac knowl edge ment s Theaut hor swi s ht ot hankt heCommi s s i onoft heEur ope a nUni ona swe l last he i rI ns t i t ut i ons f ort hef i nanc i ngoft heHERMESPr oj e c t . Re f er ences [1]BoddyK,Sot i r i ouD. ,St a ndi ngI .Func t i ona lSpe c i f i c a t i onsa ndRe por tonHERMESFut ur eWor k/Bus i ne s s Pl ans ,f orHa r moni s a t i on. De mons t r a t i ona ndUpt a keofA Gl obal24Hour sTMSPl a t f or m ofUr g e nt Re s pons eSe r vi c e sDe l i v e r e dt ot hePoi ntofNe e d.HERMESEur ope anPr oj e c tDe l i v e r a bl e9 . 3,J a nua r y199 9 . [2]Boddy l otSi t eAna l ys e sofUs e r ,K.Sot i r i ou,D.Ve nt e r s ,G.Cr a mp,D.Ge r l a c he ,M.I nt e r na lCons or t i um Pi Re qui r e me nt sf orTheI ni t i alHERMESPr ot oPl a t f or mI nc l udi ngaFunc t i ona lMar ke t i ngSpe c i f i c a t i on. HERMESEur ope a nPr oj e c tDe l i ve r a bl e2 . 1 ,Apr i l19 9 8. // / / [3]K.Boddye nbur g h.ht t p: a l pha . mpl . uoa . g r he r me s ta l . ,Gui de l i ne sf orAnt e na t a lCar e ,Roy a lI nf i r ma r yofEdi /ma / UKmi r r or t e r ni t y De f a ul t . ht m. Las tc he c ke d8Oc t obe r2 0 0 4 . [4]Hunt / / l e i ghDi ag nos t i c sLt d,UK.ht t p: www. hunt l e i g hdi ag nos t i c s . c om/ . La s tc he c ke d8Oc t obe r2 0 04 . [5]K.Boddy,P.Ka c i nea ndTe l e c a r ef ort heNe wI nf or mat i onAg e .Fi na nc i alTi me s r pp,D.Sot i r i ou.Te l e me di Re por t ,Nov e mbe r26 ,19 9 9. 16 3 8 I nd i a40 Backgr ound I ndi a( Fi g. 1)i sav as tc ount r yof1 . 4bi l l i on popul a t i onoc c upyi nganar e aof3, 287, 2 6 8Sq. kms .I ti ss i t uat e di nSout he r nAs i a , bor de r i ngt heAr abi anSe aa ndt heBa yof Be ngal ,be t we e nBur maandPaki s t a n. I t c ons i s t sof2 9s t at e sa nd6Uni onTe r r i t or i e s g ove r ne dbyaf e de r als ys t e m. The r ei sno nat i onalhe al t hi ns ur anc epol i c yf ort he c ount r y. Gove r nme nts uppor t e de he a l t h de l i ve r yf ol l owsat hr e et i e rs ys t e ma ndi st he pr i mar yr e s pons i bi l i t yofe ac hs t a t e . Be s i de s s t at es pons or e dhe al t hs ys t e m pr i v at ea ge nc i e s ar eal s oi nvol ve di ne he al t hde l i ve r yi nt he s amet i e rl e ve lwhi c ht ake sc ar eofi l l ne s s r at he rt hanwe l l ne s sa ndpubl i che al t h. One c ans e ewor l dc l as shos pi t al sr unbyc or por at e age nc i e swhi c har emos t l yl oc at e di nbi gc i t i e s . Fi g. 1 Thes c al eofe he a l t hs e r vi c e si nI ndi a,t houg h hasbe e nve r ys ma l ls of arc ons i de r i ngi tss i z ea ndhe a l t hi nf r a s t r uc t ur ea ndmos t l yl i mi t e dt o me di c albus i ne s spr oc e s sout s our c i ngf ort hewe s t e r nwor l dt hes c opeha sbe e ne xpandi ngt o Te l e me di c i ne ,Hos pi t ala ut omat i onandhe al t hpor t ali nt her e c e ntpas t . I nt r od uc t i o n ・Ac c or di ngt oi ndus t r yanal ys t s ,a nyhos pi t a lwi t hami ni mum c a pac i t yof1 00be dsi sa pot e nt i alI Tbuye r .I ti se s t i mat e dt hatt he r ear eove r1, 0 00hos pi t a l si nt ha tc at e gor yi nt he c ount r y. Nat i onalAs s oc i at i onofSof t wa r emanuf a c t ur e r sar es e r v i c e sCompa ni e s ( NASSCOM)be l i e ve st ha te he al t hor gani z at i onsi nI ndi awi l ls pe ndar oundI NR 1 0 0 mi l l i ononI Ti nt hec ur r e nty e ar . Thema j orc ompone ntoft hi swi l lbehos pi t a l ma na ge me nts ys t e msa ndne t wor ki nghar dwa r er e qui r e df orpr oc e s s e sl i ket e l e me di c i ne . Eve nwi t hs uc has mal ls c al eofope r a t i ons ,s omes i gni f i c a ntc hang e sa r ebe i ngmade 1. nat i onwi det hatwi l ls t r e ngt he nt e l e me di c i nei ni t i a t i ve sandt hee he a l t hi ndus t r yasawhol e Themos ti mpor t a nti ni t i at i v ebe i ng ,t hes t andar di z at i onofe xc hang eofhe a l t hi nf or mat i on be t we e ndi f f e r e nte nt i t i e swi t hi nt hee he a l t hs e c t or . TheMi ni s t r yofHe a l t h& Fa mi l y We l f ar eandt heMi ni s t r yofCommuni c at i ona ndI nf or mat i onTe c hnol og yar ej oi nt l y c r e at i nganat i onalhe a l t hi nf or mat i oni nf r as t r uc t ur e ,f ore a s yc apt ur ea nddi s s e mi nat i onof he al t hi nf or mat i on2Tos uppor tt hi si nf r as t r uc t ur e ,ne c e s s a r ys t e psa r eal s obe i ngt a ke ni n c r e at i ngal e gal l ys af ee nvi r onme ntt hatwi l lpr ot e c tt hepr i va c yandc onf i de nt i a l i t yofhe al t h i nf or ma t i on.St e psa r ea l s obe i ngt a ke nt oe duc a t ev ar i ouss t ake hol de r soft hee he al t h i ndus t r yaboutt hene e df orc ompl yi ngwi t hhe a l t hi nf or ma t i ons t a ndar ds . The a bove me nt i one di ni t i at i v e soft hegov e r nme nta r ei ndi r e c t l ygoi ngt obol s t e rt heg r owt hof c r os sbor de re he al t hs e r vi c e s . Ehe a l t hi sbe c omi ngmor ea ndmor er e g ul a t e di nde v e l ope d c ount r i e ss uc hast heUSA. Ehe a l t hpa ye r sa ndpr ov i de r sar ewi l l i ngt oout s our c ewor k 4 0 DrS.K.Mi s hr a ,M.S. ,F.A.C.S. ,Pr of .& He a d,De pa r t me ntofEndoc r i neSur ge r y,s kmi s hr a@s gpg i . a c . i n Sa nj a yGa ndhiPos t gr a dua t eI ns t i t ut eofMe di c a lSc i e nc e s ,Luc know,I NDI A 16 4 /c e as i l yt oc ount r i e s ompani e st hatc ompl ywi t hhe al t hi nf or mat i ons t a nda r dsa ndhavea r obus tl e galf r a me wor kf orpr i v ac yands e c ur i t yofhe al t hi nf or ma t i on. I npr i nc i pl e , t e l e me di c i neha sbr i dge dt heur banr ur aldi vi debyt a ki nge he al t ht oi nt e r i or sofI ndi a . The r ear emor et han150t e l e me di c i nei ni t i a t i ve st odaymos tofi tar es uppor t e dbyI ndi a n -1 Spa c eRe s e ar c hOr gani z at i onandI T Mi ni s t r y. Ona na ve r a gec l os et o6( r a ng eof2 0) t e l e me di c i nee nc ount e r st akepl a c epe rda yi ne ac hoft he s ec e nt r e s . The s ef i g ur e sa r eve r y l ow c ons i de r i ngt hede ar t hofe he al t hs e r vi c e si nt hes a mea r e a sofI ndi a. Howe ve r ,as t a r t hasbe e nmade . The s ef i g ur e sar eonl ygoi ngt oi nc r e as ea st het e c hnol og yc os t sa r ef a l l i ng r e gul ar l y,e . g.t e l e c ommuni c a t i onc os t sha v er e duc e dby3t i me ss i nc et hel a s tt woy e a r s . Speci f i cAct i vi t i esi neHeal t hi nI ndi a Ho s pi t alI nf o r mat i onSys t em ( HI S)i nI nd i a1 ・Maj or i t yoft hehos pi t a l si nt hec ount r yar er oot e di nmanualpr oc e s s e s ,whi c ha r euna bl et o r a t e d. I nt hel ar g e rhos pi t a l s ,pat i e ntr e c or dsr e mai n c opewi t ht hevol umeofda t age ne di f f i c ul tt oac c e s sa ndt he s ea dve r s e l yaf f e c tqua l i t yofhe a l t hde l i ve r y . Thede mandsoft he i ns ur a nc es e c t orf ormor ee f f i c i e nti nf or mat i ons t or a geandr e t r i e va lar eal s og oi ngt oa ddt o t hepr e s s ur eonhos pi t al sandhe al t hpr ovi de r s . Thi sma y,i nf ac tbet hema j ordr i vi ngf or c e f ormode r ni z at i onoft hi ss e c t ors i nc et hehe al t hi ns ur anc es e c t ori spoi s e df ormaj orgr owt h i nt hec omi ngde c ade . Thec ur r e ntGove r nme nthe al t hpol i c yi sa l s os hi f t i ngi t se mpha s i s t owa r dshe al t hi ns ur anc e . Aut oma t i oni st heonl ys ol ut i ont ha tc anhe l phos pi t al st ome e t t hec ha l l e nge sofmode r nhe al t hc a r ede l i ve r y . Howe v e r ,I T ha sbe e nal a t ee nt r anti nt hi s f i e l dandmos thos pi t al swhi c hf or a ye di nt ot hi sa r e as t ar t e dwi t hs ma l ls ys t e mst hatwe r e de ve l ope di nhous e . Ti l lt hemi d90snos t a ndar di z e ds ol ut i onswe r ea v ai l a bl ea ndt he s e l oc a li nnov at i onswe r et hepi one e r s . Howe ve r ,t he yne i t he rg i vet hede s i r e dr e s ul t snorc a n t he ybei nt e g r a t e dwi t hne we rs ys t e ms . Thema j orde mandf orupda t e ds ol ut i ons t a r t e dwi t h t hee s t abl i s hme ntoft hel ar gec or por a t ehos pi t a l smanyofwhi c hl i ket heApol l ogr oup, i mpl e me nt e ds t r ongI Ts ol ut i onsi nt hel at t e rha l foft heni ne t i e s . Wi t ht hei nc r e as i ng de mandsoft hemar ke t ,ma nys t ur dy,s t anda r dHI Ss ol ut i onswe r ede ve l ope dbyt hemaj or I Tc ompani e s . Today,t heEhe al t hs e gme nti s ,i nf ac t ,g oi ngt hr ought heki ndofe vol ut i on t ha tt hebanki ngandf i nanc i a ls e r vi c e ss e c t orwe ntt hr oughade c adeago. Thi si sbe i ng dr i ve nbyt hehug eannuali nc r e as ei nt henumbe rofhos pi t a lbe dsmos t l yi nt hec or por at e s e c t or . Howe ve r ,t hegove r nme nts t i l lowns6 6%oft heI ndi anhos pi t alma r ke t . The Ce nt r alGov e r nme nthasa l s oannounc e ds e t t i ngupofl a r gene w hos pi t a l s . Thepubl i c s e c t orhos pi t al shav er e al i z e dt hedi r e c t i oni nwhi c ht hewi ndi sbl owi ng. Thi sc a nbe appr e c i at e dbyt hef ac tt hatDe l hiGov e r nme nthasr e c e nt l yappr ove dHI Ss ol ut i onsf orf our ofi t sma j orhos pi t al s . HI Ss ol ut i onsavai l abl e Al t houghal a r g enumbe rofpr oduc t sa r ea vai l a bl ei nt hema r ke t,t hemaj orpl a ye r si nt hi s f i e l d,ar eCe nt r ef orDe ve l opme ntofAdva nc e dComput i ng( CDAC) ,Wi pr oGE e he a l t h,Tat a Cons ul t a nc ySe r v i c e s( TCS)a ndSi e me nsI nf or mat i onSy s t e msLt d( SI SL) . CDAC,a n aut onomousg ove r nme ntI T or gani z at i on,wa sapi one e ri nde v e l opi ngHI Ss ol ut i oni nI ndi a . The yhavede ve l ope dt hef i r s tt ot alHI Ss of t war ei nc ol l abor at i onwi t hSanj a yGandhiPos t Gr a duat eI ns t i t ut eofMe di c alSc i e nc e s ,Luc know i n1 9 97 . Thi sha sbe e ni mpl e me nt e da t SGPGI ,Luc know a ndGTBhos pi t al ,Ne w De l hia sal s oatot he rongoi ngs i t e s . Wi pr oGE e he al t h,of f e r sar e as onabl yc ompl e t er angeofI Ts e r vi c e si nc l udi ngdoma i ns pe c i f i cs ol ut i ons f ore he a l t hor gani z at i ons . The i re ndt oe nds ol ut i onc ove r st hee nt i r es pe c t r um oft hee he al t h i ndus t r ysne e dsi nc l udi ngaHos pi t alI nf or ma t i onSy s t e m( HI S) ,Pi c t ur eAr c hi vi ngand Communi c at i onSys t e ms( PACS)andt e l e me di c i nes ol ut i ons . 16 5 ・Tel emedi ci nei nI ndi a: ・Ehe al t hi sas t at es ubj e c twhi c hf ol l owsat hr e et i e rs ys t e m ― pr i ma r yhe a l t hc e nt r ec a t e r i ng oupofv i l l a ge s ,Se c ondar yl e v e lhe a l t hc e nt r el oc a t e datdi s t r i c tl e ve la ndme di c alc ol l e g e agr hos pi t al sc ons t i t ut et het e r t i ar yl e ve ll oc a t e di nt hebi gc i t i e s . Be s i de s ,t he r ea r ef e w advanc e dme di c ali ns t i t ut e sofnat i onali mpor t a nc ehavi ngc l i ni c al ,t e a c hi ngandr e s e ar c h f a c i l i t i e si nmanys upe r s pe c i al t i e s .I naddi t i ont og ov e r nme ntr unhe a l t hs ys t e m,s a me hi e r ar c hi c a le he al t hs e r v i c e se xi s t si npr i vat es e c t ort oo. The r ei snona t i onalhe al t h i ns ur a nc es y s t e m,t houg ht hegove r nme nt ,publ i cs e c t orandc or por a t eor gani z at i onss pons or t hee he al t he xpe ns e sofi t se mpl oye e sandf ami l y. I nt her e c e nty e a r sf e wi ns ur anc e c ompani e sa r eve nt ur i ngi nt ohe al t hs e c t or .I ns pi t eofwe l lne t wor ke dhe a l t hc ar es ys t e m a c c e s st oe he al t hi nr ur ala r e asi sf a rf r om s a t i s f ac t or y .I nt hec ur r e nts c e na r i o,75 %oft he qual i f i e dc ons ul t i ngdoc t or spr ac t i c ei nur ban,23%i ns e mi ur ban( t owns )a ndonl y2%i n / r ur ala r e aswhe r east hevas tma j or i t yofpopul at i onl i v ei nt her ur a lar e as . Hos pi t a lbe ds 1 , 0 00pe opl ear e0. 10i nr ur ala sc ompar e dt o2 . 2i nur ba na r e a s . Fur t he r ,ava s tpr opor t i on t he as t e r nr e gi onofc ount r yl i ei nhi l l yt e r r a i nands omet e r r i t or yi nr e mot e ofnor t handnor i s l andsmaki nge he al t hr e ac hi mpos s i bl et os uc hf arf l ungar e a s . Te l e e he al t hc onc e pti s nol onge rne wt ot hec ount r y. Bot hg ove r nme nta ndpr i v at ea ge nc i e sa r ev e nt ur i ngi nt oi t . Fe wI ndi a nc ompani e sa r ebe i ngc apa bl eofpr ovi di nghar dwa r ea nds of t wa r es ol ut i onf or t e l e he a l t hc a r e . Pr oduc t sofr e put e dov e r s e ast e l e he al t hi ndus t r yhavet he i rpr e s e nc e . Ef f or t sa r edi r e c t e dt owa r dss e t t i ngups t a ndar dsandI Te na bl e de he a l t hi nf r as t r uc t ur ei n t hec ount r y. Al lt hos ea c t i vi t i e sc ar r i e doutbyva r i ousa g e nc i e sar ec ol l e c t e dand s ummar i z e dbe l ow. 2 I ndi anSp aceRes e ar chOr gani zat i on( I SRO) I ndi anSpac eRe s e ar c hOr gani z at i on( I SRO)a sapar tofa ppl i c at i onofs pac et e c hnol og yf or He al t hc ar eande duc at i on,unde rGRAMSAT( r ur als at e l l i t e )pr ogr amme ,ha si ni t i at e d numbe rofTe l e me di c i nepi l otpr oj e c t swhi c har ev e r ys pe c i f i ct ot hene e dsofde v e l opme ntof t hes oc i e t y. I SRO Te l e me di c i nepr oj e c t sa r eve r ys pe c i f i ct ot hene e dsofde v e l opme ntoft he / s oc i e t y. The s epr oj e c t sc ons i s tof ,l i nki ngt hr oughI ndi anNa t i ona lSa t e l l i t e( I NSAT) ,r e mot e r ur alar e asl i keJ ammu,Kas hmi r& La dhaki nnor t hne a rHi ma l ay as ,Of f s hor eI s l a ndsof Anda manandLaks hadwe e p,Nor t hEa s t e r nSt at e s& s omeoft her e mot ea ndt r i ba ldi s t r i c t si n t hemai nl a ndSt at e sa c r os st hec ount r y . Whi l eI SRO hasi mpr e s s i ver e c or dofac hi e v e me nt si ns pac et e c hnol og yc ove r i ngs at e l l i t e s , l aunc hve hi c l es e r vi c e sa ndappl i c a t i ons ,i ti soneoft heI SROsc ont i nuouse nde av our si n br i ngi ngappl i c at i onofs pac et e c hnol ogyf ort hebe ne f i toft hegr as sr ootpopul at i on. I nt hi s r e gar dt het e l e me di c i nepi l otpr oj e c t si ni t i a t e dbyI SRO i sv e r ys pe c i f i ct ot hene e dsof de v e l opme nt . Whi l ehe al t hc ar ei snotI SROspr i ma r ys ubj e c t ,a ppl i c at i onofs pa c e t e c hnol ogyf orhe a l t hc ar eande duc at i onunde rt heGRAMSAT pr ogr am i st hef oc us .I SRO haspl anst obui l ds ophi s t i c at e ds at e l l i t e sf orme e t i ngt her e qui r e me nt sofe duc a t i on& he al t hi n t hec omi ngye ar s . Si nc ehe al t hc ar ei st hes t at es ubj e c tandr unbyt heSt a t eGove r nme nt s ,t he t hr us tofI SRO i st oi nt r oduc eSat e l l i t eCommuni c a t i onbas e dTe l e me di c i net e c hnol ogyi nt he r e mot e s tpa r toft hec ount r yt hr oughpi l otpr oj e c t ss ot hatt hehe al t hs ys t e m adopt st he t e c hnol ogya ndt e s ti t spot e nt i ali nqual i t ye he a l t hde l i v e r yands ubs e que nt l yi nt r oduc e Te l e me di c i nei nope r at i onalmode . I SROsTe l e me di c i nei ni t i at i vehasbe e nbr oa dl ydi vi de di nt ot hef ol l owi nga r e a s: /r a)Pr ovi di ngTe l e me di c i neTe c hnol ogy& c onne c t i v i t ybe t we e nr e mot e ur a lhos pi t a la nd Supe rSpe c i al i t yHos pi t alf orTe l e c ons ul t a t i on,Tr e at me nt& Tr ai ni ngofdoc t or s& par ame di c s . 16 6 b)Pr ovi di ngt heTe c hnol ogy& c onne c t i v i t yf orCont i nui ngMe di c alEduc a t i on( CME) / be t we e nMe di c alCol l e ge s& Pos tGr a duat eMe di c a lI ns t i t ut i ons Hos pi t al s . c)Pr ovi di ngTe c hnol ogy& c onne c t i v i t yf orMobi l eTe l e me di c i neuni t sf orr ur a lhe a l t hc a mps e s pe c i al l yi nt hear e asofopht hal mol ogyandc ommuni t yhe a l t h. Wi t hl ar ge rr e qui r e me nt soft hedi f f e r e ntSt a t e spr opos i ngt oi nt r oduc eTe l e me di c i nef ac i l i t yi n t he i rdi s t r i c thos pi t al s ,t heTe l e me di c i nes y s t e mc onf i gur e df ort heI SROsTe l e me di c i nepr oj e c t i ni t i al l ys t a r t e dwi t h poi ntt opoi nt s y s t e m be t we e nt hepa t i e nta nd,whi c hi sage ne r a l hos pi t a ll oc at e di nadi s t r i c t . Townande x pe r tdoc t or se ndwhi c hi sas pe c i al t yhos pi t a l / s i t uat e di nac i t y. Subs e que nt l yt hene e df orSe r v e rBr ows e rba s e dTe l e me di c i nes ys t e m wa s e vol v e df ormul t i poi ntc onne c t i vi t yandt hes a mei sadopt e df ormul t i poi ntc onne c t i vi t y / be t we e nr e mot eandr ur alhos pi t ala ndSupe rSpe c i a l t yHos pi t all oc at e di ndi f f e r e ntTowns Ci t i e s . ns f e rofme di c a li ma ge sc onf e r r e dt ot heDI COM ; andf ort he Thes t andar dsadopt e df ort r a pat i e ntr e c or di nf or mat i on,par tofHe al t hLe ve l 7( HL7 ) . TheTe l e me di c i neCe nt r e s ,bot hat /r t hedi s t r i c t ur a lhos pi t al sandatt hes pe c i al i s thos pi t al swe r es e tupunde rs t a nda r dr oom c ondi t i onsa ndl i ght i ngs ui t e dt ovi de oc onf e r e nc i ngs t a nda r d― H. 32 5. Fur t he r ,t hemodeof t e l e me di c i nec ons ul t at i onswe r eba s e donr e alt i met r a ns f e rofpa t i e ntsme di c aldat aand i mage s ,f ol l owe dbyvi de oc onf e r e nc i ng. Theba ndwi dt hus e ddur i ngt e l e me di c i nes e s s i onsi s /s 38 4kbi t . Themi ni malme di c aldi agnos t i ci ns t r ume nt spr ov i de datt her e mot ee ndar et he1 2 /s l e adECG,XRa ydi gi t i s e r c anne ra ndapat hol og ymi c r os c opewi t hdi g i t alc a me r a. Howe v e r wi t ht hee xpe r i e nc eofut i l i z at i onoft hef ac i l i t yi twa sobs e r v e dt ha tt hepat hol og ymi c r os c ope &c ame r ai sf oundnote s s e nt i a lf ormanyoft her e mot edi s t r i c thos pi t a l sa ndt he yar enot be i ngpr ovi de ds ubs e que nt l y . Thec onne c t i v i t ywaspr ov i de dt hr oughf l e xi DAMA ba s e d VSAT s ys t e m wi t h3. 8M ant e nnawi t h2W t r a ns mi t t e rf ort hema i nl ands t a t e s& 5W t r ans mi t t e rf ort heof f s hor ei s l andsa ndNor t hEas t e r nRe gi on. Thes at e l l i t ec onne c t i vi t yi si n Ext e nde dCbandme s hc onf i g ur at i onc ont r ol l e dbyt heI SRO HubSt at i onpr ov i di ngNe t wor k moni t or i ng& Cont r ols e r vi c e dt hr ought heba ndwi dt hf r om I NSAT s a t e l l i t e Tel eeducat i on I nvi e w oft hec hal l e ng e sf ac e dbyt hena t i oni nt hef i e l dofe duc at i onandc ons i de r i ngt he pot e nt i alus eofs at e l l i t ec ommuni c at i ont e c hnol ogyt os uppor te duc at i on,I SRO i spl anni ngt o l a unc has at e l l i t ede di c a t e dt ome e tt her e qui r e me nt soft hee nt i r ee duc at i ons e c t ori nI ndi a . Thi ss a t e l l i t ec al l e dasEDUSAT hasbe e nc onf i gur e dt ome e tt her e qui r e me nt soft hee nt i r e I ndi a. Thes at e l l i t ewi l lc a r r yhi ghpowe rt r a ns ponde r sope r at i ngi nt heKuba ndand g e ne r at i ngmul t i pl es potbe amst ome e tt her e gi onalc ov e r a ger e qui r e me nt s . Thes at e l l i t ewi l l a l s ohavenat i onalc ove r agebe amsi nt heKuba ndandEx t e nde dC bandt opr ovi des uppor t t ot heongoi ngde ve l opme nt alc ommuni c at i ona c t i vi t yi ni t i at e da l r e a dyi nt hec ount r y . The gr ounds e gme nti sde s i gne dt oc a t e rt omul t i me di ae duc at i onpa c ka gede l i ve r yatar e as onabl e c os t . Dur i ngt hepi l otphas eoft hepr oj e c tI Pba s e dt e c hni que sf ordi s t anc el e a r ni ngwi l le mpl oy s omei nt e r ac t i veands omenoni nt e r ac t i v es at e l l i t et e r mi na l si nt her e mot ec l a s s r oomsoft hr e e s t at e sofI ndi a,name l y,Kar nat aka,Ma har a s ht r aandMa dhyaPr ade s h. I ti spr opos e dt o c onne c tv ar i ouse ngi ne e r i ngc ol l e ge si nt he s eSt a t e st ot her e s pe c t i vet e ac hi nge nd. Thei mpa c t oft hepr ogr ammewi l lbee val uat e di ne a c hr e g i onbyi nde pe nde ntag e nc i e st os ugg e s t i mpr ov e me ntormodi f i c at i oni nove r al lpr ogr a mme .I ti se x pe c t e dt hat ,dur i ngs e mi ope r at i onalphas e ,whi c hf ol l owst hepi l otphas e ,e a c hs potbe am wi l ls e r v e1, 0 00c l as s r ooms . Dur i ngEdus atope r at i onalpha s e5or6upl i nkspe rbe am wi l ls uppor t5 , 0 00c l as s r oomspe r upl i nk. Thet e c hnol og ye mpl oye di nt heope r at i ona ls ys t e m ofEdus a twi l lbeDVBRCS. 16 7 Tel emedi ci ne I SROst e l e me di c i nepi l otpr oj e c twa ss t ar t e di nt heye a r20 01wi t ht heai m ofi nt r oduc i ngt he t e l e me di c i nef ac i l i t yt ot hegr as sr ootl e v e lpopul at i onasapa r tofpr oofofc onc e ptt e c hnol ogy /He de mons t r at i onpr ogr amme . Thet e l e me di c i nef a c i l i t yc onne c t st heDi s t r i c tHos pi t a l s al t h Ce nt r e swi t hSupe rSpe c i al t yHos pi t al sf orpr ov i di nge x pe r tc ons ul t a t i ont ot hene e dyand unde r s e r v e dpopul a t i on. Te l e me di c i nes y s t e mc ons i s t sofc us t omi z e dme di c a ls of t wa r ei nt e gr a t e dwi t hc omput e r har dwa r e ,a l ongwi t hme di c aldi agnos t i ci ns t r ume nt sc onne c t e dt ot hec omme r c i alVSAT( Ve r y Smal lApe r t ur eTe r mi na l )a te ac hl oc a t i on. Ge ne r a l l y,t heme di c a lr e c or d/hi s t or yoft he pat i e nti ss e ntt ot heSpe c i al i s tDoc t or s ,whowi l li nt ur ns t udya ndpr ovi dedi ag nos i sa nd t r e a t me ntdur i ngvi de oc onf e r e nc ewi t ht hepat i e ntse nd. /Rur / Pr e s e nt l yI SROsTe l e me di c i neNe t wor kc ons i s t sof90Hos pi t a l s― 6 9Re mot e al Di s t r i c t /He Hos pi t al al t hCe nt r ec onne c t e dt o2 1Supe rSpe c i a l t yHos pi t all oc at e di nt hemaj orc i t i e s wi t ht hef ol l owi nghi g hl i ght s( Fi g. 2): ・9Hos pi t a l si nSt at eofJ a mmu& Ka s hmi r ,6Di s t r i c tHos pi t al si nc l udi ngLe h& Ka r g i la nd 3Me di c a lCol l e g eHos pi t al sc onne c t e dt oAl lI ndi aI ns t i t ut eofMe di c a lSc i e nc e s ,De l hi; Apol l oHos pi t a l s ,De l hi& Amr i t haI ns t i t ut eofMe di c a lSc i e nc e s ,Koc hi . ・5I s l andsofLaks hadwe e pname l yKa v ar at t i ,Ami ni ,Agat t i ,Andr ot t& Mi ni c oyc onne c t e dt o ns t i t ut eofMe di c alSc i e nc e s ,Koc hi . Amr i t haI ・5Re /f mot e i e l d/Bas eHos pi t a l sf orI ndi anAr myc onne c t e dt oRe s e a r c h& Re f e r r a l( R&D) Hos pi t ala tNe w De l hi . ・4hos pi t al sofNor t hEas t e r nSt a t e s STNM Hos pi t a lGa ng t ok,Si kki m;Re gi onalI ns t i t ut eof Me di c alSc i e nc e s ,I mphal ,Mani pur; Me di c alCol l e g eHos pi t al ,Guwa ha t i& Di s t r i c tHos pi t al atUdai pur ,Tr i pur ac onne c t e dt oAs i aHe ar tFounda t i on,Kol ka t a. ・Mobi l eTe l e opt hal mol og yUni tf ort heEyeCa r eCa mpswi t hc onne c t i vi t yt oShankar a Ne t r al aya,Che nnai& Ba ngl or e . ・Tat nc e rCe nt r e ,Mumba ic onne c t e dt oB.B.Ba r uaCanc e rCe nt r e ,Guwa hat i . aMe mor i alCa ・Thr e eMe di c alCol l e geHos pi t alofOr i s s aar ec onne c t e dt oSGPGI ,Luc know. ・Es t a bl i s hme ntoft e mpor ar yTe l e me di c i nef a c i l i t yf or2mont hsa tPa mbaatt hef oot hi l l sof Saba r i ma l as hr i nef ort hebe ne f i tofv i s i t i ngpi l gr i msdur i ngDe c20 0 30 4 . ・Unde rt heMobi l eTe l e me di c i ne ,t heMobi l eTe l e opt ha l mol ogyf ac i l i t yi spr ovi de dt o Sha nkar aNe t r a l ay a,Che nnait opr ov i det hes e r v i c et ot her ur alpopul at i onoft heSt at eof Ta mi l nadu. Mor et han12, 5 00pat i e nt shavebe e npr ov i de dwi t hTe l e c ons ul t a t i on& t r e a t me nt Re gar di ngt hec os te f f e c t i ve ne s soft heTe l e me di c i ne ,a nI mpa c tSt udyc onduc t e donone t hous andpat i e nt sr e ve al e dt hatt he r ewa sac os ts a vi ngof81 %. Tha ti st hepat i e nt ss pe ntonl y 1 9%ofmone ywhi c ht he ywoul dha veot he r wi s es pe nti nt e r msofe xpe ns e st owa r dst r av e l ,s t a y &f ort r e at me nta tt heHos pi t a l si nt hec i t i e s .I nc as eofof f s hor eI s l a ndst hec os ts a vi ngi s e nor mousbot ht ot heGovt . andt hePa t i e nt s . I SROsTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c ti sg ai ni ngmor eac c e pt a bi l i t yandhaspot e nt i a lt oope nupne w f r ont i e r sf ort her ur alhe al t hc ar ei nI ndi a. SomeSt at e shav ec omef or wa r dt oi nt r oduc e Te l e me di c i nei nanope r at i onalmodeandha vepr e par e dt heDi s t r i c tHos pi t al swi t h 16 8 Te l e me di c i nef ac i l i t ybot hf ora mbul at or y& I nt e ns i vec a r ef orc a r di acr e l at e dt r e at me nt . Re c e nt l yt heSt at eofKa r nat akahav ei ni t i a t e dt hee s t abl i s hme ntofSat Com bas e d Te l e me di c i nef a c i l i t yi nal lt he i rdi s t r i c thos pi t a l s& af e wt r us thos pi t al swhi c hwi l lbe c onne c t e dt odi f f e r e ntSpe c i al t yHos pi t a l si nt hema j orc i t i e s . Thi swi l ls oonbef ol l owe dby ot he rSt a t e sa l s o. I SRO haspl anst oi nt e g r at et e l e me di c i newi t ht e l e e duc a t i onwhe r e v e r appl i c abl eunde rt heGRAMSAT pr og r ammet or e ac hmor er ur a la r e asi nI ndi a. /I De par t me ntofSpac e ndi ans pac eRe s e a r c hOr ga ni z a t i on,i ni t se nde av ourt or e a c ht he be ne f i t soft hes pac et e c hnol ogyt ot heg r a s s r oot sa ndt hene e dys e c t i onsoft hes oc i e t y ,has be e nde ve l opi ngandi mpl e me nt i ngne we randi nnov a t i veappl i c a t i ons . Thet e l e me di c i ne i ni t i at i ve ,de ve l ope dandi mpl e me nt e di ns e l e c t e dpa r t soft hec ount r y,onpi l otbas i s ,dur i ng t hepa s tt woye ar s ,ha sbe e nones uc he f f or tt or e a c ht hes pe c i al t ye he al t ht ot her ur al popul a t i onl i v i ngi ng e ogr aphi c al l ydi s t a nt ,r e mot e ,a ndi nt e r i orpar t soft hec ount r y . / Wi t ht hegr owi ngde ma ndsf ort e l e me di c i nef ac i l i t i e sac r os st hec ount r y; ands e v e r aldi s t r i c t r ur alhos pi t al sde s i r i ngt ohavec onne c t i v i t ywi t ht hes a me ,anda l s omor et ha nones pe c i a l i s t hos pi t a l s;f ur t he rc ompounde dbyt hewi l l i ngne s se x pr e s sbyanumbe rofs pe c i a l i s thos pi t al st o pr ov i det e l e me di c i nes e r vi c et omor er ur alhos pi t al s; t hei mpor t anc eofi nt r oduc i ngt he Mul t i Poi ntc onne c t i vi t yatt hes pe c i al t yhos pi t a l swa sr e al i z e d. Ac c or di ngl y ,atoneoft he s upe rs pe c i al t yhos pi t al s ,v i z . ,t heAl lI ndi aI ns t i t ut eofMe di c alSc i e nc e s( AI I MS) ,Ne w De l hi , mul t i poi nts pe c i a l t yc ons ul t at i onnode swe r es e tup/ t r i e douta c r os ss e l e c t e dde par t me nt s― c onne c t e dt hr oughLAN f orr out i ngt hei nc omi ngt e l e c ons ul t a t i onr e que s t s . Fur t he r ,t owa r dsr e ac hi ngs pe c i al t ye he a l t ht ol a r ge rs e c t i onsoft hes oc i e t y ,a c r os st hec ount r y , andi nvar i ousf ac ul t i e sofme di c als pe c i a l t i e s;t hene e df orde mons t r at i ngf ur t he rt e c hnol og y pac ka gi ng andi mpl e me nt at i one f f or t s bywayofPoi nt t oMul t i poi nta nd Mul t i poi nt t oMul t i poi ntt ype sofc onne c t i vi t yhasbe e nr e a l i z e d. The s ee f f or t swoul da l s o f ac i l i t at ei mpa r t i ngt r ai ni ngt oge ne r a lphy s i c i ansa ndpar ame di c swor ki ngi nr ur a lar e a s , be s i de ss uppor t i ngCont i nui ngMe di c alEduc at i on( CME)e f f or t s . /br / Pr e s e nt l yI SRO hasc onf i gur e ds e r v e r ows e rs y s t e mi nt hec l i e nt s e r v e rc onf i g ur a t i onwhi c h i sbe i ngadopt e dwi de l yi nvar i ousnode s . A pat i e nt e ndt e r mi na lg e ne r a l l yc ons i s t sofaPC, vi de oc onf e r e nc i ngc ame r a,TV moni t or ,pr i nt e r ,hub,UPS,A3s i z ef i l ms c a nne r ,12Le a d ECG, .I nt hec l i e nt s e r ve rar c hi t e c t ur eapar tf r om pa t i e nt e nda nddoc t or e nds ys t e m aSe r ve r i sl oc a t e da tt hes upe r s pe c i al t yhos pi t a lwhi c hs t or e sa l lt hei nf or mat i onofapa t i e nti nc l udi ng hi spas ti l l ne s s ,pr e vi ousv i s i t sa ndme di c a li mag e s; DI COM a ndNonDI COM. Whe na s pe c i al i s ti sg i v i ngt e l e c ons ul t at i ont hepat i e nti nf or ma t i oni sa c c e s s e df r om t hes e r v e r . Ot he r f unc t i onal i t i e sofpat i e nt e ndanddoc t or e nds ys t e msr e ma i ns a mei nbot ht hea r c hi t e c t ur e s .A t e r mi na latdoc t or e ndc ons i s t sofaPC. Vi de oc onf e r e nc i ngc ame r a ,TV moni t or ,UPSanda hubc onne c t e dt oVSAT t e r mi na l . De pe ndi ngont hes i z eoft hene t wor kt hes e r v e ri ss i z e d / / / l i ke1: 82: 164: 488: 100whi c hi ndi c at e st henumbe rofdoc t or st e r mi nalt opa t i e nte nd. I t i sobs e r v e dt hatt hec os toft her e mot et e r mi na lge tr e duc e ddr as t i c al l ywi t hnumbe rofc l i e nt node s .I nt hepr e s e ntKa r nat akaSt at eope r at i onalne t wor k,wi t ht hec ommuni c at i onr out e r t hes e r ve ri sc onf i gur e dt oc onne c tf i vedi f f e r e nts pe c i al t yhos pi t ali nonec i t yofBanga l or e . Wi t ht hes t e adygr owt hofTe l e me di c i nea ppl i c at i on,i ti sal s oe nv i s ag e dt ode ve l opa n e x c l us i v e HEALTHSAT f orme e t i ngt hehe a l t hc ar ene e dsoft hec ount r yatl ar ge . The t e c hnol ogyofDVBRCSi spr opos e dt obea dopt e df ort heFut ur eTe l e me di c i neNe t wor k. Dep ar t mentofI nf or mat i onTechnol og y,Mi ni s t r yofCommuni cat i on& I T,Gov e r nme nto f 3 I ndi a Re al i z i ngt hebe ne f i t sandhavi ngt hec a pa bi l i t yi nt e r msoft het e c hni c ala ndme di c a le x pe r t i s e 16 9 i nI ndi a,De par t me ntofI nf or mat i onTe c hnol ogy( DI T) ,I ndi anSpa c eRe s e a r c hOr g ani z at i on ( I SRO)ofDe par t me ntofSpac e ,andot he rpubl i candpr i vat eor g ani z at i onsha ves t a r t e d Te l e me di c i nepr oj e c t si ndi f f e r e ntpar t soft hec ount r y . Asaf ac i l i t at or ,DI T hast ake n i ni t i at i ve sf orde v e l opme ntoft e c hnol ogy ,i ni t i at i onofpi l ots c he me sa nds t a nda r di z at i onof Te l e me di c i nei nt hec ount r y. Thepi l ots c he me swe r ec a r e f ul l yc hos e nt ot a kei nt oa c c ountt he di ve r s ei s s ue sr e l at e dt oc ur r e nt l yava i l a bl et e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r a s t r uc t ur e ,s pe c i a l i s t avai l abi l i t y,ge ogr aphi c alc ons i de r at i onse t c . ,Someoft he s ei ni t i at i ve sar ebr i e f l ypr e s e nt e d be l ow: ・DI T hass uppor t e dde ve l opme ntoft e l e me di c i nes of t wa r es y s t e ms― t hepr omi ne ntone sby CDAC. Unde rt hi songoi ngpr oj e c t ,t e c hnol ogyde ve l ope dhasbe e nus e df orc onne c t i ng t hr e epr e mi e rme di c a li ns t i t ut i ons vi z . SGPGILuc know,AI I MSNe w De l hiandPGI MER Chandi gar h-us i ngI SDN c onne c t i vi t y . Thet e c hnol og yde ve l ope di snow be i ngde pl oy e d f ors e t t i ngupot he rTe l e me di c i nes ys t e msi nt hec ount r y. ・Te l e me di c i nef ordi a gnos i s& Moni t or i ngoft r opi c a ldi s e as e si nWe s tBe ng a lus i ngl ow s pe e dWAN,de ve l ope dbyWe be l( Kol ka t a) ,I I T,Kha r a gpura ndSc hoolofTr opi c al Me di c i ne ,Kol kat ahasbe e ni mpl e me nt e d. Thes y s t e m ha sbe e ni ns t a l l e di nSc hoolof Tr opi c alMe di c i neKol kat aandt wodi s t r i c thos pi t al s . Aboutat hous a ndc ons ul t a t i onsha v e a l r e adyt a ke npl a c eov e rt hi sne t wor k. Anot he rpr oj e c tons e t t i ngupoft e l e me di c i ne f a c i l i t i e sa tt wor e f e r r alhos pi t al sa ndf ourdi s t r i c thos pi t al sus i ngWe s tBe nga lSt a t eWi de / Ar e aNe t wor kof2Mbi tsi sa l s ounde ri mpl e me nt at i on. ・AnOnc ol ogyNe t wor kf orpr ovi di ngTe l e me di c i nes e r v i c e si nc a nc e rde t e c t i on,t r e at me nt , pa i nr e l i e f ,pat i e ntf ol l owupandc ont i nui t yofc a r ei npe r i phe r a lhos pi t a l s( noda lc e nt r e s )of Re gi onalCa nc e rCe nt r e( RCC)hasbe e ne s t a bl i s he d. TheTe l e me di c i nene t wor kut i l i z e s I nt e r ne tc onne c t i vi t yi naddi t i ont ol e as e dl i ne s . Thepr oj e c twa si mpl e me nt e dbyCDAC, Tr i v andr um a ndRCC. Mor et ha n4 , 00 0pa t i e ntc ons ul t a t i onsha vebe e ndonet i l ldat e us i ngt hene t wor k. A c os tbe ne f i ta na l ys i shass hownt hate c onomi cbe ne f i t st ot hepat i e nt s ha vebe e nf armor et hant hei nve s t me ntmadei nt hi spr oj e c t . ・Topr ovi des pe c i al t yhe al t hs e r vi c e st or e mot ear e asofnor t he as t e r ns t at e sofI ndi aa n i ni t i at i veofs e t t i ngupdi s t r i c t l e ve lt e l e me di c i nec e nt r e si sunde r wa y. A t e l e me di c i ne s ol ut i onhasbe e npr ovi de datNa g aHos pi t al ,Kohi mawi t hs uppor tf r om Ma r ube niI ndi a Lt d. ,Govt . ofNag al andandApol l oHos pi t al ,De l hi . Twomor ehos pi t al si nt her e mot e s t at e sofMi z or am andSi kki m ar ebe i ngpr ov i de dTe l e me di c i nef ac i l i t i e s . ・I naddi t i onI SRO,De par t me ntofSpa c e ,Govt . ofI ndi ahasa l s og i ve nma j ort hr us tt o /r l l i t ec onne c t i v i t y. Unde rt hi sf ac i l i t y3 4r e mot e ur a l Te l e me di c i nebypr ovi di ngSat e hos pi t al sa r ec onne c t e dt oar ound12s upe rs pe c i a l t yhos pi t al si nva r i ouspar t soft hec ount r y byNov e mbe r ,2003. Mor et han12, 0 00t e l e c ons ul t a t i onshav ebe e nc a r r i e douti nt heI SRO ne t wor k. St andar di zat i onact i v i t yi nTel eme di ci ne: Tos t r e aml i nee s t abl i s hme ntoft e l e me di c i nec e nt r e sa nds t a ndar di s es e r vi c e sav a i l abl ef r om di f f e r e ntTe l e me di c i nec e nt r e sne e dt ode f i neas e tofs t a ndar dsandgui de l i ne sf orpr a c t i c eof t e l e me di c i nei sf e l t . Thedoc ume nt , Re c omme nde d Gui de l i ne s& St andar dsf orPr ac t i c eof Te l e me di c i nei nI ndi a ,hasbe e npr e pa r e dbyDe par t me ntofI Tt hr oug hde l i be r at i onsofa Te c hni c alWor ki ngGr oupandi sa i me date nha nc i ngi nt e r ope r abi l i t yamongt hev a r i ous Te l e me di c i nes ys t e msbe i ngs e t upi nt hec ount r y( Fi g. 3 ) .I na ddi t i ont os ugg e s t i ngs t anda r ds f orv a r i ouse qui pme ntne e de df ors e t t i ngupTe l e me di c i nec e nt r e ,i ta l s opr ovi de sg ui de l i ne sf or 17 0 c onduc t i ngTe l e me di c i nei nt e r ac t i ons . Thes t anda r dswi l la l s oa s s i s tt heDe par t me ntofI T and De par t me ntofhe al t hoft hes t a t egove r nme nt sa nde he a l t hpr ov i de r si npl anni ngand i mpl e me nt at i onofope r at i onalt e l e me di c i nene t wor ksl i nki ngvar i ousdi s t r i c thos pi t al swi t h / s upe rs pe c i al t yhos pi t al s ,c ommuni t yhe a l t hCe nt r e s( CHC) Pr i mar yhe al t hCe nt r e s( PHC)t o t her e s pe c t i vedi s t r i c thos pi t a l sf orpr ov i di nghe a l t hc ar et ot hene e dyandunde rs e r ve d popul at i oni r r e s pe c t i veoft he i rg e og r aphi c all oc at i on. The r ei sa nongoi ngpr oc e s sofe x pe r i me nt a t i on,e val uat i ona ndi mpl e me nt at i onoft e l e me di c i ne appl i c at i onsi nmanyur banandr ur all oc at i onsa r oundt hec ount r y ,andt headvoc at e sf or t he s et e c hnol ogi e sa r enume r ousa nde nt hus i as t i c . Howe v e r ,t hepot e nt i a loft he s eha snot be e nf ul l ye xpl oi t e dandt hec ommuni c a t i onsa ndot he rc api t alr e s our c ei nf r a s t r uc t ur et ha t s uppor t st he mi snotuni ve r s al l yavai l a bl e . Thepot e nt i ale f f e c t soft he i rwi de s pr e ad i mpl e me nt at i onont hehe al t hc ar ede l i v e r ys ys t e mf orac ount r yasv as tasI ndi ai si mme ns e . Looki ngatt hec ur r e ntac t i vi t i e si nt e l e me di c i neasawhol e ,i ti sr e a s s ur i ngt hati nf or mat i on t e c hnol ogyhol dspr omi s ef ori mpr ovi ngac c e s st ohe a l t hc ar es e r v i c e sf orr ur a lpat i e nt st hr oug h t e l e me di c i ne . 5 Tel eme d i c i neI ni t i at i vesofAp ol l oTel e medi c i neNet wo r kFoundat i on4. Apol l oTe l e me di c i neNe t wor ki ngFoundat i on( ATNF)i saf ounda t i one s t a bl i s he dbyApol l o Hos pi t al sGr oup,f orc har i t abl epur pos et ode v e l opa ndpr omot et e l e me di c i nea nddi s t a nt me di c alf ac i l i t i e si nr e mot ear e asa ndt opr ov i dec ommuni c at i ona mongs tme di c alc ommuni t y bydi s s e mi na t i onofs pe c i a l i z e dme di c a lknowl e dg et hr oug hat e c hnol ogi c a l l yadv anc e d ne t wor k. Apol l oi sapi one e ri nt hef i e l dofTe l e me di c i nei nI ndi aandi sc r e di t e dwi t hbe i ngt hef i r s tt o s e tupaRur alTe l e me di c i neCe nt r ei nt hev i l l ag eofAr ag ondai nt hes t at eofAndhr aPr ade s h. Eve nt hought hef i r s tTe l e me di c i nes i t ewa sl aunc he di n1 99 9,Apol l osi ni t i at i ve swi t h Te l e me di c i nes t a r t e dwe l lbe f or et hat . Someoft hee a r l i e re x pe r i e nc e swi t hTe l e me di c i ne appl i c a t i onsa r eg i v e nbe l ow: ・Apol l oe xpe r i me nt e dwi t hTe l e c ar di ol ogymor et ha n5ye a r sba c kt hr ought heus ag eof Tr ans t e l e phoni cECG ma c hi ne s ,whi c hwe r es e tupi nv a r i ouss mal l e rhos pi t a l swhe r e bya doc t orbas e di nt heTe r t i ar yhos pi t alc oul dmoni t orhi spa t i e nt sf r om adi s t anc e . ・Si mul at i onsofTe l e c ons ul t at i onsbe t we e nApol l oHos pi t al s ,Hy de r a bad,Che nna ia ndDuba i f orc as e ss pe c i f i ct oCa r di ol ogy ,Ne ur os ur g e r y& Or t hope di c swe r edone . ・Me di c alConf e r e nc e Br us s e l s . Sur gi c alpr oc e dur ei nCl e ve l a nd,USAr e c e i v e di nApol l o Hos pi t a l sDe l hi ,Che nna i ,& Hy de r abadi n1 99 7 . Te l e med i ci neCent r e ss etupbyApol l o Apol l ohass e tupov e r5 7Te l e me di c i neCe nt r e sac r os sdi f f e r e ntl oc a t i onsi nt hec ount r yand abr oadwi t hmanymor ei nt hepi pe l i ne . Apol l ohaswor ke dwi t hdi f f e r e ntki ndsofe nt i t i e si n t hee he a l t hi ndus t r yr angi ngf r om l ar g eCor por at ehos pi t a l sa ndGove r nme nthos pi t a l st o s mal lc l i ni c sandI nf or mat i onCe nt r e s . Apol l ohast hee x pe r t i s et oe xe c ut edi f f e r e ntki ndsof Te l e me di c i nepr oj e c t s . Exampl e: Ar agondaA Rur alEheal t hMod el /l Ar agondai sar e mot ev i l l agei nt heC hi t t oordi s t r i c tofc l i ni c al a bor a t or ye v a l ua t i ons . Andhr aPr ade s hha vi ngl oc alRe g i s t e r e dMe di c alPr ac t i t i one r sandt heMa nda l a m Pr i mar y 17 1 He al t hCe nt r e ,manne dbyas i ngl er e gi s t e r e ddoc t or ,whode l i ve r se he a l t hs e r vi c e st oa l lt he a dj oi ni ngvi l l age soft heThavanampal l eMa ndal a m. The r ewe r enodi ag nos t i cf a c i l i t i e sa t / Ar agonda. Loc alGe ne r alPr ac t i t i one r sde pe nde donChi t t oora ndVe l l or ef orc l i ni c a l l a bor a t or ye va l uat i ons . s o Ar ag ondawass e l e c t e dt obe c omeourf i r s tTe l e me di c i neCe nt r ebe c aus eAr ag ondawasal l i kea nyot he rt ypi c alI ndi a nv i l l agewi t honl yt heba s i cme di c alf ac i l i t i e s . Thema j or oc c upa t i onoft hepe opl eofAr agondaands ur r oundi nga r e a si sa gr i c ul t ur e . Thea i l me nt s we r es e as onal; dur i ngs umme rai l me nt swe r eofma l ar i a lnat ur ea nddur i ngmons oons ,wa t e r bor nedi s e as e swe r er ampant .I tdi dnotha ves uf f i c i e ntdoc t or sa ndme di c alf a c i l i t i e st o pr ovi des e c ondar ya ndt e r t i ar yc a r e . Ke e pi ngt he s ef ac t or si nv i e w,Apol l ode c i de dt os t a r ti t s pi l otTe l e me di c i nepr oj e c ti nAr a gondabyc onne c t i ngAr ag ondat ot heApol l ohos pi t al si n Hyde r abadandChe nnaihos pi t al s ,t he r e bybr i ngi ngt e r t i a r yc a r ea tt he i rdoor s t e ps . I nc i de nt a l l y ,Ar ag ondai sI ndi asf i r s tRur a lTe l e me di c i neSt at i on. A5 0be dde dhos pi t alwass e tupi nAr a g ondawi t hs t a t eoft hea r te qui pme nt ,whi c hi nc l ude d CT Sc an,Ul t r as ound,Xr ayandanar r a yofme di c a lpe r s onne lt ogi v egoods e c ondar yc a r e f ac i l i t i e s . A Te l e me di c i neCe nt r ewasal s os e tupt of a c i l i t a t eonet oonei nt e r ac t i onbe t we e n t hedoc t ora ndt hes pe c i al i s t sl oc at e de i t he ri nApol l o,Hyde r a badorChe nnai . Si nc ei t s i nc e pt i on,t heAr agondapr oj e c ti sdoi nge x t r e me l ywe l lt aki ngval ua bl es e c ondopi ni onvi a s a t e l l i t ef r om Che nnaia ndus i ngt hel andl i nef r om Hyde r abad. Ar a gondaTe l e me di c i newa sf i r s tv i e we dbyMrBi l lCl i nt on,f or me rPr e s i de ntoft heUni t e d St at e dofAme r i c ai nMar c h2000dur i nghi svi s i tt oHyde r a ba d. Hevi e we dal i v e t e l e c ons ul t a t i onbe t we e nAr agondaandApol l oHos pi t a l s ,Hyde r abad. MrPr amodMa ha j a n i naugur a t e dt heAr ag ondaTe l e me di c i neCe nt r ei nApr i l20 0 0. Rur ale he a l t hpr of e s s i ona l s whous eTe l e me di c i neatAr agondat oda yf e e ll e s si s ol a t e df r om me di c alc ol l e a gue sand r e s our c e s .I nt hi smode lTe l e me di c i nei ss i mpl yat oolus e dt oe xt e ndt hehos pi t alsr e f e r r al ba s eandi snotapr of i tme c hani s m. Cos t sa ndl i mi t at i onsont e c hnol og yar ec ons i de r abl y r e duc e d. Re s ul t soft hi sPi l ots t udyt husl e dt oac ons e ns ust ha te noug he v i de nc ee xi s t st oj us t i f y i nc or por at i ngTe l e me di c i nea sa mode lofc a r e notj us tf ort heAr a g ondaHos pi t a lbutt o ma nymor evi l l a ge sandt ownst hatl ac kac c e s st ome di c alc a r e . Te l e me di ci neI ni t i at i v esatSanj ayGand hiPos t g r aduat eI ns t i t ut eo fMedi c alSc i enc es , 7 , 8 , 9, 10 , 1 1, 12 , 1 3, 1 4 Lucknow6, Sanj ayGandhiPos t gr aduat eI ns t i t ut eofMe di c a lSc i e nc e s( SGPGI MS) ,Luc know i sat e r t i a r y c ar er e f e r r alhos pi t alandapr e mi e r ec e nt r ef ort e ac hi nga ndt r a i ni ngofs upe rs pe c i a l i s tme di c a l pr of e s s i onal s .I ta l s oc onduc t sr e s e ar c hi nt hehi ghpr i or i t yhe al t ha r e asofna t i onal i mpor t anc e . Thi si st hef i r s tt e r t i a r yc a r ehos pi t ali npubl i cs e c t ori nI ndi at oi nt r oduc e Hos pi t alI nf or mat i onSy s t e mi n19 98. Thes of t wa r ewa sde ve l ope di nc ol l abor at i onwi t ht he Ce nt r ef orDe ve l opme ntofAdva nc e dc omput i ng( CDAC) .I ti st hef i r s tpubl i cs e c t or hos pi t ali nt hec ount r yt os t ar tat e l e me di c i nepr og r am i n199 9a ndc onduc t e dal ar g enumbe r oft e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t st ot e s tt het e c hnol ogyi ndi f f e r e nthe al t hr e l a t e da ppl i c at i ons . Cur r e nt l y ,Or i s s aTe l e me di c i nene t wor kpr oj e c ti sr unni ngi nf ul ls wi ng ,Ut t a r anc ha lne t wor k i sunde ri mpl e me nt at i onphas eandUt t a rPr a de s hNe t wor ki sg e t t i ngde s i g ne d. SGPGI t e l e me di c i nepr ogr ammeal s oma ke st hepr of e s s i onal sa ndl a ypubl i cawa r eoft heus eoft he t e l e me di c i net hr oug hi t sor gani z at i ona la c t i vi t i e ss uc hasc onf e r e nc e s ,s e mi na r sa ndwor ks hops . Tome e tt hec ur r e ntandf ut ur ene e dofhe al t ht e c hnol og i s ti nI Te nabl e dhe a l t hs e c t ora nd c r e at i ngapl at f or mf orr e s e ar c he r sf r om di v e r s ef i e l dst oc a r r youtRe s e ar c h& De ve l opme nti n t hi sar e a,SGPGIi ss e t t i ngupaSc hoolofTe l e me di c i neandBi ome di c a lI nf or mat i c s . 17 2 a) b) Fi g . 2 a)Te l e me di c i newor ks t a t i oni npr og r e s sa ndb)I nt r a hos pi t a l t e l e me di c i nene t wor koft heope r a t i ont he a t r ef orr e alt i mei nt e r a c t i v e t e l e s ur gi c alc onf e r e nc e Tel emedi ci neI nf r as t r uct ur eatSGPGI MS: Cur r e nt l y,t hei nf r as t r uc t ur eatSGPGI MS Te l e me di c i neCe nt r ec ons i s t sofs e ve r ali nde pe nde nt t e l e me di c i newor ks t at i onse qui ppe dwi t h t e l e r adi ol ogy,t e l e pat hol ogy ,andvi de oc onf e r e nc e uni t swi t hl ar g edi s pl ayde v i c e sl i kepl as mas c r e e n. . I tc anc ar r youtme di c aldat at r ans f e ra nd vi de oc onf e r e nc ewi t hs i xr e mot el oc at i ons s i mul t ane ous l y. Communi c at i ons e tupc ons i s t sof s i xI SDN l i ne s ,oneKubandDAMA andone Fi g . 3 Thema i nAudi t or i um of e xt e nde dC bandVSAT( Fi g. 2) . Al lt e l e me di c i SGPGI MSne t wor ke dt o ne Te l e me di c i nec e nt e r s e s s i onsa r eofr e alt i mel i v ei nnat ur e . Ope r a t i on t he at r eofSGPGI MSar ee qui ppe dwi t hhi gh r e s ol ut i onvi de oc ame r at ot r a ns mi tl i vet e l e c as tofs ur g i c alpr oc e dur e s . Thei nt r ac a mpus t e l e me di c i nene t wor kal s oi nc l ude70 0s e at e dma i nAudi t or i um a nd120s e a t e dmi ni Audi t or i um t hr oughopt i c alf i br ebac kbonet ot e l e c as tt hel i v ei nt e r ac t i v epr oc e e di ngsof s e mi na r s ,wor ks hopsa ndc onf e r e nc e sa ndal s ot or e c e i vet hes a mef r om di f f e r e ntpa r t sofI ndi a a ndabr oad( Fi g. 3 ) . 1)Tel eeheal t h a)Tel econs ul t at i on,t r eat mentpl anni ngandt e l e me nt or i ng SGPGI MShasbe e nac t i vei nt e l e he al t hc a r es i nc eSe pt e mbe r200 0 . Thi swa sc a r r i e douti n Se pt e mbe r2 000be t we e nPi t hor agar hdi s t r i c thos pi t al ,a ndSGPGI MS,Luc know,Ut t ar Pr ade s h. Pi t hor ag ar hi sl oc at e di nt heKuma onhi l lr ang eofUt t a rPr ade s hs t a t eandi s2 7 5 kmsawa yf r om Luc know. Vi de oc l i ppi ng soft hepa t i e nt ,ul t r as oundandXr a yi ma g e st ype d andha ndwr i t t e nnot e sandaudi oc l i ppi ng swe r et r ans mi t t e df r om t hes ai dhos pi t al st o SGPGI MS. The r ewe r edat ae x c hange soft hi r t ypa t i e nt s . Af t e rt ha tBa l r a mpura ndCi v i l ― hos pi t al ,l oc at e di nLuc know c i t ywe r el i nke dwi t hSGPGI MS r e mot ec onne c t i vi t yf or Te l e c ons ul t at i on. I nt heye ar2 001,SGPGI MSwa sc onne c t e dwi t hS.C.B.Me di c alCol l e g e , Cut t ac ki nt hes t at eofOr i s s as i t uat e d1, 5 00km a wa yf r om Luc know v ar i ousde par t me nt sof t hei ns t i t ut epr ovi det e l e c ons ul t at i onands e c ondopi ni ont ot hedoc t or sa ndpat i e nt s . Si nc e Ma r c h2003t woot he rme di c alc ol l e ge sofOr i s s as t a t e ,VSSMe di c a lCol l e g e ,Bur l aand MKCG Me di c alCol l e geBe r hampurhav eal s obe e nne t wor ke dv i aVSAT pr ovi de dbyI ndi a n Spa c eRe s e ar c hOr gani z a t i on( I SRO) ,f ort hes a mepur pos e . Anaudi toft het e l e he a l t hc a r e s e r vi c e si sde pi c t e di nFi g. 4SGPGI MSde s i g ne da ndi mpl e me nt e da not he rs t a t ewi de 17 3 t e l e me di c i nene t wor kpr oj e c tf ort hes t a t eof Ut t ar anc hali nApr i l ,2004. I nt hef i r s tpha s et wo di s t r i c thos pi t al sa tAl mor aa ndSr i nag arhav ebe e n r e c e i vi ngt e l e c ons ul t at i onmai nl yi nc ar di ol og y, gas t r oe nt e r ol ogyandgas t r oi nt e s t i nals ur g e r y s pe c i al t i e s . Re c e nt l yne w modul e sl i kenur s i ngs ki l l de ve l opme nta ndhos pi t aladmi ni s t r at i onhav ebe e n adopt e d. Fort hef i r s tt i mei nI ndi a,ac as eof t e l e me nt or e ds ur ge r ywa sc ar r i e doutbe t we e nSGPGI andAmr i t aI ns t i t ut eofMe di c alSc i e nc e s ,l oc at e d 2, 500kms . awa yi nCoc hi n,Sout hI ndi a . Fi g. 4 Te l e c ons ul t a t i ons e s s i on b)Tel ef ol l owup The r ear ef r e que ntTe l e f ol l ow upc l i ni c si nt hede par t me nt sofRhe uma t ol ogy ,Endoc r i ne Sur g e r yandNuc l e arMe di c i net ohe l pt hepat i e nt soft hes t a t eofOr i s s a. I thast oagr e a t e xt e nts ave dt he i rt i me ,mone yande f f or t sbyavoi di ngat r i pof1 , 5 00km t oLuc know f or f ol l ow up. Di s t antMedi calEducat i on Si nc e2001Te l e c ont i nui ngme di c a le duc at i onf orpos t g r a dua t es t ude nt sofS.C.B.Me di c al Col l e ge ,hasbe e ns t a r t e dwi t h12 8kbpsI SDN me di a. Var i ousde pa r t me nt sar et aki ngpa r ti n t hi st e l e t e ac hi ngpr ogr amme;t hos ear ede par t me nt sofSur ge r y ,G.I .Sur g e r y,Ur ol og y, Pat hol ogy ,Ra di ol og y,Pae di at r i c s ,Rhe umat ol og y,Endoc r i neSur g e r y . Suc hdi s t anc e e duc at i onpr ogr a mmef orpos t gr aduat eme di c a ls t ude nt sof f e r e dbyat e r t i a r yc a r eme di c a l c e nt r ei shappe ni ngf ort hef i r s tt i mei nI ndi a . Ther e s pons ef r om s t ude nt si spr ompt i ngust o c ont i nueonal ongt e r m bas i s . So,i n20 03wi t ht hes uppor tofI ndi a nSpac eRe s e ar c h Or g ani s at i onandGove r nme ntofOr i s s at hr e eme di c a lc ol l e g e sofOr i s s ai . e .SCBMe di c a l Col l e ge ,Cut t ac k,MKCG Me di c alCol l e ge ,Be r hampura ndVSSMe di c a lCol l e g e ,Bur l awe r e c onne c t e dt oSGPGI MSvi abr oa dbandVSAT. Be g i nni ngf r om Ma r c h2 0 03t he r ear er e g ul a r s e s s i onsofdi f f e r e ntde pa r t me nt she l dda i l y. Thi sdi s t ante duc a t i onpr og r a mmeha si mme ns e l y be ne f i t e dt hepos t gr aduat es t ude nt sanddoc t or soft he s eme di c a lc ol l e g e si ne nhanc i ngt he i r knowl e dgeandke e pi ngt he m abr e as twi t ht her e c e nta dv anc e sa ndr e s e ar c hi nv a r i ous s upe r s pe c i a l t i e sa ndt r e at me ntoft hepat i e nt s . I nSe pt e mbe r200 3,SGPGIg otc onne c t e dt hr oughVSAT wi t ha not he rt e r t i ar yc a r ea c a de mi c me di c a lc e nt e r ,Amr i t haI ns t i t ut eofMe di c alSc i e nc e s( AI MS) ,Coc hi nl oc at e d2 , 500kms . a wa yi ns out hI ndi a. Si nc et hes t at ur e sofbot ht hei ns t i t ut e sa r es i mi l art hel e v e lof i nt e r ac t i onandt heobj e c t i ve sar edi f f e r e nt . Thede pa r t me nt sofEndoc r i nol ogy,Endoc r i ne s ur ge r y,Sur gi c alGa s t r oe nt e r ol ogyar eac t i v e l ypar t i c i pa t i ngi nt hi spr ogr a mme( Fi g . 5) . The t wodayc onf e r e nc e sofEndoc r i nes ur g e r ya ndCa r di ol og ywe r edi r e c t l yt e l e c as t e dt o SGPGI MSf r om AI MSwhi c hi mme ns e l ybe ne f i t e dt hePos t gr aduat es t ude nt s . Conf e r e nc e l e c t ur eofoneoft hef ac ul t yme mbe rofSGPGI MS,whoc oul dnotpar t i c i pa t ephys i c a l l yduet o hi sha r dpr e s s e de nga ge me nt s ,wast r ans mi t t e df r om Luc know t oCoc hi n. The r ewa sone s e s s i onont e l e me nt or e ds ur ge r yc ar r i e doutbyde pa r t me ntofEndoc r i neSur ge r y ・Pr of es s i onalCar eerdevel opmento fr ur ald o ct o r si np r ac t i c e: I nJ ul y2003,Nat i onalI nf or mat i c sCe nt r e( NI C) ,Ne w De l his pons or e dt heabovepr og r a mme i nwhi c hf ac ul t yme mbe r sofdi f f e r e ntde par t me nt sofSGPGI MShasbe e nde l i v e r i ngl e c t ur e s t hr oughvi de oc onf e r e nc ei nt e r ac t i ve l ywi t he i ghtNor t hEas t e r nSt a t e she adqua r t e r sa nd br oa dc as tt o450Communi t yI nf or mat i onCe nt e r sl oc at e di nt hes a mer e gi on( Fi g . 6 ) . The 17 4 Fi g. 5 Te l e e duc at i on Fi g . 6 Audi tofTe l e me di c i nes e s s i ona tSGPGI MSwi t ht hr e eme di c a lc ol l e g e sofOr i s s a v ar i ousde par t me nt spar t i c i pat e dar eEndoc r i neSur ge r y ,Mi c r obi ol og y,CVTS, Gas t r oe nt e r ol ogy,Rhe umat ol ogy, Gynae c ol og y,I mmunol og y,Ne ur oopht ha l mol ogy ,Anae s t he s i ol og y . Thi spr og r ammei s be ne f i t i ngt hedoc t or sa tt hepe r i phe r ala ndr e mot ehos pi t a l st obe c omeawar eoft her e c e nt advanc e si nmanage me ntofc ommonme di c a lpr obl e ms .I ni t i a l l ys t a r t e dasamont hl ys e s s i on t hef r e que nc yhasbe e ni nc r e as e dt ot wi c eamont hbe c a us eofi t spopul a r i t ya ndi nc r e a s i ng de mand. Cur r e nt l y,NI C ha sde c i de dt ot e l e c as tt hi spr ogr a mmet ot hes t at eofUt t ar a nc ha l al s o. ・Li s to fTel eCMEscar r i edoutb ySGPGI MS Apar tf r om t he s eac t i vi t i e st he r ear emanyTe l e e duc a t i v ewor ks hops ,s e mi nar s ,c onf e r e nc e sa nd c our s e she l datSGPGI MS. Ent i r epr oc e e di ng soft he s ee duc at i onals e s s i onshadbe e n t e l e c as t e dl i ve ,e i t he rt hr oughI SDN orVSAT me di at ov ar i oushos pi t al sl oc at e di ndi f f e r e nt s t at e sofI ndi a . The s el i v ei nt e r ac t i ves e s s i onswe r eat t e nde dbymanyr e nowne di nt e r nat i onal f a c ul t y ,nat i ona lf a c ul t yandde l e gat e s . Somes ur g i c a lpr oc e dur e swe r eal s ot r a ns mi t t e dwi t h i nt e r ac t i veque s t i onans we rs e s s i ons . Dur i ngoneoft hec onf e r e nc e sSGPGI MSha dal s obe e n c onne c t e dt oEur ope anI ns t i t ut eofTe l e s ur g e r y ,St r as bour gandEur ope a nI ns t i t ut eof Te l e me di c i ne ,Toul ous e ,Fr anc e . Chr onol ogi c a lor de roft he s es e s s i onsi s: 1)1s tEndoc r i neTe l e s ur g e r ywor ks hopOc t obe r1 99 9SGPGI MS,Luc know wi t hCoc hi n hos pi t al sandEur ope anI ns t i t ut eofTe l e s ur ge r y ,St r as bour g ,Fr anc e 2)Te l e CME i nGas t r oe nt e r ol ogyDe c e mbe r19 99SGPGI MS,Luc know wi t hAI MS,Coc hi n. 3)Te l e Endoc r i nePat hol ogyWor ks hopFe br ua r y20 00SGPGI MS,Luc know wi t hPGI MER, 17 5 Chandi gar h 4)Te l e Endoc r i neI mag i ngwor ks hopSe pt e mbe r2 000 SGPGI MS,Luc know wi t hPGI MER, Chandi gar h 5)2ndEndoc r i neTe l e s ur ge r yConf e r e nc e Ma r c h2 0 02SGPGI MS,Luc know wi t hSCBMe di c a l Col l e geCut t a c k,Or i s s a 6 )3r dEndoc r i neTe l e s ur ge r yConf e r e nc e Oc t obe r2 003 SGPGI MS,Luc know wi t hSCB Me di c alCol l e ge ,Cut t a c k,Or i s s a,Ba ng al or eandChe nna ihos pi t a l s 7)Endoc r i neSur ge r yConf e r e nc ea tAI MS,Koc hit e l e c a s tt oSGPGI MS,Luc knowConf e r e nc e l e c t ur et r ans mi t t e df r om Luc know t oCoc hi n 8)Car di ol ogyConf e r e nc eatAI MS,Koc hit e l e c as t e dt oSGPGI MS,Luc knowJ ul y20 04 9)28t hAnnualc onf e r e nc eofI ndi anAs s oc i a t i onofMe di c a lMi c r obi ol og i s t Nove mbe r 2 00 4SGPGI MS,Luc know wi t hSCBMe di c a lCol l e g eCut t ac k,Or i s s a1s tSGPGI ,Br e a s t Cour s e Ma r c h20 05 ,SGPGI MS,Luc know wi t hSCBMe di c alCol l e geCut t ac k,Or i s s aand AI MS,Coc hi n. Re s ear chandDevel opme nt a)Tel eeheal t hi next r e mel ocat i onsandDi s as t erManag eme nt Eve r yye art hous andsofpi l gr i msg ot oKa i l as hMa ns a r ove rl oc at e di nHi mal a yanmount a i ni n t heChi ne s et e r r i t or yt ope r f or mr e l i gi ousr i t ual s . We at he ri se xt r e me l yc ol dandunf a v or a bl e andt e r r ai ni sdi f f i c ul t .I nJ une2001SGPGI MSt e l e me di c i net e am c ompr i s i ngonedoc t ora nd onet e l e me di c i nee ngi ne e rj oi ne dt he12 t hbat c hofpi l gr i msatDhar c hul abas ec ampand a c c ompani e dt he mt hr oughoutt he i rt r e kt i l lt heI ndi anbor de r . Ont hewa yt he ys t oppe dat t hec ampsl oc at e datSi kha,Gal a,Bundhi ,Gunj i ,Ka l apani . Fr om a l lt he s epoi nt sECG was t r ans mi t t e ds uc c e s s f ul l yt hr oughI nmar s a ts at e l l i t e . SGPGI MSc ar r i e doutat e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i onpr oj e c tdur i ngt hel a s tMa haKumbhme l a ( I ndi anf e s t i val )he l di nJ anuar y3r dt o26 t hFe br uar y ,20 0 1t of i ndoutt hebe ne f i t sofne w he al t ht e c hnol ogyus eove ra ndabovet het r adi t i onalhe a l t hc a r ede l i ve r ys ys t e mi ns uc h s i t uat i oni nwhi c hl ar gec ongr e g at i onofpe opl eoc c ur sa tonet i me( a ppr ox i mat e l y1 0mi l l i on 6 , 7 , 1 1 , 1 5 , 16 pe opl e ) . At e l e me di c i nene t wor kwi t h128kbpsI SDN wa ss e tupc onne c t i ngf i v e l oc at i onswhi c hi nc l ude df e s t i va ls i t ehos pi t a l ,l oc alme di c alc ol l e g e ,SGPGI MS,at e r t i ar yc a r e hos pi t al ,Publ i che al t hde par t me ntandMe l amoni t or i ngc e l ll oc at e datLuc know 3 0 0kms . Away . Re gul a re x c hang eofhe a l t hr e l a t e ddat aa ndv i de oc onf e r e nc ewe r ec ar r i e dbe t we e n t he s enode s . Al s o,publ i che a l t hr e l at e di s s ue sa r eofi mpor t a nti nt e mpor ar ys he l t e r sc r e a t e d t oac c ommodat epe opl et e mpor ar i l y. Moni t or i ngpubl i che a l t hf ac i l i t i e sa r eofi mme ns e i mpor t a nc et opr e ve nte pi de mi cout br e aks . b)De ve l o pmento fTel eme di ci neSof t war e SGPGI MShasbe e napar t ne ri n de ve l opme ntofi ndi ge nouss of t wa r ef or Te l e me di c i neandi t sappl i c at i oni n c ol l abor at i onwi t hCe nt r ef orDe ve l opme nt ofAdvanc e dComput i ng( CDAC)a nd Ce nt e rf orEl e c t r oni c sDe s i g nand Te c hnol ogyofI ndi a( CEDTI ) . The s of t wa r ebe i ngi nt e r phas e dwi t hme di c a l ac c e s s or i e sl i ket e l e pat hol ogy,t e l e r adi ol ogy Fi g. 7 Mobi l et e l e hos pi t a l 17 6 t e l e c ar di ol ogyandVi de oc onf e r e nc ei sc ur r e nt l yde pl oy e datt hr e epr e mi e ri ns t i t ut e sofI ndi ai . e . Al lI ndi aI ns t i t ut eofMe di c alSc i e nc e s( AI I MS) ,Ne w De l hi ,Pos tGr a dua t eI ns t i t ut eof Me di c alSc i e nc e sa ndRe s e ar c h( PGI MER) ,Cha ndi g a r handSGPGI MS,Luc know. c )De v el op mento fMob i l eTel emedi ci neUni t s Mobi l et e l e hos pi t a lpr oj e c t swe r el aunc he di nt hemi ddl eof200 1i nc ol l abor at i onwi t hOnl i ne Te l e me di c i neRe s e ar c hI ns t i t ut e ,Ahme da bad. I twa sa i me da tpr ov i di ngt e l e me di c i nef ac i l i t y i namobi l es e t t i ngwhi c hc anf i ndappl i c at i oni ne me r g e nc yhe a l t hc ar e( Te l e ambul a nc e )a nd r ur alhe al t hc ar e( Mobi l eTe l e hos pi t al ) . Thepr ot ot ype sha vebe e nde v e l ope dandt e s t e d s uc c e s s f ul l yi nt hef i e l d. Comme r c i a lpr oduc t i oni sa wa i t e d. d )De vel opmento fPor t abl eTe l eme di c i ne Uni t si ns ui t c as e. Thi si sas pi nof fpr oduc tofmobi l et e l e me di c i nepr oj e c ti nwhi c ht e l e me di c i neuni t sf i t t i ngi n as ui t c a s ewa sde ve l ope di nc ol l abor at i onwi t hi ndus t r y . The s euni t sar ec ur r e nt l yi nus ei n Ts una mipr oj e c t . Par t i ci p at i oni nTel emedi c i neawar e ne s spr o gr amme s . I nor de rt ode ve l opawa r e ne s sofhe al t hc a r epr ov i de r s ,pol i c ymake r sandpubl i cont heut i l i t y oft e l e me di c i nei nmode r nda yhe al t hc a r e ,SGPGIhasbe e npa r t i c i pa t i ngHe a l t he x hi bi t i ons andor g ani s i ngc onf e r e nc e s . a)Nat i onalConf er enc eonTel emedi ci ne ,Ap r i l2 001 Fi v ei nt e r na t i onalf ac ul t yde l i v e r e dSt a t e oft hear tl e c t ur e s . Ar ound150de l e gat e spa r t i c i pat e dand25de l e g a t e spr e s e nt e dpa pe r s . I ndi anSoc i e t yofTe l e me di c i newa sl aunc he d. b)Fi r s tAnnualCo nf er enceofTel eme d i c i neSo ci e t yofI nd i a,Nove mbe r2 0 02 The c onf e r e nc ewasa t t e nde dbye l e ve ne mi ne nti nt e r nat i ona l ,22na t i ona ls pe ake r sa nd1 58 de l e gat e s . Di r e c tt e l e c a s toft wogue s tl e c t ur e sf r om Nat i onalTe c hnol og yUni v e r s i t y, Si ngapor eandCNES,Tol ous e ,Fr a nc eandt woke ynot el e c t ur e sf r om Eur ope anI ns t i t ut eof Te l e s ur g e r yandEur ope anI ns t i t ut eofTe l e me di c i ne Uni ve r s i t yhos pi t alofToul ous e ,Fr a nc e athi ghe rbandwi dt h( 384kbps )wa sg r e at l yappr e c i at e d. Thee nt i r e3day spr oc e e di ng sof t hec onf e r e nc ewe r et e l e c as t e dl i vet oSCBMe di c a lCol l e g e ,Cut t a c ki nOr i s s at hr ough s a t e l l i t e . c)2ndAs i aPaci f i cTe l ecommuni t yTel eme di c i neWor ks hop ,Fe br uar y2 0 04 Thi st woday wor ks hopwasor g ani s e dbySGPGI MSa tNe w De l hi .I twa ss uppor t e dbyAs i aPac i f i c Te l e c ommuni t y( APT) ,I nt e r nat i ona lTe l e c om Uni on( I TU) ,Toka iUni ve r s i t yI ns t i t ut eof Me di c alSc i e nc e s ,Te l e me di c i neSoc i e t yofI ndi a( TSI ) . Thec onf e r e nc ewa sa t t e nde dby28 I nt e r nat i onali nvi t e df ac ul t ya nd4 9Nat i ona lde l e ga t e sf r om di f f e r e ntpr of e s s i ons uc has me di c i ne ,e ng i ne e r i ngandI nf or mat i onTe c hnol ogy . Co ns ul t ancy& Pr oj ectI mpl e ment at i onf o rSt at e s SGPGI MShasbe e ni nvol ve di nt hede v e l opme nta ndde pl oy me ntoft heOr i s s aand Ut t ar anc halt e l e me di c i nene t wor kpr oj e c ti nc ol l a bor a t i onwi t hi t st e c hni c alpar t ne r s . Ongoi ngPr oj ect s Es t abl i s hmento fSc hoolo fTel emedi ci ne& eHeal t h SGPGI MS,Luc know ha st ake nupt hei ni t i at i v et os e tupaSc hoolofTe l e me di c i neand Bi ome di c alI nf or mat i c si ni t sc ampus . 17 7 Thedi s c i pl i ne swhi c har egoi ngt obec r e a t e di nt hi sSc hoola r eTe l e me di c i ne ,Hos pi t al I nf or mat i onSys t e m,Bi oi nf or mat i c s ,Me di c a lMul t i me di a ,Me di c a lKnowl e dg eMa nag e me nt , Ar t i f i c i alI nt e l l i ge nc ei nMe di c i ne ,Vi r t ualRe a l i t yandRobot i c si nMe di c i ne . Theobj e c t i v e s oft hes c hoola r ec r e at i onofv ar i ousr e s our c ef ac i l i t i e s ,s t r uc t ur e dt r ai ni ngpr ogr amme ,r e s e ar c h andde ve l opme nt ,pr ov i di ngc ons ul t a nc yt ogov e r nme nta ndpr i v at ee he al t hor ga ni z at i ons , c ol l abor at i onwi t ht e c hnol ogi c ala ndme di c a luni v e r s i t i e si nt hec ount r yanda br oad. 17 As i aHear tFo undat i ont el eme di ci nei ni t i at i v e: As i aHe ar tFoundat i on( AHF)i soneoft hel a r ge s tor ga ni z a t i onswor ki ngt owa r dse s t a bl i s hi ng c ar di acne t wor ki nandar oundt hec ount r ywi t he s t a bl i s hme nti nBa ngl a de s handThe Re publ i cofYe me n. Manymor eupc omi ngpr oj e c t sa r ei nt heof f i ngi nAs s a m,Bang l ade s h andMa l a ys i a. AHF i sbas i c a l l yi nvol v e dt owa r dst hebui l di nga ndc ommi s s i oni ngof hos pi t a l swi t ht heobj e c t i v eofr e a c hi ngoutt ot hec ommonma na ndma ki ngc ar di acc a r e avai l abl et ooneandal lata naf f or dabl epr i c et hr oug hi t shi g hl ye f f i c i e nt ,mot i va t e da nd c ommi t t e dt e a m ofdoc t or sa nds e r vi c epr ovi de r s . I ns t al l e di n20 02byNar ay anaHr udayal a ya,Bang al or e ,Ka r na t a kai thasnow a c hi e ve da f i g ur eofmor et han2000t e l e -c ar di ol og yc ons ul t at i ont hr oughane nt e r pr i s eba s e dne t wor k, c r e a t i ngaHubandSpokeNe t wor kbe t we e nt heTe r t i a r yCar eCe nt r e si nt heCi t i e sandt he pe r i phe r alCor ona r yCa r euni t si nt her e mot ear e a s . Thi swi l lf a c i l i t at ec onne c t i v i t yt hr ough s at e l l i t et he r e bye ns ur i ngc ons ul t a t i ont ot hedi s t a ntpa t i e ntandc ar r youtc r i t i c a ls ur ge r i e s t hr oug hvi de oc onf e r e nc i ng. Es c or tHear tI ns t i t ut e& Re s ear chCe nt erPr oj ec t: I ns t al l e di n20 02byEs c or tHe ar tI ns t i t ut e& Re s e ar c hCe nt e r ,i tha sbe e ni nv ol v e di n t e l e c ar di ol ogys e r vi c e . 1 8 Mobi l eTel eOpht hal mol ogys e r vi ce: Wi t ht hes uppor tofI SRO,ShankarNe t hr a l a yaatChe nna iandMe e naks hiEy emi s s i onat Ma dur aihav el aunc he dMobi l eTe l e opht ha l mol og ys e r v i c e . Thepi c t ur eoft he Te l e opht hal mol ogyuni ti ss howni nFi g . 8 . Tel eheal t hI ndus t r yi nI ndi a19 Te c hni c al l yI ndi ai snow s e l fs uf f i c i e nti nme e t i ngt hene e dofha r dwa r e ,s of t wa r e ,c onne c t i v i t y a nds e r vi c e s .I ndus t r i e spr ovi di nghar dwa r eands of t wa r es uppor ta r eApol l oTe l e me di c i ne Ne t wor kFoundat i on,Che nnai;Onl i neTe l e me di c i neRe s e a r c hI ns t i t ut e ,Ahme dabad; Te l e v i t a l I ndi a ,Ba ng al or e ,Ve pr oI ndi a,Che nna iandCe nt r ef orDe v e l opme ntofAdv anc e dComput i ng. Fi g. 8 Va ns Mobi l eTe l e opht ha l mol og y 17 8 Tabl e1 St at i s t i c sofMobi l eTe l e opt hal mol og ys e r v i c ebySha nkar aNe t hr al a ya ,Che nna i ( upt oMar c h16,2 00 5) Co ncl us i on e he al t hs e r vi c e sa r ebe i ngadopt e dbye he a l t hpr ovi de ror ga ni z a t i onsi nI ndi agr a dua l l y. The g r owt hofe he al t hs e r vi c e sha sgi ve nr i s et ot hene e df orane w br e e dofe he a l t hpr of e s s i onal s , e he al t hadmi ni s t r at or sa nde he al t ht e c hnol ogi s t s . Thi si ndus t r yne e dspe opl ewhoc a n unde r s t andanyt woofe he al t h,bus i ne s sandt e c hnol ogy . Hi s t or i c a l l yt hee he a l t hi ndus t r y ha sbe e nt hel as ta dopt e roft e c hnol ogy; t hes a mehasbe e nt hec a s ewi t he he al t he duc a t i on. Eve nt i l lt oda y,manyoft heme di c al ,de nt a l ,nur s i ng ,phar ma c ol og yandot he re he al t hde gr e e s donothavec our s e soni nf or mat i ont e c hnol og y . Thei ndus t r yhasg r ownt os uc has i z et ha t pe opl ef r om none he al t hbac kgr oundsar ebe i ngr e c r ui t e da ndt r a i ne d. I nt e r e s t i ng l y ,al otof y oungs t e r swi t ht r adi t i onale he al t hde gr e e ss uc hasMBBSa ndBDSa r ee x pl or i ngc ar e e r opt i onsi nehe al t h. Ast e c hnol ogyi spe r v adi ngmor ei nt ooure duc a t i ons ys t e m,l e a r ni ngi s be c omi ng anywhe r eandanyt i me. El e a r ni nge na bl e ss t ude nt st os t udyanda ppe a rf or e xamsa tt he i rc onve ni e nc ef r om a nypl ac et he ywantt o,asl onga st he yhaveag oodi nt e r ne t c onne c t i on. Somef or wa r dt hi nki ngc ompa ni e ss uc hasMe dv ar s i t yhaves t ar t e dof f e r i ng e he a l t hc our s e st oe he al t hs t ude nt sa ndpr ac t i t i one r s .I ti she l pi ngme di c a ls t ude nt st o pr e par ef orhi ghe rs t udi e st hr oug honl i nec our s e s .I ta l s oha sc our s e sdi r e c t e dt obot hs t ude nt s andpr ac t i t i one r s .e . g.c our s e si ns ubj e c t ss uc ha se me r g e nc yme di c i ne ,he a l t hi ns ur anc e ,e t c . EHe al t hs e r v i c ec ompani e sc ang e tbus i ne s smor ee a s i l yi ft he i re mpl oy e e squa l i f i c at i onsa r e r e c og ni z e dbyt he i rc l i e nt s . Si nc emaj or i t yofr e ve nuec ome sf r om Ame r i c anc ompa ni e s ,ma ny c ompani e sa r ee nc our a gi ngt he i re mpl oye e st oe nr ol lf oronl i nee he al t hc our s e sr e c ogni z e dby Ame r i c ane duc at i onali ns t i t ut i onsa nda s s oc i a t i ons .I nt hec omi ngy e ar sI ndi ai sg oi ngt o ha vemor eehe a l t hac t i vi t i e sc ons i de r i ngt hepr e s e ntt r e nd. Re f er ence s [1]Pr oc e e di ngsofI CMI T2 0 0 5,I I T Kha r ag pur ,I ndi a [2]ht / /www. / ml t p: e x pr e s s phar ma pul s e . c om/2 0 05 0 3 17 he a l t hne ws 0 2 . s ht [3]ht / /www. / t p: mi t . g ov . i n/ t e l e me di c i ne home . a s p#1 [4]ht / /www. / i ne . as p t p: apol l ohos pi t al s . c om/ me di c al s e r v i c e s t e l e me di c [5]ht / /www. /dmr / / / / t p: me dv a r s i t y. c om/v mu1 . 2 dmr da t a c me t e l e pi l ot . ht m [6]Pr eofTe l e me di c i nes oc i e t yofI ndi a,2 00 2 ,Luc know,I ndi a oc e e di ngsofFi r s tAnnualConf e r e nc [7]Pr oc e e di ngsof2 ndAPT Te l e me di c i neWor ks hop2 0 0 4 ,Ne w De l hi 17 9 [8]Mi s r aUK,Kal i t aJ ,Mi s hr aSK,YadavRR, Te l e me di c i nef ordi s t anc ee duc at i oni nNe ur ol og y― Pr e l i mi nar y -3 l e me dTe l e c a r e ,2 0 0 4;1 0( 6): 36 3 6 5 e x pe r i e nc ei nI ndi a,Te [9]Pr or i da ,2 0 04 ,USA oc e e di ngsof9 t hAnnualConf e r e nc eofAme r i c a nTe l e me di c i neAs s oc i a t i on,Te mpa,Fl [10 ]Pr oc e e di ng sof6TH I EEE He a l t hc om 20 0 4 ,Oda war a,J a pa n [11 ]Pr 0 05 ,Kul a l umpur ,Mal a ys i a oc e e di ng sof3r dAPT Te l e me di c i neWor ks hop2 [12 ]Pr oc e e di ng sofI CMI T2 0 05 ,I I T Kha r a g pur ,I ndi a [14 ]Pr or e ,I ndi a oc e e di ng sofI NTELEMED 20 05 ,Ba ng a l [15 ]Pr oc e e di ng sofNat i onalConf e r e nc eonTe l e me di c i ne ,2 0 01 ,Luc know,I ndi a [16 ]Te haKumbhme l a( I ndi a nFe s t i v a l )wi t hA La r gec ong r e ga t i on( Pos t e r );Sar oj l e me di c i neAppl i c a t i oni nMa Kant aMi s hr a ,Ar c hanaAy ya g ar i Ma he ndr aBhandar i ,BSBe di ,Rag e s hShah,9 t hNi nt hAnnualMe e t i nga nd Expos i t i on,2 0 0 4,Ta mpaConv e nt i onCe nt e r ,ATA,Fl or i da [17 ]ht // t p: www. e xpr e s s he a l t hc a r e mg mt . c om/ 2 00 1 12 3 1/ ba ng a l or e 2 . s ht ml [18 ]ht // /t t p: www. s a nka r ane t hr a l a ya . or g e l ea i m. ht m [19 ]ht //www. onl i ne t e l e me di c i ne . c om t p: 18 0 9 I nd o ne s i a41 Backgr ound I ndone s i ai sa nar c hi pe l ago,ac ount r y ∼ oft hous andsofi s l ands( 13, 000)wi t h apopul at i onof220mi l l i on. Me di c al e xpe r t sa r er ar e l yf oundandt he yar e une ve nl ydi s t r i but e d;pr i mar i l yi nt he mai nc i t i e si nJ avaandBal i;s uc has J a kar t a,Bandung,Sur abay aand De npas ar . Thewi de s panandt he Fi g. 1 I ndone s i ama p nat ur eoft hec ount r yt hatc ons i s t sof manyi s l andsi st hemai nc ons t r ai nti nr a i s i ngs oc i alhe al t hc a r eoft hepe opl e . The r e f or e , t e l e me di c i nei sa r guabl yt hemos ts ui t a bl et oolt os ol vet hec ommuni t yhe a l t hpr obl e mi nt he c ount r y. He r e ,wede s c r i bes omeofI ndone s i at e l e me di c i nee x pe r t i s e . Si nc emos toft heac t i v i t i e sa r e notwe l ldi s s e mi nat e dt ot hepubl i c sa nds c i e nt i f i cme e t i ng si nt hi sf i e l da r ear a r i t y ,nott o me nt i ont hatt e l e me di c i nei ni t s e l fi squi t eane wt e c hnol ogyf ort hec ount r y ,t hi spr e s e nt a t i on wi l lonl yc ov e rapar tofi t . Ne ve r t he l e s s ,i twi l lhope f ul l ybeabl et os pott hepa s t ,c ur r e nt andf ut ur ede ve l opme nt soft e l e me di c i nei nI ndone s i a. Te l e me di c i nei nI ndone s i a:Pas tand Pr e s e ntAc t i v i t i e s Thef i r s tc omput e ra nds at e l l i t ebas e dt e l e me di c i nee xpe r i me nti nI ndone s i awa sc onduc t e di n 19 85― 1 98 7,a l ongs i dewi t hot he rac a de mi ci nt e r ac t i oni nt heSHARE( Sat e l l i t ef orHe a l t h a ndRur a lEduc a t i on)pr oj e c ts pons or e dbyI NTELSAT t oc omme mor a t ehe r20t hanni ve r s ar y . TheFac ul t yofMe di c i neDi pone gor oUni ve r s i t y( Se mar a ng,Ce nt r alJ av a)a ndt heWor l d He a l t hOr g ani z a t i on( WHO)c onduc t e dat e l e c onf e r e nc eonTr opi c alDi s e a s e swi t hme di c a l s oc i e t i e si nCanada,t heUSA andEur ope . Thei nf or mat i one x c ha nge dwa si nat e x tmode . Ther e s ul t swe r ee val uat e di nt e r msoft e c hni c alpe r f or ma nc eandus e rss ubj e c t i v ee v al ua t i on. I nt hee a r l yni ne t i e swec onduc t e dal ow c os t St i l lPi c t ur eTr ans mi s s i onbyNa r r owba nd Te c hni que f ore duc at i ona la ndme di c als e r v i c e s ,a ndc ont i nue dbyas e r i e sofi ma g epr oc e s s i ng e xpe r i me nt si nal a bor at or ys c al e ,whi c hr e qui r e df ur t he rf i e l dt e s t sr e g ar di ngope r a t i ona l appl i c a t i on. A ne wr e gi onalc oope r at i onc al l e dPARTNERS( Pa nAs i aPa c i f i cRe g i onTe l e c ommuni c at i on Ne t wor kf orExpe r i me nt sandRe s e ar c hbySat e l l i t e )s pons or e dbyt heMi ni s t r yofPos t sa nd Te l e c ommuni c at i ons( MPT)ofJ apanandma nag e dbyARI B( As s oc i a t i onofRa di oI ndus t r i e s andBus i ne s s )wa si nt r oduc e dt oc onduc te x pe r i me nt sonETSV LBa nd( Eng i ne e r i ngTe s t Sat e l l i t e Fi ve )t r ans mi s s i onandi t sa ppl i c a t i on. The64Kbpss t r e a m wa sut i l i z e df ors l ow -19 s c anvi de ol e c t ur e sa mongourPARTNERSme mbe r s( 199 2 9 7) . Thef i ndi ngwast ha tt hi s ki ndofappl i c at i onc a nbeus e dappr opr i at e l yf ore duc a t i onala swe l la sf orme di c al c ommuni c at i ons . TokaiUni ve r s i t ysSc hoolofMe di c i newa soneoft hemos tpr omi ne nt me mbe r sandpa r t ne r sf orI ns t i t utTe knol og iBa ndung( I TB) . I nt heye ar1 99 7,as at e l l i t eba s e dt e l e me di c i nee xpe r i me ntwa sc onduc t e dbe t we e nt hr e e 4 1 Andr i y a nB.Suks mono,U.Sa s t r okus umo,Ta t iL.R.Me ng ko,J .Tj andr aPr a mudi t o,a ndSus iOkt owat y, e r i ng ,I ns t i t utTe knol ogiBa ndung,Ga ne s haNo. 1 0,Bandung,40 1 32 ,I ndone s i a , De pa r t me ntofEl e c t r i c a lEng i ne s uks mono@l t r g m. e e . i t b. ac . i d 18 1 i ns t i t ut i ons:Fac ul t y ofMe di c i neand Fac ul t yof Engi ne e r i ngoft he UNJ ANI( Uni ve r s i t as J e nde r alAhmad Yani )i nBandungas /c t hec e nt e r ont r ol s t at i on,whi l et he Ce nt r alHos pi t alof Ma t ar am ( Lombok, about500km e as tof Ba l i )andt he Har apanKi t a Hos pi t ali nJ akar t aas t hec l i e nt s . The Fi de mons t r at i onwason g. 2 Ear l y2. 4GHzWi r e l e sLANba s e dTe l e me di c i nec onne c t i ng mat e r nalc ar eus i ng I TB,UNJ ANI ,Has a nSa di ki nHos pi t al( I ndone s i a )and t hr e ef ul lt e l e vi s i on CRL,Ohkur aHos pi t al( Toky o) par t yc onf e r e nc e s /out de di c at e df ort hede ve l opme ntofr e mot e r e ac hi nt heEa s t e r nTe r r i t or yofI ndone s i a. Anot he rj oi ntPos t PARTNERSt e l e me di c i nee xpe r i me ntwast hewi r e l e s sbas e dt e l e me di c i ne s ys t e m( Fi g. 2)c onne c t i ngt woSc hool sofMe di c i nei nBandung ,Ha s anSadi ki nHos pi t al ( RSHS)a ndUNJ ANI ,by2. 4GHzWi r e l e s sLAN,t hr oug hJ CSAT 3s at e l l i t el i nkbe t we e n I TBandf or me rCRL( Communi c at i onRe s e ar c hLa bor a t or y ,now be c omeNi CT: Na t i onal I ns t i t ut eofI nf or mat i onandCommuni c a t i onTe c hnol og y)i nToky o,f ur t he rc onne c t e dby I SDN t oOhkur aNat i ona lHos pi t ali nHi bi ya ,Tokyo. Me anwhi l e ,r e s e ar c honi magec odi ngandi nf or ma t i ons e ar c ha nde xc ha ngeha sbe e n c onduc t e ds i nc e199 9. I n199 9,ar e s e a r c hpape ronane ur oVQ Xr a yi mag ec odi ngs ys t e m [ ] wa spr e s e nt e di nI EEEI SPACS 2. Thes y s t e m( Fi g. 3 )i sf ur t he rde ve l ope dandde s i g ne df or [3]a t e l e di agnos t i cpur pos e s ndi mpl e me nt e di nawe bbas e ds ys t e mt ha twa sr e por t e dr e c e nt l y [ ] i nAPT Wor ks hopI ndi a ,2 00 4 4. Somee nc odi ng de c odi ngr e s ul t sa r edi s pl a ye di nFi g. 4 . Atpr e s e nt ,wear ewor ki ngonane wi ma geCSc odi ngba s e donwa ve l e ta ndt hede c odi ng r e s ul t sf ort hes ys t e mspr ot ot ypear edi s pl ay e di nFi g. 5. Fi g. 3 Bl oc kDi agr am ofVQBa s e dCl i e ntSe r ve rI mag eCodi ngf orTe l e di ag nos i s 18 2 ( a ) ( b) ( c ) Fi g. 4 Re t r i e ve dXr a yi ma geofa r t i c ul a t i ong e nuwi t hos t e oa r t hr os i s( os t e ophi t e )a tc l i e nts i de t r uc t i onbyVQ a tl ow r at e ,( b)e nha nc e di mag ea tROIa f t e r s howi ng( a )r e c ons s e ndi ngt her e s i duali mageand( c )z oom of( b)a r oundROI . Bl oc ki ngar t i f ac tduet o VQ c odi ngi sobs e r v e di n( c )a tt heout e rofROIwhe nt hei mag ede t a i li sobs e r ve d. Ont heot he rhand,t hei ma gei ns i deROIi spe r f e c t l yr e c ons t r uc t e d. Me di c a la na l ys i si s be i ngc onduc t e di nROIwhi c hs howsos t e ophi t e( c ont r as tandi nt e ns i t yoft hei ma g e s ha vebe e nadj us t e df orabe t t e rpr i ntv i e w) Anot he ra c t i vi t yont e l e me di c i nei sbe i ngc onduc t e di nt heBi ome di c a lLabor at or y( now,t he Gr aduat eSc hoolofBi ome di c alEng i ne e r i ng )I TB. Foc us i ngont e l e me di c i nef orPr i ma r y Communi t yHe a l t hCe nt e r( Pus ke s ma s )i nt hec ount r y,t her e s e a r c ht e am de v e l ope da n i nt e r ne t bas e dt e l e me di c i nes y s t e m. Appl i c a t i onsbe i ngs e r ve di nc l udet hef ol l owi ng: t e l e c ons ul t a t i on,s i mpl et e l e di agnos t i c ,t e l e c oor di na t i on,t e l e e duc at i onandadr ugda t a ba s e . Thi sa c t i vi t yi ss uppor t e dbyagr antf r om t hePanAs i aFoundat i on. Someoft hei ni t i a l [6,7 ] r e s ul t shavebe e nr e por t e datt hef i r s tAPT Te l e me di c i newor ks hop . Att heFac ul t yofMe di c i ne ,Padj aj a r a nUni v e r s i t y,agr oupofr e s e ar c he r sde v e l ope d [ ] t e l e bi omi c r os c opy 8. I nt hes ys t e m,abi omi c r os c opi ci ma g eofe y edi s e as ei st r ans mi t t e d t hr oughawi r e l e s sc ommuni c at i onc hanne l .I ti sc onc l ude dt hatt hedi a gnos i sofe yedi s e as e 18 3 Fi g . 5 Pr ot ot ypeofwa ve l e t bas e dqua l i t ya dj us t abl ec odi ngwi t hr e c t a ng ul arROI ,s howi ng t hr e e l e v e l sofr e c ons t r uc t i on( e xt e nda bl et oNl e ve l ) . Eve na tt hel owe s tr e c ons t r uc t i on l e ve l ,t hei mag evi s ua lqual i t yi sv e r yhi gha l t houghs omei nf or mat i oni sl os s . Att he hi ghe s tl e v e l ,t hei ma geatROIi spe r f e c t l yr e c ons t r uc t e d c a nbec onduc t e dr e mot e l ybyat e l e me di c i nes y s t e m. Anot he rr e s e ar c hg r oupc onduc t e d [ ] e xpe r i me nt sonhe modynami cs t at usofc r i t i c al l yi l lpat i e nt sdat a 9 whi c hi st he nt r a ns mi t t e d vi aac ommuni c a t i onl i ne . Theha e mody nami cde a l swi t hc a r di ovas c ul arpe r f or manc ei n s uppl yi ngoxy ge nt ope r i phe r alt i s s uet omai nt a i nme t a bol i s m. I twa sr e por t e dt ha tt he e x pe r i me ntr e s ul t sar epr omi s i ng. Be s i de soft heuni ve r s i t i e s ,s omet e l e me di c i neac t i v i t i e sa r eal s obe i ngc onduc t e d. AtPT Te l kom ( Nat i onalTe l e c ommuni c at i onCompany,I ndone s i a )R&D Ce nt e r ,agr oupof r e s e ar c he r shavede ve l ope dawe bba s e dme di c ali nf or mat i ons ys t e mf ort hepubl i cc ommuni t y [10 ]. Thes ys t e mi nt e gr at e same di c ali nf or mat i onda t a ba s ea ndi nf or mat i onde l i ve r ys y s t e m us i ngWi r e l e s sAc c e s sPr ot oc ol( WAP) . Thec ur r e ntongoi ngr e s e a r c hi sbe i ngs uppor t e dbya gr antf r om APT. Thes e c ondnot abl eac t i vi t ywasi ni t i at e dbyMe di Fa. The i rs ys t e m ut i l i z e savi de ophone c onne c t i ngapr i mar yc ar ec l i ni c sa ndar e f e r r alhos pi t al . Thef e a t ur e sbe i ngi nt r oduc e da r e [11] t e l e c ons ul t at i onandt e l e e duc at i on . Re c e nt l y,t hi ss ys t e mi se xt e nde dbyus i ngt hemos t r e c e ntt e c hnol ogyava i l abl ei nt hel oc alma r ke t: t hev i de os t r e a mi ng ,SMS( Shor tMe s s ag i ng [12 ]. Sys t e m) ,andWAPa r et obeus e dbyf a mi l ydoc t or s TheFut ur eo f Te l e me di c i nei nI ndone s i a Theaboveme nt i one dac t i vi t i e sar ec e r t a i nl ynotac ompl e t el i s t .I ti snot e dt hatt e l e me di c i ne 18 4 [13 ]andpol hasa l s obe gunt oat t r ac ta l s oi nt e r e s t soft het e l e c ommuni c at i onss oc i e t y i c y [14]t make r s oo. Tr e ndsi nc ommuni c a t i ont e c hnol og ywi l lal s og r e at l yi nf l ue nc e t e l e me di c i ne . I nr ur alar e as ,i nt e r ne ta ndwi r e l e s sc ommuni c a t i oni sg r owi ngr a pi dl y . Wi r e l e s sLAN t e c hnol ogyon2. 4GHzhasnow be c omeve r ypopul ara ndqui t ea f f or dabl ef ort hec ommuni t y . Foc us i ngonr ur ala r e as ,s pe c i a lat t e nt i ons houl dbema deont hi st e c hnol og y. Te l e me di c i ne s ys t e msbas e dont hi st e c hnol ogyhaveagr e a toppor t uni t yt obede v e l ope df ort her ur ala r e a s . Thede ve l opme ntoft e l e me di c i nei nma nyc ount r i e s ,i ns omer e s pe c t ,de pe ndsont he av ai l abi l i t yoft hee qui pme nt swi t hi nt hema r ke t ,t hee xi s t i ngt e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r a s t r uc t ur e s a ndt hee nt hus i as m oft heus e r s . Thec ur r e ntt r e nda mongme di c aldoc t or sorpa r a me di c si s t heus eoft heMMS( Mul t i me di aMe s s ag i ngSy s t e m)onmobi l ephone( f ore x a mpl e:s t r e ami ng ×4 3GPPwi t hi magec apt ur er e s ol ut i onsof6 4 0 80pi xe l s; v i de oc a pt ur eofH.2 63i ns i de3 GP /MPEG.4,s f i l ef or ma t uppor t e dbyJ av aMI DP1 . 0t e c hnol og yt os e ndMMSore mai lt oa c ompat i bl ephoneorPC) . Dat at r ans f e ri sc apa bl eupt o4 3 . 2Kbpsi nahi g hs pe e dc i r c ui t s wi t c he dda t ane t wor ks ,orupt o40. 2Kbpsi nGPRSne t wor ks )asac ommuni c a t i ont oolf or t hef i r s tai di nane me r ge nc ys i t uat i on. Howe v e r ,t he yar equi t eawa r et ha ti ti sne c e s s a r yf or i tt obeupgr a de dorr e f i ne dt ome e tt hemi ni mum r e qui r e me nt soft heme di c a li ma gi ng s e r vi c e s . Atpr e s e nt ,t he r ei sac ol l abor at i onpr oj e c ts uppor t e dbyagr a ntf r om APT,be t we e nPT Te l kom ( R&D c e nt e r ) ,Pe r t a mi naJ akar t aHos pi t al ,Te l e c om Col l e geSTT Te l kom Ba ndung, Me di Fa,t heCRLJ a pa nandt heUEC ( Uni ve r s i t yofEl e c t r oCommuni c a t i on)J a pan. The obj e c t i ve soft hi spr oj e c tar et ode ve l opa ni nt e g r a t e dme di c a lc ont ac tc e nt e rf ore nhanc i ng publ i che al t hs e r vi c e si nI ndone s i aus i ngac ombi na t i onoft hemos tupt oda t et e c hnol og y av ai l a bl ei nt hemar ke t . Thes ys t e m wi l lbeac c e s s i bl et hr oughahandphonewi t hWAP ( Wi r e l e s sAppl i c at i onPr ot oc ol )c apabi l i t y ,SMS( Shor tMe s s a g i ngSy s t e m) ,a swe l la sove r f i x e dl andphoneandf axmac hi ne ,whi c ht he nwi l lbea ns we r e dvi aI VR ( I nt e r ac t i veVoi c e Re s pons es ys t e m)orahumanope r at or ,i naddi t i onalt obe i ngac c e s s i bl et hr oug ht hei nt e r ne t . Thi si nt e gr at e dme di c alc ont ac tc e nt e rpr ovi de se as yac c e s st ot heme di c aldat abas ef orpe opl e . /r Par t i e si nvol ve di nt e l e me di c i newi t hi nt hec ount r y: g ov e r nme nt e g ul at or ,r e s e a r c hc e nt e r s/ / uni ve r s i t i e s ,i ndus t r i e st e l e c ommuni c at i onsope r a t or s ,NGO a ndt heus e r s ,s houl dwor ksha nd nhandt ode ve l opt hi st e c hnol ogyf ort hes akeoft hec ommuni t yshe al t h( Fi g. 6) . Atpr e s e nt , i t hec oope r at i onamongt hepl aye r sa ndt hec oor di na t i onbe t we e npa r t i e si nt hes a me s e c t or r e s e ar c hc e nt e r si snotwe l le s t abl i s he d. I s s ues Las tbutnotl e as t ,t he r ear es omer e ma i ni ngi s s ue st obeaddr e s s e di nc onduc t i ngt e l e me di c i ne ac t i vi t i e s ,amongot he r sa r e: ・Whopays ? Mos toft hepat i e nt swhone e dhe l pbe l ongt ot hepoor ,l oc a t e di nr e mot ea r e a s whe r et hec ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur e sar epoor . Sat e l l i t ec ommuni c a t i ons ys t e msar e e xpe ns i vea ndt hei nt e r f ac ee qui pme nt sf ort e l e me di c i near es c ar c e . Thi sr e qui r e shuge f undi ng. ・Di agnos i sa tadi s t anc e . The r ear epr obl e msi npr ov i di ngt hee qui pme ntf orapr ope ra nd r e s pons i bl edi agnos i sa tadi s t a nc e . Anot he rpr obl e mi st hec ul t ur a le nvi r onme ntor bac kgr ound,whi c hc oul dber e f us e dbe c aus eofamor et r adi t i ona lwa y. ・Le ga li s s ue s:whoi sr e s pons i bl ef ort her e mot epat i e nt ? Thi si s s uene e dsaf i r ma c t ,whe t he r i ti sas t a t er e gul at i on,ac c r e di t at i onoral i abi l i t ywhi c hi nv ol ve sa g e nc i e sa nd/ or 18 5 Fi g. 6 Pa r t i e si nvol ve di nat e l e me di c i neac t i v i t i e s pr of e s s i onal s . ・Me di c alLaws: whohast hedut yt owhom? How f a ra r eme di c alpr a c t i c e swi t houtdi r e c t e xami nat i onc ons i de r e dwi t hr e gar dst oe t hi c s ? ・Pr i vac yandc onf i de nt i al i t yoft hepa t i e nt swhi c hmus tbepr ot e c t e di nt her adi oanddi g i t a l e nvi r onme nt . ・Thene c e s s i t yt oant i c i pat es omes t r uc t ur a lc hang e si nt r a di t i ona le he al t hde l i v e r yi sanot he r pr obl e m. ・Ot he ri s s ue st obec ons i de r e dar er e s ul t soft hef as tde ve l opme nti nt e c hnol og yandhuman dynami c s . ・Ove r al l ,i ti sv i t alt hatwene e dt oknow t heac c e pt anc eofa l ls i de swhi c ha r ei nvol v e di n t hi ss y s t e m. Ac knowl edgement s Theaut hor swoul dl i ket oac knowl e dgePr of . INa ka j i maandt heTe l e c ommuni c at i onsa nd Mi c r owa veLabor a t or y,EE De par t me ntI TB,f ort he i rc ont i nuouss uppor tonourt e l e me di c i ne a c t i v i t i e s Re f er ence [1]U.Sas t r okus umo, Ope ni ngAddr e s s , Pr o c .o f APT Wo r ks ho pMCMT02,pp. i i i [2]A.B.Suks i y ant o, Appl i c at i onofi ma gec odi ngs ys t e m ba s e don mono,U.Sa s t r okus umo,J .Sur y a na& B.E.Pr v e c t orqua nt i z a t i onus i ngSOFMNN al g or i t hm f orXr ayi ma g e s , Pr o c .o fI EEEI SPACS 1 9 99,pp. 6 13 61 6 [3]A.B.Suks Bas e dMe di c al monoa ndU.Sa s t r okus umo, A Cl i e nt Se r ve rAr c hi t e c t ur eofaLos s y t oLos s l e s sVQ- 18 6 I mag eCodi ngSy s t e mf orMobi l eTe l e di a g nos i s:A pr e l i mi nar yde s i g na ndr e s ul t,Pr o c .o f APT -1 s i a ,pp. 13 0 3 3 Wor ks hop MCMT02,J a ka r t a ,I ndone [4]B.Suks mono,T.L.R.Me ng ko,R.N.Rohma h,D.Se c a pa wat i ,J .T.Pr amudi t o,a ndU.Sa s t r okus umo, A Los s l e s sCl i e nt Se r v e rMe di c a lI ma geCodi ngSy s t e m: We bBas e dI mpl e me nt a t i onbyUs i ngJ a v aRMI, Los s yt ol e me di c i ne Wor ks ho p,20 0 4,Ne w De l hi ,I ndi a Pr o c .o ft he2nd APT Te [5]J y i d, .T.Pr a mudi t o,T.L.R.Me ngko,A.B.Suks mono,D.Se c apawa t i ,U.Sas t r okus umoandH.N.Ras Compr e s s i onofThor axandMus c ul os c e l e t a lRadi og r aphsf orTe l e me di c i neUs i ngDi s c r e t eWav e l e t Tr ans f or m ,Pr o c .o ft he2nd APT Te l e me di c i ne Wo r ks ho p,2 0 0 4,Ne w De l hi ,I ndi a [6]Y.S.I e me di c i neSy s t e mt oI mpr ov et he r awa na ndS.Soe gi j oko, De v e l opme ntofI nt e r ne t ba s e dCommuni t yTe l -21 Qual i t yofMa t e r na lHe a l t hCar e , Pr oc .o f APT Wo r ks ho p MCMT02,J a ka r t a,I ndone s i a ,pp. 1 7 [7]Z.B.Akba r i ,I .Mul y ana,a ndS.Soe g i j oko, PCbas e dTe l e me di c i neSys t e mf orCommuni t yHe a l t hCe nt e r: t y& Me di c i neDa t aRe c or di ngandRe por t i ngSys t e m, Pr o c .of APT De v e l opme ntofMa t e r ni Wor ks hop MCMT02,J a ka r t a ,I ndone s i a ,pp. 31 34 [8]S.Kar t a s a s mi t a , Te l e di ag nos t i cofEx t e r na lEy eDi s e a s e: TheCompa r i s onofBi omi c r os c opya nd -3 Te l e bi omi c r os c opy, Pr oc .o f APT Wo r ks ho p MCMT02,J a ka r t a,I ndone s i a,pp. 2 6 0 [9]R.Rudi l yI l lPa t i e nt s , Pr o c . ma n,TheAppl i c a t i onofTe l e me di c i nei nHe mody na mi c sMoni t or i ngofCr i t i c al -4 o f APT Wo r ks ho p MCMT02,J a ka r t a,I ndone s i a,pp. 4 2 5 [10 ]S.B.Ag l eMe di c a lI nf or ma t i onSys t e mf orPubl i cCommuni t yi n ungandA.Qi a nt or i , WAPbas e dMobi I ndone s i a , Pr oc .of APT Wor ks ho p MCMT02,J akar t a ,I ndone s i a ,pp. 2 22 5 [11 ]G.Soe t onoa ndS.Okt owa t y , TheSt udyont heI mpr ovi ngPr i ma r yCa r eSe r vi c e sbyI mpl e me nt i ngt he Vi de ophoneSy s t e m Be t we e nt hePr i mar yCa r eCl i ni c sandRe f e r r a lHos pi t a lf orTe l e c ons ul t i nga nd Te l e e duc at i ng , Pr o c .o f APT Wor ks ho pMCMT02,J akar t a ,I ndone s i a ,pp. 15 1 15 8 [12 ]G.Soe nd APT t onoa ndS.Okt owa t y , Ex pe r i e nc e sf ami l ydoc t or sus i ngt e l e me di c i ne,Pr o c .o ft he2 Te l e me di c i ne Wo r ks ho p,20 0 4,Ne w De l hi ,I ndi a [13 ]N.Pur wat i , Wi r e l e s sTe c hnol ogya sa nAl t e r na t i veAc c e s sf orCTCst oEmpowe rt heCommuni t y , Pr o c .o f APT Wo r ks hop MCMT02,J a ka r t a ,I ndone s i a ,pp. 6 0 64 [14 ]D.Se t i a wan, Mobi l eandWi r e l e s sCommuni c at i onAppl i c a t i onf orTe l e me di c i ne ,EHe al t hi nI ndone s i a , Pr o c .o f APT Wo r ks ho p MCMT02,J a ka r t a,I ndone s i a,pp. 1 0 31 05 7 18 10 Jap an Thi sr e por tc ons i s toft hef ol l owi ngt wopar t s;A:t he out l i neofJ I CAspol i c yt oai dade ve l opi ngna t i onsi n t hef i e l dofI CT a ndB:J apane s et r e ndsi nt he t e l e me di c i nepol i c y. A:JI CASde vel opmentas s i s t ancepo l i c yt oheal t hc ar e 42 i ndevel op i ngcount r i est hr o ughbet t e rus eofI CTs 1 JapansODA Cur r e nt l yi nJ apan,var i ousg r oupsa ndor g ani z a t i ons t he c e nt r alg ove r nme nt ,i nt e r nat i onalor gani z at i ons , nongove r nme nt alor gani z at i ons( NGOs ) ,a ndt hepr i va t e s e c t or ar epr ovi di ngas s i s t a nc et os uppor ts oc i oe c onomi c de ve l opme nti nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . As s i s t a nc ei nt hef or m off undi nga ndt e c hni c al c oope r a t i onpr ovi de dbyt hegove r nme nti sc al l e dof f i c i a lde v e l opme ntas s i s t a nc e( ODA) . Ac c or di ngt oJ apansODA Char t e rr e v i s e di nAugus t2 003 ,t heobj e c t i v eofODA i st o c ont r i but et ope ac eandde ve l opme nti nt hei nt e r na t i ona lc ommuni t y ,andt he r e byt ohe l p e ns ur eJ a pa nsowns e c ur i t yandpr os pe r i t y. 2 JI CAsAs s i s t ance Founde di n1974,t heJ apanI nt e r nat i ona lCoope r a t i onAge nc y( J I CA)i sa ni mpl e me nt at i on age nc yf ort e c hni c ala s s i s t anc e ,f oc us i ngoni ns t i t ut i onbui l di ng ,or g a ni z a t i ons t r e ng t he ni ng , andhumanr e s our c e sde v e l opme ntt hatwi l le nabl ede v e l opi ngc ount r i e st opur s uet he i rown s us t ai nabl es oc i oe c onomi cde ve l opme nt . J I CAswor ki sbr oa di ns c opeandr e f l e c t si nt e r nat i onalc onc e r nsa ndc ha ng i ngne e dsi n de ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . Tot r adi t i onals e c t or ss uc ha sagr i c ul t ur ea nds oc i a li nf r as t r uc t ur e ,J I CA / DSandSARS, hasr e c e nt l yadde das s i s t a nc et oc omba ti nf e c t i ousdi s e as e ss uc ha sHI V AI s uppor tt oe nc our ag ef r e emar ke te c onomi e sors e tupl e g als y s t e ms ,a nds uppor tf ort he pe a c e bui l di ngandr e c ons t r uc t i one f f or t si ns uc hc ount r i e sa sAf g hani s t ana ndEas tTi mor . I nf ut ur epr og r ams ,gr e at e ri nv ol ve me ntont hepar tofJ apansl oc a lgove r nme nt s ,NGOs , uni ve r s i t i e s ,andor di nar yc i t i z e nsi spl a nne d. 3 JI CAsI CTsf orDevel opme ntPol i c y Unde rt hef r a me wor kof Compr e he ns i veCoope r at i onPac ka gef orBr i dg i ngt heI nt e r na t i ona l Di gi t alDi vi de f ol l owi ngG8Kyus huOki nawaSummi t ,J I CA publ i s he dt wopol i c y doc ume nt s ,name l y TheI nf or mat i onRe v ol ut i oni nDe ve l opme ntAs s i s t anc e( J une2 0 01)a nd Appr oac he sf orSys t e mat i cPl anni ngofDe ve l opme ntPr oj e c t s I nf or ma t i onand Communi c at i onTe c hnol ogy ( Ma r c h200 4) . Fi veke yobj e c t i ve swe r ei de nt i f i e d: 1)St r e ng t he ni ngCapa c i t yf orI T Pol i c yFor mul a t i on;2 ) HumanRe s our c e sDe ve l opme nti nI T; 3)I mpr ove me ntofCommuni c a t i onI nf r as t r uc t ur e;4 ) I mpr ove me ntofEf f i c i e nc yandEf f e c t i ve ne s sofEve r ySe c t ort hr ought heUs eofI T; and5 ) I mpr ov e me ntofEf f i c i e nc yandEf f e c t i v e ne s sofDe v e l opme ntAs s i s t anc et hr oug ht heUs eofI T. 4 2 -1 Mr .I c hi r oTAMBO,J a panI nt e r nat i onalCoope r a t i onAg e nc y( J I CA) ,Shi nj ukuMay ndsTowe rBl dg ,2 1 , +8 +8 -5 /5 51 85 5 8 ,J APAN,Te l: 1353 5 25 05 2Fax: 13 3 5 25 07 9 0 94Ema i l: Yoy og i ,Shi buy a ku,Toky o1 t ambo. i c hi r o@j i c a . g o. j p 18 8 4 I CT Ut i l i zat i oni nHeal t hcar eSec t or I CTsc anbeappl i e dt oe ve r ys e c t or ,whi c h c a ni mpr ovet hequal i t yofJ I CAsa s s i s t anc e a nde xpandi t ss c ope .I CTsa r ee s pe c i al l y us e f ulf or( 1)c ol l e c t i ng ,c ompi l i ng, di s s e mi nat i ngands ha r i ngi nf or ma t i on,a nd ( 2 )i mpl e me nt i ngdi s t a nc eas s i s t anc eand f ol l owupas s i s t anc e . I nhe al t hc ar e ,I CTshav epos s i bi l i t i e sf or appl i c at i onsi n: ・I mpr ove me ntoft hequal i t yofme di c a l s t af fa ndda t ac ol l e c t i onf orhe a l t hc a r e t hr oughdi s t anc ei nf or mat i onpr ov i s i on and/ore xc hange; Di ag r am J a pansODA a ndJ I CA ・Ef f i c i e ntc ons ul t at i on; ・Cr os s bor de rc ons ul t at i on I s s ue st obec ons i de r e di nt hi ss e c t ori nc l ude:e c onomi ce f f i c i e nc y; ope r at i ona ndmai nt e na nc e ofe qui pme ntandmat e r i al s;c onf i de nc ea monghe al t hc a r epr of e s s i ona l s; qua l i t yofme di c a l c a r e;s e c ur i t yandpr i vac ypr ot e c t i on;andl e g i s l a t i on. B: I nc l i nedTr endsi nt heTel emedi ci nePol i ci e sofJap an43 Ke ywor ds:Agi ngs oc i e t y,Te l e phar mac y,ODA 1 Pur pos e Thi spape rr e por t sont hef i ndi ngsofa ni nv e s t i g at i onoft hes t a t usofJ apane s et e l e me di c i ne l aws ,s oc i a li ns ur a nc eme di c alf e epayme ntf unds ys t e ms ,a ndt he i re f f e c t sf r om 1 9 97t o2 0 0 5. Ana l y s e soft e l e c ommuni c a t i onf e e s ,whi c hwi l lhaveas i gni f i c anti mpa c tont hef ut ur eof t e l e me di c i ne ,we r emadewi t he ve nt uall i be r a l i z at i oni nmi nd. 2 Backgr ound 2-2 Me di calExpendi t ur esandDer eg ul at i oni nJap an The r ear et wopot e nt i aldynami c satwor ki nt het r e ndsa ndac t i v i t i e sofJ apane s et e l e me di c i ne . Thef i r s ti si nc r e as i ngme di c ale xpe ns e s ,a ndt hes e c ondi sde r e g ul a t i oni nt e nde dt os i mpl i f yt he s t r uc t ur eofours oc i e t y. Cons i de rt hef i r s tf or c e ,me di c ale xpe ndi t ur e s . Me di c a le x pe ndi t ur e sa c c ountf or7 . 3%oft he J apane s enat i onalbudge t ,andt hi sf i gur ei si nc r e a s i ngata na nnualr a t eof5 %. I nr e c e nt y e a r s ,hal t i ngors l owi ngs oar i ngme di c ale xpe ns e shasbe c omeamat t e rofna t i onalur ge nc y . Cons e que nt l y,t e l e me di c i nehasr e c e i ve dagr e atde alofat t e nt i on,asi ti sv i e we da same a nsby whi c ht hee f f i c i e nc yofme di c als ys t e msc anbei nc r e a s e d. I nr e gar dt ot hes e c ondf or c e ,i ndi vi dualmi ni s t r i e sa nda ge nc i e shav ebe e nr e v i e wi ng de r e gul at i onme a s ur e ss i nc et hebe gi nni ngoft he19 90 s . As ubs t ant i a le f f or twasmadet o 4 3 Dr .I s aoNAKAJ I MA,MD. ,Ph. D. ,Na ka j i mal a bor a t or y ,TokaiUni v e r s i t ySc hoolofMe di c i ne ,I s e har a ,J apan @a Ema i l:j h1 r nz ol . c om 18 9 i mpl e me ntde r e gul at i on,i nanat t e mptt oi nc r e a s et hee f f i c i e nc yofme di c a lt r e a t me nta nd r e duc eme di c ale xpe ns e s .I nt hef i e l dofhomeme di c alc a r eorDPC/RMO,t he f ac e t of a c e e xami nat i onpr i nc i pal ( Ar t i c l e20,Me di c alPr ac t i t i one r sLa w)wa sr e vi s e d. Ac t spr ohi bi t i ng home de l i v e r ys e r v i c e sf orpr e s c r i pt i ons( Ar t i c l e3 7 ,Phar mac e ut i c a lAf f a i r sLa w)a ndt hos e pr ohi bi t i nghomes e r vi c e sf ornur s e sa ndphy s i c i answe r ea l s or e v i s e d. 3 I nves t i gat i onoft heSys t em 3-1 Di r ectPat i entCar e HPB#1075( Of f i c i alnot i c ei s s ue dbyt heDi r e c t orGe ne r aloft heHe a l t hPol i c yBur e a u, Mi ni s t r yofHe al t handWe l f ar e ) OnDe c e mbe r24,1997,ahi s t or ymaki ngnot i c ei nt heJ apa ne s eme di c a li ndus t r ywasi s s ue dt o al lpr e f e c t ur alg ov e r nor sbyt heDi r e c t orGe ne r a loft heHe a l t hPol i c yBur e a u. Theof f i c i al not i c ede s c r i be st heBur e ausbas i cpos i t i onr e g ar di ngt he f ac e t of ac ee x a mi nat i onpr i nc i pa l ofAr t i c l e20oft heMe di c alPr a c t i t i one r sLaw a ndont e l e me di c i ne . Thi sne w not i c ewa s announc e di nr e s pons et oar e por ts ubmi t t e dbyt heTe l e me di c i neRe s e ar c hGr oup( Mi ni s t r yof He al t handWe l f ar e ) ,whi c hhasbe e ns t udyi ngt hei s s ues i nc e1 99 6. Thenot e wor t hypoi nt sof t heof f i c i a lnot i c ea r es ummar i z e di nt he10i t e msbe l ow ( s e ea t t a c he di nf or mat i on) . Themos t s i gni f i c antpoi nti st heBur e ausappr ova loft heus eofDPC,pa r t i c ul a r l yi ne me r g e nc y s i t uat i ons . 1 .Te l e me di c i neut i l i z i ngt e l e c ommuni c at i onandI T( I nf or mat i onTe c hnol og y)de v i c e sdoe snot i nf r i ngeonAr t i c l e20oft heMe di c alPr a c t i t i one r sLa w. 2.Te l e me di c i nec ompl e me nt sf ac e t of a c ee xami na t i ons ands houl dbea dmi ni s t e r e dt o pat i e nt swi t hc hr oni cdi s e as e swhoar ei ns t abl ec ondi t i on. 3.Te l e me di c i nes houl dbeadmi ni s t e r e di nac c or da nc ewi t hpat i e nt sr e que s t s ,andmus tbe be ne f i c i alt ot hepat i e nt . 4 .Te l e me di c i nec anal s obeadmi ni s t e r e dt opa t i e nt swhoa r eot he r wi s eunabl et ohav ea f ac e t of ac ee xami nat i on wi t haphys i c i an,s uc haspat i e nt si ni s ol at e dar e asa ndbe dr i dde n e l de r l ypat i e nt s .( DPC appr ov al ) 5.Notonl ydoe sTe l e me di c i nee nabl es uf f i c i e nte x pl a nat i onst obepr ov i de dbya t t e ndi ng phys i c i ans ,i ta l s oc l e ar l yde f i ne st her e s pons i bi l i t i e soft hepat i e nt . 3-2 Tel ephar maci e s Of f i c i alnot i c e#90i s s ue dbyt heDi vi s i onChi e f ,Phar ma c e ut i c a la ndMe di c alSaf e t yBur e au, Pl anni ngDi vi s i on Anof f i c i alnot i c epe r t a i ni ngt ot hema t t e roft he Re c e i v i ngofpr e s c r i pt i onsbyf a xandt he homede l i v e r yofpr e s c r i pt i onst opa t i e nt s wa si s s ue donDe c e mbe r25 ,19 98byt heDi v i s i on Chi e foft hePhar ma c e ut i c ala ndMe di c a lSaf e t yBur e a usPl anni ngDi v i s i on,Mi ni s t r yof He al t handWe l f ar e . Thi snot i c ewasi nt e nde dt opr ovi dei nf or mat i onont hePhar mac e ut i c a l Saf e t yBur e ausa c t i vi t i e s ,andwaswr i t t e ni nr e s pons et oa not he rnot i c ei s s ue dt ova r i ous mi ni s t r i e sa ndag e nc i e spe r t ai ni ngt o I ni t i alv i e wsonde r e g ul a t i on, da t e dDe c e mbe r1 5 ,19 9 8. Thi sdoe snotme a nt hatt he r ewe r enoi ns t a nc e sofpha r ma c e ut i c a l sbe i ngde l i v e r e dt opa t i e nt s # home spr i ort oof f i c i alnot i c e 90 . Fore xa mpl e ,t he r ehav ebe e nc a s e si nwhi c hpe r i t one al l a vag ef l ui dswe r ede l i ve r e dt oCAPD ( c ont i nuousambul a t or ype r i t one aldi al ys i s )pat i e nt s ,a s t hef l ui di sv e r yhe av y. I ns uc hc as e s ,t hepha r mac e ut i c alma nuf ac t ur e rus e dapar c e lde l i ve r y s e r vi c et ode l i ve rt hef l ui dt ot hepat i e ntshome . 19 0 Of f i c i alnot i c e#90,howe ve r ,ma ke si tl e ga lt or e c e i vepr e s c r i pt i onst hr oug ht e l e c ommuni c a t i on l i ne sa ndt os e ndpr e par e dpr e s c r i pt i onsbyma i l ,pr ovi de dt hatt hes e r v i c es a t i s f i e st he c ondi t i onss pe c i f i e dbe l ow. I ts houl dbea dde dhe r et hatAr t i c l e9oft heMa i lLaw s t i pul a t e s t ha tapat i e ntspr i vac ymus tbes t r i c t l ygua r de dandt hatde l i ve r ype r s onne la r er e s pons i bl ef or doi ngs o. 1 )Pa t i e nt smus ta g r e et or e c e i v ede l i ve r i e smadebype r s onsot he rt ha napha r mac i s t . 2)De l i ve r e dpr e s c r i pt i onsmus tbeve r i f i e da sbe i ngi de nt i c alt ot hepr e s c r i pt i onor de r t r ans mi t t e dbyf ax. 3)Sai dphar mac ymus thaver e c or dsoft hedr ugsdi s pe ns e dt os ai dpa t i e nt . 3-3 Paymento fTel emed i ci neFees( c o r r es p ondi ngact i o nsbyt heSo ci alI ns ur ance Me di calFeePaymentFund) Ac t ualf undi ngf ort e l e me di c i nebyt heSoc i alI ns ur anc eMe di c alFe ePay me ntFundbe ga ni n J a pani nApr i l2000. Mor es pe c i f i c al l y,t heFundf ort hepay me ntofme di c a le xpe ns e s appr ove dt hat t e l e di ag nos i sus i ngpat hol og i c ali ma ge sdur i ngs ur ge r yc a naddpoi nt si nt he [ t abl eofpoi nt sf orf e e s6,7] . Howe v e r ,t hec ondi t i onswe r el i mi t e di nt hi sc as e ,a sde s c r i be d be l ow. ( 1)Fa c i l i t ys t anda r dss ubj e c tt opr i ornot i f i c at i onanda ppr ova l( I nge ne r alt e r ms ,mus tbe hi ghl yadvanc e dme di c alt r e at me ntc e nt e r s: c ons ul t a t i onr e c i pi e nt ) ( 2)Me di c ali ns t i t ut i onwi t hac l i ni c ale ngi ne e rons t a f fwi t hmor et ha nf i veye a r sofe xpe r i e nc e i nt hef i e l dofpat hol ogy( c ons ul t ant ) I nt hef ut ur e ,t e l e di agnos i sut i l i z i ngxr a yi ma g e sore ndos c opi ci mag e smayg r adual l ybe i nc or por at e di nt ot heme di c albi l l i ngs y s t e m,buti ti snotc l e a rwhe nt hi swi l lc omea bout . 4 Ob s er v at i on 41 Pr o s pe ct sf orHomeMed i c alCar ei nJapan Fi r s t ,l e tsl ookatt hepr os pe c t sf orJ apa ne s ehomeme di c a lc a r ebyi nt r oduc i nga ne x ampl ei n whi c hDPC a ndt e l e phar mac i e sa r ec ombi ne d. A c as ei npoi nti st he Mul t i me di aVi l l age Pr oj e c ti nKat s ur aovi l l agei nFukus hi mapr e f e c t ur e ,i nwhi c ht e l e c ommuni c a t i onsa ndI T ne t wor kswe r ei ns t al l e dt hr oughs ubs i di e sf r om t heMi ni s t r yofPos t sandTe l e c ommuni c a t i ons Muni c i pal i t yNe t wor ki ngFa c i l i t yDe v e l opme ntPr oj e c t of1 997 . The r ewe r et hr e ema i n obj e c t i ve soft he Mul t i me di aVi l l ag ePr oj e c t . Thef i r s twast opr omot ec ommuni c at i on be t we e nvi l l ag e r s ,t hes e c ondwast oc ompe ns at ef ort hev ar i ousdi s a dvant age sofr ur all i v i ng , andt het hi r dobj e c t i vewast oe l i mi nat edi s par i t i e swi t hur bana r e as .I nor de rt oac hi e vet he s e obj e c t i v e s , Re e xami nat i onv i ai nt e r ac t i v eTV phone swi t hI SDN ( I nt e g r a t e dSe r v i c e sDi g i t a l Ne t wor k)c onne c t i onsa nddr ugde l i v e r ys e r v i c ebymai l we r ei mpl e me nt e d. Thi ss ys t e mi s c ur r e nt l yi nope r at i onpr i mar i l yf orpat i e nt swi t hc hr oni cdi s e a s e ,butTV phone s( Phoe ni x mi ni )havebe e ni ns t al l e di nal lvi l l agehous e hol ds( 50 0i nt ot a l ) . Fur t he r mor e ,me di c a l i ns t i t ut i ons( out s i deoft hevi l l age )― a smanya sni nehos pi t al s ,i nc l udi ngt hos ei l l ag e r s r e gul a rhos pi t al s― we r ec onne c t e dt ot hene t wor kofTV phone s . Ba s e dont hi sne t wor k be t we e npat i e nt sa ndhos pi t al s ,t hes ys t e m wor ksi nt hef ol l owi ngma nne r . Fi r s t ,Hos pi t al s admi ni s t e rDPC t opat i e nt swi t hc hr oni cdi s e as e sbas e dondat a( i . e . ,e l e c t r oc ar di og r ams ) obt ai ne df r om t he i rbi oda t a r e t r i e vi ngt e r mi nal( NEC pr oduc t:Sukoy aka mat e ) . Se c ond, uponc ompl e t i onoft hee xa mi nat i on,t hepr e s c r i pt i oni ss e ntt ot hepha r mac y. The pr e s c r i pt i oni st he nf i l l e dands e ntf r om t hepha r mac yt ot hepos tof f i c e . Fi na l l y,t heme di c i ne r e ac he st hepa t i e ntbyr e gul armai l ,andt e l e pha r mac ySe r vi c ei sc ompl e t e( Fi g. 1) . Al lme di c al andpr e s c r i pt i onbi l l sc anbepa i dt hr oug ht heus eofpos t a lmone yor de r s . 19 1 Fi gur e1 DPC a ndDe l i ve r yofDr ugsby Mai l Fi gur e2 Tr ans i t i onofSe ni or Ci t i z e nsRa t i oi n J a pa n( Es t i ma t e ) 【1 99 5202 5】 He r e ,wewoul dl i ket oe l abor at eont hepr os pe c t sf orhomeme di c i c a lc a r e . TheFi g ur e2 s howst hee s t i mat e dt r ans i t i onoft hes e ni or c i t i z e nsr a t i o. I ti spr e di c t e dt ha tbyt hey e a r 2010,J apanwi l lbes e c ondt ononei nt e r msofi t sdr as t i c al l yr e duc e dc hi l dbi r t hr at eandt he c ons e que nta gi ngofs oc i e t y,wi t h22. 0%oft hepopul at i onbe i ngs e ni orc i t i z e ns6 5ye a r sofa g e orol de r . I nt heye ar2 000,t hee l de r l yi nne e dofc a r e― 1)Be dr i dde n,2)De me nt i a ,3 )Se ni l e― wa s l t ot al2 , 800, 000pe opl e( Fi g . 3 ) . Howe v e r ,s pe c i alnur s i nghome si nt heye a r20 00wasonl y ac c ommodat eupt o692, 000pe opl e . The r e f or e ,2 , 1 00 , 0 00pe opl ewa sr e c e i vi ngc ar eathome , e i t he rf r om t he i rf ami l yme mbe r sorahomehe l pe r . Byt heye a r2 0 10 ,t het ot a lnumbe rof e l de r l yi nne e dofc ar ei se xpe c t e dt oi nc r e as et o3 , 90 0 , 00 0 . Thema x i mum c a pa c i t yatt hat poi ntwoul donl yt ot alupt o80 0, 000,a ndi ti se s t i ma t e dt ha t3 , 1 00 , 0 00e l de r l ywi l lbe pot e nt i a lc andi dat e sf orhome c ar e . Wef e e lt ha tDPC ut i l i z i ngi nt e r ac t i veTV c onf e r e nc i ng s y s t e mst hr oughI SDN ( I nt e gr at e dSe r vi c e sDi g i t alNe t wor k)l i ne s ,i nt ande m wi t h t e l e phar mac i e s ,woul de f f e c t i ve l ye nhanc et hequa l i t yofhomeme di c a lc a r e . Thi si sduet ot he f ac tt hatmos tpat i e nt si nne e dofhomeme di c alc a r eorhome c a r ear et hos ewhohav ea c hr oni cdi s e as ebuta r ei ns t a bl ec ondi t i on,andf orwhom DPC woul dt he r e f or ebeavi a bl e opt i on. Topat i e nt si ns t abl ec ondi t i on,t hea dmi ni s t r a t i onofme di c at i ont hr oug hmai l de l i ve r yi snotr e gar de dashavi ngahi g hr i s kpot e nt i ali nc ompa r i s onwi t ht hatt opa t i e nt s whoar ei ns e r i ousc ondi t i onora r eunde ri mme di a t ei nt e ns i vec ar e . The r ei sanot he rr e as on l de r l yi nne e dofs uppor t( Es t i ma t e ) Fi g ur e3 Numbe rofe 19 2 t hatDPC a ndt e l e phar mac i e sma ys pr e a dandbewi de l yac c e pt e d:t heabi l i t yofapa t i e nt s f ami l yme mbe r st oc ons ul taphys i c i ani nt he i rhome s . Thi swoul dbeagr e a the l pt of a mi l y me mbe r swhomus tpr ovi del ongt e r mc a r ef ort he i rl ov e done s . Duet oJ a pa nsuni que bac kgr ound,i tma ybe c omeahuget e l e me di c i nema r ke tf orhomeme di c a lc ar eandhome c a r e . 4-2 Out s our ci ngandTel emedi ci nei nJap an Ra t i onal i z at i onwi t hi nt heme di c alf i e l di spr ogr e s s i nga tar api dpac eduet os t agnant e c onomi cgr owt h,l ow bi r t hr at e s ,andoura gi ngs oc i e t y. J apa ne s ehos pi t a l s ,whi c hf or me r l y f unc t i one das s t andal one ( s e l f s uf f i c i e nt )e nt i t i e s ,ar er e s or t i ngt oas i mi l arc our s eofac t i on a shos pi t al sa br oad. Thati st os ay ,t he yar eout s our c i ngl i ne ns uppl i e s ,me a l s ,c l i ni c alt e s t i ng , andt hef i l l i ngofpr e s c r i pt i onsi nor de rt or a t i onal i z et hebus i ne s s admi ni s t r a t i ona s pe c t sof hos pi t alma na g e me nt . Fi l l i ngpr e s c r i pt i ons r e f e r st ot hepr e pa r a t i onofme di c a t i oni nwhi c h t heamounta ndc ombi nat i onofdr ugsi sa dj us t e dbas e donapat i e ntsage ,we i ght ,andt he l i ke .I ts houl dbeme nt i one dhe r et hatt het hr e el a r ge s tpr of i tma r g i ns( pr of i t sde r i v e df r om t hedi f f e r e nc ebe t we e nwhol e s al epr i c e sa ndpa t i e nt sr e t ai lpr i c e s ) ,whi c hma yormaynotput hos pi t a lbus i ne s sa dmi ni s t r at i oni nt hebl ac k,ar easf ol l ows: 1)dr ugs ,2 )c l i ni c a lt e s t i ng ,3) ar t i f i c i aldi al ys i s . Thec ur r e ntJ a pane s epr e s c r i pt i ondr ugma r ke tt ot al s2 1.4bi l l i ondol l a r s ( $1. 00= ¥100) .I ti se xpe c t e dt oac hi e veana nnua lgr owt hof1 2%wi t hi nt hene xtf i v ey e ar s , a ndt hemar ke ti se xpe c t e dt ot ot alappr ox i ma t e l y37 . 6bi l l i ondol l a r si nt hey e ar2 0 05 .I n s pi t eoft hel ar gemar ke t ,mos tphar mac i e sar ei ndi v i dua l l yowne ds mal lbus i ne s s e s . We be l i e vet hatt het e l e phar ma c i e sc r e a t e dbyof f i c i alnot i c e#9 0,i s s ue dbyt heDi v i s i onChi e fof t hePhar mac e ut i c ala ndMe di c alSaf e t yBur e ausPl a nni ngDi v i s i on,wi l lbee f f e c t i vei nt he f i e l dofpha r mac e ut i c alout s our c i ngi nt hef ut ur e . Thei nt e g r a t i onofs mal lphar ma c i e sa nd l a r gec or por a t i onsi sa l s ol i ke l y. Ont heot he rhand,t he r ear enol e ga lba r r i e r sont heout s our c i ngofi magedi ag nos e si nJ a pa n. Howe ve r ,t heaut hor soft hi spape rbe l i e v et ha ti nt e r hos pi t a l Se c ondOpi ni ons ( Xr ay i mage s ,s pe c i al i z e di mag edi agnos i s ,pa t hol og i c a li mag e s )wi l lnotpr og r e s st ot hee x t e ntt ha t t hephar mac i e sme nt i one dabove( Thet e l e pha r mac i e s )wi l l . Thi si sduet ot hef a c tt ha tt he J a pa ne s eme di c alf undi ngs ys t e mi sf undame nt a l l ydi f f e r e ntf r om i t sAme r i c anc ount e r pa r t ,i n t hatt heJ a pane s es ys t e m doe snott akei nt oa c c ountt he e v al uat i on( e x pe r i e nc eort r a c k r e c or d)oft hee xami ni ngphys i c i an i ni t spa y me nt s . Putmor es i mpl y,t hes a menumbe rof bi l l abl ei ns ur anc epoi nt s( mone y)i sc al c ul a t e df orpay me ntbyt heme di c a lf undi ngs y s t e m, r e g ar dl e s sofwhoi nt e r pr e t sa nXr a yi mag e .I ns ur anc epoi nt sdonotr e f l e c twhe t he ra s pe c i al i s torani nt e r nj us toutofme di c a ls c hoolwi t hmi ni male x pe r i e nc ei si nt e r pr e t i ngan Xr ayi mage . Mor e ove r ,t he r ei sno r a nki ngofphys i c i ans or r anki ngofhos pi t al si nt he J apane s eme di c als y s t e m. Thati st os ay ,c ommuni c a t i onmayoc c urbe t we e nhos pi t a l ss e e ki ng orpr ov i di nga Se c ondOpi ni on i nJ a pa n,butonl yduet ot hehumani t ar i a ns pi r i ta ndt he be l i e fi nc ommuni t ys e r vi c e . Thi si sdues i mpl yt ot hef a c tt hatt he r ei snoa dv a nt a g e what s oe v e rt os uc hc ommuni c at i ont ot hebus i ne s s a dmi ni s t r a t i ons i deoft hehos pi t a l . The a ut hor soft hi spape rbe l i e vet hati nt e r hos pi t alt e l e c ommuni c at i onsf or Se c ondOpi ni ons wi l l noti ni t i al l yr e pr e s e ntal ar g emar ke t ,duet oJ a pansc ur r e nti ns ur anc epol i c i e sa ndbi l l i ng s ys t e m. I ft he r ec oul dbeamar ke ti nwhi c h Se c ondOpi ni onCe nt e r s woul dbev i a bl ebus i ne s s e s ,i t woul dhavet obeac as ei nwhi c hahos pi t a lhasnoc hoi c ebutt or e c ov e rt hei ni t i alc os t sf or v e r ye xpe ns i veme di c ale qui pme nt ,s pe c i f i c al l ys pe c i ali ma gi ngde v i c e s( MRI ,CTSCAN, El e c t r oni ce ndos c ope ,e t c ) .I na ddi t i on,hos pi t a l swoul dbef or c e dt oope r a t eandt r a ns mi t i mage ss ot ha tt he yc oul dac c umul at ebi l l a bl ei ns ur anc epoi nt s ,s i mpl yt opayt hei ni t i alc os t s f ort hee qui pme ntpur c has e d. Thi sma yber e ga r de dasavi abl ea ppl i c at i onoft e l e me di c i ne , buts t r i c t l yf r om t hes t a ndpoi ntofbus i ne s sa dmi ni s t r a t i on. Thi sc a s ei l l us t r a t e st hepoi ntt ha t 19 3 i mme di at egr owt hi ni mage di agnos i sout s our c i ngi snotpos s i bl ewi t houts omea dvant ag eor i nc e nt i veat t ac he dt oi t si mpl e me nt at i on. Toc i t eane x a mpl e ,i nApr i l20 0 0,t heSoc i a l I ns ur anc eMe di c a lFe ePay me ntFundappr ov e dt heus eofi ns ur a nc epoi nt saspay me ntf ort he r e mot edi a gnos i sofpat hol ogi c ali mage sdur i ngs ur ge r y. Howe ve r ,t hea nnualnumbe rof c ons ul t a t i onsr e g a r di ngt her e mot edi a gnos i sofpa t hol ogi c ali ma ge sdur i ngs ur g e r yi s c ons i de r e dt obee xt r e me l ys mal li nt e r msofma r ke ts i z e ,t ot a l i ngs ome20 00c ons ul t a t i ons /mont na t i onwi dei n8 0J apane s eme di c als c hool s( onet ot wos c hool s h) . As e c ondf ac t ori n Se c ondOpi ni ons e nc ount e r i ngdi f f i c ul t yi nt hei ni t i a ls t a ge si sbar r i e r swi t hi nt heme di c al e duc at i ons ys t e m. St r ongf a c t i onsa nda f f i l i at i onsbe t we e nJ apa ne s euni ve r s i t i e sr e mai n,andi t i sc ons i de r e dt a boof ormos tuni ve r s i t i e st or e que s tac ons ul t a t i onor Se c ondOpi ni on f r om me di c ali ns t i t ut i onsout s i deoft he i rownf a c t i onora f f i l i a t i on. 4-3 Tel ecommuni cat i onFees( Fr eeMar ke tv s .Manageme ntPo l i ci e s ) Thes t at eofJ apane s enat i ona lf i nanc ei se x t r e me l ys e v e r e ,wi t ht henat i onalde f i c i tc ons t i t ut i ng 10%oft heGDP,a ndt ot ala c c umul at e dde bta mount i ngt o1 0 8%oft heGDP. Thi sc ur r e nt s t a t eofnat i onalf i na nc ei swor s et hant hats e e ni nNe w Ze a l andi n19 84. I na ddi t i on,c ur r e nt gove r nme ntpol i c yonpubl i ce nt e r pr i s e s( i nc l udi ngt het e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t )r e qui r e st ha tnot onl yt hec e nt r algove r nme ntbuta l s ot hel oc alg ove r nme ntpay( upt o25%-5 0%)f ort he e nt e r pr i s e . Fi nanc e satt hel oc algove r nme ntl e v e la r ea l s obe c omi nga ne x t r e me l ys e r i ous pr obl e m. The r ei sr e as onf oropt i mi s mc onc e r ni ngt hewi de s pr e a dus eandappl i c at i onof t e l e me di c i nei nt e r msoft hel e galf r ame wor ka ndbas i ct e c hnol og y. Howe ve r ,t he i mpl e me nt at i onoft e l e me di c i ne r e l at e dpr oj e c t si nv ol vi ngl oc algov e r nme nti si nf ac ta ta s t ands t i l l . Thi si sduepr i mar i l yt ot hef ac tt ha tJ apa ne s el oc alg ov e r nme nt sna t i onwi dear ei n as t at eofv i r t ualbankr upt c yduet oi ns ol ve nc y. I nv i e w oft hi ss i t ua t i on,t he r ei snoc hoi c e butt ol i mi tt hei mpl e me nt a t i onofs uc hpr oj e c t s . Thei mpl e me nt a t i onoft e l e me di c i nei n J apanmus t ,f ort het i mebe i ng,bel i mi t e dt oope r a t i onsati ndi vi dualhos pi t al sa ndpr i v a t e c or por a t i ons . Att hi sl e ve l ,t heke yt ot hewi de s pr e a dus eanda ppl i c at i onoft e l e me di c i nei s mi ni mi z i ngt e l e c ommuni c at i onsf e e s ,whi c hr e pr e s e ntt hema j or i t yofr unni ngc os t s . Ge ne r al l y s pe aki ng,t he r ear et wowayst omi ni mi z et e l e c ommuni c at i onf e e s . Onei st oc r e at eaf r e e ma r ke ta ndr e duc ef e e st hr oughc ompe t i t i on. Theot he ri st oadoptama nag e me ntpol i c y ( Uni ve r s alSe r vi c e )a ndl owe rt hef e e sons pe c i f i cc har ge s . Ne w Ze al andwasoneoft hef i r s tnat i onsi nt hewor l dt os t r i vet oc r e a t eaf r e e mar ke ts y s t e m [11]. Thec ount r ye mbar ke donmaj orr e f or ms ,s t a r t i ngwi t hac hang ei nt her ul i ngpa r t y f r om t heNat i ona lPar t yt ot heLaborPar t yi nt henat i onale l e c t i oni nJ ul y19 84. Ast he r e s ul t si ngr aph5i ndi c at e ,t hec har ge sa r eonl ys l i g ht l yl e s st hant hos ef orNTT( Ni ppon Te l e g r a m andTe l e phoneCor p. ) .I ns hor t ,t e l e c ommuni c a t i onc har ge sa r enotne c e s s a r i l yl e s s , e ve ni naf r e e mar ke ts y s t e m. Eve nt heUni t e dSt a t e s ,wi t hi t si ne xpe ns i v ef e e s ,i s i mpl e me nt i ngat ypeofma nage me ntpol i c y( Uni ve r s a lSe r v i c e )t ha ti ndi r e c t l ys uppor t s t e l e me di c i ne . Thea ut hor soft hi spape ra r ec onvi nc e dt ha tunl e s saJ apane s ev e r s i onof Uni v e r s alSe r v i c e si sc r e at e d,wewi l lnots e et hewi de s pr e a dappl i c a t i onoft e l e me di c i nei n J apa n. Asoft hes umme rof2 000,wehav eye tt os e et hef or mul at i onofas t udyc ommi t t e eon aJ apane s eve r s i onofUni ve r s alSe r vi c e ,i ni t i at e dbyt heTe l e c ommuni c a t i onsPol i c yBur e a uof t heMi ni s t r yofPos t sa ndTe l e c ommuni c at i ons . Eve ni fs uc hac ommi t t e ewe r et obef or me d af t e rt heye ar2001,t hec ommi t t e ewoul dr e qui r es e ve r alye a r st omakei t sf i ndi ng s . The r e f or e , a nyi mpl e me nt at i ont he r e ofwoul dc e r t a i nl yc omeaf t e rt hey e ar2 00 5 .I ti sourobs e r v at i on t ha twi t houtt hee na c t me ntofaJ a pane s eve r s i onofUni v e r s a lSe r v i c e ,i nt e r hos pi t a l c ommuni c a t i onf or Se c ondOpi ni ons wi l lnotoc c urt oagr e atde gr e ei nJ apa n. 19 4 Fi gur e4 Compar i s onoft e l e phonec har ge sf orbus i ne s s e s( Fr om OECD) -4 Phi 4 l os ophyofTel emedi ci ne TheGi gabi tPol i c yoft heMi ni s t r yofPos t sa ndTe l e c ommuni c at i onswasi mpl e me nt e di n1 9 9 7 i npa r al l e lwi t ht hei mpl e me nt at i onoft e l e me di c i ne . Thi spol i c yhasbr oug hta bouta c ommuni c at i one nvi r onme nte nabl i nge nor mousa mount sofme di c a li nf or mat i ont obe t r ans mi t t e d. Thi sGi gabi tPol i c yc onne c t smaj ori ns t i t ut i ons( Uni v e r s i t i e s ,Nat i onalMe di c a l Sc hool s ,a ndI ns t i t ut e s )na t i onwi det oa nATM ne t wor k. Si nga por ei st heonl yot he rna t i on be s i de sJ apant ha ti sat t e mpt i ngt oi ns t a l laGi g a bi t( hi g hs pe e d)t e l e c ommuni c a t i onsne t wor k i ne ve r yhome ,of f i c e ,andbui l di ngt hr oughoutt hec ount r y. Thee nv i r onme ntf or t e l e c ommuni c at i ons ys t e msi ss uc ht hatoneoft hehi ghe s t s pe e dt e l e c ommuni c at i ons ys t e msi s al r e adyav ai l a bl ei nJ apani ft e l e c ommuni c a t i onf e e sa r eofl i t t l ec onc e r n( i . e . ,f or t e l e c ommuni c a t i onswi t hl i t t l eornoe f f e c tonhos pi t a lma nag e me nt:publ i ce nt e r pr i s ei n e duc at i onande me r ge nc i e s ,e t c . ) . The r ei save r yr e alpos s i bi l i t yt ha tma nyJ a pane s ewi l l be ne f i tf r om v a r i oust e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i onsi nt henot t oodi s t antf ut ur e . Fore x ampl e ,a l l home smaybee qui ppe dwi t hanI SDN ( I nt e gr at e dSe r v i c eDi gi t alNe t wor k)c onne c t i on e nabl i ngt e l e di agnos i s . The t hr e e hourwai tf orat hr e e mi nut ee x ami nat i on c har a c t e r i s t i cof out pa t i e ntt r e at me nt s( i nc as e si nwhi c ht hepa t i e ntsdi s or de rora i l me nti snote xt r e me l y s e r i ous )wi l lbe c omeat hi ngoft hepas t .I ns t e a d,wewi l la l lbea bl et or e c e i v ee x ami nat i ons f r om s upe r i orphys i c i ans whe ne ve randwhe r e ve r wec hoos e . Me di c i neandme di c alt r e at me ntbe gani nanc i e ntt i me s ,wi t hf a i t hhe al e r sa nds hamansa nd t he i rf or t une t e l l i ngmagi cr i t ua l s . Le a vi ngt hei s s ueofa c c ur ac yas i def oramome nt ,t heba s i c pr i nc i pl eofpr ovi di ngt r e at me ntonaone onone ,f ac e t of a c eba s i swi t ht hepat i e ntwa s uphe l de ve ni nt hos et i me s . Thi si sduet ot hef a c tt ha ti twasunde r s t oodt hatt hes i ng l emos t i mpor t a ntpr i nc i pl eofme di c alc ar ei st opr ovi des a t i s f a c t i onf ort hepa t i e nt . I tc a nbeas s ume dt hatt headve ntofhi ghs pe e ddi gi t a lorf i be r opt i ct e l e c ommuni c a t i onwi l l br i ngaboutunbe l i e vabl es oc i alr e f or ms . Howe ve r ,wemus tbec a r e f ult or e mi ndour s e l ve s 19 5 t hatt e l e me di c i neut i l i z i ngt e l e c ommuni c a t i onl i ne si sc l e ar l yade vi a t i onf r om t he f a c e t of a c e e xami nat i on pr i nc i pl e . Weal s oc annotde nyt hef a c tt hatt e l e me di c i nec a nbeus e dont he me di c als i det os ui ti t sne e ds . Theaut hor soft hi spa pe ra r ei na gr e e me ntt hatt e l e me di c i ne s houl dnotbei mpl e me nt e dora dmi ni s t e r e df ort hepur pos eofr e duc i ngme di c a le x pe ndi t ur e s ort opr ovi dec onve ni e nc ef orphys i c i ans . Pa r t i c ul a r l yr e ga r di ngt hear e aofDPC,a l l s ubs e que nte xami nat i ons ,di agnos e s ,andt r e a t me nt smus tbes ol e l yf ort hebe ne f i toft he pat i e nt . Te l e me di c i nes houl dne ve rbef or c e dont oapat i e nt; r at he r ,t hepat i e ntmus twa nti t . Ther e as oni ngbe hi ndt hi si ss i mpl e:me di c alc a r ei sahumani t ar i a nv ol unt e e rs e r v i c ebui l t uponpa t i e nt ss a t i s f ac t i on. Co ncl us i on Tr e ndsa ndac t i vi t i e sr e g ar di ngt e l e me di c i newe r eana l y z e dt hr oughar e vi e w oft her e l e v ant l a wsandt heme di c a lf undi ngs y s t e m dur i ngt hepe r i odbe t we e n1 99 7and2 00 4. A mi l e s t one i nt het e l e me di c i nef i e l doc c ur r e di nApr i l20 00 ,whe nt heme di c a lf undi ngs y s t e ma ppr ov e d t heus eofbi l l abl ei ns ur anc epoi nt sf ort he r e mot edi a gnos i sofpa t hol ogi c a li ma g e sdur i ng s ur g e r y. Thi sdat ee s s e nt i al l ymar kst hec omme nc e me ntoft e l e me di c i nei nJ apan. Annex1 HPB10 75 De c e mbe r2 4,1997 To :Pr e f e c t ur alGove r nor s Fr om:TheDi r e c t orGe ne r a l ,He al t hPol i c yBur e a uMi ni s t r yofHe a l t ha ndWe l f ar e Ti t e l: Theus eofCommuni c at i onandI nf or ma t i onTe c hnol ogi e st oDe l i v e rMe di c a l Ca r e Te l e me di c i ne Wi t hr e c e nta dvanc e si nc ommuni c at i onandi nf or mat i ont e c hnol ogi e s ,t hepot e nt i albe ne f i t s oft e l e me di c i ne ,t ha ti s ,us eofc ommuni c at i ona ndi nf or ma t i ont e c hnol ogi e st ode l i v e r me di c a lc ar e( wi l lc al l e dt e l e me di c i nehe r e af t e r )a r ebe c omi ngwe l lr e c og ni z e d. Somet e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i ons ,i npa r t i c ul art hos ebe t we e nhos pi t a l sandphy s i c i ansor de nt i s t s ,ha vea l r e adyc omei npr a c t i c e . Ex ampl e si nc l udet heus eoft e l e c ommuni c a t i onst o t r ans mi tdi agnos t i ci mag e ss uc haspa t hol ogi c ali mage sf r om phys i c i ansorde nt i s t st o s pe c i a l i s t sf orc ons ul t a t i on. Fr om now onwa r ds ,t e l e me di c i nei se x pe c t e dt obeus e df orava r i e t yofpur pos e s . Te l e me di c i nemi ghtbeus e d,f ore xampl e ,t ode l i ve rc ar eba s e dont e c hnol ogys uc ha sv i de o t ope opl ei nt he i rhomei ni s ol at e di s l a ndsorr e mot er ur a la r e aswhe r ef a c e t of ac ec ont ac t wi t hphys i c i a nsorde nt i s t si shar dl ya va i l a bl e . Theus eoft e l e me di c i nebe t we e nhos pi t al sa ndphy s i c i a nsorde nt i s t swoul dnotbec ont r a r y t oAr t i c l e20ofMe di c alPr a c t i t i one rLaw a ndAr t i c l e20ofDe nt a lPr ac t i t i one rLow ( whi c h wi l lbec al l e dAr t i c l e20ofMe di c a lPr ac t i t i one rLa w he r e af t e r ) ,s i nc ec ar ei sg i v e n f ac e t of ac ei nt hi sc as e . Thei s s uear i s e si nt heus eoft e l e me di c i newi t hr e s pe c tt oAr t i c l e 20ofMe di c alPr ac t i t i one rLa w,howe v e r ,whe nc ar ei sde l i v e r e dt ot hehome sofpa t i e nt s . Unde rs uc hc i r c ums t anc e s ,t hepr i nc i pl e swhi c ht e l e me di c i nea ppl i c a t i onss houl dbeba s e don a r es hownbe l ow. Li s t e dal s oi nt hef ol l owi ngar ewhats houl dbenot e di nt heus eof t e l e me di c i newi t hr e s pe c tt oAr t i c l e20ofMe di c a lPr a c t i t i one r . Thef ol l owi ngs hal lbenot e dandknownt ot hos ewhoma yc onc e r n. 19 6 Ac opyofapubl i s he dr e por tf r om as t udygr oupont e l e me di c i ne ,f ounde dbyt heMi ni s t r y ofHe al t handWe l f a r e ,i si nc l ude dhe r e wi t hf ory ourr e f e r e nc e . 1 Pr i nci pl es Me di c alc ar es houl dbegi v e nf ac e t of ac ei npr i nc i pl e ,andt e l e me di c i nes houl dbeus e dt o c ompl e me ntf ac e t of a c ec ar e . Thet e r m me di c alc ons ul t a t i on r e f e r r e dt oi nAr t i c l e2 0ofMe di c alPr a c t i t i one rLaw i mpl i e s c onduc tofme di c a lpr a c t i t i one r swhi c h,f r om v i e w poi ntofmode r nme di c i ne ,a l l owsac e r t a i n di ag nos i st obee s t a bl i s he df oragi ve ndi s e as ei r r e s pe c t i veofme anss uc ha sanamne s i s , i ns pe c t i on,pa l pat i on,aus c ul t at i on,ands oon. Theus eoft e l e me di c i net he r e f or ewoul dnotbe c ont r ar yt oAr t i c l e20ofMe di c alPr a c t i t i one rLa w whe ni nf or mat i onaboutt hepat i e nts c ondi t i onsma ybeobt a i ne dwhi c hi s ,i fnote qui v al e nt ,a sus e f ula st os ubs t i t ut ef or i nf or ma t i onobt a i ne df r om f a c e t of a c ec ont a c t . Thef ol l owi ngs ha l lbenot e df ort het i mebe i ngf ort heus eoft e l e me di c i net obeputi nt o pr ac t i c eappr opr i at e l y. 2 Not i ce ( 1)Fort hef i r s tt i mevi s i tandf ori ndi v i dual swhoar ea c ut e l yi l l ,f a c e t of a c ec ont ac tbe t we e n phys i c i anandpat i e nts houl dbepr ov i de d. ( 2)Te l e me di c i nes houl dbeus e df orpa t i e nt swi t hs t a bl ec l i ni c alc ondi t i on,f ore xa mpl e ,s uc h a st hos ewhoar ec hr oni c al l yi l la ndwhohav el onga ndc ont i nuous l ybe e nr e c e i vi ngc a r e t i l lqui t er e c e nt l y . ( 3)Te l e me di c i nes houl dbeus e donl ywhe ni ti sdi f f i c ul tt ode l i ve rf ac e t of a c ec a r e . Ex a mpl e mi ghtbet hede l i ve r yofc ar et ot hos ewhor e s i dei ni s ol a t e di s l andsorr e mot eme di al l y unde r s e r ve dar e aswhe r et i mee x haus t e df ort r a ve l i ngand/ordange ri nc ur r e dwhe n phy s i c i a nsorpat i e nt shavet ot r ave lf orc ons ul t at i onmaket hede l i ve r yofc a r ev i a t e l e me di c i net heonl yc hoi c e . Whe ne ve rf ac e t of ac ec ar ei sa vai l abl eatt hes i t eofc ar eor i smadeavai l a bl ebyaf f i l i at i ngwi t hot he rc l i ni c a li ns t i t ut i ons ,f ac e t of a c ec ont a c ts houl d bepe r f or me d. ( 4)Te l e me di c i nes houl dbea ppl i e duponr e que s tofpat i e ntt a ki ngi nt oa c c ountt hebe ne f i t sof t hepat i e nt ,a ndt e l e me di c i nes e r vi c e ss houl dbeus e donc ombi na t i onwi t hf a c e t of a c ec a r e . ( 5)Whe ns t ar t i ngt e l e me di c i nes e r vi c e s ,s uf f i c i e nte xpl anat i ons houl dbeg i v e nt opa t i e nt sa nd t he i rf ami l y,andt he i runde r s t andi ngs houl dbec onf i r me d. I ts houl dbee xpl a i ne di n de t ai lhow t ous et hei nf or mat i onandc ommuni c at i onde vi c e sa ndt he i rc ha r a c t e r i s t i c s . ( 6 )Whe nt r ans f e r r i ngvi de oi mage sofapa t i e nt ,c ons i de r at i ons houl dbeg i ve nt opa t i e nt s pr i v ac y. I npar t i c ul ar ,f orv i de ot a pi ngofpa t i e nt sa nds t or i ngi ma ge s ,c ar es houl dbe gi ve nr e gar di ngpat i e nt swi l l . ( 7)I nc as eofmal f unc t i oni ngofc ommuni c at i onde vi c e s ,me a s ur e ss houl dbedi s c us s e d s uf f i c i e nt l ywi t hapat i e nta ndphys i c i ansorde nt i s t s . ( 8)Ar t i c l e24ofMe di c alPr ac t i t i one rLa wa ndAr t i c l e2 3ofde nt alPr ac t i t i one rLaw a bout e nt e r i ngme di c alr e c or da ppl ye qua l l yt ot e l e me di c i nes e r v i c e sa st of a c e t of ac ede l i ve r yof c ar e . ( 9)Phys i c i ansorde nt i s t swhoc onduc t e dme di c alc a r ear er e s pons i bl ef orme di c a ls e r vi c e s whe nde l i ve r e dbyme ansoft e l e me di c i ne . 19 7 ( 10)A pat i e nta ndhi sorhe rf ami l ys houl dbef ul l yi nf or me di na dva nc et hatwhe ns ome damage si nc ur r e donapat i e ntdur i ngde l i ve r yoft e l e me di c i nebe c a us et he ydi dnotf ol l ow t hei ns t r uc t i onsornot e ,t hepat i e nta ndhi sorhe rf ami l ya r er e s pons i bl ei ft he yar ef ul l y g i v e ni ns t r uc t i onsa ndnot ebyphys i c i a nsorde nt i s t si nadv anc e . 19 8 11 Keny a44 Me t hodol ogyappl i e dbyI TU f ort hede v e l opme ntoft he Te l e me di c i nePr oj e c t TheGl obalFund t oFi g htAI DS, Tube r c ul os i sand Mal ar i a Backgr ound TheRe publ i cofKe nyai ss i t uat e dEas t e r nAf r i c a , bor de r i ngt heI ndi anOc e an,be t we e nSomal i aand Tanz ani a. I thasat ot ala r e aof582, 650s qkm a nda popul at i onof3 3, 829 , 590. I nt r oduct i on Asaf ol l ow upofi t si nt e r nat i onal l yr e c ogni z e dpr i or pi one e r i ngr e c or dsi nt het e l e me di c i nedomai n,I TU ha s r e c e i ve daf or malr e que s tf r om t heAdmi ni s t r at i onof Ke nyaf oragui danc eandas s i s t anc et ode v e l opan i nnovat i vet e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t . Fi g . 1 Towa r dst hi se ndt heBoar dofCommuni c at i onCommi s s i onofKe nyaha sc ommi t t e dt he amountofUS$300, 000. 0 0asr e c i pi e ntc ount r yc ont r i but i ons e e dmone yt obeus e df orf und r i s i ngac t i onbyI TU wi t hpot e nt i a ls pons or sonc et hepr oj e c tdoc ume ntde ve l ope d,butont he c ondi t i ont ha tI TU wi l la l s oc ommi tf i nanc i alc ont r i but i onf r om i t sownr e s our c e si ns uc han i nnovat i vepr oj e c t . Commi t me ntofI TU pr ope rf undswa sa l s oc ondi t i ona l ,bas e donov e r a l l f undr i s i ngs uc c e s soft hepr oj e c t . Nat i onalTe l emedi ci neTas kFor ces et up I TU hasr e c omme nde dt ot heAdmi ni s t r a t i onofKe ny at os e tupaNa t i ona lTe l e me di c i neTa s k For c ec ompr i s e dofr e pr e s e nt at i ve sande x pe r t sf r om t heMi ni s t r yofHe al t h,Le a di ngHos pi t al s andRe s e ar c hi ns t i t ut e s ,Me di c alAs s oc i at i onsa ndMe di c a lFac ul t yatt heUni v e r s i t y,WHO Count r yOf f i c e ,aswe l la sf r om t heMi ni s t r yofTr ans por ta ndCommuni c at i ons ,t he Re g ul at or yAge nc y( Communi c at i onsCommi s s i onofKe ny a) ,Te l e c om andSat e l l i t eSe r v i c e Pr ovi de r s ,I nt e r ne tPr ovi de r sandBr oa dc as t e r s . Asar e s ul tt heNat i onalTe l e me di c i neTas kFor c ewa ss e t upa ndi t sNa t i onalCoor di na t or appoi nt e d. Pr oj ectCo nc e ptandPr oj ectDocumentDeve l opme nt Unde rI TU i ni t i at i v e ,t heAdmi ni s t r at i onofKe ny aha spr ovi de de x c e l l e ntwor ki ngc ondi t i ons f ort wowe e ksme e t i ngi nNai r obii nOc t obe r2 00 2,whe r et heNa t i ona lTe l e me di c i neTa s k For c ewor ke dj oi nt l ywi t hat e a m ofe l e ve ni nt e r na t i ona lTe l e me di c i neExpe r t sf r om J a pa n, I ndi a,Rus s i aandSwi t z e r l and,s e l e c t e dands uppor t e dbyI TU. Thef i r s twe e kwasofbr a i ns t or mi ngna t ur ee na bl e dpr ac t i c alunde r s t a ndi ngatnat i onall e v e l ofwhatt heTe l e me di c i nec oul ddoaswe l last oj oi nt l ya gr e eont e l e me di c i nepr oj e c tpr i or i t i e s , obj e c t i v e s ,a r e asofope r at i onandc oope r a t i on,di s t r i but i onoft as ks ,pr oj e c ta c t i v i t i e s ,e t c . Thes e c ondwe e kr e qui r e dve r ys ki l l f uls t e e r i ngoft hepr oj e c tde v e l opme ntwor kdonebys uc h ani nt e r s e c t or i ala ndmul t i c ul t ur almi xt ur eofe mi ne nti nt e r nat i onala ndnat i onale x pe r t sand s pe c i al i s t s . Thewor kus ual l ys t ar t e de ve r yda yat8 h30andwa sne v e re ndi ngbe f or emi dni g ht , 4 4 @i Mr .Pe t koKa nt c he v ,For me rI TU Te l e me di c i neFoc a lPoi nt ,pe t ko. ka nt c he v t u. i nt 19 9 Sat ur dayandSundayi nc l us i ve . on Lac kofs ki l l e dme di c alpe r s onne lwa si de nt i f i e d. I nac ount r yofove r3 0mi l l i onspopul a t i onl ys i xr a di ol ogys pe c i a l i s t swe r edoi ngt he i rbe s tt opr ov i det he i rpr of e s s i ona ls e r v i c e . Ma j or i t yofme di c alpr of e s s i ona l sg r aduat i ngi nKe ny awe r es e t t l i ngt owor kabr oa df orbe t t e r r e mune r at i on. Vas ta r e asandpr e domi na ntpe r c e nt ag eoft her ur alpopul at i onwe r ee i t he r unde r s e r ve dornots e r ve data l lbyhe al t hpr of e s s i onal s .I nr e s pons et hepr oj e c tc onc e ptwa s e l a bor a t e dt os e r vet heunde r s e r ve d,us emor ee f f i c i e nt l yava i l abl eme di c a ls ki l l s ,a nde nha nc e /he t hec ompe t e nc eandf i e l de xpe r i e nc eofy oungdoc t or s al t hs t a f fa tmuc hhi g he rpa c e . The pr i or i t ywa sg i ve nt ot hee ar l ydi s c ove r yoft hede c e a s e( mal ar i a ,t ube r c ul os i sandAI DS) , pr e s c r i bi ngi ni t i alt r e at me ntons i t uaswe l lasf ur t he rt r e a t me ntwi t hi nt hea va i l a bl ehe al t h t r e at i ngs y s t e m ofKe nya .I twa se nabl i ngmuc hhi ghe rpe r c e nt ag eofr e c ove r yoft hes i c k pe r s onswi t hc he a pe r ,s hor t e ra ndmor ee f f i c i e ntt r e at me nt . Thedi a g nos i swa st obemade avai l abl ene xtda yf ol l owi ngt hec he c kup. Forc ompl i c a t e dc as e s ,a ni nt e r nat i onal c ons ul t at i ons y s t e m wa sc onc e i ve d. Thepat i e nt swe r enott ot r a ve la wa ybe f or et hedi agnos i s knownandt r e at me ntpr e s c r i be d. Spe c i a l l yde s i g ne dMo b i l eVanMe di c alLab or at o r i e swe r e t obeus e d,i nt e r c onne c t e dvi as at e l l i t et ot het e l e me di c i nec e nt r ei nNai r obi ,whe r edi a gnos i s / madeandr e s ul t sa ut omat i c al l yt r ans f e r r e dt onat i onalme di c a l he al t hs t at i s t i c a lda t a. Ne w t e c hnol ogi e swe r et obeus e df orr e l i abl e ,e f f i c i e nta ndqui c kc he c kupands c r e e ni ngofa l lt he popul at i oni npr i or i t yar e asofhi ghpe r c e nt ag eofma l a r i a ,t ube r c ul os i sa ndAI DS. The s ys t e m pl anne dwasv e r yf l e x i bl et obee xpande dorr e s t r uc t ur e d. Li c e ns e dKe nyanSat e l l i t e Se r vi c ePr ovi de r swe r ei de nt i f i e dt obe c omet hebac kboneoft hes y s t e m. Ext e ns i v eme as ur e s f ors t a f ft r a i ni ng,c or r e c tope r at i onalma i nt e na nc e ,ands uppl yofa l lne c e s s a r yme di c at i ona t Mobi l eVa nMe di c alLabor at or i e sf orone ye arpe r i odwe r ef or e s e e n. Me as ur e sf ore v al ua t i on oft hei mpr ove me nt sa c hi e ve dwe r ea l s of or e s e e n. Webe l i e v e dt ha tupons uc c e s s f ult r i a lof t hi spr oj e c tpr opos a lappr oa c h,Ke nyawoul dbe c omet heknowhow c e nt e rofe xc e l l e nc ei n / Af r i c a ,pr omot i ngandt r ai ni ngme di c alhe al t hpr of e s s i onal sf r om ot he rAf r i c a nc ount r i e s c onc e r ne d. Wee xpe c t e dt ha tot he rc ount r i e swi l lj oi n,Gl o balFund e x pa ndi t sf undi ngt o s i mi l arpr oj e c t sai mi ngt of i ghti fnote r adi c at i ngt hepr opag at i onofs ai dde c e as e si nAf r i c a . TheNat i onalTe l e me di c i neTas kFor c eandt hei nt e r nat i onale xpe r t shav ea c hi e ve dac ons e ns us ont hedr a f tpr oj e c tdoc ume nte l abor at e d. I twa sa l s oa gr e e dt ha tt heNa t i onal Te l e me di c i neTas kFor c eCoor di nat orwi l lf i nal i z et hepr oj e c tdoc ume ntt a ki ngi nt oac c ount t her e qui r e me nt si nf or c eoft heGl obalFund aswe l la si nc or por a t i nganyf ur t he rc omme nt s ubmi t t e dbyt hepar t i c i pant sa tt hi sme e t i ngbye mai l . TheGl obalFundwasi de nt i f i e dast heke yi nve s t orf ort heTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c tpr opos a l .I n ac c or danc ewi t ht hee s t abl i s he dr ul e sf orappl i c at i onbyt heGl ob alFund,i twa si nt he pr e r oga t i ve st heMi ni s t r yofHe al t hofKe ny at ober e s pons i bl ef ort heTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c t s ubmi s s i ont oGl obalFund f ora ppr oval . Pr oj ectDo cumentSub mi s s i o nandLes s onLe ar ne d TheAdmi ni s t r at i onofKe nya( t heMi ni s t r yofHe al t h)hass ubmi t t e df or mal l yt hes ai d Te l e me di c i nePr oj e c tt of i ghtt ube r c ul os i s ,ma l ar i aandAI DS,t og e t he rwi t hanot he rt wo Ke nyanpr oj e c tpr opos al s ,t ot heGl obalFund f orf undi ngi nmi d2 00 3. Fr om a l lt hr e e Ke nyanpr oj e c tpr opos al sr e c e i ve dt heGl o balFund ha ss e l e c t e donl yonef orf undi ngwi t h s mal l e rbudge tt hant heTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c tpr opos al . Thei nnovat i v epi one e r i ngTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c tpr opos alwasde v e l ope dpr i ort ot hef i na nc i a l i ns t i t ut i onsors pons or sbe i ngr e adyt obac kandf undi ta c c or di ng l y. Fr om t hepoi ntofv i e w oft heaut hor sofTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c tpr opos al ,t hes ubmi s s i onof 20 0 t hr e epr oj e c t sf orf undi nghasr e duc e dt hec ha nc e st hatt heGl o balFund wi l lbewi l l i ngt ot a ke t her i s koff undi ngapi one e r i ngpr oj e c twi t hc onc e ptne v e rdonebe f or e . 20 1 12 Kos o v a45 Theanat omyoft heneed Thene e dsf ora dvanc e dt e c hnol ogyandt e l e me di c i nei nKos ov aar ec l e a ra ndobvi ous . Kos ovame di c als y s t e ma ndme di c a le duc at i ona r enotupt os pe e dwi t hwor l ds t andar ds . The t ol lofma nyde c ade sofne gl e c ta ndoc c upa t i on,a swe l la swa r ,hasl e f tt heme di c als y s t e mi n Kos ovac r i ppl e dandi nabs ol ut edi s a r r a y. J une1 2,2005wi l lc e l e br at es i xye a r ss i nc et hee ndoft hel as twa ri nt heBal ka nswhi c hf r e e d Kos ovaf r om t heSe r bi anr e gi me . Al t houghs i xye a r shav epa s ts i nc eNATO a ndUN t ook ov e rt hes e c ur i t yandde v e l opme ntofKos ova ,t heme di c alne e dsf ormor et hant womi l l i on pe opl ehav enotbe e nme t . The r ei sal a c koff undame nt alme di c als t andar ds ,pol i c i e sa ndpr ac t i c emanag e me ntg ui de l i ne s . Thehos pi t al sa r ee xt r e me l yc r owde d,y e tunde r ut i l i z e d. The r ewe r enone w di a g nos t i cor t r e at me ntmodal i t i e sf ormos toft hedi s e as e s . The r ewa sa nds t i l li sal a c koft hemos tba s i c me di c als ys t e mss uc hast r a umas ur ge r y,onc ol og y ,c a r di ot hor a c i cs ur g e r y,s pi nals ur ge r y, t r a ns pl antori mmunot he r a py . Al ar genumbe rofpa t i e nt swe r ec omi ngba c kt ohos pi t al swi t h advanc e ddi s e as e s . Mos toft he mc oul dnotbet ake nc a r ei nKos ova ,t huswe r ebe i ngs e nt abr oadf ort r e at me ntt oot he rc ount r i e si nt her e gi ons uc ha sTur ke y ,Al ba ni a,Cr oa t i a , Sl ov e ni a,Bul gar i a,Se r bi aorot he rc ount r i e s . Thedi s e a s e sa r edi a g nos e da tt heve r yl a t e s t age s ,andc anc e ri sde va s t at i ngt her e gi on. The r ei sabac kl ogofope r a t i ngpr oc e dur e sa nd t hel i s tofpat i e nt sa wa i t i ngope r at i onsc ont i nue st ogr ow. Pa t i e nt swa i tf orope r a t i onsi nt he hos pi t a lf ordaysa ndwe e ks ,e ve nf orr e l a t i v e l ymi nors ur g i c a lpr oc e dur e s ,f orl ac kofwa t e r , e l e c t r i c i t y ,ands t e r i l ei ns t r ume nt s . The r ei snoone da yora mbul a t or ys ur ge r y . Thei nf ant mor t al i t yr at ei st hehi ghe s ti nEur opea ndne wi nf e c t i ousdi s e a s e si nc l udi ngt ul ar e mi aand c as e sofCongof e ve rar ec ommon. Tube r c ul os i si sont her i s e . The r ei sagr e atf e art hat AI DSwi l ls oonbe c omeas e r i ouspr obl e mi nKos ova. Theai rpol l ut i oni se xt r e me l yhi gh, a ndt he r ei sal ac kofpubl i ce duc at i ononhe al t hr e l a t e di s s ue sa ndhe a l t hhy gi e ne . Smoki ng ands moki ngr e l at e ddi s e as e sa r eve r ys e r i oushe a l t hc ar epr obl e msi nKos ov a. Foundi nt he mi ddl eoft hi sr e alhuma nc at as t r opheonehasdi f f i c ul t i e st opr i or i t i z eandf oc ushuman v ol unt e e r i nge ne r g yt ohe l pt hec ount r yi ndi s ar r ay. Whats houl dbedonef i r s t ? Soweopt e d t oe s t abl i s hs ophi s t i c at e dt e c hnol ogi c als y s t e mt ha twi l lhe l pKos ov af orde c ade st oc ome . Obj ect i vesandGoal soft heKos o vaTe l e med i ci nePr o j ec t Wes e tupobj e c t i ve st hatwe r es i mpl e:I mpl e me ntande s t abl i s ht heKos ovaTe l e me di c i ne Ne t wor kands e tupas us t ai nabl eandf unc t i onalt e l e me di c i nes ys t e ma ndne t wor kt hatwi l l pr ovi des t at e of t he ar tme di c ale duc at i on,c ons ul t a t i ona ndt r ans mi s s i onofme di c alc l i ni c al da t abe t we e nt heUni ve r s i t yCl i ni c alCe nt e r( UCCK)a ndt her e g i ona lhos pi t a l si nKos ov a ,a s we l la sbe t we e nKos ovaandt hei nt e r na t i ona lme di c alc ommuni t y. Wewe r ec onvi nc e dt hat t her e al i z at i onoft he s eobj e c t i ve swi l lg r e at l yna r r ow t heg apbe t we e nKos ovaandt her e s tof t hewor l dandt obr i ngKos ovat ot hec ur r e ntc e nt ur yofme di c alde v e l opme nt . The br e akdownofl ongt e r mg oal si sout l i ne dbe l ow: 1)Es t abl i s hi ngadv anc e dands ophi s t i c at e dc ommuni c at i ons y s t e mswi t hi nt heUCCK i n Pr i s ht i naandbe t we e nUCCK i nPr i s ht i naa ndr e gi ona lhos pi t al s ,he a l t hhous e si nKos ova; 4 5 Ri f a tLa t i f i ,MD,FACS,Pr of e s s orofSur g e r y ,TheUni v e r s i t yofAr i z ona,Tuc s on,Ar i z ona,Di r e c t or , a,Pr i s ht i na ,Kos ova ,As s oc i at eDi r e c t orAr i z onaTe l e me di c i nePr og r a m, Te l e me di c i nePr ogr a m ofKos ov @e @i z ona,USA,Rl at i f i ma i l . ar i z ona . e du,Rl at i f i v hos pi t al . or g . Te l e s ur g e r yandI nt e r na t i ona lAf f ai r s ,Tuc s on,Ar i 20 2 2 )Cr e at ehumanc apac i t yt oi nde pe nde nt l yr unt het e l e me di c i nepr og r a ma ndal li t ss e r v i c e s ( t e c hnol ogi c al ,e duc at i onal ,e l e c t r oni cl i br a r y); 3)Us i ngt he s ec ommuni c at i ont ool sbyphy s i c i ansa ndpa t i e nt sf r om Kos ov at oa c c e s sf i r s t c l as shos pi t al sa ndme di c ali ns t i t ut i onsa r oundt hewor l d; 4)Pr ovi di ngme di c als t ude nt sa ndMe di c a lFac ul t yi nPr i s ht i naandi t sDe nt i s t r y,a nd Phar mac ybr anc he swi t he l e c t r oni cme di c a lbooks ,s c i e nt i f i cj our nal sa ndot he rt e ac hi ngand di dac t i cmat e r i al st hatar ee qua lt ot hatofpe e r sofme di c als c hool st hr oug houtEur opeand t heWe s t e r nwor l d; 5)De ve l opi ng,popul ar i z i ng,andi nt e g r at i ngt e l e me di c i nea ppl i c at i onswi t hs pe c i ala t t e nt i ont o t hemos tr e mot ear e asoft hec ount r y; 6)I nt e gr a t i nghe a l t hor gani z at i ons ,hos pi t al sa ndme di c a ls c hooli nKos ovawi t ht e l e me di c i ne whi c hwi l li nt e gr at et hec l i ni c a lc ur r i c ul um oft heMe di c a lFa c ul t yofUni ve r s i t yof Pr i s ht i nai nKos ova; 7 )De ve l opi ng,c onduc t i ngands uppor t i ngr e s e ar c hpr ot oc ol snotonl yi nt het e l e me di c i nea r e a , buta l s oi not he rc l i ni c alf i e l ds ,i nor de rt ot e s ta ndobt ai ne vi de nc eba s e dme di c i ne . 8 )Pe r f or mi ngout c omeanal ys i soft e l e me di c i neappl i c at i onsi nKos ov aandde v e l opi ngne w t ool sa ndme anst opr ovi det e l e me di c i neandv i r t ua lme di c a le duc a t i on,andf i na l l yby 9)Cr e at i ngawe bpor t ala ndpr ovi di ngl i nkst ot hee xi s t i ngwe bba s e de duc a t i ona lpr ogr a ms i noneor g ani z e ds t op. Bas i cRes our ce sandReq ui r e ment s Phi l os ophyofal li nc l us i vepr og r am Te l e me di c i neandi nf or ma t i ont e c hnol ogyov e r al li sbe i ngi nt r oduc e di nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s orc ount r i e si nt r ans i t i onasame as ur e me ntt oi mpr ov ehe a l t hs ys t e ms ,butmor es ot oi mpr ov e me di c ale duc at i onandnar r ow t hega pbe t we e nt hos ewhohav ea ndha v enot . Thi si s ac hi e ve dt hr ought hee f f or t st oi nc r e a s eme di c alt e c hnol og ys t andar ds . Thi swa sac a s ewi t h Kos ovaaswe l l ,buti naddi t i ont ot hi snobl ec aus ei twa ss e tupt os e r veast hec e nt e rf or e xc e l l e nc ei nTe l e me di c i neandt e c hnol ogyi nt heBal ka ns . . Howe v e r ,t he r ear es i gni f i c a nt f a c t or st ha ti nf l ue nc es uc hane nde avour ,a ndi nc a s eofKos ov aar eve r yf av or abl e . Onec a n s ummar i z et hepr oj e c toft e l e me di c i nei nKos ova,t hati naddi t i ont ot e l e me di c i nei twa st aki ng ont hec r e at i onoft hee l e c t r oni cme di c all i br a r ya ndt hee l e c t r oni cl a bor a t or i e st ha twe r e mi s s i ngorwe r ede s t r oye df ort heonl yme di c als c hooli nt hec ount r y,whe r ebookst hat s t ude nt swe r el e ar ni ngme di c i newe r eol de rt ha nt hes t ude nt st he ms e l ve s ! Whe nani ns t i t ut i onorac ount r yde c i de st oi mpl e me nts uc hpr og r amst he r ear et woopt i ons: one ,t os t ar twi t has mal lpi l otpr ogr am,a ndt hanhav et hegov e r nme nt alof f i c i al sbyi nt oi t , i nve s t ,anddi s s e mi na t et oot he rs i t e s ,andt heot he ronei st os t ar twi t har obus tpr ogr am,a l l i nc l us i v e ,s t at eoft hear tc e nt e ra ndc r e at eave r yde di c a t e dpe r s onne la ndat e am t hatwi l lt a ke onane nor moust as k. I nc as eof Ko s o v awec hoo s et hel at e rop t i on. Fac i l i t y TheTCK i sl oc at e datt heUCCK i nPr i s ht i na .I thasa ppr oxi ma t e l y1 , 000m2andi nc l ude s e l e c t r oni caudi t or i um orwhatwec al li tc l a s s r oom oft hef ut ur e ,at e l e me di c i net r ai ni ngr oom, t e c hnol og yl a bor at or i e s ,c omput e r s ,c onne c t i v i t y,vi de oe qui pme nt ,v i de os t r e ami ng ,s e r ve r s , r e s our c er oom a ndane l e c t r oni cl i br a r y( Fi g. 1 ) . Al le qui pme nti ss t a t e of t he a r t ,hasbe e n s e l e c t e df orc ompat i bi l i t y,i nt e r ope r abi l i t y,a ndov e r al le f f e c t i v e ne s sa ndwi l le ns ur e 20 3 s us t ai nabi l i t y. Thee l e c t r oni cl i br ar yand r e s our c er oom of f e r si ns t r uc t i onalmodul e swi t h var i ouse l e c t r oni cbooksa nds c i e nt i f i cj our na l s t hr oughdi f f e r e ntwor l dwi depr ogr amsa ndot he r publ i s hi ngc ompani e sa ndr e s our c e s .I ti sope n /365day 2 4hour s saye arandi swi de l yus e dby phys i c i ans ,me di c als t ude nt s ,nur s e sa ndot he r e he al t hpr of e s s i onal s . I nt e r nat i onalc ol l abor at i on Asf ora nyot he ri ns t i t ut i onf r om a nyde v e l opi ng c ount r i e s ,i nt e r nat i onalc oope r at i ona Fi g. 1 Le ar ni ngandRe s our c eRoom at nd TCK c ol l abor at i oni smandat or yf ors uc c e s s f ul de ve l opme nt . Dur i ngt he s et hr e eye ar sTCK ha s c ol l abor at e dwi t hmor et han20uni ve r s i t i e sa ndi ns t i t ut i ons ,publ i s hi ngc ompani e sa ndot he r s t ohe l pe nr i c hi t sa c t i vi t i e sandknowl e dge . Thi ss uc c e s s f uli nt e r nat i ona lc oope r a t i onha sbe e n i nt hef or m ofe duc at i onalpr ogr ams ,vi de oc onf e r e nc e sa nds e mi nar s ,l e c t ur e s ,c ons ul t at i onand ot he rf or msofmut ua lc ol l abor at i onwi t hEur ope ana ndUni t e dSt a t e suni ve r s i t i e sa nd uni ve r s i t i e sf r om ot he rc ount r i e s . Thi sa c t i v i t ya ndpa r t ne r s hi pi sbe i ngc oor di nat e di nt oa c ohe r e nts c he dul eofy e arr oundt e ac hi ng ,c ur r i c ul um. Thec ons ul t at i onsbe t we e nt heWe s t e r nuni ve r s i t i e sa ndTCK,a nd( s oon)ot he rr e gi onal hos pi t al si nKos ovaar ec onduc t e dl i veus i ngI Ppr ot oc ol sorI SDN mode ,ors t or ea nd f or wa r dmode ,whe nappl i c abl e . Thi sa c t i v i t yi se nr i c hi ngt hee xpe r t i s ea nds ubs e que nt l y i mpr ov i ngme di c alc ar ef ort hepe opl eofKos ova ,e s pe c i a l l yi nf i e l dsl ac ki ngi ne x pe r t i s e . Manag e me nt TPK a ndTCK i sbe i ngmanage dbyKos ovardoc t or s ,e ng i ne e r s ,nur s e sa ndot he r swhoha ve be c omee f f e c t i vepar t ne r si nwor l dofg l obalTe l e me di c i ne . Thet e c hni c a lt r a i ni ngi sbe i ng c oor di nat e dbyt heTCK a ndKos ovaFoundat i onf orMe di c a lDe ve l opme nta ndi st a ki ng pl ac ei npa r ti nf or malt r ai ni ngs e s s i onsi nKos ov a,t heUni t e dSt a t e s ,Eur ope ,andi nand ot he rc ount r i e s . Muc hmor et r ai ni ngwi l lbedoneons i t et opr e pa r et hes t ude nt s ,phy s i c i a ns andadmi ni s t r at or st ous et hee qui pme nti nor de rt oma ket het e c hnol ogyast r ans par e ntand us e rf r i e ndl yaspos s i bl e . Toe ns ur es us t ai na bi l i t yoft hi spr oj e c t ,ape r ma ne ntpar tofme di c a l de v e l opme nt ,ac adr eofpr of e s s i onal sf ul l yc onv e r s a nti nt het e c hnol ogyi sbe i ngc r e a t e di n or de rt os uppor tt hephys i c i ans ,s t ude nt s ,andot he re he al t hwor ke r s . The s ehi g hl ys ki l l e d pe r s onne lhavebe c omeani nt e g r alpar toft hel ogi s t i c sofpr oj e c tma na g e me nt . TheTCK hasc r e at e di t sownVi r t ualPr i vat eNe t wo r k( VPN) ,andLocalAr e aNe t wo r k ( LAN) . A Te l e c om ofKos ovahasi ns t a l l e dt heI SDN l i ne s ,t hehi ghe s te xi s t i ngqua l i t y t hr oughoutUCCK f ort hene e dsoft heTCK ne t wor k. Ac t i v i t i e s Thee s t abl i s hme ntoft e l e me di c i nepr ot oc ol s ,c ons ul t a t i onpol i c i e s ,s e c ondopi ni onsand de ve l opme ntofot he rmode sofc ol l abor at i onwi t hi nt hec e nt r e ,andbe t we e nt heUCCK a nd ot he rr e gi onalme di c a lc e nt e r si nKos ov ai nt hef i e l dsofde r mat ol og y,pat hol og y,f ami l y pr ac t i c e ,ENT,opht hal mol ogy,s ur ge r y,i nt e r nalme di c i ne ,c ar di ol og y,a ndde nt i s t r yhav ebe e n ac c ompl i s he d. A dat abas eofa l lc l i ni c a lac t i vi t i e sha sbe e nc r e at e d. Thi sVPN,e xt e nde dt ot heope r a t i ngs ui t e st hr oughoutt heUCCK,i spr ov i di ngabi l i t i e sf or l i vebr oadc as t i ngofge ne r als ur ge r ypr oc e dur e s ,e ndos c opi cpr oc e dur e sa swe l la sde nt al 20 4 s ur gi c ala ndi sof f e r i ngt e l e s ur gi c alt r ai ni ngandme nt or i ngt oawi de ra udi e nc eofl oc al s ur ge ons . Li veandi nt e r ac t i vet e l e c onf e r e nc e sf r om t heope r a t i ngr oomsa r et r ans mi t t e dt oa l ar ge raudi e nc ei noneormor ec l as s r ooms ,i ns t e a dofl ar g eg r oupsofs t ude nt sc r owdi ngi nt o ope r at i ngr ooms . Thi sa l s oaddss i gni f i c a nt l yt ot hee xpos ur eofme di c als t ude nt st oc l i ni c a l e duc at i on. Thi sa ppr oa c hwi l lbeus e df orot he rc l i ni c a ldi s c i pl i ne s ,s uc hasr adi ol ogy , de r mat ol ogy ,i nf e c t i ousdi s e as e ,c ar di ol og y,pat hol og y,ps yc hi at r y ,pe di a t r i c sa ndot he r s . Aspar tofPr i s ht i naSumme rUni ve r s i t y( 2 0 04)( 36me di c a l ,de nt a l ,phar ma c y,e ng i ne e r i ng ,and bus i ne s ss t ude nt sofUni ve r s i t yofPr i s ht i naf i ni s he ds uc c e s s f ul l yat hr e ewe e ksi nt e ns i v e t e l e me di c i nec our s e:Te l e me di c i nea ndt e l e he al t hi nmode r nme di c a lc ar e. Thi sc our s e of f e r e ds t at eoft hear tt e l e he al t he duc a t i ona ndhandsonknowl e dgeoft hee qui pme ntus e di n t e l e me di c i ne . The s egr aduat e ds t ude nt sr e pr e s e ntapowe r f ulba s eofc adr et os uppor ta nd a dvanc et e l e me di c i nei nt hi sc ount r yande ns ur es us t a i na bi l i t yoft e l e me di c i nepr ogr a m. Fur t he r mor e ,t hi sr e pr e s e ntagoodbas ef oraone ye a rf e l l ows hi ponTe l e me di c i nea nde he a l t h t ha ti sbe i ngde ve l ope datt heTCK i nc ol l abor at i onwi t hr e nowne dt e l e me di c i nepr og r a msi n t heUSA,andwhi c hwi l le ns ur ec ont i nuat i onoft e l e me di c i nei nKos ova,andc r e a t i onoft he s us t a i nabl ea ndc ont i nuouse xpe r t i s e . TheLe a r ni ngCe nt e re nc ompas s e st hel at e s ti ni ma g epr oj e c t i onss ys t e ms ,i nt e r ac t i ve c a pabi l i t i e sa nddi agnos t i ct ool s . Thi sc e nt e rha st hec a pa bi l i t yt oe f f e c t i v e l ye nc ompas s ,s t or e andde l i ve re duc a t i onalc ont e ntwi t hi nt heUCCK,r e gi onalhos pi t al sa ndt hewor l d. Cur r e nt s y s t e mswi t hi nt hef a c i l i t ya l l ow f ora c qui s i t i on,e di t i ng ,s t or a gea nds t r e a mi ngofe duc a t i ona l modul e sc r e at e dbyt hes t af foft heTCK a ndi t sc ol l abor at or s . El e c t r oni cl i br ar y Thef ac ul t yandt hes t ude nt sofUCCK hav edi r e c ta ndunr e s t r i c t e da c c e s st omor et han2 , 1 00 e l e c t r oni cj our nal s ,aspar tofHI NARIpr ogr am,t hel a t e s tme di c a lpubl i c at i onsa ndbooks ,i n t heEngl i s hl a ng uag et hr ought hes t at e of t he ar te l e c t r oni cme di c all i br a r yatTCK. Mor e t han22, 000vi s i t sbydoc t or s ,s t ude nt s ,nur s e sa ndot he rhe al t hc ar epr ovi de r shavebe e n r e g i s t e r e di nt hee l e c t r oni cl i br a r ys i nc eJ anua r yof2 00 3. Thr oughdi r e c tr e l at i ons hi pswi t h publ i s he r sweha vee ns ur e dunr e s t r i c t i veac c e s st ot he i rpubl i c at i onss uc hasLande sBi os c i e nc e publ i s he r( Aus t i n,Te xas ) . Phas e sofDe v e l opme ntandI mpl e me nt at i onofaTe l e me di c i neofKos ov a: Phas eI Thef i r s ty e arorPhas eI ,hasc omet oane nda ndhasi nvol v e dc r e a t i onoft heTe l e me di c i ne Ce nt e rofKos ovai nPr i s ht i naast hepor t a lt ha te ns ur e st e l e c ommuni c at i onswi t hal lc l i ni c s andi ns t i t ut e swi t hi nUCCK. Att hes a met i me ,pr e pa r at i onsar eunde r wa yt oc r e at eni ne ot he rt e l e me di c i nec e nt e r si nKos ov a. Phas eI I I nt hes e c ondye arorPhas e2oft hepr oj e c twi l li nt e gr a t et heni ner e g i onalt e l e me di c i ne c e nt e r si nKos ov ai nGj i l an,Fe r i z a j ,Pr i z r e n,Gj a kov 썥 e ,Pe j 썥 e ,Mi t r ovi c 썥 e ,Ske nde r aja ndt woi n Pr i s ht i na( Fi g. 2) . The s eni nec e nt e r si nKos ovawi l lma kea r r a nge me ntf or ,ande ns ur et her e gi onalhe al t hhous e s andme di c alpr ac t i c e swi l lbei nc l ude di nt het e l e me di c i nene t wor kont het hi r dpha s eoft he pr oj e c t . The i rl oc ala ndr e gi onalpr ogr a mswi l le ns ur et hatpr ope re duc a t i oni spr ov i de df or t hos ec e nt e r sa ndi ndi vi dual sandmakec e r t ai npr ope rl e ade r s hi pi si npl a c ei npr e pa r a t i onf or t hei mpl e me nt at i onoft het hi r dphas e . 20 5 Fi g. 2 Phas eI I I I nt het hi r dye arofPhas eI I I ,t hehe al t hs ys t e m ofKos ov awi l lbef ul l yi nt e gr at e dby i nf or mat i on,ani ns t r uc t i onala ndc ons ul t a t i ves y s t e m,a nds uppor t e dbyade di c a t e dne t wor kof t e l e c ommuni c at i ons . Thi swi l li nc l udet ot a la c c e s st oTe l e me di c i nes ys t e mi nKos ov af r om e ve r yhos pi t al ,he al t hhous eandpr i vat eme di c alpr ac t i c ei nt hec ount r y . The s ewi l lbe s uppor t e dbyI P/I SDN orbywi r e l e s st e c hnol og y. Co ncl us i on Thet e l e me di c i nepr oj e c tofKos ovai swi t houtadoubtoneoft hemos tdr a mat i ce x ampl e sof t heus eoft e c hnol ogyi nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e si na nat t e mptt oi mpr ovet hehe a l t hs t a t usofi t s pe opl e . TheTPK hasbe e ne nt hus i as t i c a l l yac c e pt e da nda dopt e di nKos ovaast hec at al ys tof i nf or mat i ont e c hnol og yandc hang ea nda ss uc hhasbe c omet heBal ka nsCe nt e rofExc e l l e nc e f orTe l e me di c i ne ,Te l e he al t handTe l e s ur ge r y. Sugges t edRe ad i ng s: 1)Ha me lG.Le adi ngt her e v ol ut i on. Har var dBus i ne s sSc hoolPr e s s ,2 00 0. 2)Lat i f iR.Es t abl i s hi ngTe l e me di c i nei nThi r dWor l dCount r i e s: Kos ov aasa ne x ampl e . -9 EurJMe dRe s2 002( 7)SupplI1 6:4 3 . 3 )Fe r r e r aRoc aO,Sos aI udi c i s s a. HandbookofTe l e me di c i ne . Ams t e r da m,I OSPr e s s ,1 9 98 . 4 )Me r r e l lR.Sur g e r yi nt he21s tCe nt ur y . Ne w Sur ge r y200 1; 1: 69. 5 )Wi l l i a msTL,Ma yCR a ndEs ma i lA.Li mi t a t i onsofPa t i e ntSa t i s f a c t i onSt udi e si n Te l e he al t h:A s ys t e mat i cRe vi e w ofLi t e r at ur e . Te l e me di c i neJ our nalande He a l t h. 2 00 1;7: 29 3-316. / 6)Kr upi ns kiE,Ny pa ve rM,Por opat i c hR e ta l . Cl i ni c a lAppl i c at i onsi nTe l e me di c i ne -34 He al t h2 00 2; 8: 1 3 . Te l e he al t h. Te l e me di c i neJ our nala nde 20 6 7 )Lat i f iR,Muj aSh,Be kt e s hiF,Re i ni c keM.Te l e me di c i neCe nt r eofKos ov aand I nt e r nat i onalVi r t uale Hos pi t alofKos ovaatt hee ndofFi r s tPhas eofDe v e l opme ntof de ve l opme nt:A he adoft hegame . 8t hAnnua lMe e t i ngofI nt e r nat i ona lSoc i e t yf or -17 Te l e me di c i ne ,Tr oms o,Nor wa y ,Se pt e mbe r1 4 ,200 3 . 8)Lat i f iR,I ns t e adofPr ol og ue . Es t abl i s hi ngTe l e me di c i nei nt heBa l kans:Fr om Be r l i nt o Pr i s ht i navi aMa r s― A Pe r s onalJ our ne y,Es t a bl i s hi ngTe l e me di c i nei nDe v e l opi ng Count r i e s:Fr om I nc e pt i ont oI mpl e me nt a t i on,I OSPr e s s ,2 0 04. 20 7 13 Lat v i a46 Tel er adi ol ogyPr oj ect TheRe publ i cofLat vi ai ss i t uat adi nNor t he r nEur ope andhasbor de r swi t hEs t oni at ot henor t h,Li t huani at o t hes out handRus s i aandBe l ar ust ot hee a s t .I nt he we s tLat vi as har e samar i t i mebor de rwi t hSwe de n. Lat vi ahasat ot alar eof64, 58 9km2andpopul a t i onof 2, 302, 700. Thec api t a lofLat vi a,Ri gai st hel a r g e s t c i t yi nt heBa l t i cSt at e s . Fi g. 1 Lat vi a I tsa namaz i ngi nv e nt i on,butwhowoul de v e rwantt ous eone ? Rut he r f or dHa y e s( i n 1882) ,uponus i ngt het e l e phonef ort hef i r s tt i me . Te l e r adi ol ogyi snota ppr opr i at ei ft heav a i l abl et e l e r a di ol og ys ys t e m doe snotpr ov i dei mag e s ofs uf f i c i e ntqual i t yt ope r f or mt hei ndi c at e dt as k. Whe nat e l e r a di ol og ys y s t e mi sus e dt o pr oduc et heof f i c i ali nt e r pr e t at i ont he r es houl dnotbeac l i ni c a l l ys i gni f i c a ntl os sofs pa t i alor c ont r as tr e s ol ut i onf r om i mageac qui s i t i ont hr oug ht r ans mi s s i ont of i nali magedi s pl a y. Thi s i sonl ypa r tofr e c omme nda t i onsf ordi g i t alr a di og r aphyde v e l ope dbyAme r i c a nCol l e geof Ra di ol ogy( ACR) . Noonedoubtt hatPACSbe ne f i t sa r enume r ous . Someoft he m ar e : ・I mme di at eavai l abi l i t yofdupl i c at eor i gi na li ma ge s Thes y s t e mc a ni mme di at e l ypr oduc ea n e xac tdupl i c a t eoft hei ma g ewi t houtl os sofi mag ede f i ni t i ont ha tr e s ul t swi t hf i l m. ・Abi l i t yt oadj us ti magec ont r as ta ndot he rpa r ame t e r s I mag ec ont r a s tc a nbeadj us t e d e s s e nt i al l ye l i mi na t i ngt hepr obl e msofi ma ge sbe i ng t ool i ght or t oodar k. I na ddi t i on, i mage sc a nbemag ni f i e d,r ot at e dandf l i ppe d,me a s ur e me nt sc a nbemadea ndt hei mag e sc a n beannot a t e dasne e de d. ・I nc r e as e dqual i t yofpat i e ntc a r e Thes ys t e ma ut omat i c a l l ye nt e r spat i e ntde mog r a phi cand e xam s pe c i f i cdat aone ve r yi mag e ,a ndal l owsi ns t a nta c c e s st os pe c i f i ci mag e s . The c omput e r i z e dr e c or dswi l lbes e c ur e l yar c hi ve donahos pi t als e r v e r . Uponr e que s t ,t he pa t i e nt si mage sc anbec opi e dt oaCD t og i vet ot he i rPCP. ・I mpr ove dc ommuni c at i on-Ones i gni f i c a nta dva nt ag ei st hePACSal l owsr a di ol ogi s t st ot y pe i ns hor tr e por t st hatar es t or e ddi gi t a l l yandwi l ls t aywi t ht hei mage s ,s a i dRobe r t Pos t e r ar o,M. D,r a di ol ogi s tons t af fa tCov e na nt . Thi swi l lc e r t a i nl yi mpr ove c ommuni c a t i onbe t we e nphys i c i ans ,whi c hc a nl e adt obe t t e rc ar ef orourpa t i e nt s . ・Compl e t ei magemana ge me nt Ra di ol og ys t af fwi l lnol onge rbec onc e r ne dwi t ht r ac ki ng downf i l e sa ndt r av e l l i ngt omul t i pl es t or a gear e a st or e t r i e veol df i l ms .I mag e swi l lbe a c c e s s i bl eatal lt i me sa ndi ns t ant ane ous l yr e t r i e v abl e Ha vi ngi nmi ndt heaboveme nt i one d,Ri gaMuni c i pa lAge nc y Te l e me di c i neCe nt r e wa s c r e at e d. I tsi nt i ma t egoal sa r e : ・De ve l opme ntandc oor di nat i onoft e l e me di c i nede v e l opme ntpr oj e c t si nt heCi t yofRi g a 4 6 @r E.St umbr i s ,MD,Ri g aMuni c i palAg e nc y Te l e me di c i neCe nt r e,Ri g a ,La t vi aEg i l s . St umbr aSt umbe r gs i g a . < l v g aMuni c i palAg e nc y Te l e me di c i neCe nt r e,Ri g a ,La t v i a Z.Ba i de kal na ,Ri I .Eg l a j s ,Lat vi anDe ve l opme ntI ns t i t ut e ,Ri ga ,Lat vi a B.Pur e ,La t v i a nDe v e l opme ntI ns t i t ut e ,Ri g a ,La t v i a W.Ul l r i c h,PhD,Eur ope a nAc a de myofI nt e r di s c i pl i na r yMe di c i ne ,Be r l i n,Ge r ma ny B.Sl abbae r t ,Eur ope anAc ade myofI nt e r di s c i pl i na r yMe di c i ne ,Ut t wi l ,Swi t z e r l and 20 8 ・De ve l opme ntofas i ngl et e l e me di c i nene t wor ki nRi ga ・Or gani s at i onofpr ac t i c alt e l e me di c i nec ons ul t at i ons ・At heEU f i nanc i ngandot he ri nt e r na t i ona lf i nanc e st ot heCi t yofRi g a t r ac t i onoft ・TheAge nc yhasa l s oc r e a t e dt hemai nDi r e c t i onsoft heDe ve l opme ntofTe l e me di c i nei nt he Ci t yofRi ga,i . e . :t e l e r adi ol ogy ・Te l e c ar di ol ogy ・Pa t i e ntc ons ul t i ng ・Te l e me di c i nes ys t e mi ne me r ge nc yas s i s t a nc e ・Te l e me di c i neant i t e r r ors ys t e ms ・Homet e l e me di c i ne ・Te l e t r ai ni ng. Tel er adi ol ogyPr oj ec to fRi gaci t y Thi spr oj e c ti sde ve l ope daspar toft heac t i vi t i e sofRi g aMuni c i palAg e nc y Te l e me di c i ne Ce nt r e. Thepr oj e c thast ode ve l opt her adi ol og i c a li nf or ma t i ons y s t e m( RI S) ,t heme di c a l i magear c hi veandc ommuni c at i ons ys t e m( PACS)andavi de oc onf e r e nc es y s t e mf orRi gaCi t y me di c ali ns t i t ut i onst hatwoul de ns ur el i nki ngoft heme di c ali ns t i t ut i onst hr ought heI nt e r ne t a ndI SDN l i ne swi t hLat v i a nhos pi t al sa ndc ompe t e nc ec e nt r e soff or e i gnr adi ol ogi s t s . The de ve l opme ntoft hepr oj e c ti samus ta satpr e s e ntLat v i as uf f e r sf r om: ・De c r e as i ngnumbe rofqual i f i e dme di c ale xpe r t s ・Ne xt e r nalme di c ale xpe r t si nt r e at me ntpr oc e s s c e s s i t yofi nvol v i ngqual i f i e de ・Lac kofi nf or mat i one xc hangebe t we e nRi g ashos pi t a l s ・Thehos pi t a l sar epa r t l yr e adyf orope r at i onwi t hdi gi t a lf or mat( onl ypa r tofa ppa r at us e s hasDI COM out putopt i on) Te l e r adi ol ogyPr oj e c tBe ne f i t sa r e : ・Si gni f i c ant l yr e duc e dpat i e ntc ons ul t at i ont i me ・Subs t ant i al l ys hor t e rt i meofs e t t i ngdi ag nos i s ・Ear t ar t e dt he r apyoft hepat i e nt l i e rs ・Re duc e dpe r i odoft i mes pe ntbyt hepa t i e nti nahos pi t a l ・I mpr ove dge ne r alhe al t hc ondi t i onofr e s i de nt sofRi ga Tas ksofTe l e me di c i neCe nt r e ・Fi nanc i ngt e l e r adi ol ogypr oj e c tbyus i ngt heg r a nt ・At t r ac t i ngaddi t i onali nve s t me nt s ・Re nt i ngt het e l e r adi ol ogys ys t e mt ot hev ar i oushos pi t al s ・Ce ts e r v i c e nt r aldat as t or ageandt e c hni c als uppor I nc ompar i s onofma nyot he rpr oj e c t sa l lov e rt hewor l d,Ri gat e l e r adi ol og ypr oj e c twi l ls t ar t wi t hr e nt i ngt e l e r a di ol ogye qui pme nt . Adv ant a ge soft her e nt i ngs y s t e msa same t hodof pr oj e c ti mpl e me nt at i onar e : ・I mpl e me nt a t i ont hepr oj e c ti nt hemaxi mum numbe rofme di c ali ns t i t ut i ons ・I mpl e me ntt hepr oj e c tunde rt hes upe r v i s i onoft hei nvol v e dmuni c i pa lde par t me nt ・El i mi nat et heac t i vi t i e sr e l at e dt ot e c hni c a lmai nt e nanc eands e r v i c ef ort hehos pi t al ・f ac i l i t at et hee s t abl i s hme ntofTe l e me di c i neCe nt r e ,t ha twi l lpr ovi dec ommonda t as t or a g e andt e c hni c als uppor ts e r vi c e s Pr o j e c tI mpl e me nt at i onwi l lRe duc e pe r s onne lc os t s( r e duc eoft henumbe rofr a di ol ogyl abor at or ya s s i s t a nt s ) ma t e r i alc os t s( f i l mi mage s ) c os t sf ors t or i ngofdi g i t alda t ai nCDs 20 9 Fi g. 2 Dynami c sofRe duc e dCos t sorAl t e r na t i veI nc ome Cr e at e dbyt hePr oj e c tf oraSe v e nYe a rPe r i odf orone Hos pi t al Fi g. 3 Dynami c sofExpe ndi t ur eCr e a t e dbyt hePr oj e c tf orone t al Hos pi nami c sofNe tPr of i tCr e at e dbyt hePr oj e c tf orone Fi g. 4 Dy Hos pi t al 21 0 Ne c e s s ar yHos pi t alI nv e s t me nt s r e pai ra ndde ve l opme ntofpr e mi s e s f orpl ac e me ntoft e l e r adi ol ogy e qui pme nt onofI SDN l i ne i ns t a l l at i f i nanc i ali nve s t me ntt oc ov e rt he addi t i onalc os t si nf i r s tpr oj e c t i mpl e me nt a t i onphas e Te l e r adi ol og yPr o j e c tAddi t i onalCos t s addi t i onale x pe ndi t ur e sf ore l e c t r i c i t y de pr e c i at i onofc api t ala s s e t s e l e r a di ol ogy payme ntf orr e ntoft e qui pme nt dat at r ans f e rc os t sf ors ubs c r i pt i onof I SDN l i neandI NTERNET l i ne pur c has eofdat as t or agef l oppydi s ks Fi g. 5 Ri gac i t yt e l e r adi ol ogypr oj e c tf orhos pi t a l Ga i l e z e r s St e pbySt e pI mp l e me nt at i ono ft he Pr o j e c t t hei mage sf ul l ydupl i c at e dbyt he f i l mi mage s hal faye arpe r i od de c r e as edupl i c a t i onofi mage st o 50%oneye a r de c r e as edupl i c at i onofi mage st i l l 20%oneye ar about5 %us i ngf i l msf ort her e s tof t hes e ve nye arpe r i od TheI nc omeFr om t hePr o j e c t wi l ls t ar twi t ht hemome ntwhe nt he Fi g. 6 Ther e a l i t y di gi t ali mage swi l lbedupl i c at e dby f i l mi mage sonl yf or5 0% t hei ni t i ali nve s t me nt soft hehos pi t a lwi l lbej us t i f i e di n1 , 6ye ar s 21 1 14 Li t huani a47 Backgr ound Li t huani a( Fi g. 1)i st hel ar ge s ta ndmos tpopul ous oft heBal t i cSt at e sa ndhasa r ound100km ofs a ndy c oas t l i ne ,ofwhi c honl yabout3 8km f a c e st heope n Bal t i cSe a. I thasapopul at i onof3, 59 2, 56 1( J ul y 2005e s t . )a ndat ot ala r e aof65 , 200s qkm. Li t huani anexper i ence−A webbas eds ys t e mf o r s l eepd i s or der smanag ement Sl e e pc ompl ai nsar ec ommoni npopul at i ona f f e c t i ng [1 ]. I t he i rhe al t hs t at usandqual i t yofl i f e ns omni a amongs l e e pdi s or de r si se xt r e me l yc ommon, af f e c t i ngatl e as tonet hi r dofa dul t si nge ne r ala nd c r os s c ul t ur als t udi e s . About85pe r c e ntofpe r s ons wi t hs i gni f i c a nti ns omni ahav ene ve rc ons ul t e da [2]. Phys phys i c i anabouti t i c i ans ,e s pe c i al l yat Fi g. 1 Li t huani a pr i mar yc ar el e ve l ,ar enotpr ope r l yt r ai ne dt o di agnos eandt r e ats l e e pdi s or de r s .I n96pe r c e ntofc a s e sge ne r alpr ac t i t i one r sdi dnotas ka [3 ] pat i e ntons l e e pc ompl ai ns ,andt hei ni t i at i vef ordi s c us s i onsa r i s e sf r om t hepa t i e nt . Pr e s e nt l yi nLi t huani at he r ear eonl yf e we xpe r t spr ov i di ngt r e at me ntofs l e e pdi s or de r sa nd c ons ul t at i onst opat i e nt se nc ount e r e dt hes l e e ppr obl e ms . The r e f or eI nt e r ne tbas e dl e ar ni ng, di a gnos t i c ,andc ons ul t at i ont ool sr e l at e dt os l e e pdi s or de r sc anbee xpe c t e dt oha ves i g ni f i c a nt me di c a l ,s oc i ala nde c onomi ci mpl i c at i onf orpa t i e nt s ,f ami l i e sa ndhe a l t hc ar epr ovi de r s . Thegoaloft hes t udywa sde ve l opme ntofapubl i cWe bba s e ds ys t e mf ors l e e pdi s or de r s manage me nt:s pe c i al i z e ddi agnos t i c s ,t r e a t me ntr e gi me ns ,e duc at i onandc ons ul t a t i onswi t h phy s i c i a nons l e e pdi s or de r s ,ps yc hoe mot i ona ls t a t usa ndqua l i t yofl i f e . St r uc t ur eo fwe bbas edt o ol Thei mpl e me nt e dwe bbas e ds ys t e mi sbas e donc l i e nt s e r ve rar c hi t e c t ur e . Thes t r uc t ur eoft he We bbas e ds y s t e mi ss howni nFi g. 2and3 . Thes ys t e mc ons i s t sofanumbe rofc ompone nt s: s e r ve rs t or i ngdat abas eandc ont r ol l i ngmai ns ys t e msf unc t i onal i t i e s ,c l i e ntpr ovi di ngac c e s st o t hes e r v e r ,a ndt hene t wor kc onne c t i ngus e r swi t ht hes e r ve r . Sy s t e mc onf i gur at i oni ss e tup andt e s t e donaf ul l yc onf i g ur e dLi nux― bas e dwe b/ dat abas es e r v e rr unni ngi nt e r nat i ona l ope ns our c et e c hnol ogi e si nc l udi ngLi nuxope r a t i ons y s t e m,Apac hewe bs e r v e r ,PHPs c r i pt l anguage ,Oc t a vea ndMySQL dat abas e . Thes y s t e mi sr e qui r e dt opr oc e s sdat as uppl i e dby t heus e ri naf or m ofa ns we r st ot heque s t i onna i r e sr e l a t e dt ot hes l e e pofus e r s . Thea ns we r s a r ee val uat e d,ande val uat i onr e s ul t sa r evi s ual i z e d. Thes y s t e mg r ant saus e rapos s i bi l i t yt o c ons ul tas l e e pme di c i nee xpe r tvi at hei nt e r ne t ,andt ol e ar nabouts l e e pdi s e as e s . Thehi g h pe r f or manc eands ys t e mr e l i abi l i t yi sr e qui r e d. A We bbas e ds ys t e mi se as yt oma i nt a i nand guar ant e e sus e ra c c e s st ot hel at e s t ,mos tr e c e ntv e r s i ons . Thec l i e nt sc onne c tt ot heWe b s e r v e rus i ngWe bbr ows e r . Thewe bba s e ds y s t e mc ons i s t sofanumbe rofdi f f e r e ntmodul e s . 4 7 4 8 4 9 ・ 4 8 4 9 4 9 4 8 4 8 G.Va r one c ka s ,A.Zi l i ns kas ,A.Va r one c ka s ,A.Podl i ps ky t e ,A.Ma r t i nke na s @kt I ns t i t ut ePs y c hophy s i ol og yandRe ha bi l i t at i on,Pal ang a ,Li t huani a ,g i e dva r l . mi i . l t Vyt a ut asMag nusUni ve r s i t y,Ka una s ,Li t hua ni a 21 2 Fi g. 2 Cont e ntoft heWe bbas e ds y s t e m. Fi g. 3 We bbas e ds ys t e ms t r uc t ur ef ors l e e pdi s or de r smanag e me nt . Us e rsr e gi s t r at i onmodul es uppor t st wot y pe sofus e r s:nonr e gi s t e r e dandr e gi s t e r e d. The gi s t e r e dus e r sge ne r aldat a( na me ,s ur name ,da t eofbi r t h,e t c . )and s ys t e m dat abas ec ol l e c t sr e r e s ul t sofnumbe rofs e l fa s s e s s me ntt e s t s . Thewe bbas e de xpe r ts ys t e mc ont ai nss t a ndar dc ompone nt s: af ac tba s e ,ar ul eba s e ,a ndan i nf e r e nc eme c hani s m. Thef a c tbas eandt her ul ebas ef or mt heknowl e dgebas eoft hes y s t e m. Theknowl e dgebas ec ons i s t sofl i ngui s t i cI F. . .THEN. . .r ul e sa ndf ac t sa bouts l e e pdi s or de r s , s t or e di naMy SQL da t a ba s e . Thei nf e r e nc eme c ha ni s mi si mpl e me nt e dus i ngPHPs c r i pt s whi c hge ne r at edi a gnos i si naf or m ofpr obabi l i t i e sofpos s i bl eout c ome s . Thee x pl a nat or y s ys t e m pr e s e nt sa r gume nt si mpl yi ngt hemadedi ag nos i s . 21 3 Twot ype sofs e l fa s s e s s me ntque s t i onna i r e sa r eav ai l a bl e . Fi r s tt y peque s t i onna i r e s ( c ont ai ni ng25Que s ta nd175Que s t )c ol l e c tda t af orapr e l i mi nar ydi a g nos i spot e nt i al l y i ndi c at i ng6s l e e pdi s or de r smadebyane x pe r ts y s t e ma nds e c ondt y peque s t i onna i r e s( HAD, SF3 6andPSQI )a i mt oas s e s ss l e e pqua l i t yofaus e r . Se l fa s s e s s me ntmodul ei nc l ude svi s ual i z a t i ona l gor i t hm i mpl e me nt e di nOc t av e . Topas st he dat af r om t hewe bpaget ot hevi s ual i z at i onmodul eandt or e t ur nt her e s ul t s ,PHPs c r i pti s us e d. ThePHPs c r i ptpr oc e s s e sus e rsda t apr e s e nt e da st hea ns we r st oaque s t i onna i r eand s e ndst he mt ot heOc t avepr ogr am t ope r f or mv i s ua l i z at i onbyme ansoft heMul t i di me ns i onal s c al i ngal gor i t hm. The nge ne r at e dpi c t ur ei ss e ntt ot hepa t i e ntt os how hi ss t at uswi t hr e s pe c t t os t at usofot he rpat i e nt si nt het wodi me ns i ona ls c a l eofr i s ks . We bpag eoft hes ys t e mc ont a i nsl e a r ni ngmat e r i als uc ha se t e x t books ,f r e que nt l yas ke d que s t i ons ,r e c omme ndat i onsa bouts l e e pdi s e as et r e at me nt ,phys i c i a npa t i e ntdi al ogv i ae mai l , i nf or ma t i onabouts l e e pme di c i nee xpe r t si nLi t huani a . TheWe bpagedi s s e mi nat e st her e l e vanti nf or mat i on,a nda i dst hepe opl et os e l f a s s e s st he i r s l e e p. I nt hepr e s e ntpa pe rmai nat t e nt i oni spai dt ot hes ubs ys t e m ofs e l f a s s e s s me nt . De pe ndi ngont her e s ul t soft hes e l f as s e s s me ntt hepa t i e nt sa r et aughtt oi mpr ovet he i rs l e e p, a r eadvi s e dvi aI nt e r ne t ,andi nc as eofne c e s s i t yar ei nvi t e dt ov i s i ta ne xpe r tphy s i c i a n. Subs ys t em f ors el f as s es s me nt Ma nype opl ef e e lt hatt he i rs l e e pi snotpe r f e c t . Thef i r s ts t e pst owa r dss l e e pi mpr ov e me nt s houl dbel e ar ni ng,ands e l f as s e s s me nt . Ac t i v i t yofaus e rl og g e di nt hewe bba s e dt ooli s i l l us t r at e di nFi g. 4. A us e rl ogi nst ot hes ys t e ma ndhi sge ne r a ldat ai ss t or e di nt hes ys t e m dat abas e . Theus e rc anc hoos ee i t he rt oma keas e l fa s s e s s me ntt e s t sort or e ade t e xt books whi c hc ont ai ni nf or mat i onaboutva r i ouss l e e pdi s or de r s ,e duc a t i onalma t e r i alon phar mac ol ogi c alornonphar mac ol ogi c a ls l e e pdi s or de r st r e at me nt ,andf r e que nt l yas ke d que s t i ons . Weas s umet hataus e roft hewe bpag eha sr e adge ne r a li nf or ma t i ononba s i c f ac t or si nf l ue nc i ngt hes l e e pqual i t y,andha sc onc l ude dt hathi ss l e e pi mpr ove me nti sa am. Fi g. 4 Us e ra c t i v i t ydi agr 21 4 s uf f i c i e nt l ys e r i oushe al t hpr obl e m. Toa i dt heus e rt os e l f as s e s shi she al t hs t a t e ,hei sa s ke d t oans we raque s t i onnai r ec ont ai ni ng25que s t i ons . Theda t ae l i c i t e df r om ans we r si s vi s ual i z e ds howi ngt hepoi ntc or r e s pondi ngt ot hedat eoft heus e ri nt het wodi me ns i ona ls c a l e ofr i s kse xpl ai ne dbe l ow. Theans we r sa r epr oc e s s e da l s obyane xpe r ts ys t e m. I ft heus e r woul dbeas s e s s e dashe al t hy,hewoul dbegi ve ns omea dv i c e show t oi mpr ovehi ss l e e p. The ans we r sc ani mpl yac onc l us i onont hef ol l owi ngpos s i bl es l e e pdi s or de r s:I ns omni a,Sl e e p apne as yndr ome ,Re s t l e s sl e gs y ndr ome ,Gas t r oe s opha g e alr e f l ux,Hy pe r s omni aandNar c ol e ps y . I nt hi sc as et heus e ri sas ke dt oans we rt hemor ee x t e ns i veque s t i onna i r ec ont ai ni ng175 que s t i ons . Thea ns we r si mpl yas s e s s me ntoft hehe a l t hs t at us . Ther e s ul t sa g ai nar e vi s ual i z e dands hownt ot heus e ri nt het wodi me ns i ona ls c a l eofr i s ks ,a ndanadv i c ei sg i v e n, e . g.t oc ont a c tane xpe r tvi ae mai l . Be f or eav i s i tt ophys i c i ant hepat i e nti sa dv i s e dt o s e l f t e s thi squal i t yofs l e e p,t hepr e s e nc eoft hes ympt omsofa nxi e t yandde pr e s s i on,andt o as s e s st hequal i t yofl i f e . Thewe bpag et e ac he st hepat i e ntt ounde r s t andhi she a l t hpr obl e ms andhe al t hs t a t us ,a swe l lashe l psaphy s i c i a nt os a vet het i meont hedi ag nos t i c s . Sl e e pqual i t yc ompl ai nsa r epar t i c ul a r l yr e l e va ntt ome nt ali l l ne s s . Thef ac t or sr e l a t i ngt o a nx i e t yandde pr e s s i onar eoneoft hemos tc onc omi t ant sofs l e e pc ompl a i nsi nge ne r a l popul at i on. Be c a us eoft hatt heHos pi t a lAnxi e t yandDe pr e s s i onSc a l e( HADS)wa sc hos e n [4]. Theg f ora s s e s s me ntoft hos es ympt oms l oba ls c or ee v al uat e st hel e ve lofpr e s e nc eoft he s ympt omsofa nx i e t y,de pr e s s i on,orbot h,a nxi e t yandde pr e s s i on. TheMe di c a lOut c ome sSt udy36I t e m Shor tFor m He a l t hSur ve y( SF36 )wa sus e dt oqua nt i f y [5] ge ne r alhe al t hr e l at e dqual i t yofl i f e . Themul t i i t e ms c al e soft heSF3 6me as ur ee v e n he a l t hr e l a t e dc onc e pt s:phy s i c a lf unc t i oni ng ,r ol el i mi t at i onsa sar e s ul tofphy s i c a lhe al t h pr obl e ms ,bodi l ypai n,ge ne r alhe al t hpe r c e pt i ons ,v i t a l i t y,s oc i a lf unc t i oni ng ,a ndr ol e l i mi t at i onsc aus e dbye mot i ona lhe al t hpr obl e msa ndge ne r alme nt a lhe al t h. Al ldi me ns i ons r e f l e c tphys i c alandme nt a ls umma r yme a s ur e s . A pat i e nts ubmi t si nf or mat i ononhi she al t hpr obl e msa ns we r i ngt heque s t i onnai r e sme nt i one d above:PSQI ,HADS,SF3 6. Theus e rsdat aar epr oc e s s e dbyme ansofaMul t i di me ns i ona l Sc a l i ngal gor i t hm,a ndt her e s ul t sar epr e s e nt e dt ot heus e ri nav i s ual i s e df or m. A poi nt c or r e s pondi ngt ot hedat aoft heus e ri ss howni nat wodi me ns i onals c a l eofdi f f e r e ntr i s ks . Anadvi c ei sg i ve nc or r e s pondi ngt ot her e s ul t soft hes e l f a s s e s s me nt . Thes c a l eofr i s ksi s us e dt omoni t ort het r e at me ntpr og r e s s . Wewi l li l l us t r at et hevi s ual i z a t i onoft her e s ul t sofs e l f a s s e s s me ntbyane xampl eof [3] s e l f as s e s s me ntofs l e e pqual i t yac c or di ngt ot hePi t t s bur ghSl e e pQua l i t yI nde x . Theba s i s f ors e l f a s s e s s me nti st hec ompar i s onoft hea ns we r soft heus e rwi t ht hea ns we r soft hepa t i e nt s i ndat aba s i soft heSl e e pMe di c i neCe nt r eoft heI ns t i t ut eofPs y c hophy s i ol og yand Re habi l i t at i on,c ont ai ni ngt hedat aons l e e pqual i t yof3 5 0pa t i e nt s . Thedi agnos e sofpa t i e nt s i nt hedat abas i sar eknown. Thet wodi me ns i onals c al eofr i s ksi sf or me dbyme a nsofa [6,7]. Thei mul t i di me ns i ona ls c a l i ngt e c hni que( MDS) ma geobt a i ne dbyme a nsofMDSi s us e dt ovi s ual i z et heda t aba s i s . Le tusbr i e f l yi nt r oduc et hei de aofMDS. Thea ns we r sofk =1, pat i e nt st onque s t i onsofaque s t i onnai r ea r ede not e dbyndi me ns i onalv e c t or sXi,i . . . , k, = = 1, n) xi Xi ( . . . , xi ,i . e .t hes e tXi,i 1, . . . , k,c or r e s pondst ot heda t aba s i sofpa t i e nt swhos e di agnos e sa r eknown. Thei de aofMDSi st oma pas e tofndi me ns i ona lv e c t or st oat wo di me ns i onalpl anepr e s e r vi ngasmuc haspos s i bl et hemut ualdi s t a nc e sbe t we e nve c t or s . Ma t he ma t i c a l l yt hi spr obl e mc a nbef or mul at e dasmi ni mi z a t i onof k k 2 ∑=1 di Z −δ X s t r e s s=∑ j i j i =1 j =i de = = j j ,δi ,and not e sa wi t hr e s pe c tt oZ=( Z1, . . . , Zk) ,whe r edi ( Z) Zi−Zi ( X) Xi−Xi nor mi nt hendi me ns i onals pac eandi nt het wodi me ns i onals pa c ec or r e s pondi ngl y. The 21 5 Fi g. 5 Vi s ual i z at i onofdat aonps y c hoe mot i onals t at usas s e s s me ntus i ngPi t t s bur ghSl e e p Qua l i t yI nde x . Not et hatt hepoi nt sr e pr e s e nt i ngpat i e nt ss l e e pqual i t yappe aras * +,f f ol l ows:x ,v e r ybad; ai r l ybad; ,f a i r l ygood;o,ve r ygood. mi ni mi z at i onpr obl e mi ss ol ve dbyahy br i da l g or i t hm c ombi ni nge vol ut i ona r yg l oba ls e a r c h [ ] a ndl oc alde s c e nt 8. Thet wodi me ns i onalv e c t or sZic or r e s pondi ngt omi ni mum poi ntof s t r e s sar ei mage sofdat ave c t or si nt hedat aba s i s . Theda t abas i si sv i s ua l i z e dbyme ansof t heFi g. 5whe r eZiar es hownbypoi nt s . Thepa t i e nt sa r ec l a s s i f i e di nt of ourr i s kgr oupsa nd t he s egr oupsc anbei ndi c at e d,f ore xampl e ,pr e s e nt i ngdi f f e r e ntg r oupsofZibydi f f e r e nt c ol or s . Now wewa ntt os how i nt hi st wodi me ns i ona ls c al eapoi ntc or r e s pondi ngt ot he ans we r soft heus e r . Mat he mat i c al l yt hi spr obl e mc a nbef or mul at e dasami ni mi z a t i on pr obl e m. Le tY i sa nndi me ns i onalv e c t orc or r e s pondi ngt ot heans we r soft heus e r . At wo di me ns i onalv e c t orV i sc al c ul at e dwhos edi s t a nc e sf r om Ziar easmuc ha spos s i bl es i mi l a rt o t hedi s t a nc e sofY f r om Xi.I nFi g. 6a ne x ampl eofv i s ua l i z a t i onofPSQIdat aofaus e ri s pr e s e nt e d. Thene w poi ntr e pr e s e nt i ngda t aofne ws ubj e c ts howst hepos i t i onoft heus e rwi t h r e s pe c tt ot hepat i e nt si ndat abas i s;i tbe l ong st ot her i s kgr oupwi t hve r ybadqual i t yofs l e e p. Theus e rc ane s t i ma t eal s o,how hi sdat ai ss i mi l a rt ot hedat aofot he rr i s kgr oups . Co nc l us i o ns A We bba s e dt oolc ombi ni nge l e ar ni ngandt e l e me di c i net e c hni que si sus e f ult oe nha nc ei n Li t huani at hehe al t hc ar eofpat i e nt ss uf f e r i ngf r om s l e e pdi s or de r s . Vi s ual i z at i onbyme ansofmul t i di me ns i onals c a l i ngi mpr ove se x pl ana t or ypos s i bi l i t i e soft he e xpe r ts ys t e mf ora s s e s s me ntofs l e e pqua l i t y. Theonl i nevi s ual i z at i onofmul t i di me ns i ona ldat aus i ngMDSme t hodsa i dst hedi s c ove r yof s t r uc t ur alpr ope r t i e sofda t a; i na s muc hs uc ht wodi me ns i onalv i s ual i z a t i one xt e ndshuma n he ur i s t i cc apabi l i t i e st oanal yz emul t i di me ns i ona lobj e c t s . 21 6 Fi g. 6 Vi s ual i z a t i onofPSQIdat aofane w us e r . Re f er ences 1 .Wor l dwi dePr oj e c tonSl e e pa ndHe a l t h. Pr oj e c tOv e r wi e w.WHO. Di vi s i onofMe nt alHe al t ha ndpr e v e nt i on ofSubs t a nc eAbus ei nc ol l a bor at i onwi t hWor l dFe de r a t i onofSl e e pRe s e a r c hSoc i e t i e s .Ge ne v a.1 99 8 .WHO/ MSA/MND/ 9 8. 3 . i c i a nsI g nor i ngPa t i e ntsSl e e pPr obl e ms . 2 .Ra j putV. ,Br oml e y; Pr i ma r yCar ePhys nde x:A ne wi ns t r ume ntf or 3 .Buy s s eD.J . ,Re y nol dsI I IC.F. ,MonkT.H. ,e ta l . ThePi t t s bur ghs l e e pqua l i t yi ps y c hi a t r i cpr ac t i c ea ndr e s e a r c h. Ps y c hi at r yRe s e ar c h. 1 9 8 8,2 8,p. 1 93 21 3 . 4 .Zi gmondA.S. ,Snai t hR.P.TheHos pi t a lanxi e t yandde pr e s s i ons c al e . Ac t aPs y c hi at r .Sc a nd.19 83;6 7:3 6 1 37 0 . 5 .J e nki ns onC. ,La y t eR. ,Wr i ghtL. ,Coul t e rA.TheU.K.SF36: ana na l y s i sa ndi nt e r pr e t a t i onma nua l . A gui de t ohe a l t hs t at usme a s ur e me ntwi t hpar t i c ul arr e f e r e nc et ot heShor tFor m3 6he al t hs ur v e y . Uni v e r s i t yofOxf or d, 19 9 6.6 5p. w Yor k: Spr i ng e r Ve r l a g; 1 99 7 . 6 .Bor gI ,Gr oe ne nP.Mode r nMul t i di me ns i onalSc a l i ng. Ne / 7 .CoxTF,CoxMAA. Mul t i di me ns i ona lSc a l i ng . Chapma n& Ha l l CRC; 2 00 1 . l i ns ka sA. OnGl obalOpt i mi z a t i oni nTwoDi me ns i onalSc al i ng ,Ac t aApl i c anda eMa t he ma t i c ae 8 .Ma t ha rR,Zi 19 9 3;3 3:1 09 11 8 . 썖 21 7 5 0 15 Mal i Backgr ound Ma l ii ss i t uat e dWe s t e r nAf r i c a,s out hwe s tofAl ge r i a. I thasat ot ala r e aof1 . 24mi l l i ons qkm a nd popul at i onof1 2, 291, 529( J ul y20 05e s t . ) .I tg a i ne di t s i nde pe nde nc ef r om Fr anc ei n1960. I nt r oduct i on Te l e me di c i net ool se nabl et hec ommuni c at i ona nd s har i ngofme di c ali nf or mat i oni ne l e c t r oni cf or m,a nd t husf ac i l i t at eac c e s st or e mot ee xpe r t i s e . A phys i c i an l oc at e df arf r om ar e f e r e nc ec e nt e rc anc ons ul thi s c ol l e ague sr e mot e l yi nor de rt os ol v eadi f f i c ul tc as e , f ol l ow ac ont i nui nge duc at i onc our s eove rt heI nt e r ne t , ora c c e s sme di c ali nf or mat i onf r om di g i t a ll i br ar i e s . Fi g . 1 The s es amet ool sc anal s obeus e dt of ac i l i t at e -4 1 e xc hange sbe t we e nc e nt e r sofme di c ale x pe r t i s e ,a tanat i onalori nt e r nat i onall e v e l . Thepot e nt i aloft he s et ool si spar t i c ul ar l ys i gni f i c a nti nc ount r i e swhe r es pe c i al i s t sa r ef e w, andwhe r edi s t a nc e sa ndt hequal i t yoft hei nf r as t r uc t ur ehi nde rt hemov e me ntofphy s i c i a nsor pat i e nt s . Manyoft heFr e nc hs pe aki ngAf r i c a nc ount r i e sa r ec onf r ont e dwi t ht he s epr obl e ms , and,i npar t i c ul ar ,l ar geands c ar c e l ypopul at e dc ount r i e ss uc hasMal i( t wi c et hes i z eof Fr anc e ,11mi l l i oni nha bi t a nt s )a ndMaur i t ani a( t wi c et hes i z eofFr a nc e ,3mi l l i on i nha bi t a nt s ) . Theus e f ul ne s sa ndr i s ksoft he s ene wc ommuni c at i onandc ol l abor at i onc hanne l smus tbe as s e s s e dbe f or el ar g e s c al epr ogr amsar el aunc he d. Pr i ore x pe r i e nc e si nt hef i e l di nc l ude I SDNbas e dvi de oc onf e r e nc ef ort e l e c ar di ol ogyandt e l e ne ur ol og ybe t we e nDa ka rand Sai nt Loui si nSe ne g al ,ade mons t r at i onpr oj e c t( FI SSA)oft heus eofs a t e l l i t e ba s e dpr e na t a l t e l e e c hogr aphybe t we e nDakara ndt heTambac oundar e gi oni nSe ne g a l ,a ndt e l e r adi ol ogy e xpe r i e nc e si nMoz ambi que . Howe ve r ,t he r ei snots oma nypubl i c a t i onsont heus eof l owba ndwi dt h,I nt e r ne t bas e dt e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i ons ,al t hought he r ei sas i g ni f i c ant i nve s t me nti nt he s et e c hnol ogi e si nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . Thede ve l opme ntoft henat i onalne t wor kf ort e l e me di c i nei nMa l iwa sus e da sapi l otc a s ei n or de rt oge tabe t t e ri ns i ghti nt ot he s eas pe c t s . Met ho ds Thepr oj e c ti nMal i ,name d Ke ne yaBl own ( t he he al t hv e s t i bul ei nBambar al ang uag e ) , wa si ni t i at e di n2001byMa l iUni ve r s i t yMe di c a lSc hooli nBama ko,a ndf i nanc e dbyGe ne v a gove r nme ntandGe ne v aUni ve r s i t yHos pi t al s . St r at e g i cg oal swe r e: ・Tode v e l opandus eI nt e r ne t ba s e dc onne c t i onsbe t we e nna t i onalandr e g i ona le he a l t h i ns t i t ut i ons , ・Toi mpl e me ntbas i cs e r vi c e ss uc hase ma i la ndame di c alWe bpor t a l ,a ndt r a i nus e r s , ・Toi mpl e me ntal owbandwi dt h,I nt e r ne t ba s e ddi s t a nc el e ar ni ngs ys t e ma nd 5 0 Ant oi neGe i s s buhl e r ,MD,Ous maneLy ,MD,Chr i s t i a nLov i s ,MD a ndJ e a nFr a nç oi sLHa i r e . 21 8 ・Toe val uat et hef e as i bi l i t yofl ongdi s t a nc ec ol l a bor at i onsf orc ont i nui ngme di c ale duc a t i on . andt e l e c ons ul t a t i ons Thenat i onalne t wor ki nf r as t r uc t ur ei sba s e donI EEE 8 02 . 1 1bwi r e l e s sme t r opol i t a nar e a ne t wor ki nBamako,andondi gi t a lt e l e phonyne t wor kt or e gi onalhos pi t a l s . 5 Thee mai la ndWe bs e r v i c e sa r ehos t e donLi nuxba s e ds e r v e r s ,pr ot e c t e df r om i ns t abi l i t yof e l e c t r i cpowe rs uppl ybyt hr e edoz e nsoft r uc kbat t e r i e s . Thedi s t a nc el e ar ni ngs ys t e m6,de ve l ope da tGe ne v aUni ve r s i t y ,i ss pe c i f i c a l l yde s i g ne dt o mi ni mi z et heus eofne t wor kbandwi dt hwhi l epr ovi di nghi ghqua l i t ys ounda nddi s pl a yof di da c t i cmat e r i al ,aswe l la sf e e dbac kf r om t hes t ude nt st ot het e a c he r sv i ai ns t antme s s ag i ng . Thes t ude ntc anadj us tt hequal i t yoft hevi de oi ma geoft he t a l ki nghe a d ,whi c he duc a t i ona l /s val uei sl i mi t e d,i nor de rt os a ver e s our c e s . A ba ndwi dt hof2 8kbi t s e c ondi ss uf f i c i e nta nd e nabl e sr e mot ear e ast opar t i c i pat ei ndi s t anc el e ar ni nga c t i vi t i e s .I ti sba s e donf r e eand wi de l yavai l abl et ool s ,br ows e r bas e d,andwor ksonmos tde s kt opope r at i ngs y s t e ms( Tabl e1 and2) . Si mi l arpr oj e c t s ,us i ngt hes amet e c hnol og i e s ,a r enow be i ngde pl oye di nMa ur i t a ni a,Mor oc c o andTuni s i a. Re s ul t s Ov e r1 8mont hs ,t hepr oj e c ti nMal iha se na bl e dt hede v e l opme ntofaf unc t i ona lna t i ona l t e l e me di c i nene t wor k,whi c hc onne c t ss e v e r a lhe al t hi ns t i t ut i onsi nBa mako,Se goua nd Tombouc t ou,whe r eme di c alt e amshav ebe e nt r a i ne df ort heus eofI nt e r ne t ba s e dt ool s . The me di c alWe bpor t a li si n pl ac e . We bc as t i ng s ys t e msf ordi s t anc e l e ar ni nghav ebe e n i mpl e me nt e di nGe ne v a a ndBamako. Cont i nui ng me di c ale duc at i onc our s e s ar enow br oadc as tona we e kl ybas i s . Te l e c ons ul t at i onswe r e or gani z e d,t of ol l ow pa t i e nt st hatwe r eope r at e d i nGe ne vaandt he n r e t ur ne dt oMal i . The t e l e c ons ul t at i ons ys t e mi s a l s ous e dt os e l e c t a ppr opr i at ec a s e sa nd gui det he i rwor kupi n or de rt oopt i mi z epat i e nt s e vac uat i ont ohos pi t a l si n t heNor t hort opr e par e humani t ar i anmi s s i ons . Thenumbe roft he s e c ons ul t at i onsi sc ur r e nt l y l i mi t e dbyt henumbe rof pa r t ne r si nt hene t wor k. 21 9 Va r i oust ype sofc ol l abor at i onhavebe e ne na bl e dbyt hepr oj e c t: Nor t hSout ht e l e e duc at i on:t opi c sf orpos t gr aduat ec ont i nui ngme di c a le duc a t i ona r e r e que s t e dbyphys i c i ansi nBamako;c our s e sa r et he npr e pa r e dbye x pe r t si nSwi t z e r l andand br oa dc as t e dov e rt heI nt e r ne tf r om Ge ne v a. Ne wc our s e sa r epr e par e donabi mont hl ybas i s , onavar i e t yoft opi c s( Tabl e3) . Themat e r i a li sa l s os a ve da ndc a nber e pl a ye df r om t he me di c alWe bpor t al . Typi c al l y,t he s ec our s e sa r ef ol l owe dby50t o1 00phys i c i ansand s t ude nt si nas pe c i a l l y e qui ppe daudi t or i um i nt heBama koUni v e r s i t yHos pi t al ,a ndal s oby s mal l e rg r oupsori ndi vi dual si nt heSe g ouandTi mbukt ur e g i ona lhos pi t a l saswe l la si not he r Fr e nc hs pe aki ngc ount r i e si nAf r i c a: Se ne g a l ,Maur i t ani a ,Chad,Mor oc c oandTuni s i a. ・We e r e nc e shavebe e n bc as t i ngofs c i e nt i f i cc onf e r e nc e s: s e v e r als e s s i onsofi nt e r nat i onalc onf br oadc a s t e d,wi t hs i mul t ane oust r ans l a t i oni nFr e nc h,i nor de rt oma ket hepr e s e nt at i ons a c c e s s i bl et oc ol l e a gue si nMal i ,whe r et hepr ac t i c eoft heEngl i s hl anguag ei ss t i l ll i mi t e d. Us i ngt hei ns t antme s s ag i ngf e at ur eoft hes y s t e m,r e mot epa r t i c i pant sc a ni nt e r v e nea ndas k que s t i onst ot hes pe a ke r s . ・Sout hSout ht e l e e duc at i on: pos t gr aduat eandpubl i che a l t hc our s e s ,de ve l ope dbyt he var i oushe al t hi ns t i t ut i onsi nBa mako,ar ewe bc as t e dt or e gi onalhos pi t al si nMa l ia ndot he r par t ne r si nWe s t e r nAf r i c a( Fi g. 2) . Thec ont e nt spr oduc e dar ea nc hor e di nl oc a l , e c onomi c al ,e pi de mi ol ogi c ala ndc ul t ur alr e al i t i e s ,andpr ovi de sdi r e c t l yappl i c a bl e i nf or mat i on. ・Sout hNor t ht e l e e duc at i on:me di c als t ude nt st r a i ni ngi nt r opi c alme di c i nei nGe ne vaf ol l ow c our s e sa nds e mi nar sor gani z e dbye x pe r t si nMal iont opi c ss uc ha sl e pr os yori odi ne de f i c i e nc y. Thee xpos ur et or e al wor l dpr obl e msa ndf i e l de xpe r t se nabl e sabe t t e r unde r s t a ndi ngoft hec hal l e nge sf orde ve l opi ngandi mpl e me nt i nge he al t handpubl i che a l t h 22 0 pr oj e c t si nunf ami l i ars e t t i ngs . ・Nor t hSout ht e l e c ons ul t at i on: t hes ames y s t e m wa sus e dt os e nd hi ghqual i t yi mage se nabl i ngt he r e mot ee xami na t i onofpat i e nt sor t her e vi e w ofr adi ogr aphi c i mage s . Te l e c ons ul t at i onsa r e he l dr e gul a r l y,i nar e aswhe r e e xpe r t i s ei snota vai l abl ei nMal i , s uc hasne ur os ur ge r yoronc ol ogy ( Fi g. 3) . ・Sout hSout ht e l e c ons ul t at i on: phys i c i ansi nr e gi ona lhos pi t a l s c anr e que s ts e c ondopi ni onsor e xpe r tadvi c ef r om t he i r c ol l e ague si nt heuni ve r s i t y hos pi t al s ,vi ae mai l ,i nc l udi ng t hee xc hang eofi mage sobt ai ne d vi adi gi t als t i l lc ame r as . ・Sout hNor t ht e l e c ons ul t at i on: t hec as eofal e pr os ypat i e nt , f ol l owe di nGe ne va,hasbe e n di s c us s e dus i ngt he t e l e c ons ul t at i ons y s t e m,and e nabl e dt hee xpe r ti nBamakot o adj us tt het r e at me nts t r at e gy. Fi g . 2 Sc r e e ns hoto f as t ude ntv i e wo fc o ur s ewe b c as t ,s howi ngt het e ac he r( t o pl e f t ) ,t hedi dac t i c do c ume nt s( mai nwi ndow)and c o nt r o l sf o rt he s ound and t hei ns t antme s s ag i ngt o ol( l e f t c o l umn) . Les s onsl ear ned Att hei nf r as t r uc t ur el e ve l ,t hr e e ki ndsofpr obl e msa r ei de nt i f i e d: ・Thei ns t abi l i t yofba s i c i nf r as t r uc t ur eandi npar t i c ul arof t hee l e c t r i cpowe rs uppl y; ・Thel i mi t at i onoft he i nt e r nat i ona lbandwi dt h,whi c h, i sof t e nmi s us e d,i npar t i c ul arby e mai la c c ount shos t e doutoft he c ount r yand Fi g . 3 Sc r e e ns hoto f at e l e c o ns ul t at i o ns e s s i on, s howi ngt hev ar i ousdoc ume nt sav ai l abl e: i mag eo ft hep at i e nt ,of t hephys i c i ans ,of r adi og r aphi ci mage sand o t he rc l i ni c aldat a. ・Theunavai l abi l i t yofr e l i abl e c onne c t i vi t ybe yondl ar gec i t i e s . The s epr obl e msa r ei mpr ovi ngwi t ht heov e r al lde v e l opme ntoft henat i ona li nf r as t r uc t ur e , al t hought hede r e gul a t i onmove me nt si nt heI CT s e c t ora ndt hede pl oyme ntofmobi l e t e l e phonywi l l ,atl e as ti ni t i al l y,f avourt hemos tpr of i t abl emar ke t s ,whi c ha r enott hos ewhe r e t e l e me di c i net ool sar emos tne e de d. Fori ns t anc e ,t hef oc usonmobi l et e l e phonypr oba bl y l i mi t si nve s t me nt si nwi r e di nf r as t r uc t ur et hati sne e de df orI nt e r ne ta c c e s s . Si mi l ar l y ,t he de pl oyme ntofwi r e l e s sme t r opol i t anar e ane t wor ksr api dl ypr ov i det hene e de dc onne c t i v i t y,but 22 1 s houl dpr oba bl ybegr adual l yr e pl ac e dbyt hemor es us t ai na bl e ,wi r e d,opt i c alc ommuni c a t i on i nf r as t r uc t ur e . Bas i cc ommuni c at i ont ool ss uc hase mai la r ee f f i c i e nta ndc anbeus e dpr oduc t i v e l y. I ti s i mpor t antt ode ve l opl oc alc apac i t yt oi mpl e me nta nde xpl oi tt he s et ool s ,notonl yt oi mpr ov e t het e c hni c ale xpe r t i s eandt her e l i abi l i t yoft e l e me di c i neappl i c at i ons ,butal s ot ol i mi tt heus e ofi nt e r nat i ona lbandwi dt hf ori nf or mat i ont r ans f e rt ha tr e mai nsl oc a l . Mos tphys i c i ansi n Ma l is t i l lus eUSbas e de mai lac c ount sf ore xc hange st ha tr e mai nl oc a l ,duet oal ac kof r e l i abl el oc ale mai ls e r v i c e s . Att hec ont e nt sl e ve l ,t he r ei sas t e a dyde ma ndf orNor t hSout hdi s t anc el e a r ni ng . Howe ve r , s e ve r alt opi c sf ors e mi na r s ,r e que s t e dbyphy s i c i a nsi nMal i ,c oul dnotbes at i s f ac t or i l y addr e s s e dbye xpe r t si nSwi t z e r l a nd,duet oma j ordi f f e r e nc e si ndi agnos t i candt he r a pe ut i c r e s our c e s ,andt odi s c r e panc i e si nt hec ul t ur alors oc i alc ont e x t s . Fori ns t a nc e ,t he r ei sno mag ne t i cr e s onanc ei ma gi ngc apabi l i t yi nMa l iandt heonl yCTs c anne rha sbe e nuna va i l a bl e f ormont hs . Che mot he r a pe ut i cage nt sa r et ooe x pe ns i v ea ndt he i rmani pul a t i onr e qui r e s unavai l abl ee xpe r t i s e . Eve nt houghdi a gnos t i ca ndt he r a pe ut i cs t r a t e g i e sc oul dbea da pt e d, pr ac t i c ale x pe r i e nc ei sl ac ki ng,andot he ra x e sf orc ol l abor at i onmus tbef ound. A pr omi s i ng pe r s pe c t i vei st hef os t e r i ng ,t hr oughde c e nt r a l i z e dc ol l abor at i v ene t wor ks ,ofSout hSout h e xc hange sofe x pe r t i s e . Fore xa mpl e ,t he r ei sne ur os ur gi c a le x pe r t i s ei nDakar ,Se ne ga l ,whi c h i sane i ghbour i ngc ount r yt oMal i . At e l e c ons ul t at i onbe t we e nt he s et woc ount r i e swoul d ma kes e ns ef ort wor e as ons:a)phys i c i ansi nSe ne g alunde r s t a ndt hec ont e x tofMa l imuc h be t t e rt hant hos ef r om nor t he r nc ount r i e s ,a ndb)apat i e ntr e qui r i ngne ur os ur gi c alt r e at me nt woul dmos tl i ke l ybet r e at e di nDakarr at he rt ha ni nEur ope . Be yondc ont e nt s ,c ol l abor at i onbe t we e nt hes t a ke hol de r soft e l e me di c i neappl i c a t i onsmus tbe or gani z e d,i nor de rt ogua r a nt e et her e l i a bi l i t y ,s e c ur i t y ,s af e t yandt i me l i ne s sf ore x c hangi ng s e ns i t i vei nf or mat i on,i npa r t i c ul arwhe nt hec ommuni c at i oni snots y nc hr onous . Comput e r s uppor t e dc ol l abor at i vewor ke nvi r onme nt sha v ebe e nde v e l ope d. Fore xampl e ,t he 3 i Pa t hpr oj e c t ,de ve l ope dbyt heI ns t i t ut eofPat hol og yi nBas e l ,or g ani z e sv i r t ualme di c al c ommuni t i e s,whi c hr e pl i c at eor gani z a t i ona lmode l sofi ns t i t ut i onsi ndi s t r i but e dc ol l abor a t i on ne t wor ks ,i nc l udi ngc l e ar l yi de nt i f i e dr e s pons i bl ee x pe r t sa ndonc al ls c he dul e s . The s ene w f or msofc ol l abor at i onove rdi s t anc e s ,a c r os si ns t i t ut i ons ,a nds ome t i me sa c r os sna t i ona l bor de r sa l s or ai s el e g al ,e t hi c ala nde c onomi c alque s t i ons ,que s t i onst hata r ebe y ondt hes c ope oft hi spa pe r . The i nduc e ddi gi t aldi vi de i sa not he rpot e nt i a lpr obl e m. Thec e nt r i f uga lde ve l opme ntoft he c ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur ei mpl i e st hatt her e mot ear e as ,whe r et e l e me di c i net ool sc oul dbe mos tus e f ul ,wi l lbes e r ve dl as t . Asi nmos tde ve l ope dc ount r i e s ,phy s i c i a nsa r er e l uc t a ntt o pr ac t i c ei nr e mot ea r e as ,andt heabi l i t yt oi nt e r a c twi t hc ol l e a gue sandf ol l ow c ont i nui ng me di c ale duc at i onc our s e sc anbes i gni f i c anti nc e nt i v e s . Be s i de st heac c e s s i bi l i t ypr obl e m,t hi s al s oi nf l ue nc e st hec ont e nt soft het e l e me di c i net ool s ,whi c ht y pi c a l l ywi l li ni t i a l l ybege a r e d t owa r dst e r t i ar yc ar epr obl e ms .I ti st he r e f or ei mpor t a ntt oma kes ur et hatt hene e dsoft he pe r i phe r yoft hehe al t hs y s t e ma r et ake ni nt oac c ount . Ane f f i c i e ntwa yt odos oi st oha v e t hepe r i phe r yc onne c t e de a r l yt ot het e l e me di c i nene t wor k. Sa t e l l i t e ba s e dt e c hnol og i e sf or I nt e r ne ta c c e s s ,s uc hasmi ni VSAT,a r es uf f i c i e nt l yaf f or dabl et oc ons i de rde ve l opi ngr e mot e ac c e s spoi nt sbe f or et hegr oundi nf r as t r uc t ur ebe c ome sa v ai l abl e . Fi nal l y,t he r ei sane e dt ode ve l opl oc alc ont e nt mana g e me nts ki l l s . Loc a lme di c a lc ont e nti s ake yf ort heac c e pt anc eanddi f f us i onofhe al t hi nf or ma t i on,andi sa l s oe s s e nt i a lf or pr oduc t i vee x c hange si nane t wor kofpa r t ne r s .I te nabl e st het r ans l at i onofg l obalme di c al knowl e dget ot hel oc a lr e al i t i e s ,i nc l udi ngt hei nt e g r a t i onoft r a di t i onalknowl e dge . Me di c a l 22 2 c ont e nt manage me ntr e qui r e ss e ve r all e v e l sofs ki l l s: t e c hni c als ki l l sf ort hec r e at i ona nd manage me ntofonl i nemat e r i al ,me di c a ll i br ar i a ns ki l l sf ora ppr opr i a t ec ont e nt sor g ani z a t i on andval i dat i on,ands pe c i f i cs ki l l sr e l at e dt ot heas s e s s me ntoft hequa l i t ya ndt r us t wor t hi ne s s oft hepubl i s he di nf or ma t i on,i nc l udi ngt hea dhe r e nc et oc ode sofc onduc t ss uc ha st heHON 7 c ode . Per s pect i ves Bas e dont hel e s s onsl e a r ne ddur i ngt hepi l otpr oj e c t ,al a r ge r ,f our y e a rpr oj e c ti nv ol vi ng t we l vec ount r i e sofWe s t e r nAf r i c awasl a unc he d i n2003t heRAFT pr oj e c t( Te l e me di c i neNe t wor ki nFr e nc hs pe aki ngWe s t e r nAf r i c a,Fi g. 4 ) . Thef ol l owi ngas pe c t sa r ee mphas i z e d: ・Thede ve l opme ntofat e l e me di c i nei nf r a s t r uc t ur ei nt e ac hi ngme di c a lc e nt e r s ,a ndt he i r c onne c t i ont onat i ona la ndi nt e r nat i ona lc omput e rne t wor ks ,i nor de rt of os t e rmul t i l a t e r al me di c ale x pe r t i s ee xc hange s ,wi t hapr e domi na ntSout hSout hor i e nt a t i on; ・Theus hec r e a t i onofv i r t ual eofa s ync hr onous ,c ol l abor at i v ee nv i r onme nt st ha te na bl et c ommuni t i e sa ndt hec ont r olofwor kf l ow f orge t t i nge x pe r tadv i c eors e c ondopi ni ons ,i na wa yt ha ti sc ompat i bl ewi t ht hel oc a lc ar epr oc e s s e s . Theope ns our c et oolde ve l ope df or 3i t e l e pat hol ogyatt heUni ve r s i t yofBas e l sbe i ngi mpl e me nt e d,notonl yf ort e l e pa t hol ogy , buta l s of orr adi ol ogyandde r ma t ol og y; ・Thede pl oyme ntofi nt e r ne ta c c e s spoi nt si nr ur alar e as ,wi t ht heus eofs a t e l l i t et e c hnol og y , e nabl i ngnotonl yt e l e me di c i nea ppl i c at i onsbuta l s oot he rt ool sf ora s s i s t i ngi nt e gr a t e d, mul t i s e c t or i alde ve l opme nt ,and,i npa r t i c ul ar ,e duc at i on,c ul t ur eandt hel oc ale c onomy . Themi ni VSAT t e c hnol og y,r e c e nt l yde pl oy e dove rWe s t e r nAf r i c a ,of f e r sana f f or da bl e , ADSLl i kec onne c t i v i t y . Sus t a i nabl ee c onomi c a lmode l s ,ba s e dont hes uc c e s s f ule x pe r i e nc e s wi t hc ybe rc a f 썝 e si nAf r i c a,ar ebe i ngde v e l ope dt of os t e rt heappr opr i at i onoft hi s i nf r as t r uc t ur ebyr ur alc ommuni t i e s . ・Thede ve l opme ntandmai nt e nanc eof yadapt e d l oc a l l y -andc ul t ur al l me di c alc ont e nt s ,i nor de rt obe s t s e r vet hel oc alne e dst hata r er ar e l y c ove r e dbyme di c alr e s our c e s avai l abl eont hei nt e r ne t . Ne wt ool s ar ebe i ngde v e l ope d:r e gi onal i z e d s e ar c he ngi ne s ,ope ns our c e appr oac he s ,andadapt e de t hi c alc ode s 8 ofc onduc t . TheCy be r t he s e spr oj e c t andt her e s our c e sf r om t heHe al t hOn 7 t heNe tFoundat i on ar eus e dt ot r ai n phys i c i ans ,me di c aldoc ume nt al i s t s andl i br ar i ans . Co ncl us i ons Te l e me di c i net ool shaveani mpor t ant r ol et opl ayi nt hei mpr ove me ntoft he qual i t yande f f i c i e nc yofhe al t hs ys t e ms i nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,ast he yof f e r ne wc hanne l sf orc ommuni c at i onand Fi g . 4 RAFT p r o j e c tpar t ne r s c i r c l er e p r e s e nt al so r t e ac hi ngi ns t i t ut i o nsl oc at e di nc api t l ar gec i t i e s ,whi l es q uar e sde not er e mot e ac c e s spo i nt s( f i xe do rmo bi l e )c onne c t e dv i a s at e l l i t el i nks 22 3 c ol l abor at i on,ande nabl et hede mat e r i a l i z a t i onofs e ve r a lpr oc e s s e s ,t ha ta r eus ual l yhi nde r e d byde f i c i e ntphys i c ali nf r as t r uc t ur e s . The yal s oe x pos es omer i s ks ,a ndi npar t i c ul art he e xc hangeofi nappr opr i at eori nade qua t ei nf or mat i on,andt hepot e nt i a lag g r av a t i onofl oc a l di gi t aldi vi debe t we e nt hec i t i e sa ndt her ur ala r e as . The s er i s ksmus tbee xa mi ne dwhe n de s i gni ngt e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t sa ndc anpr oba bl ybemi t i ga t e dbyt hede ve l opme ntof Sout hSout hc ommuni c a t i onc hanne l s ,t heus eofs at e l l i t e bas e dt e c hnol og i e st oi nc or por a t e r e mot ear e asi nt hepr oc e s sandbyf os t e r i ngac ul t ur ea nds ki l l sf orl oc alme di c alc ont e nt s ma nage me nt . The s eas pe c t sa r ebe i ngf ur t he ri nve s t i g at e dbyt heRAFT pr oj e c t . Ac knowl edg ement s Thi spr oj e c ti ss uppor t e dbygr ant sf r om t heGe ne v aSt a t egove r nme nta ndGe ne v aUni v e r s i t y Hos pi t al s Re f er ences [1]Gr aham LE,Zi mme r ma nM,Vas s al l oDJ ,e ta l .Te l e me di c i ne t hewayahe a df orme di c i nei nt hede v e l opi ng wor l d.Tr opDoc t20 0 3;3 3: 3 68 [2]Ga na pat hyK.Te l e me di c i nea ndne ur os c i e nc e si nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s .Sur gNe ur ol2 00 2; 5 8: 3 8 89 4 [3]Obe s t e nH,Ha r os keG,e tal .Mode r nt e l e pa t hol og y:adi s t r i but e ds y s t e m wi t hope ns t a nda r ds . r hol z e rM,Chr i Cur rPr oblDe r ma t ol20 0 3; 3 2: 1 02 1 4 [4]Wr i g htD.Te l e me di c i nea ndde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s .A r e por tofs t udyg r oup2oft heI TU De v e l opme ntSe c t or .J Te l e me dTe l e c a r e .199 8;4Suppl ,2: 18 5. [5]www. ke ne y a . or g . ml [6]www. uni g e . c h/ e c our s [7]www. hon. c h [8]www. c ybe r t he s e s . or g 22 4 16 Mal t a51 Backgr ound Gr e atBr i t ai nf or mal l yac qui r e dpos s e s s i onofMa l t ai n 1 8 14. Thei s l ands t aunc hl ys uppor t e dt heUK t hr ough bot hWor l dWar sa ndr e mai ne di nt heCommonwe al t h whe ni tbe c amei nde pe nde nti n1964. A de c adel a t e r Ma l t abe c amear e publ i c . Si nc eaboutt hemi d19 80 s ,t he i s l andhast r ans f or me di t s e l fi nt oaf r e i g htt r a ns s hi pme nt poi nt ,af i nanc i alc e nt e r ,andat our i s tde s t i nat i on. Mal t a be c ameanEU me mbe ri nMayof2 004 . Ma l t ai sani s l andnat i onwi t har oundof3 80 , 0 00 i nhabi t ant ss i t uat e dc l os et oI t al yi nt hemi ddl eoft he Me di t e r r ane anSe a. I ti sahi ghl yde ve l ope dc ount r ywi t h l e ve l sofhe al t hs e r vi c e ss i mi l art oWe s t e r nEur ope a n Fi g. 1 c ount r i e sa ndhavi ngani nf or ma t i onandc ommuni c a t i on t e c hnol ogyi nf r as t r uc t ur et hati sa mongt hemos tadva nc e d i nt her e gi on. I n1998,Ma l t ahos t e dt heWor l dTe l e c ommuni c a t i onDe v e l opme ntConf e r e nc e ( WTDC)andi nt her unupt ot hi sConf e r e nc e ,t henat i onalt e l e c ommuni c at i onope r a t or , Ma l t ac om,e nc our age dt heGove r nme ntofMa l t at oc ons i de runde r t a ki ngapi l otpr oj e c t si nt he f i e l doft e l e me di c i ne . Whatc oul dbet hepo t e nt i alb enef i t si nt hi sc as e? I mp r o v e me ntt heac c e s st oc ar e Thi si soneoft het e l e me di c i nesg r e at e s tbe ne f i t s . Buti twa sc ons i de r e dunl i ke l yt obean i mpor t antbe ne f i ti nMal t ai nvi e w oft hes mal ls i z eoft hec ount r yandt hel i mi t e dde pe nde nc e oft heMa l t e s ehe al t hs e r vi c eonf or e i gnhe al t hr e s our c e s . Howe v e r ,i twa sc ons i de r e dr e l e va nt t ot hec a r epr ovi de dt ot hei nhabi t ant sont hes i s t e ri s l a ndofGoz o,as e pa r a t ei s l andaf e w ki l ome t r e snor t hofmai nl andMal t awi t habout3 0, 0 0 0i nha bi t ant s . I mpr ov e me nti nqual i t yo fc ar e Thi sbe ne f i twasc ons i de r e dt oha vehi g hi mpor t anc et obot hpubl i candpr i v at ehe a l t hs e r v i c e s i nMal t a,t obea c hi e ve dt hr oughi mpr ove dc ol l abor at i onbe t we e nme di c a li ns t i t ut i onsmaki ng i tmuc he as i e rt hr ought e l e c ommuni c at i onc hanne l s . Re duc t i oni np r o f e s s i onali s ol at i on Thi swasc ons i de r e dr e l e vantt ome di c alpr of e s s i onal swor ki ngi nGoz o. Wi t ht e l e me di c i ne c onne c t i ont ot hemai nhos pi t ali nMal t a ,t he yc a ne a s ypa r t i c i pat ei na nyme e t i ngort r a i ni ng c our s e sa tadi s t anc e . Re duc t i oni nc os t s I nge ne r al ,t e l e me di c i nec anr e duc edupl i c at i onofs e r v i c e sa nda l s or e duc et r av e lofdoc t or st o r e mot es mal lhe al t hc ar ec e nt e r st os e eapa t i e nt .I ti sa l s or e duc et het i meandmone ys pe nt 5 1 Pr of .Dr .Le oni dAndr ouc hko,Ra ppor t e ur ,Te l e me di c i neGr oup,I TUD St udyGr oup2andI nt e r na t i onal Uni v e r s i t yGe ne va ,Swi t z e r l a nd,e mai l: l a ndr ouc hko@f r e e s ur f . c h @t Mr .Gome sZi t a,Te l e c omuni c a ç 썕 oe sdeMoç a mbi que ,e ma i l:g ome z i t a dm. mz 22 5 bypat i e nt si nor de rt ovi s i tadoc t ororme di c als pe c i a l i s t . Thepr o j e c t Theobj e c t i veofi mpr ove dqual i t yofc a r ewa ss t r ongl ys uppor t e dbyt heHe a l t h Admi ni s t r at i oni nMal t aandt heMa l t e s eGove r nme nta c c e pt e dapr opos a loft heDe ve l opme nt Bur e auoft heI nt e r nat i onalTe l e c ommuni c a t i onUni ont os e tupapr oj e c te s t a bl i s hi nga t e l e me di c i nel i nkbe t we e nSt .LukesHos pi t ali nMal t aandGoz oGe ne r a lHos pi t a l . The I TU/BDT hasr e que s t e dTe l i aSwe dt e lt oas s i s tMa l t a c om a ndt heHe a l t hAdmi ni s t r at i oni n Ma l t at ode f i ne ,pl anandi mpl e me ntt hi spr oj e c t . I twa sde c i de dt os e tupofar e al t i mede di c a t e dt e l e c onf e r e nc i ngl i nkbe t we e nSt .Lukes Hos pi t ala ndGoz oGe ne r alHos pi t alt ha twoul dbeav ai l a bl et ome di c alpr of e s s i ona latbot h t heGoz oandMa l t ae nds2 4hour sada y ,7day sawe e k. Thi sg e ne r i cl i nkwa ss e l e c t e dt o al l ow c l i ni c alc as edi s c us s i onsa nd/ori nt e r a c t i vee duc at i ona ndt r a i ni ng. Oneoft hema i nr e qui r e me nt soft hepi l otpr oj e c twa st out i l i z ee x i s t i ngi nf r as t r uc t ur easmuc h aspos s i bl ewi t havi e w ofmi ni mi z i ngt hec os ti nv ol ve dofus i ngvi de oc onf e r e nc i nge qui pme nt . / Thedat ane t wor kwasal r e adyi npl ac ea ndmor e ov e rt hehos pi t ali nMal t ahas1 0Mbi ts LAN,i twa snopr obl e mt oc onne c tt hePC bas e dvi de oc onf e r e nc i nguni t . Theda t ar a t e / be t we e nt heMa l t aandGoz ohos pi t al sde c r e as e dt o2Mbi ts . Thevi de oc ode c sr e qui r e dt ot r ans f or mt hevi de os i g nal sf r om t hePCba s e dv i de oc a me r asi nt o adat adi g i t a ls t r e am we r epur c has e df r om Pi c t ur e t e l . Now t henameoft hi sc ompanyi s Pol y c om. Thevi de oandaudi os i g nal swe r ehe nc et r a ns f or me di nt ot heH.32 3s t a nda r dt ha t al l owsv i de oandaudi os i g nal st obet r a ns por t e dov e raTCP/I Pda t ane t wor k. I nGoz oa hi ghr e s ol ut i onSonyc ame r awasi ns t al l e dbutke e pi ngas t a ndar dPi c t ur e t e lc a me r aatt he Ma l t ae nd. I twa sdonebe c aus ei nt hemaj or i t yofc as e st hec ons ul t a t i onwi l lbepr ov i de dt o t hepat i e nt si nGoz ohos pi t a la ndt he yne e dbe t t e rqua l i t yf orme di c ali nf or mat i on t r ans mi s s i on. Themai ni s s uet hatar os ef r om t hi st r i a lwa st hat ,a tt i me s ,t hemovi ngi magef r oz ef ors hor t i ns t anc e s . Thi smai nl yhappe ne dbe c a us eoft hebur s t ynat ur eofda t at r af f i cpr of i l ewhi c h doe snoti mme di at e l yt r a ns f or m we l li nt oas moot hl yr unni ngvi de o. He nc e ,s omea dj us t me nt s we r emadeove rt hedat ane t wor ki nor de rt os e ts uc hpa r a me t e r sa spr i or i t i z at i ona nd bandwi dt hr e s e r vat i oni nor de rt omi ni mi z es uc hf r e e z e out s. I ti sa l s oe nv i s ag e dt hata f ur t he rupgr adeoft heda t ane t wor ki nge qui pme ntbe i ngus e dwoul dhe l pe l i mi na t et hi s pr obl e m. Fi nal l y,onec ol da l s oaddt ha tbyi ns t a l l i ngas i ng l eI SDN g at e wa yont hedat a ne t wor k,i twoul dal s obepos s i bl ef ora l lv i de oc onf e r e nc i ngs t at i onsont hehe a l t hne t wor kt o a c c e s sot he ri nt e r nat i onals i t e s . Fr om Ma r c h19 98t het e l e me di c i nel i nkwa sputi nt oope r a t i ona ndi nt hebe g i nni ngi twas us e df oranumbe rofpe e rt ope e rc l i ni c aldi s c us s i ons . Thee qui pme ntpe r f or me dwe l l , howe v e rf r om t i met ot i met he r ewe r ei r r i t a t i ngdr opout si nt r ans mi s s i ont hati nt e r r upt e dt he s moot hf l ow oft hedi s c us s i on. Thevi de oqua l i t yt hr oughg oode noug hf orpe r s ont ope r s on c ont ac twa st oopoorf orr e alt i met r ans mi s s i onofc l i ni c a lqua l i t yi ma ge s .I twa sne c e s s a r yt o i nt r oduc es omes pe c i alme a s ur e st oi mpr ovequal i t y. Ev al uat i o no fp r o j e c tsr e s ul t s Thee v al ua t i onoft hi spr oj e c tha st obec a r r i e doutbyc ompar i ngr e s ul t sac hi e ve ds of arwi t h obj e c t i ve sa tt heout s e toft hepr oj e c t: Thef i r s tobj e c t i vewast of ur t he re nhanc et hequa l i t yoft hee he a l t hs y s t e m. Thi swa s a c hi e ve d,asphys i c i a nsi nGoz onow ha veadde dt ool sa tt he i rdi s pos a l ,t hatt he ypr e v i ous l y 22 6 di dnothave ,wi t hwhi c ht oe xc hangec l i ni c alda t awi t hpe e r si nMal t a .I nt hes e v e r alc as e s whe nt he s et ool swe r eac t ual l yus e d,t he r ewe r ede f i ni t ei ndi c a t i onst ha tt hequa l i t yofpat i e nt c ar ewa si mpr ove d. Thes e c ondopi ni onwast or e duc ec os t s . Thi swa snota c hi e ve d,a st hev ol umeofus eoft he t e l e me di c i nel i nkdi dnotr e ac he dal e v e lt hatwoul dg i v et ang i bl ec os ts av i ngsf r om r e duc e d /s pat i e nt e r v i c epr ovi det i mea ndt r ave l . Thet hi r dobj e c t i vewa st oac qui r ee xpe r i e nc ea ndc ompe t e nc e . Thi swa sc e r t a i nl yac hi e ve d. Thedoc t or sandmanage r si nvol ve dnow ha v eamuc hc l e ari de aofwha tar e al t i me t e l e me di c i nel i nki nv ol ve sa ndc angi vec l e ar l yf oc us e dopi ni onsont hemodal i t i e st hatwoul d /Goz beofg r e at e s tbe ne f i tt opat i e nt sa ndt he i rdoc t or si nt heMa l t a os i t ua t i on. Thehe a l t h aut hor i t i e shaveal s obe e ns e ns i t i z e dt ot her e l e vanti s s ue s ,e s pe c i al l yr e ga r di ngor ga ni z a t i on, humanr e s our c e sandf i nanc i ng. Thes us t ai na bi l i t yoft hepr oj e c twa sne v e ri ndoubt . Thi spr oj e c twasde s i gne df r om t hev e r y out s e tt or e mai nope r a t i onal . Thee qui pme nti sav ai l a bl ef orus e24hour sada y,7day sa / we e k. Thes i g ni f i c antr e c ur r e nte xpe ndi t ur ei nvol ve di nt he2Mbi t sl i nkbe t we e nhos pi t a l s wa spl anne df ora ndf al l swi t hi nt heHe al t hDi vi s i onsongoi ngc ommi t me ntt ot hepr ov i s i on ofahi ghc apac i t ywi de ar e ane t wor k( WAN)be t we e na l lMal t aspubl i chos pi t al s . I ti si nt e r e s t i ngt opr e s e ntaf e wr e alc l i ni c alc a s e sdi s c us s e dov e rt het e l e me di c i nel i nk: ・Conge ni t alhype r t r ophi cpy l or i cs t e nos i s; ・Eval uat i onofbar i um s t udi e s; ・A c onc l us i v edi agnos i swa sr e ac he dwi t he xc e l l e ntpa t i e ntout c omepos t s ur g e r y; ・Ca l c i f i e dc e r e br a lar t e r i ov e nousmal f or mat i on; ・CT br r ange me nt s a i ni mag e sa ndangi ogr aphi ci mag e ss e ntove rt het e l e me di c i nel i nk. Ar f orf ur t he ri mag i ngs t udi e swe r emade . Themut ua ldi a gnos i swa sr e c e i ve d; ・Os t e omy e l i t i sofr i bTr ans mi s s i onofXr a yi mag e sa ndl i vei mag e sofpa t i e nte xa mi na t i on, pat i e ntdi r e c t l yi nt e r vi e we dove rt hel i nk; ・Ve s i c our e t e r i cr e f l ux DMSA r e nali mag e swe r et r a ns mi t t e danddi s c us s e d; ・Pe r i c ar di alc ys t t r a ns mi s s i onofXr ayandul t r a s oundpi c t ur e s . Ast hemai nc onc l us i onf r om t hi spi l otpr oj e c twec a ns t a t et hati tt ake st i mebe f or edoc t or s c anr e al i z et hatt e l e me di c i nec onne c t i oni saus e f ult oolf ort he m. The ys t i l lpr e f e rt opr oc e e d i nt het r adi t i onalwa yandavoi dt hes e c ondopi ni onorf ur t he rc ons ul t at i oni fi ti snotave r y s e r i ousa c ut ec a s edi r e c t l yr e l at e dt ot hel i f eorde a t h. Todaymor eandmor edoc t or sa r e us i ngc omput e r si nt he i re ve r yda ypr ac t i c e;ne v e r t he l e s st he yne e dg oodt r a i ni ngonhow t o ope r at et het e l e me di c i newor ks t a t i on. I ti sne c e s s ar yt oi nc l udet e l e me di c i nei nt ot het r a i ni ng / pr ogr am ofme di c als c hool s . Bys t udyi ngbas i ct e l e me di c i nes e r v i c e si nme di c a ls c hool s uni v e r s i t i e s ,t hene w ge ne r at i onofdoc t or swi l lbewi l l i ngt og e tbe ne f i tf r om mode r n ogyi nc or por a t e di nt or out i neme di c a lpr a c t i c e . i nf or ma t i ont e c hnol I ti sal s oi mpor t antt os e l e c tt her i ghtl oc a t i onoft e l e me di c i newor ks t a t i on. I nMal t af or s e c ur i t yr e a s oni twa sl oc at e di nt heGammaCame r aUni toft heRa di ol ogyDe pa r t me nt .I t s houl dbebe t t e rt oi ns t al lt het e l e me di c i newor ks t at i oni nt hee me r g e nc yde par t me nt . Ta ki ng i nt oac c ountt hee xi s t e nc eofLAN i nt hehos pi t a l ,t e c hni c a l l yi ti snotdi f f i c ul tt oi ns t al lv i de o c onf e r e nc es of t wa r eats e ve r alPC i ndi f f e r e ntde par t me nt s . 22 7 Dur i ngt hepl anni ngs t ageoft hi spr oj e c t ,i twa sde c i de dt hatag e ne r i ct e l e c onf e r e nc i ngl i nk maybemor eus e f ult hanas pe c i f i ct e l e r a di ol ogyl i nk. Al t houg ht hi sde c i s i onwa spr obabl y s ound,t hef ac tt ha ti npr ac t i c et hel i nkwa smai nl yus e df ort hedi s c us s i onofXr ayandot he r i mag e s ,a ndt hatwa sl abor i ousandt i me c ons umi ng ,s ug ge s t st ha tt hepr oc ur e me ntof e qui pme ntt hati smor es pe c i f i cf ort hec apt ur e ,s t or ag ea ndf or wa r di ngi mag e smaybeaus e f ul s t e pt oe nhanc et hec l i ni c a lv al ueoft hel i nk. I twa sal s or e c ogni z et ha tt e l e me di c i nel i nkc oul dbeus e df ordi s t anc et r a i ni ngofnur s e sa nd ot he rhe al t hpr of e s s i onal si nGoz o. The r ei sa l s opot e nt i a lf ort hes y s t e mt obeus e df or pos t gr aduat ea ndc ont i nui ngme di c a le duc a t i onofhos pi t a lss t a f f . 22 8 17 Moz ambi q ue52 Backgr ound Moz ambi quei ss i t uat e di nSout he as t e r nAf r i c a,bor de r i ngt he Moz ambi queChanne l ,be t we e nSout hAf r i c aandTa nz ani a. Fora l mos tf i vec e nt ur i e si twa saPor t ugue s ec ol onyand gai ne di t si nde pe nde nc ei n1975. Moz a mbi quehasa na r e aof ,590s ,7 qkm a nd19,406 03popul a t i on. 8 01 Te l emedi ci nePr oj ec t Thef i r s tt e l e me di c i nepr oj e c toft heI TU wa si mpl e me nt e di n J a nuar y1998i nMoz ambi que ,oneofLDSsi nAf r i c a. Asa r e s ul tofBDT/I TU t e l e me di c i nemi s s i on,i twa sdi s c ov e r e d t hati nt hemai nhos pi t ali nt hes e c ondbi gc i t yi nt hec ount r y t he r ei snor adi ol ogi s ta ndal ls e r i ousc a s e sha vet obes e ntt o Ma put o,t hec api t aloft hec ount r ys i t uat e da ppr oxi ma t e l y 1,000km awa yf r om Be i r a. I twa sde c i de dt oc onne c tt woc e nt r alhos pi t a l s ,onei n Ma put oandonei nBe i r abyt e l e me di c i nel i nkf or t e l e r adi ol ogyus i ngt hee xi s t i ngt e l e c ommuni c at i on i nf r as t r uc t ur e . Thepr oj e c tus e ds t andar dl owc os t t e l e r adi ol ogye qui pme ntwhi c hi sbas e dont woPCs( Pe nt i um MMX 200)e qui ppe dwi t har adi ol ogi c a lf i l m di g i t i z e r ( Cobr aSc anCX6 12T)a ndt heappr opr i at es of t wa r eand Fi g. 1 t e l e c ommuni c at i oni nt e r f ac e s . Thes ys t e mc onf or mst ot he gui de l i ne ss t i pul at e dbyt heAme r i c anCol l e g eofRadi ol ogy c onc e r ni ngi magequal i t y. Ra di ol ogi c a li mag e sar edi gi t i z e di nl e s st ha n30s e c ondsi nupt o 4, 09 6gr ay l e ve lwi t hupt o300pi xe l spe ri nc h. I ma ge sa r ec ompr e s s e da ut oma t i c a l l ywi t hout .5t anyl os sofi nf or mat i onataf ac t orr angi ngf r om 1 ot hr e e . As pe c i a lt oolpe r mi t se r as ur e ofa l lname sont hei mag ei nor de rt ogua r ant e epar t i alorf ul la nony mi t y . Thet r ans mi s s i onl i nkbe t we e nMaput oa ndBe i r ac ons i s t sofdi gi t almi c r owav es y s t e mf r om Ma put ot oBoanewhe r et hes a t e l l i t ee ar t hs t at i oni sl oc a t e d,a ndt he nf r om Boa net i l lBe i r ai s s at e l l i t ec ommuni c at i onvi aI nt e l s atVI6 3de gr e e . Theme di c ali nf or mat i oni ss e ndi ngus i ng / s t or e andf or wa r dmodeoft r ans mi s s i onv i amode m( upt o56kbi t s ) . On30J a nuar y1998,t hePr i meMi ni s t e rofMoz ambi que ,Mr .Pas c oalMoc umbi ,i naug ur at e d t hi st e l e me di c i nel i nk. Te l e me di c i newi l le ndt hei s ol at i onwhi c hha s ,unt i lnow,e x i s t e d be t we e nhe al t hpr of e s s i onal si nt hec ount r y,t hePr i meMi ni s t e rt ol dpar t i c i pant swho wi t ne s s e dt hehi s t or i c all aunc hofoneofAf r i c asf i r s tpi l otpr oj e c t si nt e l e me di c i ne . Iur g e al lpar t i c i pant si nt hi spr oj e c t ,Ipar t i c ul a rt heEmpr e s aNa c i onaldeTe l e c omuni c a c oe sde Moc ambi que ,t oc ont i nuet he i re f f or t si nf i ndi ngi nnova t i v ea ppl i c a t i onst ot e l e c ommuni c a t i ons f ort hebe ne f i toft hee nt i r es oc i e t y,headde d. Doc t or sf r om bot hhos pi t al shavee x pr e s s e dt he i rs t r ongf e e l i ngt hatt hes y s t e mi sus e f ula nd t hatt he ywoul dl i kei tt obeupgr ade di nor de rt oe x t e ndt her angeoft e l e me di c i nes e r vi c e s . 5 2 Pr of .Dr .Le oni dAndr ouc hko,Ra ppor t e ur ,Te l e me di c i neGr oup,I TUD St udyGr oup2andI nt e r na t i onal Uni v e r s i t yGe ne va ,Swi t z e r l a nd,e mai l: l a ndr ouc hko@f r e e s ur f . c h @t Mr .Gome sZi t a,Te l e c omuni c a ç 썕 oe sdeMoç a mbi que ,e ma i l:g ome z i t a dm. mz 22 9 Eve r ymont hs e ve r alf i l e sa r er e c e i v e df r om t hehos pi t ali nBe i r a. Asar ul eaf i l ec ons i s t sof t hepat i e ntshi s t or y,t her adi ogr aphsa ndl abor at or yt e s t s . Thedoc t or sdi s c us st hedi ag nos i s andt r e at me nt . Thi sl i nkwasal s ous e df ort e l e c ons ul t at i oni ns uc hs pe c i a l t i e sasi nt e r nal me di c i ne ,ne ur os ur ge r yandor t hopa e di c s . Oneye arl at e r ,i n1999t heI nt e r nat i ona lTe l e c ommuni c a t i onUni onr e c e i ve dr e que s tf r om t he Gove r nme ntofMoz ambi quet oas s i s tt hec ount r yt oe x t e ndt het e l e me di c i nel i nkt ot het hi r d bi gc i t yi nt hec ount r y ,Nampul a. Thi st i met heGove r nme ntpr omi s e dt os uppor tt hi spr oj e c t f i na nc i al l ybypr ovi di ng50%oft hebudge t .I nNove mbe r2 0 02t hee x t e ns i onwa sdoneand al lt r ans mi s s i onl i nkswe r eupg r ade dt oI SDN whi c hi snow a v ai l abl ei nMoz ambi que . Now i ti sa l r e a dys ma l lt e l e me di c i nene t wor kwhi c hi nc l ude dt hr e ehos pi t al sandt heMe di c a lSc hool oft heUni ve r s i t yi nMaput o. Thet r ans mi s s i onv i aI SDN pr ovi de ss upe r i ori mag equal i t y . Thi sne t wor kwi l lbet hec or ef ort henat i ona lme di c ali nf or mat i onne t wor kc onne c t i ngi ndue c our s eal lhos pi t al soft heMi ni s t r yofHe a l t h. Thee xt e ns i ont oNa mpul ai sus i ngs a t e l l i t e c ommuni c a t i onl i nk. Duet ot hel ac kofs pe c i al i s t si ti smuc he a s yt oc onvi nc edoc t or st ous et e l e me di c i nel i nk. But t he yne e dal s ogoodt r ai ni ng. The r ei sa not he rpr obl e m. Thewor kl oadf orr a di ol ogi s t si n Ma put oi si nc r e as e dbe c aus emanya ddi t i onalc a s e sa r er e c e i vi ngf r om Be i r aandNa mpul a . TheMi ni s t r yofHe a l t hne e dst ot akei ti nt oc ons i de r a t i on. I ti sa l s oi mpor t antt ode ve l op l oc a lme di c alpr ot oc olonhow t ous et e l e me di c i nec onne c t i onsa ndt oi ndi c a t ec l e a r l yt he r e s pons i bi l i t yofpa r t ne r s . 23 0 53 18 Nep al Backgr ound Ne pali sal andl oc ke dc ount r y s i t uat e dbe t we e nChi na& I ndi ai n s out he r nAs i a . Ge ogr aphi c al l y, Ne pale l ongat e swi t hi nt he l ongi t udeof8 0t o88de gr e e se as t andl at i t udeof26t o30de gr e e s nor t hi nt hegl obalma p. The t ot ala r e aoft hec ount r yi s1 47, 181 s quar eki l ome t r e sandi tc ompr i s e s t hr e emai nge ogr aphi c alr e gi ons: Fi g . 1 t heTe r ai( f l atr i ve rpl ai noft he Gangas )i nt hes out h,t hec e nt r alHi l lr e gi ona ndt her ugg e dMount ai n( Hi ma l a ya s )r e gi oni n t henor t h. MountEve r e s tands e ve not he roft hewor l dst e nhi ghe s tpe a ksl i ei nt hi sr e g i on. Admi ni s t r at i ve l y,Ne pali sdi vi de di nt of i v ede ve l opme ntr e gi ons:Ea s t e r n,Ce nt r a l ,We s t e r n, Mi dWe s t e r nandFar we s t e r n. The s er e g i onsa r ef ur t he rdi vi de di nt o75di s t r i c t sa nde ac h di s t r i c tc ons i s t sofs t r at e g i c al l ydi vi de dVi l l a geDe v e l opme ntCommi t t e e s( VDCs ) . The r ea r e 3915VDCsi nal lofNe pa l . Thepopul at i onofNe pali sa ppr oxi ma t e l y23. 4mi l l i ona ndt hea nnualpopul at i ongr owt hr a t e wa s2 . 24%ac c or di ngt ot he2001Nat i ona lCe ns us . About85 %oft hepopul at i onl i ve si nr ur a l ar e a s . Thec api t a lc i t yi sKa t hmandu. Thec ur r e ntGDPpe rc api t ai nc omeofNe pa li sa bout US$24 8;t hust heWor l dBankc ons i de r sNe pa lal owi nc omec ount r y . Appr ox i ma t e l y38 %of t hepopul at i onl i ve sbe l ow t henat i ona lpov e r t yl i ne .I nt e r msofGDP,t hes e c t or als t r uc t ur e oft heNe pal e s ee c onomyi n2000was39 %ag r i c ul t ur e ,2 2%i ndus t r yand3 9%s e r vi c e sandt he a nnualg r owt hr at e sove rt he19 90 sf ort he s et hr e es e c t or swe r e2. 5 %,7 . 2 %and7. 1% r e s pe c t i ve l y. Thehe al t hs t at usda t ape rdoc t ori s18 , 439; pe rNur s ei s4, 987; pe rhos pi t a lbe d i s2 , 349aspe r2 001AD c al c ul at i on. Thel i f ee xpe c t a nc yatbi r t hi s58. 9 5; ma t e r na lmor t al i t y r a t epe r1 00 , 000l i vebi r t hsi s4 15. Thenumbe rofwor ki ngt e l e phonel i ne si s3 86 , 2 67( f i x e d) ,pos tpai dmobi l es ubs c r i be r si s 59 , 88 2andmobi l epr e pa i ds ubs c r i be r si s4 3, 5 9 9asi nJ a nuar y20 04 . Thet e l e phonene t wor k pe ne t r at i onr a t ei sc ur r e nt l y2. 13 %oft hepopul a t i on. Thet e c hnol ogyus e dbyNe pa lTe l e c om t os e r vet hedi f f e r e ntVDCsa r edi gi t alCDOT wi r el i nee x c hange s ,MARTS,VHF/UHF r a di o,Di gi t almi c r owa ve ,HF r adi o,VSAT e t c . Te l e c om Ac t TheTe l e c ommuni c at i onsAc t ,2053( 199 7 )be c a mee f f e c t i v eonJ anuar y1,19 97 . TheAc t e s t abl i s he damode r nf r ame wor kf ort her e g ul a t i onoft het e l e c ommuni c a t i ons e c t ori nNe palt o maket het e l e c ommuni c a t i onss e r vi c er e l i a bl eande a s i l ya va i l abl et ot hepubl i c ,t oi nv ol ve pr i v at es e c t ora swe l li nt e l e c ommuni c at i ons e r vi c e sa ndt or e gul ar i z eands y s t e mat i z es uc h s e r vi c e s . TheAc ta l s oe s t abl i s he dt heNe pa lTe l e c ommuni c at i onsAut hor i t y( NTA)ast he r e g ul at or yandl i c e ns i ngaut hor i t yf ort heNe pa l e s et e l e c ommuni c at i onss e c t or . TheMi ni s t r y ofI nf or mat i on& Communi c at i ons( MOI C)i st hebodyr e s pons i bl ef orPol i c yFor mul at i on/ y,20 56( 19 99 )ha sbe e nr e pl ac e dby Coor di nat i on. TheNat i onalTe l e c ommuni c at i onsPol i c 5 3 @hot Mr .Shr e eBha dr aWa g l e ,e ma i l:s bwa gl e 55 ma i l . c om; r a di o@e ng. wl i nk. c om. np 23 1 t hene wt e l e c omm pol i c y ,2060( 2004) .I t smai nobj e c t i v ei st oc r e at eac onduc i vee nv i r onme nt r e s ul t i ngi nava r i e t yofr e l i abl et e l e c ommuni c a t i ons e r v i c e sbe i ngr e adi l yav ai l a bl et oal l pe opl ei nal lar e a soft heKi ngdom,a tar e a s onabl es e r v i c ec ha r ge ,andt oc ont r i but et ot he s oc i al ,pol i t i c alande c onomi cde ve l opme ntoft hec ount r y . He al t h Pol i c y TheNat i onalHe a l t hPol i c ywa sa dopt e di n2048BS( 199 1AD)t obr i nga bouti mpr ov e me nt i nt hehe al t hc ondi t i onsoft hepe opl eofNe pal . Thepr i ma r yobj e c t i v eoft hepol i c yi st o e x t e ndt hepr i mar yhe al t hc ar es ys t e mt ot her ur a lpopul a t i ons ot ha tt he ybe ne f i tf r om mode r n me di c alf ac i l i t i e sa ndt r ai ne dhe al t hc a r epr ov i de r s . Li ke wi s e ,t heMi ni s t r yofHe a l t hofHi s Ma j e s t ysGove r nme ntofNe palde ve l ope da20y e arSe c ondLongTe r m He a l t hPl an( SLTHP) f or1 997-20 17 AD. I t svi s i oni sae he al t hs ys t e mi nwhi c ht he r ei se qui t abl ea c c e s st o c oc oor di nat e dhe al t hc ar es e r vi c e si nr ur ala ndur ba nar e as ,c har a c t e r i z e dby: s e l f r e l i anc e ,f ul l c ommuni t ypar t i c i pat i on,de c e nt r al i z at i on,g e nde rs e ns i t i v i t y,e f f e c t i veande f f i c i e nt manage me nt ,a ndpr i v at e& NGO s e c t orpa r t i c i pat i oni nt hepr ovi s i ona ndf i nanc i ngofhe a l t h s e r vi c e sr e s ul t i ngi ni mpr ove dhe al t hs t a t usoft hepopul a t i on. TheMi ni s t r yofHe a l t h( MOH) i sr e s pons i bl ef orf or mul at i nghe al t hpol i c i e s . Andt hede par t me nt sofhe al t hs e r v i c e sa nd ot he rg ove r nme ntandpr i vat ehos pi t al s ,r e s e ar c hc e nt r e sa r et heme di c als e r v i c epr ovi de r s . The MOH i npar t ne r s hi pwi t ht heEDPsa l s oc a r r i e sI nf or mat i onEduc a t i on& Communi c at i on ( I EC)f orhe al t hpr ogr ammet or ai s et hehe a l t hawa r e ne s soft hepe opl e . Tel emedi ci neOver vi ew Te l e me di c i nei sg e ne r al l yde f i ne dast hec ommuni c a t i onofme di c a l ,he al t hore duc at i ona l mat e r i alove radi s t anc ebye l e c t r oni cme ans . At y pi c a lt e l e me di c i nes ys t e mc ons i s t sofa c omput e rwi t ht heappr opr i at ede vi c e sf orc ol l e c t i ngi nf or ma t i on:c ame r a ,s c a nne r ,me di c a l pe r i phe r a l s( de r mc ame r a,e ndos c ope ,mi c r os c ope ,ul t r as ound,e t c ) ,andt heappr opr i at e c onne c t i onsf orc ommuni c at i ngwi t hot he rs i t e s . Communi c a t i onc anbebyphonel i ne , i nt e r ne t ,I SDN,ATM,s at e l l i t e ,e t c . Te l e me di c i nei sv i e we dasat oolf orf a c i l i t a t i ngt hec ol l a bor a t i onbe t we e npat i e nt s ,phys i c i ans , a ndot he rhe a l t hc ar epr ov i de r s . Theus eofr e mot eme di c ale xpe r t i s ea tt hepoi ntofne e dc an beac hi e ve dt hr oughi nt e r ac t i onbybot h s t or eandf or wa r d and l i v ea ppl i c at i ons . The r e mus tbeade f i ne dne e dandame di c alc hampi ona tt her e c e i v i ngs i de . Some onewi t hi nt he c ount r yort hel oc alc ommuni t ybe i ngs e r ve dmus tbewi l l i ngt ot akeana c t i v er ol ei nde f i ni ng t hene e ds ,or gani z i ngt her e s our c e s ,ove r s e e i ngt hepr oc e s s ,a ndpar t i c i pa t i ngi nt het e l e me di c i ne ne t wor k. Wi t houts ome oneont hei ns i de ,t het e l e me di c i nepr oj e c twi l ls t r ugg l et hr oughal l phas e sofi mpl e me nt at i onandope r at i on. Te l e me di c i nes c e nar i oi nNe pal Te l e me di c i nehasa ne qualappl i c at i oni nde ve l opi ngandde ve l ope dc ount r i e st ha tmayhav e uni quene e ds ,butt hebas i ce l e me ntofi mpr ovi ngme di c a lc ommuni c a t i on,e duc at i ona nd qual i t yofhe a l t hc ar ei st hes ame . Thoughs uc ha c t i vi t i e sha venotbe g uni nt hegov e r nme nt s e c t orus i ngt hee l e c t r oni cati nt e r ac t i vewa yofpr ovi di ngme di c a lc a r ea tdi s t anc ei nNe pal , s omepr i vat eor gani z a t i onshav ebe g unt os t a r tt hes e r v i c et hr oug hj oi ntc ol l a bor a t i onwi t ht he me di c ali ns t i t ut i onsout s i deNe pa l . TheOm Hos pi t al& Re s e a r c hc e nt r ehasc ol l abor at e dwi t h ar e nowne dhos pi t a li nI ndi ai nt hi sf i e l d. Theme di c a lt r a ns c r i pt i ons e r vi c ehasa l r e adybe e n s t ar t e dbyc ompani e sc al l e dt hec r e at i vet e c hnol ogyandUnl i mi t e dSol ut i onsNe pal ,g r oomi ng r e qui r e dmanpowe rbypr ovi di ngt r ai ni ngnat i onwi de . Howe ve r ,t hegov e r nme nthasr e ac t e ds l owl yi ni ns t i t ut i onal i z i ngt het e l e me di c i nepr a c t i c eand t e l e e duc at i on. Oneoft het ar ge t soft heSLTHPi st oi mpr ovet hequal i t yofe he a l t h 23 2 /pr /NGO par pr ovi de dt hr ought hepubl i c i vat e t ne r s hi psbyt ot a lqual i t ymana ge me ntofhuma n, f i nanc i al ,andphys i c alr e s our c e swi t ht hede v e l opme nta ndi mpl e me nt at i onofana t i ona l e he al t ht e c hnol ogys t r at e gy. The r e f or e ,t heMi ni s t r yofHe al t h( MOH) ,t og e t he rwi t hi t s Ex t e r nalDe ve l opme ntPar t ne r s( EDPs )a ddr e s s e dama j ort as kf ort hee s t a bl i s hme ntofI Ti n he al t hs e r vi c e sa ndt r a i ni ng,i . e .t e l e me di c i ne& t e l e e duc at i on. Thes ubj e c ti sunde rdi s c us s i on nat i onwi deandpl anni ngi sa tt hepr e l i mi na r ypha s es oa st ol e gi s l a t ea ndr e gul a r i z et he t e l e me di c i nes e r vi c e . Appl i c at i ono f Te l e me di c i ne Te l e he al t hc anhe l pi nt hef i e l dofc l i ni c a lc ons ul t at i ons ,pat i e nte duc a t i onandpr of e s s i ona l e duc at i on. Cl i ni c alc ons ul t at i onsa r eus ua l l ybe t we e nas pe c i al i s tdoc t orandar e mot es i t e pat i e nt . A me di c a lpr ovi de rpr e s e nta tt hec ons ul t at i onc ana s s i s tt hedoc t ori nhi swor k, ans we rque s t i onsa boutt hepat i e nta ndt akeor de r sf orme di c i ne . Pa t i e nte duc a t i oni s i mpor t a ntt os t r e s ss e l f he l pandpr e ve nt i onbe f or et hepat i e nthasac ons ul t a t i on. Li ke wi s e , pr of e s s i onale duc at i oni sf ort heme di c a lpr ov i de rt oke e phi m/ he rupt odat eont hel a t e s t de ve l opme nt si nt heme di c alf i e l dandhec a npa s st hate xpe r t i s et ohi spat i e nt s . Te l e me di c i ne hast hepot e nt i alt oi mpr ov et hede l i ve r yofhe a l t hc ar ebybr i ngi ngawi der a ng eofs e r vi c e s s uc hasr adi ol ogy,me nt alhe al t h,de r ma t ol og y,mot he ra ndc hi l dhe al t hpr ot e c t i on,home c ar e e t c .t ounde r s e r v e dc ommuni t i e sandi ndi v i dua l si nbot hr ur ala ndur bana r e a s . ForNe palwi t hf e w doc t or sa ndme di c alhe al t hc e nt r e si npl a c e ,i tpl ay savi t a lr ol ei n addr e s s i ngands ol vi ngt hene e dsoft hos ei nr e mot ea ndr ur a la r e aswhe r et hebas i c t e l e c ommuni c at i ons e r vi c ei sa v ai l a bl e . Thee s s e nt i a lc a r es e r vi c e sMOH ha sr e c ogni z e di ni t s pl anar er e pr oduc t i vehe al t h,i mmuni z at i on,TBa ndl e pr os yc ont r ol ,c ondom pr omot i onand di s t r i but i on,I nt e g r a t e dManage me ntofChi l dhoodI l l ne s s( I MCI ) ,e nvi r onme nt als a ni t at i on, me nt alhe al t hs e r vi c e s ,pos t t r aumadi s a bi l i t i e s ,c ommuni t yba s e dr e ha bi l i t a t i on,s c hoolhe a l t h s e r vi c e se t c . Thos es e r vi c e sc anbeac hi e ve dt hr ought e l e me di c i nebyt heabov e me nt i one d t hr e eappr oac he s . Te c hni c ali nf r as t r uc t ur e TheNat i onalTe l e c omm Pol i c yal s oi de nt i f i e st heobj e c t i v et oma kea v a i l a bl ea l la ppr opr i a t e I nf or mat i on& Communi c at i onTe c hnol ogi e s( I CTs )i ns uppor tofr ur a lde ve l opme nta nd pove r t yal l e vi at i on,dr awi ngont hef ul lr ang eofopt i ons― i nc l udi ng ,f ore xa mpl e ,r adi o, t e l e vi s i on,vi de oc as s e t t er e c or de r s ,a nds t andal onec omput e r s ,a swe l lasf i xe da ndmobi l e phone sandi nt e r ne t . Fort hepr ovi s i onofe he al t hs e r vi c e s ,i ti smos t l ye s s e nt i a lt opr ov i de uni ve r s ala c c e s st ot hec ommont e l e c ommuni c at i ons e r v i c e st hr oug houtt hec ount r y .I nar e a s wi t hal i mi t e dt e l e c om i nf r as t r uc t ur et hei nt e r ne ti spr oba bl yt hebe s tpl at f or mt ous e . The pr obl e m wi t ht hei nt e r ne twoul dbet hel a c kofqual i t yofs e r v i c e ,whe r et her e qui r e d bandwi dt hmaynota l wa ysbeavai l abl ef orl i v ei nt e r ac t i vec ons ul t a t i ons . Thebe s ts ol ut i on f orNe palwoul dbes t or eandf or wa r dt e c hnol ogyus i ngt hei nt e r ne tandav ai l abl el owe rs pe e d c onne c t i ons ,s uc hast hec ommonphonel i ne s . Thec onve nt i ona lwa yoft e l e phone c onv e r s a t i ons ,us i ngf axors i mpl ye mai lma ydowe l lf ort hepur pos ea ndi thasbe e na dopt e d s of ari nNe pal . Me di al i ker adi oandTV c anbehe l pf uli ndi s s e mi nat i ngt hei nf or mat i ona l pr ogr amme st ot her e mot ear e as . Ra di oNe pa la ndNe pa lTe l e v i s i onha ve ,s of ar ,be e n br oa dc as t i ngbas i che a l t hpr og r a msi nc l udi ngl i v ec onve r s at i onswi t hdoc t or sondi v e r s edi s e a s e pr obl e msandt he i rc ar e . Bas i ct e l e me di c i ner e qui r e me nt sc a nc ons i s tofac a me r awi t ha moni t ora ndt hedoc t ori nac e nt r all oc a t i ona dmi ni s t e r i ngt ot hene e dsoft her e mot es i t e . Ast hene x tg e ne r a t i onofbr oadbandandwi r e l e s st e c hnol og yc ome sonl i ne ,at e l e me di c i ne a ppl i c at i onc anbeme r ge dwi t ht hats ys t e m. Thef ut ur et e c hnol og i e sus e df ort hi spur pos ear e mobi l ede vi c et e c hnol ogi e si nc l udi ngs a t e l l i t e ,vi r t ualr e a l i t yt e c hnol og i e s ,PDA e t c . The 23 3 i nt e r ac t i veTV,DAB,VOD wi l lbec ommonpl a c ei nt hene arf ut ur e . Si mi l a r l y ,i nt e l l i ge nt me di c almoni t or i nge qui pme ntandus eofe l e c t r oni cpa t i e ntr e c or ds( EPR)c a nbeut i l i z e d whe ngi vi ngadvi c et ot hepat i e nt se l e c t r oni c al l y. Di f f e r e nts of t wa r ef ordi gi t ali mag i ng,us e r t r a i ni ng ,pa t i e nts uppor ta ndope r at i onofbi ome di c alde v i c e swi l lbehe l pf ult oo. HMF of Ne palhasa l s oe nac t e d t hee l e c t r oni ct r ans ac t i onsa nddi gi t als i g na t ur eAc ti n2 00 0AD f or maki ngdi f f e r e ntt r ans ac t i onsandde l i ve r yofe l e c t r oni cda t ar e l i abl eands af e . Thi swi l l e nabl eane nvi r onme ntc onduc i vef ort hepr ov i s i onoft e l e me di c i nes e r vi c e swi t hi nNe paland abr oad. Fac t or sf o rgr o wt ho ft e l e me di c i neac t i v i t i e s I nge ne r a l ,t hegr owt handi mpl e me nt at i onoft e l e me di c i nepr a c t i c e sa ndt he i ra ppl i c a t i on de pe ndsupont hef ol l owi ngf ac t or s: ・Te l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur e:Thought hegr owt hoft hena t i onalne t wor ka ndi t s pe ne t r at i onr at ehasi nc r e as e di nt hel a s t10ye a r si nNe pal;i ti ss t i l li ns uf f i c i e nta ndmos tof t hepopul a t i oni nt her ur a la ndr e mot ea r e asdonotha veac c e s st ot heba s i c t e l e c ommuni c a t i ons e r vi c e s . Expans i onofne t wor kc a pa c i t yandi t se xt e ns i oni nt heVDCs hast obec ar r i e dwi t hahi ghe rpr i or i t ybe f or ei nt r oduc i ngt het e l e he a l t hs e r vi c e si nt he s e ar e a s . ・Bandwi dt hofc onne c t i on:Theot he ri mpor t a ntf a c t orf ors moot hde l i ve r yandt r a ns mi s s i on gi t ali mage sa ndmul t i me di ai nf or ma t i oni st hebandwi dt hof f e r e dbyt het e l e c omm ofdi l i ne s . Thought heNe pal e s enat i onalt r unkne t wor kc ons i s t sofa14 0mbpsbr oa dba nd mi c r owa ves ys t e m,t he l as tmi l ec oppe rl i ne sc a nhi nde rt hef l ow ofdat a . Fori nt e r a c t i v e vi de oc onf e r e nc i ng,i ti sr e qui r e dt ohav ea tl e a s t3 8 4kbpsl i ne ,i nor de rt oha vegoodqua l i t y andac c e pt abl evi de oa ndvoi c et r ans mi s s i on. Ot he r wi s e ,as i gni f i c a ntl a gt i mea ndj e r ki ne s s i nt hepi c t ur ebe c ome squi t ea nnoyi ngt ot hev i e we r . ・Saf e t yands e c ur i t yi s s ue s: Doi ngt e l e me di c i neov e rI Pus i ngt hee xi s t i ngne t wor kandwi t h pas s wor dpr ot e c t i onmayj us t i f yt hebas i cr e qui r e me nt s ,butt hei s s ueofs e c ur i t yandpe r s ona l pr i vac ys t i l lr e ma i nsde bat abl e . The r ei sal wa yspos s i bi l i t yofs ome oneha c ki ngi n. /s The r e f or e ,e duc at i onala ndc l i ni c alg ui de l i ne sa nds a f e t y e c ur i t ys t a ndar dsne e dt obe de ve l ope dt oe ns ur et hes af e t yande f f e c t i v e ne s soft het e l e me di c i nede v i c e sa l ongwi t h bl oc ki ngofpi r ac ywi t hi nt hec onne c t i on. ・Li c e ns ur e:Thel e galands oc i oc ul t ur ali s s ue shav et obeov e r c omef ort hee f f i c i e nc yoft he t e l e me di c i nepol i c y. Thephys i c i ansc onduc t i ngr e gul a rc ons ul t at i onsi not he rs t at e sor c ount r i e ss houl dbel i c e ns e di nt hatt e r r i t or yornotr e ma i nsi mpor t ant . Ase a c hc ount r yhas i t sownme di c alpr ac t i c eac tt hatde f i ne st hel i c e ns i ngandpr ac t i c i ngpr oc e dur eand t e l e me di c i net e c hnol ogyknowsnobounda r i e s ,t he r es houl dbeac l e a r ,uni ques t a nda r dand l i c e ns i ngpr oc e dur egl obal l y. Co ncl us i ons He al t hc ar es ys t e msa r eve r ymuc hapr oduc toft henat i oni nt hes a mewa yasi t sc ul t ur e ,t he me di c alt r adi t i ons ,t hes oc i oe c onomi cs i t uat i onandde mogr a phi cf ac t or s . Al t houg ht he de ve l opme nta ndus eoft e l e me di c i newi l lbeadopt e ddi f f e r e nt l yi nt hedi f f e r e nthe a l t hc ar e s ys t e msduet oavai l abi l i t yoft e l e c ommuni c a t i oni nf r as t r uc t ur ea c r os st hena t i ons ,i nt e r nat i onal i nt e r a c t i oni nt hef i e l di se s s e nt i al . Fac e dwi t hl i mi t e dr e s our c e sa ndbudge tr e s t r i c t i ons , gove r nme nte xpe ndi t ur eone he al t hhasbe e nr e duc e di nNe pa l . The r ei sa nur g e ntne e df or pa r t ne r s hi pbe t we e nuni v e r s i t i e s ,SMEs ,g ov e r nme nta ndnong ove r nme ntbodi e sac r os st he gl obef ore nabl i nge f f i c i e ntknowhow a ndt e c hnol ogyt r ans f e ra ndr e duc i ngdi s pa r i t yi n e he a l t hbe t we e nde ve l ope dc ount r i e s& LDCs . 23 4 Li ke wi s e ,asmanyme di c alpr of e s s i ona l sa r es ke pt i c alofne wt e c hnol ogy,t he ys houl dbe pr ovi de dwi t hr e gul art r ai ni ngande duc a t i onaloppor t uni t i e st hr oug ht het e l e me di c i nene t wor k. The n,t he yc ande t e r mi nehow we l li twor ksa ndwhatki ndofi nf or mat i onc anbes har e d e a s i l y. Fur t he r mor e ,as uc c e s s f ult e l e me di c i nene t wor ki sc ol l abor a t i onbe t we e nt hel oc ala nd r e mot eme di c a lpe r s onne l ,aswe l la st het e c hni c a le x pe r t swi t hi nt hes ys t e m. So,t heme di c a l i ns t i t ut i onsandt e l e c ommuni c at i onspr ov i de r smus twor kt oge t he rwhe ne s t a bl i s hi ngand moni t or i ngt hene t wor k. 23 5 5 4 19 ThePac i f i cOpe nLe ar ni ngHe al t hNe t I t spur pos e: Topr ovi deal t e r nat eme ans: ・f ora c c e s st oc ont i nui nge duc at i onoppor t uni t i e sf orhe a l t hc ar ewor ke r s , ・f ora c c e s st oupgr adi ngofe duc at i onqua l i f i c at i onsofhe a l t hc a r ewor ke r s , ・f ors har i ngofhe al t hr e l at e di nf or mat i onbe t we e nhe a l t hc ar ewor ke r si nt her e gi ona nd gl obal l y, ・t opr ovi deaf ac i l i t yf ori nt e r c ount r yc ons ul t at i onsandl e a r ni ngoppor t uni t i e s I ni t i a l l ys e r v i ngt heCooks ,Fe de r at e dSt at e sofMi c r one s i a ,Fi j i ,Ki r i bat i ,Ma r s ha l l s ,Pa l a u, Samoa ,Sol omons ,Tong aandVanuat u Whati si t ? I tc ur r e nt l yc ons i s t sof: Wi t hi neachl ear ni ngcent r ei neacho ft het e nco unt r i e s ・Be t we e nt e nt ot we nt yne t wor ke dc omput e r swhi c ha r ec onne c t e dt ot hei nt e r ne t , ・A s e r ve r ,dat apr oj e c t ora nddat as c r e e n,we bc a msa ndhe ads e t s ,a ndane t wor ke dl a s e r pr i nt e r ・Se l fl e ar ni ngc our s emat e r i al s I Tt r ai ni ngatt hebas i candi nt e r me di a t el e ve l swi t hs e l fl e a r ni ngc our s ema t e r i al s var i ouss pe c i al l yde s i gne dhe al t hc ar es e l fl e ar ni ngc our s emat e r i a l s ・Le ar ni ngr e s our c e s bl uet r unkl i br ar yki t s― as e tofa r ound1 5 0s pe c i f i c al l ys e l e c t e dme di c a lbooksand s ubs c r i pt i onst ome di c a lj our nal s var i ousI Tr e s our c eandl e ar ni ngma t e r i al s var i ousme di c a la ndhe al t hr e s our c e sav a i l abl ei npr i nta nd/orCDs Out s i det hel e ar ni ngc e nt r e ・POLHN we bs i t e t hi si st hemai ns i t ef orNe t( www. pol hn. c om) . ・Spe c i al l yde ve l ope ddat abas eofhe al t hr e s our c e s ,c our s ec ont e nt ,s pe c i alpubl i c at i ons , pr e mi um mat e r i al sa ndt r e at me nts e ar c h( www. c ol f i nde r . or g/ wol hn) ・A g e ne r i cope r at i onsma nualpr ovi di nggui de l i ne sf ore ac hc ount r yt a s kf or c et oada pta nd t he r e byde ve l opt he i rownc ount r ys pe c i f i cope r at i onsma nualf ormaxi mi z i ngt heus eoft he POLHN l e ar ni ngc e nt r ei nt he i rc ount r y ・Te c hni c als uppor tf r om t het e c hni c a luni t si nMa ni l a ・Tr ai ni ngandmot i va t i onf ort hec ount r yt as kf or c e st odr aw ona st he yde ve l opt he i rown 5 4 ThePa c i f i cOpe nLe a r ni ngHe a l t hNe tWHO,SPOf f i c eBox11 3 ,Suva ,Fi j i Fax: ( 6 7 9)330 046 2Ema i l: pol hn@s p. wpr o. who. i nt 2 3 6 c apac i t yt oope r a t et he i rPOLHN l e a r ni ngc e nt e r sa sat e l e c e nt r e ,t e l e me di c i nea nd 1 t e l e he al t hf ac i l i t y. ・Pos s i bl er e gi s t r yf ort hec ont i nue dc e r t i f i c a t i onofhe a l t hc a r ewor ke r s I tas s umpt i ons r epr ov i de dt ot heMi ni s t r i e sofHe al t hi ne ac hc ount r y Thei t e mst ha tma keupt hePOLHN a t obea dmi ni s t e r e dbya c ount r yt as kf or c e( CTF)whi c hi sma ndat e dt oe ns ur et hatt he f ac i l i t i e sar eus e df ort heups ki l l i ngandupg r adi ngofhe al t hc ar ewor ke r s .I ti sa s s ume dt ha t c ont i nue di mpr ov e me nt si nt hehe a l t hc a r es e r vi c e swi l lt husber e al i s e di nt he s ec ount r i e s . Oper at i onsofPOLHN Al lt heope r at i onsofPOLHN a r eaut hor i z e da ndi mpl e me nt e dbyt heCTF a sde l e ga t e dbyt he Mi ni s t r yofHe al t h. TheCTF s houl di de a l l yhav er e pr e s e nt at i onf r om v ar i ouss e c t i onsoft he Mi ni s t r ya ndpos s i bl yf r om al l i e ds e c t or sofGov e r nme nt . Re pr e s e nt a t i v e sont heCTF s houl d nor mal l ybeappoi nt e dbyt heCEO bute ac hme mbe rs houl dbe l i e vei nt heas s umpt i onsoft he POLHN bewi l l i ngt owor khar df ort heobj e c t sofPOLHN. Fi r s t l y,I Ts ki l l sa r et aughtt os e l e c t e dpe r s onsi nv ar i ouss e c t i onsoft heMi ni s t r yofHe al t h. / The s epe r s onsa r et oe xpe c t e dt obet r ai ne r sme nt or soft heot he rpe r s onsi nt he i rs e c t i on. The I Ts e c t i onoft heMi ni s t r yofHe a l t h( whe r ei te x i s t s )wi l lpr ovi det hebas i cI Tt e a c hi ngt o he al t hc ar ewor ke r st oe ns ur et ha tt he yal lbe c omec omput e rl i t e r at e . Se c ondl y,t he s et r ai ne dpe r s onswi l lbepr ovi de dwi t hus e r name sa ndpa s s wor dswhi c hwi l l e nabl et he mt oac c e s st hePOLHN c omput e rf a c i l i t i e sa ndt hei nt e r ne t . Fi na l l y,wi t ht he s eI Ts ki l l st hehe a l t hc ar ewor ke r ss houl dt he nbeabl et oa c c e s st hev ar i ous s e l fl e ar ni ngc our s e sa ndonl i nec our s e sandr e s our c e sa c c e s s i bl eont hei nt e r ne t . The r e by i mpr ovi ngt he i rknowl e dg eands ki l l sa ndc ons e que nt l ypr ovi di ngbe t t e rhe al t hs e r v i c e st ot he pe opl e . I ti se xpe c t e dwhe r e ve rpos s i bl ef ort hePOLHN l e a r ni ngc e nt r et obeope ne df or2 4hour sa day7daysawe e k. A s c he dul e( s e eTa bl e1 )oft hec our s e st obet a ug htwi l lbedi s pl a ye d, s e c t i onswi t hi nt heMi ni s t r ymayal s obl oc kbookt i mea ndt her e mai ni ngt i mewi l lbel e f tf or pr i vat eus e( whi c hwi l lonl ybea c c e s s i bl et ope r s onswhoha vepas s e dt heba s i cI Ts ki l l s c our s ea ndhavet he i rownus e r na me sa ndpa s s wor ds )Thi swi l lne e dal otofor ga ni s at i onf r om t heCTF a ndr e s pons i bl eus ebyt hehe al t hc a r ewor ke r s . Thos emi s us i ngt hef a c i l i t i e sc oul dbe de ni e dac c e s st ot he m. Co ur s esf or2003and2004f o rPOLHN Al lt hec our s e sc hos e naspi l ot sa r ede v e l ope di nt hes e l fl e a r ni ngf or ma tbutha vedi f f e r e nt or i g i nsa ndar eus e df oravar i e t yofpur pos e s . 1 .POLHN c our s es:a r et hos et hatwe r es pe c i f i c a l l yde ve l ope df ort hePOLHN f orc ont i nui ng e duc at i onofhe al t hc ar ewor ke r s( Se el i s tonebe l ow) . The s ec our s e shav enumbe r s be gi nni ngwi t hPOLHN f ol l owe dbyt hr e edi gi t s . The s ear enonc r e di tc our s e s ,butc oul d beus e dbyt hel oc alMi ni s t r i e sf ort hec ont i nue dc e r t i f i c a t i onoft he i rhe al t hc a r ewor ke r s . 2 .Cr e di tCo ur s es:ar ec our s e st hatar ea s s e s s e dvi ai nt e r ne tdi r e c t l yf r om i ns t i t ut i onsf r om anywhe r ei nt hewor l d. The s ear ec r e di tc our s e sa ndf or m pa r tofac e r t i f i c a t edi pl omaor de gr e eoft he s ei ns t i t ut i ons . Wi t hi nt hel i s tofpi l otc our s e sof f e r e di n2004ar et hr e ec our s e s i nt hi sc at e gor y( Se el i s tt wobe l ow) 23 7 3 .Re adyMadeCour s es:ar ec our s e st hatwe r epur c has e dof ft hes he l f( Se el i s tt hr e ebe l ow) . The s ec our s e shavenumbe r sbe gi nni ngwi t hPOLHNSf ol l owe dbyt hr e edi gi t s . The s ea r e nonc r e di tc our s e s ,butc oul dbeus e dbyt hel oc alMi ni s t r i e sf ort hec ont i nue dc e r t i f i c a t i on oft he i rhe al t hc a r ewor ke r s . Li s to ne-POLHN Co ur s es( i ns t i t ut i o nst hatd e vel o pedt he m ar egi v enb el ow) ・POLHN 0 01Me nt a la s s e s s me ntofpa t i e nt s― Jame sCo okUni v e r s i t y ・POLHN 00 2Phy s i c ala s s e s s me ntofpa t i e nt s― JamesCo o kUni v er s i t y ・POLHN 00 3Cl i ni c als ki l l sf orPhys i c a la ndme nt ala s s e s s me ntofpat i e nt s― Jame sCo o k Uni ver s i t y ・POLHN 0 08Couns e l l i ng ,Communi c a t i onsAdv oc ac y― Phi l i ppi neCe nt e rf o r Communi cat i onPr og r ams( PCCP) ・POLHN 0 06Sc hool sout r e ac hc our s e si nt hear e a sofHI V/Ai ds ,v e c t orbor nedi s e as e s ,― Paci f i cRe s o ur ce so fEducat i onandLe ar ni ng ・POLHN 0 d i a 05Di abe t e sMa nage me nt― Fi j iSc hoo lo fMedi c i neandI Teme ・POLHN 0 04Di abe t e sEduc at i on― Fi j iSc ho o lofMedi ci neandI t e med i a ・POLHN 0 hWal e s 1 1Cl i ni c i ansasRe s e ar c he r s― Uni ve r s i t yofNew Sout ・POLHN 0 09Cl i ni c i ansasMe nt or s― Uni v er s i t yofNew So ut hWal e s ・POLHN 0 10Cl i ni c i ansasAdmi ni s t r a t or s― Uni v er s i t yofNe w So ut hWal es ・POLHN 0 12La bor at or yTe c hni c i ans― Paci f i cPar amed i calTr ai ni ngCe nt r e Li s tt wo Cr e di tCo ur s es( i ns t i t ut i onsp r o v i di ngt he s ec our s esar el i s t e d ) ・NUR 3 060Re s e ar c hme t hodsi nHe al t h― Uni ve r s i t yofSout her nQuee ns l and ・HEI or mat i onmanag e me nts ki l l s― Uni ver s i t yofOt ag o X 701Es s e nt i alI nf ・PH 1 43I nt r oduc t i ont oI nf or ma t i onSy s t e msf orHe a l t hManage r s― Fi j iSc ho o lof Medi ci ne Li s tt hr eeReadyMadeCour s es( l ect ur erormo deofd el i ve r yi sl i s t e dbe l ow) ・POLHNS? ? ?WHO bl oods af e t yc our s e― DrPennyChan ・POLHNS? ? ?Mul t i s i mas of t wa r ewhi c hpr ovi de soppor t uni t i e sf orups ki l l i ngbi ome di c al ― e l e c t r oni ce ngi ne e r s As el fl e ar ni ngpac kag e ・POLHNS? ? ?I ma gi ngr e s our c e sf orr a di og r aphy― A s el fl e ar ni ngpac kag e I ti shope dt hatf r om t he s epi l ot sMi ni s t r i e sof He al t hwi l lappr e c i at es o meo ft hep ot e nt i al of POLHN and t heop po r t uni t i e st hati to f f e r s .I ti sf ur t he rant i c i p at e dt heMi ni s t r i e so f He al t hc oul d us es o mef e l l ows hi psand c o unt r ybudge t st op r ov i demo r es uc ho ppo r t uni t i e s . Thec ount r yt as kf or c ei se xpe c t e dt opr ovi del e a de r s hi pi nde c i di ng( i nc ons ul t at i onwi t ht he manpowe rt r a i ni ngs e c t i onoft heMi ni s t r yofHe a l t ha ndPubl i cSe r vi c eCommi s s i on)wha t c our s e sc anbes ui t abl yac c e s s e di nc ount r yvi at hePOLHN. 23 8 Tab l e1 Exampl eofSc he dul i ngofLe ar ni ngCe nt r e I s s ue s Themaj orbar r i e rt ot hes uc c e s soft hi spr oj e c ti st hel ac kofe mpat hy/s uppor toft hemi ddl e manage me ntwi t hi nt heMi ni s t r i e sofHe a l t h. The r ei st r e me ndouss uppor tf r om t het op e c he l onsoft heMi ni s t r i e sbutt hec hangepr e s e nt e dbyt hepr oj e c ti snotr e a di l yac c e pt e dand/ ors uppor t e dbyt heope r at i onalar msoft heMi ni s t r i e s . Al otofadv oc a c ywor kne e dst obe heCTF t oge tt hi sv i t algr oupons i de . donebyt Thehi ghc os t sofi nt e r ne tc onne c t i onsc oupl e dwi t ht hec onc e r nsofs us t ai na bi l i t yofs uc ha pr oj e c tne e dt obeaddr e s s e dwi t hi nt hel ar g e rpi c t ur eofups ki l l i ngs t a f fa ndg e t t i ngout put f or mt he ma tt hes amet i me ,ke e pi ngal lt heme mbe roft hef ami l yt og e t he rdur i ngt r a i ni nge t c . . t hi sc al l sf orami nds e tc hanget hatt heCTF ne e dst oadvoc at ef or . 23 9 20 Paki s t an55 Loc at i on Pa ki s t ani ss t r at e gi c al l yl oc at e di nt hehe ar t ofAs i a. I thol dsas i gni f i c antpl ac eamong t hec omi t yofnat i onsa ndi sa ni mpor t ant me mbe rofs e ve r alr e gi onalor gani z at i ons . Thepopul at i onofPaki s t ani se s t i mat e da t about140mi l l i on,amaj orpr opor t i onof whi c hr e s i de si nr ur ala r e a. Paki s t a ni sa de ve l opi ngc ount r ywi t hl ar geamount sof nat ur ala ndhumanr e s our c e s . Themi ght y Hi mal ayasi nt henor t handt hee xpans i ve I ndi anOc e ani nt hes out hboundt hec ount r y . Ther oadne t wor ki nt hec ount r ys pr e a dsout t oa l lma j orc i t i e sa ndt ownsoft hec ount r ybut s mal lt ownsandvi l l age sa r ei ne v i t a bl yl e f tout ,maki ngi tdi f f i c ul tt ot r av e lt oandf r o. Ehe al t hSe r v i c e si nPaki s t an Paki s t ani soneoft hemos tde ns e l ypopul at e dc ount r i e si nt hewor l d. Howe v e r ,t henumbe r ofdoc t or si nt hec ount r yi snotc onve r s antwi t ht henumbe rofpat i e nt s . Thedoc t ort o popul at i onr at i oi s1: 1, 5 55i nt hec ount r y. Thi smake si tdi f f i c ul tt oge tqui c kande a s y ac c e s st ome di c als e r vi c e s . Thee he a l t hi nf r as t r uc t ur ec ons i s t sofr ur a lhe al t hc e nt e r s ,ba s i c he al t huni t s ,t e hs i lhe a dquar t e rhos pi t al sa ndf i nalr e f e r r a lt odi s t r i c the a dqua r t e r shos pi t a l s andt e ac hi ngme di c ali ns t i t ut e s . Ther e mot enor t he r nar e asofPa ki s t a na r el oc a t e da tal a r g e di s t a nc ef r om s pe c i a l i z e dhos pi t al . Thes i t ua t i oni sc ompounde dbyt hedi f f i c ul tt e r r ai nof mount ai ns ,whi c hs e ve r e l yhampe r smobi l i t y ,a c c e s st omode r ne he al t hs e r vi c e ,a swe l las t r ave lc os t . Al ar gemor bi di t yr at ei sadi r e c tc ons e que nc eoft hi ss i t uat i on. Ur banRur alDi s par i t y Al ar gec hunkoft hepopul at i onofPa ki s t a n,about75%,l i v e si nr ur a la r e aswhi l et he pe r c e nt ag eofdoc t or swor ki ngi nr ur ala r e a si sonl yabout22 %. Ther at i oofhos pi t a lbe dsi s a bout1 8%f ort her ur a la r e ast one a r l y82%f orur ba nar e as . Ast he s ef i gur e si ndi c a t e ,e ve n t hought hepopul at i onofPaki s t ani sc onc e nt r at e di nt hevi l l a ge sa nds mal lt owns ,t heme di c a l s e r vi c e si nt hos ear e asar ef arf r om s uf f i c i e nt . Tog e tahos pi t alunde rt hes upe r v i s i onof e xpe r i e nc e ddoc t or s ,t hepe opl eofr ur a la r e a sha venoc hoi c ebutt ot r av e lt ol ar gec i t i e s , i nc ur r i nge xpe ndi t ur ea ndbot he r at i ont ha ti sa n i ne vi t abl ec ons e que nc eoft r ans por t i ngs i c kpa t i e nt s . Thi si sf ur t he rc ompounde dbyt hede f i c i e ntr oa d ne t wor kandt hel ow pe rc api t ai nc omeofav e r ag e Paki s t ani . Mor e ov e radoc t ors i t t i ngatt her e mot e c e nt e rf e e l si s ol at e dashedoe s ntha vea nyot he r doc t ororas pe c i a l i s tt oc ons ul ti fhef a c e sapr obl e m c as eoranyc ompl i c a t i on. TheSol ut i on― Tel emedi ci ne Thet e l e c ommuni c a t i oni ndus t r yi nPaki s t ani s unde r goi ngar api dde ve l opme nt ,asar e s ul tofwhi c h 5 5 Dr .As i fZa f a rMa l i k,Rawl api ndiMe di c a lCol l e ge ,e mai l: az ma l i k@hot ma i l . c om 24 0 t hec ommuni c at i onc onne c t i vi t yal love rt hec ount r yhasi mpr ov e dr e mar kabl y . Thenumbe r oft e l e phonel i ne si nt hec ount r yi swe l love rt hr e emi l l i on. I nt e r ne tha sbe c omeapopul a r me di um wi t haboutahundr e dt hous andus e r ss pa nni ngmor et ha ne i g hthundr e dc i t i e s . The s e s t a t i s t i c sde pi c tt hef e as i bi l i t yoft hee s t a bl i s hme ntoft e l e me di c i nene t wor ka ndi t spot e nt i al c ont r i but i ont ot hewe l lbe i ngoft hec i t i z e nsofPa ki s t a n. Nowhe r ei nt hewor l ddi dI nf or mat i onTe c hnol ogyhav eagr e a t e rpe r s onali mpac tt hani nt he de l i ve r yofhe al t hc a r e . Ene r ge t i ce f f or t sa r enow be i ngdoneal lov e rt hewor l dt ous eI Tf or t hei mpr ov e me ntofqual i t yofhe al t hc a r e ,pr ov i s i onofe a s yac c e s st ohe a l t hc a r ef a c i l i t i e sa nd e nabl i ngt hepat i e nt st oi mpr ov et he i rownhe al t hs t at us . Paki s t an:Exi s t i ngTel e medi ci neScenar i o Ro l eo f El i xi rTe c hnol ogi e s El i xi rTe c hnol ogi e si sal e adi ngs of t wa r ede v e l opme ntc ompanyba s e di nUSA. Si nc ei t s f oundi ngi n1985,El i xi rhasbe e npi one e r i ngt hede v e l opme ntofi nnova t i v es of t wa r ef orf or m de s i g n,pe r s ona l i z e ddoc ume ntc ompos i t i on,da t ae xt r a c t i on,andpr i nt s t r e am c onv e r s i on. Envi s i one dt oc ont r i but et ot hewe l lbe i ngoft hepe opl eofPaki s t an,El i x i rTe c hnol og i e s i nt r oduc e dt hec onc e ptofTe l e me di c i nef i r s tt i mei nPaki s t ani n1 998i nt hef or m ofa phi l ant hr opi cpr oj e c t― Te l Me dPak. Si nc et he nEl i x i ri ss pons or i ngt hepr oj e c t . The or g ani z at i onha sdoneaf e w pi l otpr oj e c t sna me l yt heTa xi l l aandGi l g i tpr oj e c tt oas s e s st he a ppl i c abi l i t yoft e l e me di c i neandt e l e he a l t hi nPaki s t an. Thes uc c e s soft he s epr oj e c t ss howe d t hatt e l e me di c i nei snotonl ypos s i bl ei nPa ki s t anbuti tc ana l s oupl i f tt hehe al t hs t at usoft he r e mot ear e asbypr ovi s i onoft hes pe c i al i s tc a r ei nar e a swhe r ec onv e nt i onalf ac et of ac e c ons ul t at i onwi t ht hes pe c i al i s tmaynotbepos s i bl e . I ni t i at i ve sofTel Me dPak A.Pr o j e c t s: 1 Taxi l l ap r o j e c t: Toas s e s st heappl i c a bi l i t yofTe l e me di c i neandTe l e he a l t h i nPaki s t an,apr ot ot ypewa ss e t upi napr i va t ehos pi t a l( Al i Fami l yHos pi t al )l oc at e di nTaxi l l a ,as mal lt own20km f r om I s l amabad. Thi shos pi t alwa se qui ppe dwi t hPC havi ngI nt e r ne ta c c e s sa ndas c anne r ,whi c hwa sl i nke dt o Hol yFami l yHos pi t al . Me t hodol ogyus e dwa s St or ea nd For wa r dTe l e c ons ul t a t i on Thehos pi t alwa st oe mai lc as e r e por tofpat i e nt st hatr e qui r e de xpe r tme di c alopi ni ont o s e ndal ongt hec as er e por t . The nt hec onc e r ne ds pe c i al i s t Fi g. 1 wa st os t udyt he s ec as er e por t sandr e pl yba c kt ot he hos pi t al . Thec ompl e t er e c or doft hepat i e nt swa ske pt s t r i c t l yc onf i de nt i al ,wi t hl i mi t e dnumbe rofpe opl ehav i ngac c e s st ot her e c or ds . Thi spr oj e c t pr ove di t ss uc c e s s ,t husi mpl yi ngt hatTe l e me di c i nedoe sha v ewi der angi ngi mpl e me nt a t i onsi n al mos tve r yme di c als pe c i al t y. 2 Gi l gi tpr o j e c t: Pat i e nt sf r om r e mot enor t he r nar e asha vet ot r a v e lmor et ha n1 6hour shar ddr i v et ot he c api t ali ns e ar c hofs pe c i al i z e dhe al t hc a r ef ac i l i t y. Gi l gi twi t hapopul at i onof250t hous and pe opl ehavi ngl i mi t e dhe al t hf ac i l i t i e sands e ve r ec l i mat i cc ondi t i onsi st hei de alpl ac ewhe r e 24 1 t e l e me di c i nec anhe l pt hepopul at i onbyr e duc i ngt het r a ve lt i meandc os tt ot hepat i e nt . Pat i e nt ss uf f e r i ngf r om s pe c i f i cdi s e as e sa r emos t l yl ooke daf t e rbyt hedoc t or swhoa r enot t r ai ne di nt hatpar t i c ul ars pe c i al t yandha venoc hoi c eofdi s c us s i onands e c ondopi ni onwi t h s e ni orc ol l e ague s . Te l Me dPa kdur i ngi t spr oj e c ti nGi l g i t ,a i me datc r e a t i ngawa r e ne s samongt hepopul a t i onand s e ns i t i z i ngt hepol i c ymake r sa boutt hi se a s ys ol ut i ont ot hehe a l t hs i t ua t i on. A pr ac t i c a l mode loft e l e me di c i newasde mons t r at e dbyc ont ac t i ngt heDHQ Gi l gi twi t hs ur g i c a luni tHol y Fami l yHos pi t al ,Ra wa l pi ndi ,whe r eGe ne r a ls ur ge ons ,or t hope di c s ,me di c als pe c i a l i s t swe r e madeavai l abl e . Va r i ouspr ac t i c almodal i t i e soft e l e me di c i newe r et e s t e dl i kes e ndi ngt hedat aaboutc ol dc as e s a ndge t t i ngt hec ons ul t at i on,doi ngl i v ec hat ,di s c us s i ngt het r aumaandot he ri nt e ns i vec a r e pa t i e nt swi t hs e ni orc ol l e a gue sa ndi nv ol v i ngv oi c ec ha tamongpa ne lofdoc t or sonbot hs i de s . Tr a ns f e r r e ddat ai nc l ude ddi gi t a lphot og r aphsoft hepat i e nta swe l la ss c a nne di mag e soft he r e l e vanti nf or mat i onl i kexr ays ,E.C.Gs ,CT s c a nsa ndl abr e por t s . 3 Te l e me di c i nec e nt e r si nuppe rPunj ab: Af t e rpi l otpr oj e c t s ,f ourc i t i e sofuppe r Punj abwe r ei de nt i f i e dandr e mot e t e l e me di c i nec e nt e r swe r ee s t abl i s he dt he r e . Thedoc t or sf r om t he s ear e as( Fi g. 2,Guj ar khan,Pi ndiGhe b,Fat e hJ hangandJ hand) we r et r ai ne di nt e l e me di c i nei ni t i al l yandt he n t he yar ei nvol ve di nt e l e c ons ul t at i onsby s e r vi nga tt he i rownr e mot es i t e s .I nt wo ye ar soft i memor et ha n200t e l e c ons ul t a t i ons havebe e ndonef r om t he s ear e as . Fi g . 2 B.Tel emedi c i neSt udi es: 1 We bbas e d Te l e c ons ul t at i o ns: Oneofma nyf e at ur e soft heTe l Me dPa kwe bs i t ei saFREE Te l e c ons ul t a t i onCl i ni conl i ne wi t ht henameof As kA DOC . I ti sa v ai l abl eat www. t el medpak. com/as kadoc. as p. I tus e ss i mpl es t or eandf or wa r dt e c hnol og yUs e ra s ki ngf orame di c ala dv i c ehast os e ndhi s que r yvi at heonl i nef or m. Theque r yi st he nf or wa r de dt ot hec ons ul t a ntoft hec onc e r ne d s pe c i al t ywhoans we r st heque r ywi t hi n48hour s . Eme r ge nc yque r i e sa r er e s ponde dwi t hi n2 4 hour s . Upunt i lnow a boutf ourhundr e dque r i e shav ebe e nr e s ponde dwi t ha nav e r a g eof abouts e ve nt e e nque r i e samont h. Gyna e c ol og y,obs t e t r i c sa ndme di c i nea r et hemos t l y c ons ul t e ds pe c i a l t i e s . 2 Te l e de r mat ol og ySt udy Toc ompar et heac c ur a c yofs t or eandf or wa r dme t hodoft e l e de r mat ol ogywi t ht het r adi t i ona l f a c e t of ac ec ons ul t at i onas t udywasc onduc t e df r om t heTe l Me dPa kpl at f or m. The c ompar i s onwasdonebe t we e nI ns t i t ut eofDe r ma t ol ogyKi ngEdwa r dMe di c a lCol l e geLa hor e t hats e r ve dast e l e de r mat ol ogyc e nt e ra ndDe r mat ol og yDe par t me ntofPaki s t a nI ns t i t ut eof Me di c alSc i e nc e sI s l ama badf r om whe r epa t i e nt swe r es e l e c t e d. Te l me dpa kpr ov i de dt he t e c hni c als uppor t . Thi r t yt hr e epat i e nt swe r es e l e c t e df r om out pa t i e ntde pa r t me ntofPI MSand 24 2 i mage swe r et ake nus i ngadi gi t alc ame r a. I ma ge swe r es t or e di nc omput e randwe r es e ntt o I ns t i t ut eofDe r ma t ol ogyvi ae ma i lf orTe l e c ons ul t a t i ona l ongwi t has hor thi s t or yand e xami nat i onf i ndi ngs . Di ag nos i sofc ons ul t a ntaf t e rf a c e t of a c ec ons ul t at i onwast he n c ompar e dwi t ht hei magebas e ddi agnos i st ha ti sa f t e rt e l e c ons ul t at i on. 3 Tr ai ni ngo f Par ame di c alSt af f LHVsandTBAswe r ee duc at e dt hr oug hTe l Me dPa ksc ont i nue dme di c a le duc a t i onPr og r am v i aonl i nec our s e s .I nt hi swayknowl e dg eofpa r a me di c sandme di c als t a f fwor ki ngi nt he r e mot ear e aswa supdat e df ort hewe l f ar eoft a r g e tpopul at i on. 4 Te l e me di c i neTr ai ni ng Manual: Ke e pi ngi nc ons i de r at i ont hec omput e rl i t e r ac yofMe di c als t a f f ,Te l Me dPa kha sde v i s e d Te l e me di c i net r ai ni ngma nualwhi c hi nc l ude sba s i cc omput e rs ki l l s ,I Tc onc e pt s ,Te l e me di c i ne c onc e pt sa ndwor ki ng . Doc t or sf r om t her e mot ea r e asa r ebe i ngt r ai ne dwi t ht hi smanual . Ro l eofGo ver nme nto fPaki s t an A.Es t abl i s hme nto f Te l e me di c i neFor um : TheMi ni s t r yofSc i e nc eandTe c hnol ogyr e a l i z i ngt hepot e nt i aloft e l e me di c i nei nPa ki s t a nha s e s t abl i s he dNat i onalTe l e me di c i neFor um i nSe pt e mbe r2 00 1wi t ht heobj e c t i v et oov e r s e eand dr i vet hede ve l opme nta ndc ol l abor at i onofI Ta ndme di c i newi t hpar t i c ul arr e f e r e nc et o Te l e me di c i ne . Themai na i m ofc r e at i ngt het e l e me di c i nef or um wa st oc r e a t ea wa r e ne s sa bout t e l e me di c i nei nt hec ount r ybyar r angi ngs e mi nar sa ndc onf e r e nc e satNa t i onall e ve l ,whi c h wi l lnotonl ye nc ompas st heme di c ala r e nabuta l s of oc ust heI T,Te l e c ommuni c at i on c ommuni t yandt hege ne r alpubl i catl ar ge . Nat i ona lTe l e me di c i nec onf e r e nc e2 00 2was or ga ni z e dbyt hef or um on22J une2220 0 2. Thec onf e r e nc enotonl ys uc c e s s f ul l yc r e at e da l otofhypeaboutt e l e me di c i nei nme di c ala ndI Tc ommuni t ybuta l s ogotal otofe x pos ur e f r om t heme di a. Thec onf e r e nc ewa sonei fi t ski nda si tde mons t r at e dl i vet e l e me di c i ne s e s s i onf ort hef i r s tt i mei nPa ki s t a n,s howi nga c t ualt e l e c ons ul t sbe t we e nt hedoc t orandt he s pe c i al i s ta ndal s obe t we e nt hepat i e nta ndt hes pe c i al i s t . Li veTe l e s ur g e r yope r at i onwasa l s o s howni nt hec onf e r e nc ewi t ht heus eofFi be ropt i ct e c hnol ogy . B.I de nt i f i c at i ono f Te l e me di c i nePr o j e c t s: Oneoft heobj e c t i ve soft hef or um wa st oi de nt i f ypi l otpr oj e c t s ,whi c hc a nt he nber e pl i c at e d t obe c omec ompl e t epr oj e c t s . A br i e fnot eoft hepr oj e c t si de nt i f i e dbyt het e l e me di c i nef or um i sa sunde r; 1 Heal t hManagementI nf o r mat i onSys t e m( HMI S): I ti sas ys t e mt hatde al swi t ht hec ol l e c t i onofpa t i e nta nddi s e a s ei nf or ma t i onbui l di nga dat abas ewhi c hwi l lhe l pi ns t at i s t i c ala nal y s i swhi c hwi l li nt ur naddt oourknowl e dg eabout t hepr i ma r yhe a l t hc ar es e c t ora l s o. I ti nc l ude sa ne l e c t r oni cpa t i e ntr e c or d. Onc es uc c e s s f ul l y i nt r oduc e de ac hande ve r yhe al t hc ar euni tc anbel i nke dt oi ta nda l s ot ot heMi ni s t r yof he al t h,ke e pi ngt he ma br e as toft hel at e s tde ve l opme nt si nhe a l t hs e c t or . 2 Heal t hI nf or mat i onRes our ceCent e r( HI RC) Thi spr oj e c ta i msa tpr omot i nghe al t hr e s e a r c handl i nkr e s e ar c ht ode ve l opme nt .I twi l lbe anonl i ner e s our c ec e nt e ra boutme di c a lj our na l s ,me di c a lr e s e a r c ha c t i v i t i e sa nddat a bas eof hos pi t al sa nddoc t or sofPa ki s t an. Thr ought hi sonl i nec e nt e rnotonl yt hedoc t or swi l lbe be ne f i t e dbutt hege ne r alpubl i cwi l la l s obea bl et og e tal otofus e f uli nf or mat i on. I tc a n al s opl ayar ol ei ndi s e as eawar e ne s s . 24 3 3 Tel eps ychi at r y Thi spr oj e c twi l ll i nkt heI ns t i t ut eofPs y c hi at r ywi t hot he rps y c hi a t r i cc a r es i t e sa ndc onne c t t he s ec e nt e r st or e mot es i t e sf ort e l e c ons ul t a t i onsa boutps yc hi at r i cdi s or de r s . Thi spr oj e c ti sa s t e pt oi mpr oveps yc hi a t r i cpr obl e msa l love rt hec ount r y . 4 Tel eder mat ol ogy Thi spr oj e c ti ss ubs t ant i al l ys i mi l a rt ot e l e ps y c hi a t r y. I tl i nksv a r i ouse xi s t i ngde r mat ol og y c e nt e r swi t hr e mot es i t e st oe xc hangei nf or ma t i onabouts ki ndi s or de r s .I ti sba s e di nt he I ns t i t ut eofde r ma t ol ogy,Ki ngEdwa r dMe di c a lCol l e g eLahor e . 5 Tel er adi ol ogyPr oj ect Thi spr oj e c tc onne c t sr e mot ehos pi t al sofSi ndhwi t ht e ac hi nghos pi t a l sf ort e l e c ons ul t a t i ons aboutRadi ol ogy . Thepr oj e c t sa r eatdi f f e r e nts t age sofa ppr ov a la tt hemi ni s t r y. HI RC pr oj e c thasbe e n appr ove dandi si ni mpl e me nt at i onphas e . Thr e epr oj e c t sna me l yHMI S,Te l e ps y c hi at r yand Te l e de r mat ol ogyar eatt hepe e rr e v i e ws t a ge . C.Te l e me di c i neTr ai ni ngo f Paki s t aniDo c t o r s PakUSc ol l abor at i oni nSc i e nc ea ndTe c hnol ogyf i e l dsl e dt ot heoppor t uni t yoft r a i ni ngof t woPaki s t anidoc t or si nUSA. The s edoc t or swe r es e ntt ot heUSt oge tt r a i ne df r om t heUS t e l e me di c i nee xpe r t satt hebe s tt e l e me di c i nec e nt e r si nt hewor l d. The s edoc t or swi l la c tas ma s t e rt r ai ne r si nt hec ount r yandhe nc ebui l di ngahuma nr e s our c ei nt hi spa r t i c ul arf i e l d. Vi r gi ni ac ommons we a l t huni ve r s i t y,Ri c hmondi sr unni ngat e l e me di c i nepr og r am wi t hhol y f ami l yhos pi t alRa wa l pi ndif oc us i ngonus eoft e c hnol ogyi nde c i s i onma ki ngande xc hangeof e xpe r t i s e . Vi s i on Theai mi st oupl i f tt hee he al t hc ondi t i onsoft hec ount r ye s pe c i al l yt her ur a la r e a sof Paki s t an. Theba s i cf r ame wor ki st ot r yandpr ov i dear ol emode lt oc onne c te ac ha nde v e r y Pr i mar yHe al t hCa r eCe nt e ri nPaki s t a nwi t hUr ba nHos pi t a l sa ndTe a c hi nghos pi t a l si nt he c i t i e s ,andl a t e re s t a bl i s hi nt e r nat i onall i nks . Us eofI nf or mat i onTe c hnol ogyi ni mpr ovi nghe al t hc a r ei nPaki s t ani st hene e doft het i me . Thene wI . T. Pol i c yi sa ddr e s s i ngt hei s s ueofa va i l a bi l i t yofI nt e r ne ti nv i r t ua l l ya l lt hebi g c i t i e sofPaki s t anate xt r e me l ye c onomi c a lr at e s . Wi t ht hi si nf r a s t r uc t ur ei npl ac e ,r ur ala nd ur banar e a sofPa ki s t anc anbel i nke dt hr oug hTe l e me di c i net opr ovi des pe c i al i z e dhe a l t hc a r e t ot heunde r s e r ve dar e asofPaki s t a n. Re ma r ka bl yl ow t e l e c ommuni c a t i ona ndt e c hnol og y c os thasbe gunt os pe e dupoft heus eofc omput e r s . Mos ti mpor t a nt ,howe v e r ,i st he r e al i z at i ont hatt heI nt e r ne tc anpr ope lt e l e me di c i nei nt oabi gr ol e . Ast heI nt e r ne tc ont i nue t ogr ow mor er obus tandi nc or por at e sv i de ot r ans mi s s i oni nPa ki s t an,t e l e me di c i nei nmanyof i t svar i e df or mswi l lbe c omeubi qui t ous . Fut ur eDi r ect i ons 1 Te l e me di c i ne― me di c ali nt r ane to ft hec ount r y Theul t i mat egoali st oc onne c te ac hande v e r yhe al t hc ar euni toft hec ount r yandt hus ma ki ngame di c ali nt r ane tt hr oughwhi c ha nydoc t orc a nc ons ul ta nyot he rdoc t orora s pe c i a l i s ta ta nyt i mes i t t i nganywhe r ei nt hec ount r y. I tha sbe e npr ov e nt i meanda g ai nt ha t t hi st y peoft e l e me di c i nene t wor ki snotonl ypos s i bl ebutf e a s i bl easwe l l .I ti snotadr e am 24 4 a nymor ea ndhasbe c omeane vi de ntr e a l i t y. Pa ki s t anhasoneoft hebe s tme di c a li nf r a s t r uc t ur e si nAs i abutduet ol ac kofi mpl e me nt at i onandge ogr aphi c alr e s t r i c t i onst hedoc t or i nar e mot ear e af e e l si s ol at e dwhe ni tc ome st ot r e at i ngapr obl e mc a s ea st hes pe c i al i s twho c a nhe l phi mi ss i t t i ngmi l e sa wa y. I nf or ma t i onTe c hnol og yi nPa ki s t a ni sunde r g oi ngr api d pr ogr e s si nt hec ur r e nty e a r s .I nc r e a s eus eofi nt e r ne t ,a va i l abi l i t yoff i be ropt i ci nt hemaj or c i t i e sa nds at e l l i t et e c hnol ogya r et hef ac t or swhi c hma kebe s tus eoft e c hnol ogyby i nc or por at i ngi ti nhe al t hs e c t orast e l e me di c i ne . Te l e me di c i nec anbr i dget hatga pa ndt he doc t ora tt her e mot ec e nt e rwi l lhavenopr obl e msge t t i ngt ot hes pe c i a l i s tt hr oug ht heus eof t hi ss i mpl eye tphe nome na lt e c hnol ogy . Te l e me di c i nec anmaket hebe s tus eoft hee x i s t i ng me di c ali nf r as t r uc t ur e ,wi t hve r yl i mi t e de x pe ndi t ur e . 2 Foc usont heunde r s e r v e ds pe c i al i t i e s Asi de nt i f i e di ni t i al l ybyTe l e me di c i nef or um,de r ma t ol og y,r a di ol ogyandps y c hi a t r yar et he f e wa r e aswhi c hl a c ke noughhuma nr e s our c ef ac t or . Thef oc usi nf ut ur ewi l lbeon t e l e de r mat ol og y,t e l e r adi ol ogyandt e l e ps y c hi a t r yt oaddr e s st hi si s s ue . 3 Co nt i nue d Me di c alEduc at i on: Asme nt i one dabovet heus eoft hi st e c hnol og yc annotonl ymakepat i e ntc a r eal otbe t t e rbut i tc anal s ohe l pi ni mpr ovi ngt hec ont i nue dme di c ale duc a t i on( CME)pr og r a m,he l pi ngt he doc t or sa tt her e mot ear e asore ve ni nt heur ba na r e ast og e tt hel at e s ti nf or ma t i oni nt hef i e l d ofme di c i neandbeabr e as toft hel at e s tt r e ndsa ndr e c e nta dv anc e si npa t i e ntma na ge me nt . Thei nc r e as i ngr e v ol ut i onofI Ta l love rt hewor l dc a l l sf ort hea dopt i onoft e l e me di c i nei nt he c our s eofme di c als t udi e se ar l yast hes t ude nt sa r emuc he ne r ge t i catt hi sa gea ndr i ghtf r om t he be g i nni ngt he yc a nge tac hanc et oi nc r e a s et he i rme di c a lknowl e dg et hr oug ht heus eof t e l e me di c i ne 4 Tr ai ni ngo f LHVsand Par ame di c alSt a f f: Te l e me di c i nec anpr ovi debas i cknowl e dget oLHV̀sr e g ar di ngus eofc omput e r s ,I nt e r ne ta nd e mai lf orhe a l t he duc at i onpur pos eandpr ov i di ngf r e eofc os tt r a i ni ngaboutf a mi l ypl anni ng me t hods .I nf ut ur et hi sv e nt ur ewi l lhol di nt e ns i vewor ks hopsr e g ar di ngLHVsa nd par ame di c als t af fandal s ode s i g nonl i nec our s e sf ort he i rt r a i ni ngonf ami l ypl anni ng me t hods . Thi st r ai ni ngwi l le nabl et hepar ame di c a ls t a f ft ous eTe l e me di c i nef ort hee ar l y ma na ge me ntoft hepat i e nti nt her ur alc e nt e re v e ni nt heabs e nc eofadoc t or . 5 De v e l opme nto fi ndi ge no usTe l e me di c i neSo f t war eand Har dwar eI ndus t r y . De ve l opme ntoff ul l yc us t omi z e dt e l e me di c i nes of t wa r ec apa bl eofi nc or por a t i ngva r i ous modal i t i e sofc ommuni c at i oni st hene e doft hehouraddr e s s i ngt hec omput e rl i t e r a c yofour doc t or s . Thi st e l e me di c i nes of t wa r ewi l le nabl ee a s yi nt e r ac t i onbe t we e ne he a l t hpr ov i de r , pat i e nt sa ndme di c als t ude nt s . Theappl i c at i onoft hi ss of t wa r ec a nbede mons t r at e dby /Pi de v e l opi ngamode l l ott e l e me di c i neuni t si nc l udi ngat e a c hi nghos pi t al( t e r t i a r yc ar e hos pi t al )a ndr e mot ehos pi t al st ode mons t r a t ev ar i ousa ppl i c at i onsoft e l e me di c i neus i ng di f f e r e ntmodal i t i e sofc ommuni c a t i on. Pi one e r i ngwor kha sbe e ndonei nt hi sr e g ar dby El i xi rt e c hnol ogi e s . Us i ngt hei nputf r om t het woi nt e r nat i onal l yt r ai ne ddoc t or ss pe c i a l i z e d s of t wa r ewi l lber e a dyf orus ei nt hene xtf e w mont hs . 6 Re g i o naland I nt e r nat i o nalCol l ab o r at i o n: Ourv i s i onaboutt hef ut ur eoft e l e me di c i nedoe s ntl i mi tust ot hebounda r i e sofourc ount r y . Wi t ht heus eoft hemode r nt e l e me di c i net e c hnol ogywewa ntt or e ac houtt ot hei nt e r nat i ona l f or um oft e l e me di c i ne . Spe c i alc ons i de r a t i oni sc ol l abor at i onsa mongSAARC c ount r i e sasal l 24 5 oft he ma r ehavi ngs amehe al t hi s s ue sa ndal mos ts i mi l a re he al t hi nf r as t r uc t ur e . Ourr e ala i m i st obeoneoft het e l e me di c i nec e nt e r sc onne c t e dt ot hema i nt e l e me di c i nene t wor koft he wor l d. 24 6 21 Pap uaNew Gui ne a56 Co nnect i ngRur alPNG t oI nf or mat i o nAget hr oughSus t ai nabl eEng i ne er i ngSol ut i on Backgr ound PapuaNe w Gui ne ai sl oc at e di nOc e ani aandoc c upi e s gr oupofi s l andsi nc l udi ngt hee as t e r nha l foft hei s l a ndof Ne w Gui ne abe t we e nt heCor alSe aandt heSout hPa c i f i c Oc e an,e as tofI ndone s i a. I t st ot ala r e ai s462 , 840s qkm andhasapopul at i onof5 , 545, 2 68( J ul y20 05e s t . ) . Thi spape rpr e s e nt sbr i e f l yPa puane w Gui ne ae xpe r i e nc ei n / t e l e me di c i ne e he al t h. Ter msofRef er encef orTe l e Haus l i nePr o j ec t Te l e Haus l i nePi l otPr oj e c thast oi nvol v et hef ol l owi ng Par t i c i pant sa sPr oj e c tPar t ne r s: Fi g. 1 Local ・ThePapuaNe aUni ve r s i t yofTe c hnol ogy; El e c t r i c alEngi ne e r i ngDe pa r t me nt& w Gui ne Appr opr i at eTe c hnol ogyDe ve l opme ntI ns t i t ut e ・I nt e r nalRe ve nueCommi s s i on( I RC) ・I nde pe nde ntCons ume ra ndCompe t i t i onCommi s s i on( I CCC) ・PapuaNe w Gui ne aRadi oc ommuni c at i onandTe l e c ommuni c a t i onTe c hni c a lAut hor i t y ( PANGTEL) ・TheUni ve r s i t yofPapuaNe w Gui ne aSc hoolofMe di c i neandNa t i onalHe a l t hDe pa r t me nt ・Nat hr oughTheMi ni s t r yofSt a t eEnt e r pr i s ea ndI nf or mat i on i ona lGove r nme ntt ・Pr ovi nc i ala ndLoc alGove r nme nt soft hes e l e c t e dPr oj e c tSi t e s ・Loc alPopul at i onoft hePr oj e c tSi t e Pos s i bl eI nt e r nat i onalPar t ne r s ・TheI nt e r nat i onalTe l e c ommuni c at i onUni on( I TU) ・J apane s eI nt e r nat i onalCoope r at i onAg e nc y( J I CA) ・As i aPac i f i cTe l e c ommuni t y( APT) ・Ot he r s Or gani zeal lact i vi t i esi ncl ud i ngbutno tl i mi t edt o: ・Conduc t i ngf e as i bi l i t ys t udi e s , ・I de nt i f yi ngf undi ngs our c e s , ・I de nt i f yi nghumanr e s our c e sr e qui r e d;and 5 6 MrSa ms onWe na,Pa puaNe w Gui ne aTe l e c ommuni c a t i onsAut hor i t y ,Fr angi pa niSt r e e t ,P.O.BOX 82 27, @pangt w Gui ne a ,s we na e l . g ov . pg Bor okoNCD,Por tMor e s by11 1,Pa puaNe 24 7 ・De ve l opi nge f f e c t i v ewor kpr og r a msi nc ol l a bor a t i onwi t hl oc a l ,r e gi onala ndi nt e r na t i onal s swhi l er e s pe c t i ngt hel i mi t soft her e s our c e sa vai l a bl e . par t ne r sf oropt i mum pr og r e Sc he dul e sofa l lwor kpr ogr amss houl ddul yc ons i de rt her e qui r e dt i mi ngoft hee x pe c t e d out puta ndt hepr e s e nt at i onofquar t e r l ypr ogr e s sr e por t st oa l lpa r t i c i pa t i ngor g a ni z a t i ona nd / t hee l e c t e d/ appoi nt e dpr oj e c tma na ge r ma nag e r e s s . Es t abl i s he f f e c t i v ec ommuni c a t i onbe t we e ne ac hpr oj e c ts i t e s ,moni t ora ndc oor di nat eal l pr oj e c ta c t i vi t i e si nc ol l abor at i onwi t hi nt e r nat i ona landr e gi onalpar t ne r s . /or Wor kwi t hs e l e c t e dof f i c e r sa ndc ons ul t a nt sf r om t hepa r t i c i pat i ngi ns t i t ut i ons g ani z at i onst o ac hi e vet heobj e c t i ve sandgoal soft hepr oj e c twi t hi nt hes e tt i mef r a mea ndbudge t . Payat t e nt i ont ot heaf f e c t e dc ommuni t yandi ndus t r y( e . g .Te l i kom PNG Lt d)a nde ns ur et ha t t he i ri nt e r e s t sa ndc ons e ntt oa nyl e galunde r t a ki ng sdi r e c t l yr e l at i ngt ot hepr oj e c tora f f e c t e d f r om t hepr oj e c tar et ake ni nt oduec ons i de r a t i on. A bi par t i s anappr oa c ht oa c hi e v emut ua l r e c ogni t i onofanyac t i v i t ya sar e s ul toft hepr oj e c twoul dbee nc our ag e dhe r e . Pr oduc eanI nf or mat i onPape rf ort heNat i ona lExe c ut i veCounc i l( NEC)t hr ought heSt a t e Ent e r pr i s eandI nf or ma t i onMi ni s t r yandPr ovi nc i alGov e r nme nt sf orde l i be r at i onoft he Pr oj e c tf i ndi ng s . Thepape rwoul ddi s c us st hee xpans i onoft hepr oj e c tc onc e pti nc l udi ngt he appl i c at i onofTe l e me di c i ne ,Te l e he al t handTe l e e duc at i on,whi c hi sa l s obe i ngc ons i de r e dat t hi ss t agei not he rr ur alar e asofPa puaNe w Gui ne a. Re c omme ndas t r at e gywhe r ei ndus t r yandGove r nme ntwoul dc ol l e c t i ve l yf undt hepr oj e c t c onc e pts houl dt het r i al st ur nouts uc c e s s f ul . Suc hs t r a t e gyma yc ons i de rt a xe xe mpt i onf or i ndus t r i e ss uppor t i ngandadvanc i ngt hepr oj e c tc onc e pti nt e r msofr e s our c ea l l oc at i onand f i nanc i alc ommi t me nt . I nt r oduct i on I nPNG a ppr oxi mat e l y90%oft het ot alpopul at i onof5mi l l i onpe opl ear ey e tt oha veac c e s s t obas i canal oguet e l e phoneandf axs e r v i c e s . Ba s i ct e l e phonyf orbot hf i xe dandmobi l ei sa l uxur ywhe r eonl yaf e w,e s pe c i al l yt hos el i vi ngi nur ba nc e nt r e swi t hs omef or m ofi nc ome c anaf f or di twhi l et hebul koft hepopul at i onc a nnotaf f or dt hes e r v i c e sa ndr e ma i ni g nor a nt oft he i rus e s . Whi l s tt her ur a la r e asa r es l owl ybe i nge xpos e dt ot hebas i cv oi c e ba s e dt e c hnol og y,t heur ban c e nt r e sa r emovi ngf as ti nt odi gi t al i z at i ont husmaki ngr api dpr ogr e s si nt heappl i c a t i onof I nf or mat i onandCommuni c at i onTe c hnol ogi e s( I CT)a ndI nt e r ne t . Thi si sa t t r i but e dt ot he f ac tt hatt hemonopol yr e gi meTe l i kom PNG Lt di sc onc e nt r a t i ngs e r v i c ei nve s t me nt si nt he ur ba nc e nt r e sa ndt ownswhi l ec l ai mi ngt ha tr ur a lar e asar eune c onomi c a lduet ol e s sbus i ne s s ac t i vi t i e sandhi ghi nf r as t r uc t ur ec os t s . Cur r e nt l y,t hei nc umbe ntc ar r i e rTe l i kom PNG Lt dhasaf i x e di ns t al l e dne t wor kc a pa c i t yof about84 , 0 00l i ne s ,ofwhi c happr oxi mat e l y72, 0 00l i ne sa r ec ur r e nt l yc onne c t e d. Ce l l ul ar s e r vi c e s( GSM)ha veappr oxi mat e l y25, 0 00s ubs c r i be r sa ndar eus e donl yi ns e v e r a lur ba n c e nt r e s . Compar i ngt henumbe roff i x e dl i nea ndc e l l ul ars ubs c r i be r swi t ht hec ount r ys popul at i onof5mi l l i on,i ti sobvi oust he r ei sane e df ort heGove r nme nta ndi t sr e l e v a nt i ns t i t ut i onst os how s omer e s pons i bi l i t yi nde v e l opi ngar ur a lt e l e c ommuni c at i ons t r a t e gyt hat i st e c hni c al l y,e c onomi c al l yands oc i abl yf e as i bl eands us t ai na bl e . Thes t r at e gymus tbef oc us e donde l i ve r i ngi nf or ma t i ona ndc ommuni c a t i ons e r vi c e st ot he r ur a lar e a sa ta f f or da bl ec os t s . Thi sma yi nc l udet hepr ovi s i onofTe l e me di c i ne ,Te l e he a l t h andTe l e e duc at i onvi at her ur alne t wor k. He nc et hebe s twa ypos s i bl ei st ode ve l opar ur a l t e l e c ommuni c at i onne t wor kt hats uppor t st e l e c ommuni c a t i ons y s t e msc ombi ni ngl ow c os t s 24 8 wi r e l e s sa c c e s st e c hnol ogi e swi t hpac ke t ba s e dne t wor ksf orpos s i bl ede l i v e r yofI nt e r ne ti nt o r ur alar e as .( Appe ndi xA s howsadi ag r ammat i cr e pr e s e nt a t i onoft hec onc e ptof Te l e Haus l i ne ) . Att hi ss t agei ti se nv i s a ge dt hati ft hepr oj e c ti ss uc c e s s f ul ,t hepr ovi nc i ala ndl oc al gove r nme nti nc ol l abor at i onwi t ht heI ndus t r y,i nt e r e s t e dg ov e r nme ntandnongove r nme nt or g ani z at i onsa ndus e r swoul dc ol l e c t i v e l yma i nt a i ni t sl ongt e r ms us t a i nabi l i t y. Thi sg a ve bi r t ht ot hec onc e ptofTe l e Haus l i ne . Pr oj ectCo ncept Te l e Haus l i nei saRe s e ar c hPr oj e c tde s i g ne dbyPANGTEL e s pe c i a l l yt os e e kal t e r na t i v e e ngi ne e r i ngs ol ut i onst or e me dydi s a dv ant a ge dr ur alpopul at i oni nPNG t oa c c e s sbas i c i nf or mat i onandc ommuni c at i onf a c i l i t i e s .I ti sde s i g ne dt oi nve s t i g a t et heappl i c a t i onsof wi r e l e s sa c c e s ss y s t e mst os uppor tr ur alc ommuni c at i onsbypr ov i di ngvi abl ee ng i ne e r i ng s ol ut i onst ha ti sc os taf f or dabl eandof f e r sl ongt e r ms us t a i nabi l i t yi nt her e mot evi l l a ge s , di s t r i c t sa ndt owns . Cons i de r i ngPNG r ugg e dt opogr aphi c alt e r r ai nandc ompl e xde mog r aphy ,t her e s e ar c hai mst o i nve s t i gat e ,ana l yz eande val uat evar i ouswi r e l e s sa c c e s ss y s t e ms ,par t i c ul a r l yWi r e l e s sI P Sys t e ms ,ut i l i z i nga ppr opr i at ec os ta f f or dabl et e c hnol ogyt opr ovi der ur ala r e a sa c c e s st ot he i nf or mat i onage . Ec onomi ci s s ue sar i s i ngf r om i nt e r c onne c t i onsl i kebi l l i ngsa ndva l uea dde d s e r v i c e swoul dbec ons i de r e dunde rt her e s e a r c hf ort hebe ne f i toff ut ur eGove r nme nte c onomi c r e f or msl i kepr i vat i z at i on,de r e gul at i onandl i be r al i z a t i on. Thede s i gnc onf i gur at i onoft hepi l otpr oj e c ts e e st wone t wor ksi nt e r c onne c t i ngwi t he a c h ot he r . Te l e Haus l i nepi l otne t wor kwi l li nt e r c onne c twi t ht hee x i s t i ngTe l i kom Ne t wor k. The pi l otpr oj e c tai mst ode t e r mi net hef e as i bi l i t yofe ac hpr ovi nc et oma na get he i rownr ur a l t e l e c ommuni c at i onne t wor k,s uppor t e dbywi r e l e s st e c hnol ogi e sa ndi nt e r c onne c t i ngwi t hot he r ne t wor k( I nt e r ne t ,PSTN,e t c )i nt hef ut ur e . Thet r i alpr oj e c twi l lbeus e dt oi nv e s t i g at et he f undame nt alc onc e pt sofi nt e r c onne c t i ons ,a ppl i c a t i ont e c hnol og i e sf ori nt e r c onne c t i ons , bi l l i ngs ,t ar i f f sandne t wor kmana ge me ntpr ot oc ol s . Conc ur r e ntt ot ha tPANGTEL woul di nv i t et hePNG Uni v e r s i t yofTe c hnol og y,El e c t r i c a l Eng i ne e r i ngDe par t me nta ndAppr opr i a t eTe c hnol og yDe ve l opme ntI ns t i t ut e( ATDI )t o i nv e s t i ga t er e ne wa bl er ur ale ne r gys ol ut i onst os uppor tTe l e Haus l i nef a c i l i t i e s . Ene r g ys our c e i sa ni mpor t anta s pe c tofpr ovi di ngr ur a lc ommuni c a t i ont he r e f or et heuni ve r s i t ywoul dbe e nga ge dasr e s e ar c hpar t ne r st ode v e l opt hea l t e r nat i v es ol ut i ons . Ot he rt e r t i ar yi ns t i t ut i ons l i ket heUni ve r s i t yofPa puaNe w Gui ne a( UPNG)Sc hoolofMe di c i ne ,He a l t hDe par t me nt , Vuda lUni v e r s i t yofTe c hnol ogyandKe r e va tAg r i c ul t ur alRe s e a r c hI ns t i t ut emaybei nvi t e dt o par t i c i pat e . He nc eapr ac t i c ale ngi ne e r i ngs ol ut i oni nvol v i ngt hepe opl e ,i ndus t r y,uni v e r s i t y ,r e s e a r c h i ns t i t ut i onsa ndt hepr ovi nc i alandl oc alg ov e r nme nt swoul dbei de nt i f i e dt oe ns ur et hat t e l e c ommuni c at i onandi nf or mat i ons e r v i c e sr e ac ht her ur alar e ast hr ought he i rc ommuna l par t i c i pa t i on. PANGTEL wi l lpr ovi det hel e a de r s hi pt oe ns ur ee v e r ypl a y e rt hr oug ht he i r par t i c i pat i oni nTe l e Haus l i nei ss at i s f i e doft he i rc ont r i but i oni nde v e l opi ngt e l e c ommuni c at i on andI CT s e r vi c e si nr ur a lPNG. I s s ue sl i kei nt e r c onne c t i vi t ypol i c yt hati sbe i ngde v e l ope dbyPANGTEL andI CCC woul dbe e nc our age dt oac knowl e dget hepr oj e c tobj e c t i ve l yt huspr ovi di ngl e ve r aget or ur ala r e as t hr ought he i rpr ovi nc i alaut hor i t i e st oma naget her ur a lt e l e c ommuni c at i onne t wor k. Thec onc e ptmaye nt e rame mor a ndum ofunde r s t andi ngwi t ht hei nc umbe ntc a r r i e rt ohe l pt he 24 9 monopol yr e gi me;i nt hi sc as eTe l i kom PNG Lt dunde r s t andst ha tt hi swoul dbet hebe s twa y f or wa r dt ol i nkt her ur alar e asofPNG. He nc epe r mi s s i onf ori nt e r c onne c t i onandVoi c eov e r I nt e r ne tPr ot oc ol( VoI P)s e r vi c e st hr oug hPubl i cSwi t c he dTe l e c om Ne t wor k( PSTN)c anbe gr ant e df ort her e s e a r c hpur pos e s . Pr es s i ngCommuni cat i o nI s s ues Af t e ra l mos tt hr e ede c a de sofi nde pe nde nc emos toft her ur a lpopul a t i onofPNG have pur por t e dl ybe e nne gl e c t e dandde pr i ve doft hi sc e nt ur ysmos tc r uc i als oc i a la nde c onomi c de ve l opme nti nf r a s t r uc t ur e . Thi si sl ar g e l yat t r i but e dt ot heGove r nme ntsl ac kofawa r e ne s s onhow i nf or ma t i ont e c hnol ogyandane f f e c t i v ea ndqual i t yt e l e c ommuni c a t i ons e r v i c e sc an pr ogr e s s i ve l ydr i vet hec ount r ysf l e dgi nge c onomyt hr oug hc ol l e c t i v epa r t i c i pat i onbyt he l ar ge l ya c t i ver ur alpopul at i on. Wi t ht hepoora ndi ns uf f i c i e ntr oa di nf r as t r uc t ur e sandhi g hc os tofl and,a i ra nds e a t r ans por t at i on,pe opl ei nt her ur a la r e a se xpe r i e nc el i t t l eornoe c onomi cde ve l opme nt . Loc a l bus i ne s s e s ,i ndi vi dual s ,f ami l i e s ,l oc alg ove r nme nt s ,NGOs ,s c hool sa ndhe a l t hc e nt e r sa r e g r a ve l yhampe r e dbyt hehi ghc os tofa c c e s s i ngbas i cs e r v i c e sduet oi ns uf f i c i e ntorpoor l y manage dnat i onali nf r as t r uc t ur e she nc e ,be c omi nge c onomi c al l yl e s spr oduc t i ve . Thi shas c ont r i but e dt oadownf al li nt hel i vi ngs t anda r dsofpe opl ei nt her ur a la r e ast obe l ow pov e r t y l i nebywor l ds t a ndar ds . Bot hl ar g ea nds ma l lc ommuni t i e si nmos tr ur alar e asofPNG s har eac ommonc ha r a c t e r i s t i c i nt ha tpubl i cs e r vi c ei ns t i t ut i ons ,c omme r c i alorbus i ne s ss e r vi c e sar ee i t he rl ac ki ng ,ort he i r ope r a t i oni sve r yl i mi t e dora r eofl ow qual i t y( i . e .e duc a t i on,he al t h,s oc i a lc ar e , t r ans por t at i onpos t als e r v i c e s ,banki ng,c omme r c i als uppl i e s );j oboppor t uni t i e sar es c a r c ea nd/ h― a r edi s adv ant a ge d, ornone xi s t e nt . Asar e s ul t ,t her ur alpopul a t i onpar t i c ul ar l y,t heyout a ndhuman,c ommuni t y,nat ur ala nde c onomi cr e s our c e sa r eunde rut i l i z e d. Theur ba nc e nt r e sa r ee xpe r i e nc i ngr e l at i v eg r owt hsi ns oc i ala nde c onomi cde ve l opme nt be c aus eoft hec onc e nt r at i onofi nve s t me nt si nur ba nc e nt r e swhi l et her ur a la r e ashav e vi r t ua l l yr e mai ne ds t agnant . Thi shasa ppar e nt l yc r e a t e da n oppor t uni t ydi vi de be t we e nt he ur banandr ur alpopul at i on. Se r vi c ei nve s t me nt sa r ec onc e nt r a t e di nt heur ba nar e aswhi l et he r ur alar e asc ont i nuet os uf f e r . Nomat t e rhow har dPNG t r i e st or e s ol v et hei s s ueofc r e at i nge qua loppor t uni t yf ori t smas s popul at i onl i vi ngi nt her ur ala r e ast oac c e s ss e r v i c ei nf r a s t r uc t ur el i ket e l e c ommuni c at i on,t he c ur r e ntadve r s ee c onomi cs i t uat i ononl yma ke si tdi f f i c ul tt oa c hi e ve . Thi sha sl i t t l ee f f e c ton t heur banar e ass i nc et heoppor t uni t ydi v i dei se x pa ndi ngasar e s ul tofs i gni f i c a nt i mpr ov e me nt sa ndgr owt hi nt het e l e c ommuni c a t i oni ndus t r yasi tmove si nt odi gi t al i z a t i on andI nt e r ne te r a . He nc eadi gi t aldi vi dei sbe i ngc r e at e d,s t e mmi ngf r om t heoppor t uni t ydi vi debe t we e nPNG andt her e s toft hewor l d. PNG i snow a tt hec r os s r oa dwhe r et hec ount r yi sf ac e dwi t ht he di l e mmaofhow e f f e c t i v e l yi tc anbr i dget het wodi v i de( oppor t uni t yanddi g i t al ) s i mul t ane ous l yatr e a s ona bl ec os t . Thec ha l l e ng ei s s ue ss e r i ousc ons i de r a t i onf ort her e g ul at or , g ov e r nme nt s ,s e r vi c epr ovi de r sandot he ri ndus t r i e s . Ther e s ul t soft heoppor t uni t ydi vi dei sde va s t at i ngt ot hec ount r yss oc i ala nde c onomi c de v e l opme nta st hemaj or i t yoft hepopul a t i onl i ve si nt her ur a la r e a sa ndar ede pr i v e dof a c c e s s i ngi nf or ma t i onandc ommuni c a t i ont e c hnol ogyt oi mpr ovet he i rs oc i ala nde c onomi c we l lbe i ng. Rur ala r e aswi t houte x t r aor di nar yl oc alas s e t sc a ndi l a pi da t ei nana gewhe nonl y ady na mi cs hi f ta ndde ve l opme ntc ane ns ur eac hanc es ur vi v ala nda dapt a t i ont one w c ondi t i ons . 25 0 LongTer m Obj ect i vesandGoal s PANGTEL i sc ommi t t e dt os t andf i r ma st hec ount r ypr oj e c tl e ade ra nde ns ur et hatt hi s r e s e ar c ha c hi e ve si t sobj e c t i ve swi t hi nt hes e tt i mef r a mea ndbudg e t . PANGTEL s t af fwi l l pr ovi det het e c hni c alknow how i nc ol l a bor a t i onwi t hr e l e v anti ndus t r ya ndpr oj e c tc ons ul t ant s bot hons hor eandabr oadt oe ns ur er e s e a r c hi spr ope r l yc a r r i e doutwi t hmi ni ma l i nc onv e ni e nc e s . Be i ngat e c hni c a lr e g ul at oroft her adi oc ommuni c a t i onandt e l e c ommuni c at i oni ndus t r yi ti s t hel ongt e r m obj e c t i v eofPANGTEL t opr ovi del e ade r s hi pi nr e gul a t or yas pe c t soft hes e r vi c e i ndus t r yi namanne rt hatpr omot e si nv e s t me nt s . I ti sPANGTEL obj e c t i vet or e s e ar c ht e c hni c ali s s ue sa ndi de nt i f yal t e r na t i ves ol ut i onsf or s e ns i t i vei s s ue sl i ker ur alc ommuni c at i onsa ndpr ovi dea dvi c et ot heGov e r nme nt . The Gove r nme ntc a nus eourr e s e ar c ht opl a na ndbui l di nf r as t r uc t ur ede v e l opme ntt oa c hi e ve l ong t e r ms us t ai nabl ebe ne f i t sf ort hel a r ge l ydi s adva nt ag e dr ur alpopul at i on. Unde rt hepr oj e c tobj e c t i ve s ,t hef ol l owi nggoal swoul dbeac hi e ve d. ・Pr ovi des us t ai nabl eal t e r na t i ve sf orr ur alc ommuni c at i ons . ・Ex pe r i me ntt hes uc c e s sofs i mpl eappl i c at i onofTe l e me di c i ne ,Te l e he al t ha ndTe l e e duc a t i on t or i deont her ur alne t wor k. ・Pr ovi deGove r nme nts ol i de vi de nc eonhow t oaddr e s sr ur alc ommuni c a t i onpr obl e ms . ・Pr ovi deGov e r nme ntc r i t i c ali nf or ma t i ononhow r ur a lc ommuni c at i oni nf r a s t r uc t ur ec an dr i vet hel oc ale c onomyandi mpr ovepe opl esl i f e . ・Equi pande nc our a gePANGTEL t e c hni c a lwor kf or c ea ndpol i c yde v e l ope r st obei nnov at i v e andvi s i onar y. PANGTEL i sal s oawa r eoft hei mmi ne ntc hang e si nt het e l e c ommuni c at i oni ndus t r ywhe r e t hemar ke ti se ar mar ke df orpr i vat i z at i ona ndde r e g ul at i on. I ti st hepur pos eoft hi sr e s e a r c h t oe qui poure ng i ne e r sa ndt e c hni c alof f i c e r st ounde r s t a ndt heba s i cc onc e ptofi s s ue sl i ke i nt e r c onne c t i on,val ueadde ds e r vi c e sa nddi f f e r e ntne t wor kmana g e me ntpr ot oc ol s . Bybe i ng i nvol ve di npr ac t i c alr e s e a r c h,PANGTEL e ngi ne e r swi l lbec hal l e nge dt ot hee xt e ntofc omi ng f ac et of ac ewi t hr e al i t i e swhe r ee ng i ne e r i ng ,e c onomi c s ,c ul t ur eands oc i e t i e sme r g ef or s us t ai na bl ede ve l opme nt . Met hod ol o gy Te l e Haus l i ner e s e a r c hc e nt e r swi l ls e r vea samul t i f unc t i onals e r vi c el oc a t i onswhe r eadvanc e d i nf or mat i onandc ommuni c at i ont e c hnol ogi e sa nds e r vi c e s( I nt e r ne t )a r ema deav ai l a bl ef oral l c ommuni t y ,pe r s onal ,bus i ne s sandc i v i cus e sr e g a r dl e s soft he i rc ont e nt( e c onomi c ,e duc a t i ona l , c ul t ur a l ,s oc i al ,a dmi ni s t r at i ve ,e t c ) . The s euni quei nt e l l i g e nc ec e nt r e sc a nt he r e f or e( 1. )s e r ve asuni ve r s alout l e t s ,( 2. )ope nt hega t e st owa r dl a r g e rr e gi onsandt hee nt i r ewor l df ors ma l l c ommuni t i e s . Ot he rf a c i l i t i e swoul di nc l udeac omput e rc e nt r e swhi l epubl i cl i br a r i e satt he s e l e c t e dpr oj e c ts i t e sa r eunde rc ons i de r a t i on. I twi l la l s ous emode r nt e l e c ommuni c a t i onsa nd i nf or mat i ont e c hnol ogi e st of ac i l i t at ev i r t ua lwor ki ngs e s s i onsa ndc r e at ec ont i nuousi nt e r e s t g r oups . Ther e s e ar c hpr oj e c ti sdi vi de di nt ot womaj orc ompone nt sa si l l us t r a t e dbe l ow i nFi g .1. 0and wi l lbes har e dbyt hePNG Uni ve r s i t yofTe c hnol og yandPANGTEL a sma j orpr oj e c t par t ne r swhi l eot he rpar t i c i pant spos i t i onswi l lde pe ndont he i rr ol e sorr e s pons i bi l i t i e s . Unde rPANGTEL,t her e s e ar c hmayt r a i ls e v e r a lWi r e l e s sac c e s ss y s t e msa ndt e c hnol og i e s . 25 1 Fi g. 2 Te l e Haus l i nePi l o tRe s e ar c hAdmi ni s t r at i o nSt r uc t ur e Somet e c hnol ogyt hata r ee nvi s age datt hi ss t a gei nc l ude sna r r owbandpa c ke tr a di o,wi r e l e s s l oc all oops ys t e ms ,wi r e l e s sr out e r sandvoi c eov e rI P( VoI P) ,Sat e l l i t ea ndVSAT,whi c hi s e s t i mat e dt or unf orape r i odof2-3ye a r s . Howe ve r ,t hi spe r i odma ybee x t e nde dde pe ndi ng ont hepr og r e s soft hepr oj e c t . Dur i ngt het r i alpe r i od,s ys t e m adapt abi l i t y ,ne t wor kc onf i g ur at i on,t e c hnol ogyappl i c a t i ons a ndot he rs oc i alande c onomi cde ve l opme nt a li s s ue swi l lal s obei nv e s t i g at e d. Thi si st o de v e l opac ompl e t es us t ai nabl er ur alc ommuni c at i oni nf r a s t r uc t ur et os uppor tr e mot evi l l a ge s , s ubdi s t r i c t sands mal lt owns hi ps . Thi sr e s e a r c hwi l li nvol v er e s pe c t i vepr ovi nc i ala ut hor i t i e s t ode t e r mi net he i rr ol e si ns us t ai ni ngar ur alt e l e c ommuni c at i onne t wor ki nf ul lc ol l abor at i on wi t ht hei ndus t r y. Feas i bi l i t ySt udy Thepr oj e c tf e as i bi l i t ys t udyi sa ni mpor t antf ac t orandPANGTEL wi l lc onduc ti ti ns e l e c t e d r e mot ear e asi de nt i f i e df ort hepi l otpr oj e c t . Howe ve r ,i nt e r e s t e di nt e r na t i onalandr e gi onal or ga ni z a t i onsl i keI TU,APT,J I CA,Aus AI D,e t c ,maybei nvi t e dt oc onduc tj oi ntf e a s i bi l i t y s t udi e swhe r ea ppl i c abl e . Al ls t udi e swi l lbedonei nf ul lc ons ul t a t i onwi t ht hel oc ala nd pr ovi nc i alg ove r nme nt s ,nongove r nme ntor g ani z a t i ons ,t hepe opl ef r om t heaf f e c t e dar e a sa nd i nt e r e s t e dc ompani e sora ge nc i e s . Thes t udywi l lf oc usonl as tmi l ez oneofTe l i kom ac t i vi t i e s ,ar e at opogr a phy ,popul a t i on di s t r i but i on,we at he r ,e xi s t i ngi nf r as t r uc t ur e sa nd,pol i t i c a l ,e c onomi c a la nds oc i ala c t i v i t i e si n t hear e a. Bot hGove r nme nta ndnongove r nme ntr uns c hool s ,he a l t hc e nt r e sora i dpos t s , c ul t ur alc e nt r e sa ndot he rf ac i l i t i e swi l lbei de nt i f i e da ndma ppe df orpl a nni ngpur pos e s . TheEl e c t r i c alEngi ne e r i ngDe par t me nta ndATDIwi l lbec onduc t i ngt he i rownf e as i bi l i t y s t udyandt hatwi l lf oc usons uppl y i ngr e ne wa bl ee ne r g ys our c e . The ywi l la l s owor kunde r t heunde r s t andi ngoft hej oi ntr e s e ar c hwi t hPANGTEL,t hei nt e r na t i onalc ons ul t a nt sandt he dome s t i cc ons ul t ant se ng ag e d. Ar e at opog r aphy,e x i s t i nge l e c t r i c i t yi nf r as t r uc t ur e ,hy dr o anal ys i s ,ge ot e c hni c ala nal y s i s ,we at he ra nal y s i sa ndot he re nvi r onme nt a li s s ue sa r es omeoft he ar e ast hatwi l lbei nve s t i gat e d. 25 2 Thef e as i bi l i t ys t udywi l lbeas s i s t e dbyt hel oc alaut hor i t i e sandpr ov i nc i algov e r nme nt st o e ns ur et hati ti sr uns moot hl yandt hede s i r e dr e s ul t sa r eobt a i ne dwi t hi nt het i mea ndbudg e t al l oc at e dwi t houtunne c e s s ar ydi s t ur banc e s . PANGTEL wi l lt akec har geandwi l lbef ul l y r e s pons i bl eofa l ldat ac ol l e c t e df ort hepur pos eoft her e s e a r c hpr oj e c t . Pl anni ngandFund i ng Thepl anni ngandappr opr i a t i onoff undi ngwi l lbec ons t r uc t e da f t e rt hef e as i bi l i t ys t udyi s c ompl e t e dandt hene c e s s ar ydat ac ol l e c t e df ore val uat i on. Bas e dont hes t udi e s ,t het e c hni c a l t e am wi l lpl a nandde s i gnt hef i nalde t ai l sofhow t hepr oj e c twi l lber ol l e dout . Al lpa r t ne r s wi l ls ubmi taf ul lc os toft he i rde s i gnsa f t e ra s s i mi l at i ngt her e s ul t soft he i rs t udi e sf r om t he f e a s i bi l i t ys t udy . The s ewoul dbei nc or por at e ddur i ngt hepl a nni ngs t a gef orpr oj e c tde s i gn a ndf undi ngappr opr i at i on. PANGTEL ma yf undt hef e as i bi l i t ys t udys ol e l yands ubmi tf i naldoc ume nt at i onsf r om t he s t udyi nt hef or matofapr opos alt ovar i ousi ns t i t ut i onst hatof f e rf i nanc i a la ndt e c hni c a la i d f ors uc hpr oj e c t s . Unde rs uc hc i r c ums t a nc e s ,e s t i mat e dc os t sofa l le xpe ndi t ur e sf ort he f e as i bi l i t ys t udi e sa r ei nc l ude di nhe r e i n.( Se eAPPENDI X B) Thef undi ngf ort hepi l otpr oj e c twi l lbec ove r e dunde rPANGTELsbudg e tf orRe s e ar c hf or Rur alCommuni c at i onswhi c ht hebo ar di sye tt ode l i b e r at e. Howe ve ri ti sa l s oe nv i s a g e dat t hi ss t ag et hatdonorf undi ngandf undi ngf r om I TU woul dbes ol i c i t e ds i mul t ane ous l yt ome e t a nys hor tf al l sf r om ourbudge t . I mpl ement at i on Thei mpl e me nt at i onoft hepi l otpr oj e c twi l lbef i nal i z e dandt abl e dwhe nt hef undi ngand ot he rr e s our c e sar ema deavai l abl ebas e dont hef e as i bi l i t ys t udi e s . De t a i l e di mpl e me nt a t i on s c he dul e sofpr oc ur e me nt ,di s bur s e me nt ,s upe r vi s i on,pos te va l uat i onandmoni t or i ngaf t e r c ompl e t i onwi l lbepr ovi de df ora l lpar t i e si nv ol ve d. Re s ul t s -3ye Thepr oj e c ti se xpe c t e dt or unf or2 a r sa tmos t ,af t e rwhi c ht hepr ov i nc i a lg ove r nme nt wi l lbei nvi t e dt ot a keove ra ndmai nt a i nt heope r a t i onswhi l ePANGTEL c ont i nue st o pr ovi det e c hni c ala s s i s t anc e . Thedat ac ol l e c t e df r om t hedur a t i onoft her e s e ar c hwi l lbeus e d t odr aw upanat i onalr ur alt e l e c ommuni c a t i on& I CT ne t wor ks t r at e gy . Thes t r at e gywi l lbepr e s e nt e dt ot heGov e r nme ntf ori mpl e me nt a t i on. Unde rt hi ss t r a t e g y, i s s ue sl i kei nt e r c onne c t i vi t y,bi l l i ng,VoI Ps e r vi c e s ,ne t wor kma nag e me nte t cwi l lbef i nal i z e d f orr ur ali mpl e me nt at i on. The s ewi l lbei nc or por at e di nt oPANGTEL r e g ul a t or ypol i c ya nd g ui de l i ne sf ori ndus t r yr e gul at i onandGove r nme ntus e . I naddi t i ont hepr oj e c twoul de xpe r i me nts omeoft heappl i c a t i onsa sout l i ne di nt heI TU DOC.FG 7 TF DOC 4of2 8J une2002 . Oneoft hear e a st hepr oj e c ti si nt e r e s t e dt o e xpe r i me nti sTe l e me di c i neandTe l e he al t h. Dat aCommuni c at i on: ・f ors i mpl eappl i c at i oni nTe l e me di c i ne( e xc ha ngeofme di c alr e c or ds ,s t a t i s t i c s ,e pi de mi c s ur ve i l l a nc e ,t r ans mi s s i onofXr aysandEKG t e s tdat a ,c ons ul t at i onswi t hs pe c i a l i s tt hr oug h e ma i l ,e t c , ・Educ a t i onandRe s e ar c h( e xc e s st oe l e c t r oni c a l l ys t or e dl i br ar i e s ,t r ai ni ngma t e r i a la nd r e s e ar c hpape r sand,pos s i bl y ,t r i alc our s e sf ort e ac he r s ,ba s e done x i s t i ngma t e r i al ,adapt e d asr e qui r e d. 25 3 ・Tr adei nf or mat i ons e r vi c e s( ac c e s st oda t abas e swi t hmar ke ti nf or ma t i on,c ont a c twi t h i l ,e t c . s uppl i e r sa ndc us t ome r st hr oug he ma ・Gove r nme ntandc ommuni t yi nf or mat i ons e r v i c e s ・Voi VoI Ps e r v i c e s ) c eSe r vi c e s( s e e ki ngpe r mi s s i onf r om Te l i kom PNG Lt d):I Pt e l e phony( ・Us e rt r ai ni ngands uppor ti nus eofI T andc ommuni c at i ons e r vi c e s . ・I nt e r ac t i v edi s t a nc el e ar ni ngc our s e si nr e l e v ants ubj e c t s ,us i ngmul t i me di aandvi de o ・c onf e r e nc i ngf ac i l i t i e s . ・Low c os tac c e s st oe mai la nddat ane t wor ks . Te l e Haus l i newoul de nc our agevar i ousc ompani e st opar t i c i pat ei nde ve l opi ngt hepr oj e c ti n ot he rr e mot el oc at i onsbas e donane wt a xe xe mpt i ons c he met ha tI RC,PANGTEL a ndI CCC mayj oi nt l yde ve l op. Thi swoul dboos ti ndus t r ypar t i c i pa t i ont oe xpa ndt hec onc e pti nt o manyr ur alar e a si de nt i f i e dbyt heGove r nme nt . 25 4 25 5 22 Pe r u CARDI OCELL B138: Bi ome di cals i gnalt r ans mi s s i onv i ac el l ul armo bi l ene t wo r k57 Backgr ound Pe r ui ss i t uat e di nWe s t e r nSout hAme r i c a , bor de r i ngt heSout hPac i f i cOc e an,be t we e nChi l e a ndEc uador .I thasapopul at i onof2 7, 92 5, 62 8 ( J ul y2005e s t . )a ndat ot alar e aof1 , 2 85 , 220s q km. Anc i e ntPe r uwast hes e atofs e ve r al pr omi ne ntAnde anc i vi l i z at i ons ,mos tnot abl yt ha t oft heI nc aswhos ee mpi r ewa sc apt ur e dbyt he Spani s hc onqui s t ador si n1533. Nowada ysPe r ui s r e publ i cwi t h24de pa r t me nt sa ndone c ons t i t ut i onalpr ovi nc e . Br i efhi s t or y TheSant aAni t aB13 8sFi r e me nCompa nyhas de ve l ope dmanypr oj e c t s ,oneoft he m hasbe e n name d TheEar l yExt e r nalDi s f i br i l l at i on Fi g . 1 pr ogr am ,t hatr e qui r e sahi g hpe r f or manc e por t abl ehe ar tmoni t or ,be i ngabl et os uppor thar dt r e a t me nt ,wor ki ngwi t hi nde pe nde nt e l e c t r i cs our c eandmai nl yha vi ngl ow c os t . TheCa r di oc e l lB138 ar i s e sl i keapr oj e c tbyApr i l ,20 0 2whe nt hi sFi r e me nc ompany c ont ac t e dt ot heR&D t e am oft heDe ve l opme ntTe c hnol og yDi vi s i oni nI NI CTEL. I nt r oduct i on Dur i ngt hepa t i e nt sc he c ki ngpr oc e s st hatt heFi r e me nCompa nyshe a l t hpe r s onne lus e dt o c a r r yout ,i twasf r e que nt l yr e qui r e dt ome a s ur et hec or por alt e mpe r a t ur el e v e l ,bl oodpr e s s ur e a ndhe ar tr at easv i t a ls i g na l s . Thi sa l s owasne e de di ne v e r ye me r ge nc yhe l p. TheCa r di oc e l lB1 38e qui pme nta l l owsust oobt ai ni mme di a t e l yt hos eme nt i one dv i t a ls i g na l s i nas e c ur ewa y,wi t houtr e qui r i ngt hatt hehe a l t hpe r s onne lc ons t ant l yme as ur et hevi t al s i g na l s .I nane me r ge nc yc as e ,i ti sa l wa yspos s i bl et omoni t orapat i e nta tt hes a met i met ha t t hehe a l t hpe r s onne las s i s tot he rpat i e ntsne e dst hatpe r hapsr e qui r e smor ede di c at i on. I na l l c a s e s ,t hes ys t e m of f e r st ot hepr of e s s i onal ,s i mpl i c i t yandc omf or ti nobt ai ni ngt hepa t i e nt s vi t als i gnal s . TheCa r di oc e l lB1 38e qui pme nts howst hevi t als i g na l sonal i qui dc r ys t a ldi s pl ayLCD,i n whi c hc anbeobs e r ve dme as ur e sofhe a r tr a t e ,bl oodpr e s s ur eandt e mpe r at ur el e ve l . Addi t i onal l y,t hee qui pme nti sabl et ot r ans mi tt he s es i g na l st hr oug ht hec e l l ul armobi l ephone ne t wor kt oahos pi t al( r e mot emoni t or i ng)whe r et hev i t als i gna l sc a nbevi s ua l i z e dona pe r s onalc omput e rdi s pl ay; opt i onal l yt hevi t als i gnal sc ana l s obeobs e r v e dl oc al l y( whe r e pat i e nti s )byme ansofal oc alc omput e r( l oc a lmoni t or i ng ) . Forbot h,l oc alandr e mot emoni t or i ng,t hev i t als i gna l sa r edi gi t a l i z e dandpr oc e s s e di nt he e qui pme ntbe f or ebe i ngobs e r ve donavi s ua li nt e r f a c e . 5 7 @i I s a be lGuadal upe Si f ue nt e s ,e ma i l:i s abe l ni c t e l . gob. pe ,J os 썝 eOl i de nMa r 썞 t ı ne s ,Mi l t onR 썞 ı os J ul c apoma 25 6 Thi se qui pme ntha sbe e nde ve l ope dt obeus e dbymobi l epa r ame di cuni t soft hePe r uv i an Ge ne r alBodyofVol unt ar yFi r e me n;whor e qui r e st hee qui pme ntf ormoni t or i ngpa t i e nt si na me di c ale me r ge nc y. Thepar ame di cpe r s onne lwhoa s s i s tpat i e nt si ne me r g e nc yc as e swi l la l s o hav e ,asamoni t or i nghe l p,ac ous t i cs i g nal sac c or di ngt ot hepat i e ntshe ar tr a t e( c ons i de r e dt he ma i ns i gnal )t hi swi l lhe l pt hepar ame di cpe r s onne l ,whe nne c e s s a r y ,t ot a ket her i ghtt r e a t me nt ac t i oni nc as eofanabnor malhe ar tbe hav i or . Met hod Theus e dme t hodol ogyf ol l owe dt oac hi e v et hee qui pme ntde ve l opme nti nc l ude dt hef ol l owi ng: ・I nf or mat i onCompi l i ng. I twa sve r i f i e dt hee x i s t e nc eofc omme r c i a ls y s t e mss i mi l a rt o Car di oc e l lB138e qui pme ntde ve l ope dbys pe c i al i z e di nt e r na t i ona lc ompa ni e s ,t hi s c ompar i s onsa l l owe dust oe s t abl i s har e f e r e nc ef oroure qui pme ntt e c hni c alc ha r ac t e r i s t i c s a ndal s ot oe s t i mat et hel i mi t a t i onsf ort hef i r s tpr ot ot y pede v e l opme nt .I nt hi ss t a ge ,t he i nt e ns i veus eofI NTERNET wa smade . ・Func t i onalbl oc ksde f i ni t i on. A pr e l i mi na r yde s i g nofe qui pme ntwa smadebyde f i ni ng f unc t i onalbl oc ks ,whi c hs umma r i z e st hema i nf unc t i onofi t spa r t s . Se eFi g. 2 ・Ha r dwar ede ve l opme nt . Thes e l e c t e dmi c r oc ont r ol l e rf ort hec ont r ols t agei st he PI C1 6F87 7A,whi c hhasi nc or por at e dA/ Dc onve r s i onc hanne l sande noug hs uppor t e d e l e me nt s . Thene c e s s ar yhar dwa r ei sl i mi t e dt o:ami c r oc ont r ol l e rPI C1 6F877 A,l e ve l s c onv e r t e rTTLEI A232C,adi s pl ayLCD,buz z e r( a saaudi bl ei ndi c at or ) . Al lt he c ompone nt swe r emount e di nas i ngl epr i nt e dc i r c ui tboar da nda c c ommodat e di nabox s pe c i al l yde s i gne df ort hee qui pme nt . ・Sof t wa r ede ve l opme nt . Fort heCa r di oc e l lB1 38waswr i t t e namai npr og r a mt hatwor ksa s anope r at i ngs ys t e m,whi c hi ss t or e di nt hemi c r oc ont r ol l e rpr og r am me mor y ,i ts houl d c ont a i nt hene c e s s ar yc odet omanaget heope r at i onoft hedi f f e r e ntt a s ksoft hec ont r ols t a g e s uc has:di s pl ayLCD handl i ng,c onne c t i one s t a bl i s hme ntt oadat at e r mi na lf ort r ans mi t t i ng i nf or mat i on,A/D c onve r s i onc ont r olf ori nputa na l ogs i gna l s ,c al c ul a t i onofhe ar tr at e , pr e s s ur eandt e mpe r at ur el e ve l ,t r ans mi s s i onofdi g i t al i z e ds a mpl e s . Al lde ve l ope dpr ogr a ms we r ewr i t t e ni nas s e mbl e rl anguage . I twa sde f i ne dt hei nt e r nalf unc t i onst hats houl de x e c ut et hee qui pme nt: ・Equi pme ntc ont r ol . Thef undame nt alf unc t i onoft hemi c r oc ont r ol l e ri nc l ude di nt he c ont r ols t agei st het ot a lma nage me ntofs e l f ope r a t i on,whe r et hepr i nc i pa lpe r f or me dt a s ks ar e:I ni t i al i z at i onands ys t e mss e l f di a gnos i s ,adi s pl ayLCD Cont r ol ,mode mi ni t i al i z a t i on andc ont r ol ,di gi t al i z at i onof4anal ogi nput sc ha nne l s ,t r ans mi s s i onofv i t als i gnal sus i ng c e l l ul armobi l ephonene t wor k,e s t abl i s hme ntofc ommuni c a t i onpr ot oc ol s . 8Co nt r ols t ag e Fi g. 2 Bl oc k Di agr am o f Car di o c e l lB13 25 7 ・Vi s ual i z at i onofme s s age sa nds i gna l s . Ac omme r c i a ldi s pl a yLCD i sus e dt oal l ow t he nf or ma t i ona boutt hes ys t e ms t at eort he me s s agevi s ual i z at i onsi nASCI If or ma t ,wi t hi r e que s tofi nf or mat i oni nputf r om us e r .I thas2l i ne sof1 6al phanume r i cc har a c t e r se a c h one ,al s ohasabuf f e rme mor y . Thi sdi s pl ayi sal ow e ne r gyc ons umpt i ont ype . The di s pl a yc ont r oli smana ge dbyt hemi c r oc ont r ol l e r .I nt hi sdi s pl a ys houl dbevi s ual i z e dt he he ar tr at eval ue( be a t spe rmi nut e ) ,t hepat i e ntsc or por a lt e mpe r a t ur ea ndt hehi g ha ndl ow bl oodpr e s s ur ec al c ul at e daut oma t i c al l y. ・Bi ome di c a ldi gi t al i z at i ons i gnal s . He r edi gi t a ls ampl e sof4ana l ogi nputc ha nne l sa r e obt ai ne d,l at e rt he ywi l lbet r ans mi t t e dt obepr oc e s s e d. ・I nf or mat i ont r ans mi s s i on/r e c e pt i on. He r et hedi g i t a ls ampl e soft he4c hanne l sa r e t r ans mi t t e dt oac omput e rt e r mi nalr e mot e( r e mot eorl oc almoni t or i ng)f ori t spr oc e s s i ng ande v al uat i on. Thi st a s kpe r mi t s ,i nar e mot ewa y ,t oc ont r ols omeot he rt a s ksi nt he Ca r di oc e l lB1 38e qui pme nt ,be f or eac ommuni c at i oni se s t abl i s he d. TheCa r di oc e l lB1 3 8 has2wayofc onne c t i ont oadat at e r mi nal:t hef i r s twa yi sal oc alc onne c t i ont ha ta l l ows c ommuni c a t i ondi r e c t l yt oat e r mi na lbyt heus eofac a bl e ,andas e c ondwa yi sar e mot e c onne c t i ont ha tus e sac e l l ul art e l e phonemode mt oe s t a bl i s hac ommuni c a t i on. Fora ny c onne c t i on,af t e raval i dc ommuni c a t i oni se s t a bl i s he dbe t we e nt heCa r di oc e l lB1 38a nda dat at e r mi nal ,t het r ans mi s s i onsoft hes a mpl e sar ec ont r ol l e dbyt heda t at e r mi na landby t hec ommuni c at i onpr ot oc ol sa dj us t e df ort hi spur pos e ,t hi si sdonef orde t e r mi ni ngt he be gi nni nga nde ndofe a c hs ampl et r a ns mi s s i ons ,s e l e c t i ngs pe c i f i ca nal ogi nputc hanne l sof t hemi c r oc ont r ol l e r . Thepr e vi ous l yaf or e me nt i one df unc t i onsg i v eor i g i nt ot hef unc t i ona luni t soft hee qui pme nt t hata r ede s c r i be dne xt . Bi omedi cals i gnsacqui s i t i onuni t I ta c qui r e st hebi ome di c als i gnal s ,ampl i f i e s ,e l i mi nat e sorr e duc e st ot hemi ni mum t hepr e s e nt noi s ei ni t s e l f ,i te l i mi nat e st hes i gnal sofnonde s i r abl ehi g hf r e que nc i e s ,a ndade qua t et he s i gnal si ns i det oappr opr i at el e ve l sf ori t sdi g i t alc onv e r s i on. I nt heFi g. 3i ti sobs e r ve dt hebl oc kdi ag r am oft hi suni t ,t hes i g na l st a ke nf r om t hepa t i e nts [ ] bodyar e:t e mpe r a t ur el e ve l ,bl oodpr e s s ur ea nds i gna lhe a r tc hanne lI I 6,whi c hor i g i nat e s t hef ol l owi ngbl oc ks:ac qui s i t i onandt e mpe r at ur ec ondi t i oni ng,a c qui s i t i onandbl oodpr e s s ur e c ondi t i oni ng,ac qui s i t i onandc ondi t i oni ngoft hehe a r ts i gna l ,powe rs uppl y. Fi g. 3 Bl oc k di agr amsof Car di oc e l lB1 38Ac qui s i t i o nuni t 25 8 Si gnalcont r ol suni t I tdi gi t al i z e st hebi ome di c als i gnal s ,andt r ans mi t st he mv i ac e l l ul arphonene t wor kt oa c omput e rf ort he i rpr oc e s s i ngandvi s ua l i z at i on. I nFi g. 4bl oc kdi ag r amsoft hec ont r oluni ta r eappr e c i at e d. Theme s s agev i s ua l i z at i onsa r eobt ai ne donaLCD di s pl ay,t hi sof f e r sl ow e ne r gyc ons umpt i on andi sc ont r ol l e dbyt hemi c r oc ont r ol l e r; he r ei ti sv i s ua l i z e dt hehe a r tr a t esv a l ue( be at spe r mi nut e ) ,t hepat i e ntsc or por a lt e mpe r a t ur eandt hehi g horl ow bl oodpr e s s ur ec al c ul at e d aut omat i c a l l y . Thebi ome di c a ls i gnal sdi gi t al i z at i oni sc ar r i e douti t s e l fbyt hemi c r oc ont r ol l e r . Dat at r ans mi s s i onuni t Thi suni te s t abl i s he st hec ommuni c a t i onbe t we e nt heCa r di oc e l lB1 38e qui pme ntandt he r e mot ec omput e rbyme ansofaphonec a l lf r om t hemobi l et e l e phonec e l l ul a rne t wor kt ot he publ i cs wi t c hi ngt e l e phonene t wor kPSTN whi c hha sa nanal ogl oops ubs c r i be r ,t hee qui pme nt ope r a t e sac e l l ul arphonemode mt os t ar tt hec ommuni c at i on. Thephonec al li sdi r e c t e dt oa f i xe dnumbe roft heSPTN,whe r eac omput e ri sc onne c t e dv i amode m,t hi sc omput e rha sa n s pe c i f i cpur pos ede ve l ope dpr og r a mt hat ,a f t e rl i nke d,wi l la c qui r et hes i gna l ss e ntby Ca r di oc e l lB138. Se eFi g. 5. Fi g . 4 Bl oc k di agr amsof s i g nalc ont r oluni t Fi g. 5 Co mmuni c at i ons ke t c ho fc e l l ul ar e q ui p me ntt oPSTNc omp ut e r 25 9 Speci f i cpur pos eAppl i cat i onPr ogr am Thi spr ogr am r e c e i ve st hei nf or mat i onc omi ngf r om t heCa r di oc e l lB1 38e qui pme ntus i nga mode m,pr oc e s s e st hebi ome di c a ls i gna l sa ndpr e s e nt st he mi nt hec omput e rdi s pl ay . Thi s pr ogr a m wa sde v e l ope di nVi s ua lBas i c . Thi ss pe c i f i cpur pos epr ogr am c ont ai nsmodul er out i ne swhos emai nf unc t i onsa r e: ・Loc alc onne c t i onwi t ht hee qui pme ntf ort hec omput e rpor tCOM. ・Re mot ec onne c t i onwi t ht hee qui pme ntt hr ougha ni nt e r nalore x t e r na lmode m. ・Vi s ual i z at i onofbi ome di c als i gnal si nf or m knownf ort hedoc t or . Se eFi g . 6 ・Pos s i bi l i t yt or e c or dt hes i gnal sf orf ur t he rana l ys i s . ・St i cda t a,s uc has:name ,l a s tna me s ,a g e ,s e x,c ode ,he i g ht ,c i t yor i g i n, or epat i e ntsbas we i ght ,houranddat eofa c qui s i t i onss i g nal s . ・Di gi t als i gnalf i l t e rt oe l i mi na t et henoi s eof6 0Hz . Se eFi g. 7 . ・Todi ohe ar ts i g na l . Se eFi g. 8. s pl ayt hehe ar tr at eappl yi ngdi g i t a lpr oc e s s i ngt He ar tr at emodul ehasbe e nt e s t e di nadul t sf r om di f f e r e ntag e sa nda na t omi cc ons t i t ut i ons , wi t hal mos tnodi s t or t i on. Thi smodul ewor ksal ongwi t has e ns orofg oods e ns i bi l i t ya nd e as yt ol oc at et hi sa l l owst ous ei ti ne me r g e nc i e swhe r et hec ol l i s i ona ndt her e s c uemane uv e r s ar eve r yhar d. Thehe a r tf r e que nc yi ss hownwi t hdi gi t sa ndaudi bl es oundsa bove80dB. Thepr e s s ur emodul ewa sbui l tbas e donahybr i dt ha ta l l owsmoni t or i ngt hepat i e ntsbl ood pr e s s ur ebyme ansofmanuali ns uf f l at i ons ,t hepr e s s ur es pi ke sar es hownwi t hnumbe r si nt he LCD. Fi g. 6 He ar ts i g np r e s e nt at i o n,c hanne lI I Fi g. 7 Ac q ui r e d he ar ts i gnwi t ho utf i l t e rand f i l t e r e ds i g n 26 0 Fi g. 8 He ar tr at ev i s ual i z at i o n. Thet e mpe r at ur emodul ee xe c ut e sr e adi ng si n3 0s e c ondc y c l e s; wor ksa l ongwi t hane a s y l oc at i ons e ns or ,i sa r mpi tt ypeandhasa ni nde pe nde ntl i qui dc r y s t a ldi s pl ay. I nge ne r alt hea ppr oxi mat ewe i ghtofe qui pme nti s900g r a ms ,i tha si nde pe nde ntpowe rs uppl y bas e donr e c ha r g e a bl eba t t e r i e sof9 Vt ha tg i vea ut onomyupt o8c ont i nuouswor ki nghour s . Re s ul t s I nJ anua r y ,2 004s t ar t st hef i r s tt e s t si nr e a le me r ge nc i e s;mor e ov e ri twa st e s t e dt hes e ns i bi l i t y andpr e c i s i onoft hee qui pme nta ndal s ome c ha ni c alt e s t ss uc ha si mpac ta ndvi br at i onwe r e pr ove d;al lt e s t swe r epa s s e dwi t houta nypr obl e m. Thef i r s tc ompl e t e l yf unc t i onalpr ot ot y pe wa sg i v e nt oFi r e me nCompanyi nMa r c h,20 04. Ac t ua l l y ,t he r ear es i mi l are qui pme nt st oCa r di oc e l lB1 38whos es pe c i f i cappl i c a t i onmake s t he ms ui t a bl ef orc e r t ai nhe ar ti l l ne s s e sbutwoul dbeofl i mi t e dus eduet ohi ghc os t s . Sof ar ,pe opl ewhos uf f e r e dl e s i onsduet oana c c i de ntori l l ne s ss houl dbee v al ua t e dby appr opr i at epr of e s s i onal sa f t e rbe i ngadmi t t e di ne me r g e nc yr ooms; t ha tha ppe ne da f t e rt he e val uat i onf orpar ame di cpe r s onali nt hea c c i de ntpl ac eandl a t e re v a c uat i ont oahos pi t al . Theus eofCa r di oc e l lB138al l owst hev i c t i mt obemoni t or e df r om ahos pi t al ,whi l et he par ame di c swor kt or e s c uehi m orhe r;t hi swi l lr e duc et het i meofa dva nc e dat t e nt i on, pr e par e sf ore me r ge nc i e sr oom pe r s onne la nda l l owst hef i r s ta ns we rpe r s onne lt or e c e i v e pr e c i s ei ndi c at i onst os avet hepat i e ntsl i f ebe f or ebe i ngmov e df r om t heac c i de nts c e ne . Theus eoft hee qui pme ntc ove r sawi des pe c t r um ofappl i c a t i ons ,f r om t heus ei ne me r ge nc y a mbul a nc e s ,s por ta ppl i c a t i onsasabi ome t e rt ool ,ors e ndi ngs i g nal st oanot he rs i deoft he wor l di nt hewa yoft e l e c ons ul t .I nt hepr i v at es e c t or ,i twi l lhe l pt oi nc r e as et heat t e nt i on he al t he f f i c i e nc y,s i nc et hee me r ge nc ymobi l euni t sc oul dbee qui ppe da tas i gni f i c a nt l ymor e r e duc e dc os tt hatwoul dr e doundi nbe t t e ra t t e nt i ont ot hepa t i e nt . Theav e r ag ec os t sofac omme r c i a lhe a r tmoni t orf orus ei nve hi c ul a rr e s c uel i e sa mongUS $2 . 00 0andUS$3. 000. Ont hec ont r ar yt heCa r di oc e l lB13 8ha sbe e nde s i gne dt omat c hour r e ale c onomi cl i mi t at i ons ,i t spr i c eos c i l l at e sa mongUS$4 00andUS$ 6 00 . TheCa r di oc e l l B138hasapowe rs uppl ywi t ha9vol t sba t t e r yandhasbe e nde s i gne di namodul arwa y ,s o t ha ti nt hemal f unc t i one ve ntt he i rc ompone nt sc anber e pl ac e di nas i mpl ewa y. Theme di c alc ar eofe me r g e nc yi nc r e as e ddur i ngt heye a r s;t hes t a t i s t i c ss ayt ha tt hi s c ont i nuoust e nde nc ywi l li nc r e as e . TheFi r e me nBodyha si nc r e a s e di t se xi t sbe c a us eof me di c ale me r ge nc i e s ,be i ngamong60%and70 %f r om t het ot a la t t e nde de me r ge nc i e st o na t i onall e ve l . Se eTa bl e1. Compar i ngme di c ale me r ge nc i e sf r om 2 00 1wi t h2 0 00t he yi nc r e as e di n1 6%. I nt hepe r i od2 00 1 26 1 Tab l e1 St at i s t i cof at t e nde de me r g e nc i e si nLi ma,Cal l aoand I c a ( Sour c e:Ge ne r alVo l unt ar yFi r e me nBo dyf r o m Pe r u) 2 002me di c ale me r ge nc i e si nc r e as e di n32 %. Dur i ng200 220 03me di c a le me r g e nc i e si nc r e a s e d i n30%. Whi l ei n2003andAugus t ,200 4me di c a le me r ge nc i e si nc r e as e di n22 %. I nTabl e1i ti ss hownt heur ge ntne c e s s i t yt hatr e l yont hede s c r i be de qui pme nt .I nt hi swa y t hepa t i e nti sa s s i s t e dpr of e s s i ona l l yf r om a mbul a nc ea r r i v alon,t hee me r g e nc i e sr oom doc t or c anobs e r vet hepa t i e ntss t at e ,t oi ndi c a t e( f ora nappr opr i a t ec ha nne l )s omepr oc e dur et ha t / par ame di c ss houl dac c ompl i s h,andt owa i tt hepat i e ntwi t ht hea ppr opr i at ee qui pme ntf orhi s he rt r e at me nt . Thi sme anst omakemor epr of e s s i onalt heda i l yofme di c a le me r ge nc y t t e nt i ons . a Taki nga sai ndi c at ort hede l ayt i met hepa t i e ntbe g i nst obeas s i s t e dbyadoc t or ,t hei mpac t oft heCa r di oc e l li st e s t e d: Thet i mei st hemai nr e s t r i c t i oni name di c ale me r g e nc ye v e nt;s ot ha t ,s e r v e sa sai mpac t i ndi c at orofCa r di oc e l lB138 . Fr om t heambul anc ear r i valt ot heac c i de nts c e ne ,s t ar t st he e val uat i on,pr e pa r at i onoft hee me r ge nc yr oom,andt heme di c a lt e a mi nt hehos pi t a l; whi c h i mpac t sdi r e c t l yi nt hel i f eave r agepe r c e nt ageass oona st hepat i e ntge t sbe t t e r . Fr om t hee c onomi cpe r s pe c t i ve ,t heCa r di oc e l lB1 38i sawa yt or e duc ec os ti na na mbul a nc e , s i nc et hee qui pme ntbudge tofs i mi l arf unc t i onswoul de xc e e dUS$ 3. 000: ・He ar tmoni t or i nge qui pme nt:he ar tbe a t spe rmi nut e ,andbl oodox yg e n. ・The r mome t e r st ome a s ur et hec or por a lt e mpe r a t ur ema nua l l y. ・Pr e s s ur eme t e rt ome as ur et hebl oodpr e s s ur e . ・Communi c a t i onde di c at e de qui pme nt sf ort her e a di ngst r ans mi s s i oni nr e alt i me . Di s c us s i onsandcomment ar i es ・Wet ookadvant ageofpr e vi ouse x pe r i e nc ei nt hede v e l opme ntofbi ome di c a ls i g nal s moni t or i nge qui pme nt . 26 2 Tabl e2 CASE:A v e hi c ul arac c i de ntwi t hc aughtp at i e nti nt hev e hi c l e Tab l e3 Co mpar at i v e ・Toi mpr ovet hehe a r ts i g nalac qui s i t i onandf i l t e r i ng( i twa snotne c e s s ar yani mmobi l e pat i e ntdur i ngt heac qui s i t i on) . ・I ti sus e f uli nf i r s tdi ag nos i sme di c ale me r g e nc i e s( i r r e g ul arbe a t s ,he ar ta t t a c ks ympt oms , f i br i l l at i on,hypot he r mi a,f e ve r ,ge t sof fpr e s s ur e ,i nt e r nhe mor r hag e s ,e t c . ),f ur t he ra dv a nc e d di agnos i sma ybec ompl e t e dwi t hs pe c i a l i z e de qui pme nt s . ・Thee l e c t r ode sandpr obe smus tbepl ac e di nt hepa t i e ntc or r e c t l y ,t oav oi da ni nade qua t e f or ma c qui s i t i onsoft hes i gnal s . ・TheCar di oc e l lB138s i gnal st r a ns mi s s i on( f r om t hee me r g e nc ypl a c e )t oahos pi t alc e nt e r ,i s l i mi t e dbyt het e l e phonel i nebandwi dt h,whos emi ni mum t r ans mi s s i onr e c omme nde di s 19, 200bps . ・A not c hf i l t e rof6 0Hz . wasi mpl e me nt e di nt hea ppl i c a t i v ec omput e rs of t wa r ewhi c h e l i mi nat e st hel i nenoi s epr ope r l ywi t houtdi s t or t i ngt hes i g na l .I tpr ov e st heal gor i t hms us e f ul ne s sofs i gnalpr oc e s s i ng. ・Thepr e s s ur es e ns or i ngt ake spl ac ei nac ont i nuouswa y ,i sdi f f i c ul tandc ompl i c a t e d. Howe ve ri ti spr opos e dt oc ont i nues t udyi ngt hepr obl e m ofa ut oma t i cpr e s s ur er e adi ng . ・The r ear es e ve r alf or mst ome as ur et e mpe r at ur e;t he r e f or emor eme t hodss houl dbet e s t e dt o s e ewhi c hi sbe t t e r . ・Theappl i c at i vepr og r am wass t r uc t ur e dwi t hpr oc e dur e sandf unc t i onst hatf a c i l i t at e st he c or r e c tdat at r ans mi s s i onandr e c e pt i on. ・Theappl i c at i vepr ogr am r unsi nanyc ompa t i bl ec omput e rt ha tha sas e r i a lpor ta nd Wi ndows9 8orhi ghe rs of t wa r ei ns t a l l e da sope r at i ngs y s t e m. 26 3 ・I tc anbemadec hange si nt hes of t wa r ef orne wa ppl i c at i onsa c c or di ngt oi nt e r e s t . ・Themi ni namodul arf or ma ndt he yc anbeus e df or c r oc ont r ol l e rpr ogr a mswe r ewr i t t e ma nyot he rappl i c at i ons . ・TheI nt e r ne tus ef a c i l i t at e dt hei nf or mat i ona c c e s sf ort hebi ome di c a lpa r t .I ta l s of ac i l i t at e d t hedi r e c tc ont ac twi t hs pe c i al i s t s . Ac knowl edgement s Wea ppr e c i at e dt hes uppor toft heFi r e me nCompa nyofSant aAni t aB1 3 8,t ha tbr oug htust he i de awhi c hwewor kon. Ac knowl e dgme nt st oTe l e f oni c aMobi l e sCompa nywhoha sf ac i l i t a t e dt het e l e phonel i nea t t hehos pi t alc e nt e ra ndt hec e l l ul art e l e phonef ort hee qui pme nt . 26 4 23 Rus s i anf e d e r at i o n58 Ac ompl ext el emedi ci nes ys t em oft hed i s as t er sme d i c i nes ur v eyt opr ov i d emed i c alr el i e ft o t hepopul at i ondur i ngt heel i mi nat i onofc ons e quenc e so fe me r ge ncys i t uat i o ns I nt r oduct i on Thel at t e rpar toft het we nt i e t hc e nt ur ywa smar ke dbyt her a pi dde ve l opme ntoft womode r n t e c hnol ogi e s ,name l yc omput i ngandt e l e c ommuni c a t i ons . The i rde v e l opme nti sc l os e l yl i nke d, andhasg i ve nr i s et ot ot al l yne wf or msoft e l e c ommuni c a t i on,i nc l udi ngt heI nt e r ne t . Att he s amet i me ,t her a pi dde ve l opme ntofc omput e rt e c hnol og yi sr e s ul t i ngi nawhol es e r i e sofne w appr oac he si nt hemos tvar i e ds phe r e sofhuma na c t i vi t y,i nc l udi ngme di c i ne . Theme di c al i ndus t r yhasbe g unt opr oduc edi agnos t i ca ppa r at usc a pa bl eofdi s pl a yi ngr e s ul t sofme di c al e xa mi na t i onsi ndi gi t alf or m,andt hi si sope ni ngupt ot a l l yne w oppor t uni t i e sf ort he pr oc e s s i ngands t or a geofdi agnos t i cdat a,i tha vi ngbe c omepos s i bl e ,a mongot he rt hi ng s ,t o t r ans mi ts uc hdat aov e ra nydi s t anc evi at e l e c ommuni c a t i onc ha nne l s . Thi sha sg i ve nr i s et o / e he a l t h Te l e me di c i ne . Theawf ult r ag e dyt hathappe ne dr e c e nt l yi nt hec oas t a la r e a sofSout hEas tAs i a: I ndone s i a , Thai l and,Sr i Lanka ,a ndI ndi as hoc ke dal lhuma ni t y. The r ewe r eal otofv i c t i msoft he t s unamiwa v e sandc ons e que ntdi s r upt i onsa mountt ohundr e dsoft hous a ndsofpe opl e . Count r i e soft her e gi onhaves uf f e r e de nor mousmat e r i all os s e s . Thei nt e r na t i onalc ommuni t y haspr ov i de dhumani t ar i anai dt ot hepopul a t i onoft hedi s a s t e ra r e a s . Thes c a l eoft hec at a s t r opheof2 6 .12 .20 04de mons t r at e dt ot hewhol ewor l dt hene e df orne w appr oac he si nt hef i e l dofor gani z at i onofme di c a lr e l i e ft opopul at i ondur i ngt hee l i mi na t i on ofc ons e que nc e sofe me r ge nc ys i t uat i ons . Rus s i a ns pe c i al i s t sha vepr opos e dt heus eofuni que s y s t e msont hebas i sofI CT wi t hc apabi l i t i e st ha tme e tt hes c a l eoft hec hal l e nge .I fs uc h s ys t e mswe r eatt hedi s pos alofg ove r nme nt soft heI ndi a nOc e anar e at ha ts uf f e r e dasar e s ul t ofc at as t r ophi ce ve nt sof2 6.12.2004,t henumbe rofv i c t i msc oul dha vebe e nmuc hl e s s . The l ac kofme ansofe f f i c i e ntc ommuni c at i onl owe r e dt hee f f e c t i ve ne s soft heor ga ni z a t i ona nd c oor di na t i onofr e s c ueope r at i ons ,l e avi ngma nyvi c t i mswi t houtt i me l yhe l p. Co mp l e xTel emedi ci neSys t e m Rus s i apr opos e st ous eac ompl e xt e l e me di c i nes ys t e m( CTS)t opr ovi deme di c alr e l i e ft ot he popul at i ondur i nge l i mi nat i onofc ons e que nc e sofe me r ge nc ys i t uat i ons . CTSi nc l ude smobi l e andai r mobi l et e l e me di c i neme ansofdi a gnos t i c s ,c ont r ola ndi nf or mat i onals uppor tof r e s c ue r sa ndme di c aluni t s . Be c aus ec at as t r ophe sofs uc hs c al ea r epr ac t i c a l l yi ne v i t abl y f ol l owe dbye pi de mi c sofi nf e c t i ousdi s e as e sc a us i ngl os s e sc ompa r abl et ot ha toft he c at as t r ophei t s e l f ,t heCTSi nc l ude saSCAESNe ts y s t e mf ormas ss c r e e ni ngoft hepopul at i on andf i ght i ngi nf e c t i onsdi s e as e si nr e mot ea r e a sa ndar e asoutofr e a c h. SCAESNe ti sSat e l l i t eCommuni c at i onAnt i Epi de mi cSc r e e ni ngNe t wor k. Ac c or di ngl y,CTSc ons i s t sof: ・Mobi l ec ont r ols t at i onc oor di na t i ngt hewor kofal ls y s t e ma nds e r v i c e s; ・Mobi l et e l e me di c i nes t at i onofe me r ge nc yas s i s t a nc ei nt hei mme di at es ur r oundi ng soft he c at as t r ophez onee qui ppe dwi t has pe c i alda t aba s ef ori de nt i f i c a t i onoft hevi c t i msa c c or di ng 5 8 Mr .M.Na t e ns on,Mi ni s t r yf orCommuni c a t i ons ,Rus s i a ,e ma i l: mna t e nz o@s pa c e . r u 26 5 t or e s ul t sofage ne t i ce x pr e s s e xami na t i on; ・Smal lmobi l et e l e me di c i neuni t st oor g ani z et e mpor ar yt e l e me di c i nepoi nt si nr e g i onaland l oc alme di c a li ns t i t ut i onsr e c e i vi nge v a c ue e sf r om e me r g e nc ys i t ua t i onz one s; ・Mobi l et e l e me di c i nel a bor a t or i e st of i g hte pi de mi c sofi nf e c t i ousdi s e as e s . I nac t ualc ondi t i onsc har ac t e r i z e dbys i gni f i c a nt l ygr owi ngnumbe rofnat ur a land t e c hnol ogi c a ldi s as t e r s ,t e r r or i s ta t t ac ksa ndl oc ala r me dc onf l i c t s ,t her ol eofs pe c i a l i z e d me di c aluni t sc apa bl et opr ovi der a pi dandhi g hl ypr of e s s i onalme di c a lc a r et oc i vi l i ansi n s uf f e r e dar e ass har pl yi nc r e as e s .I nRus s i a nFe de r a t i ont hef unc t i onofs uc huni t spl a y Al l Rus s i anDi s as t e rMe di c i neCe nt e rc a l l e d Zas c hi t a andi t sdi v i s i onsi nFe de r aldi s t r i c t s a ndt e r r i t or i e s . TheRus s i anDi s as t e r sMe di c i neSur v e yont hebas i soft heAl l Rus s i a n Di s as t e r sMe di c i neCe nt e r Za s hi t ai st obec r e a t e di n2 0 05. Thepi l otphas eoft hepr oj e c t wa sa l r e adys t ar t e di nt heUr al sFe de r alRe g i on. De ve l opme ntofc ompl e xt e l e me di c i nes y s t e mf ort her e l i e fa c t i onsi nac our s eofe l i mi nat i onof e me r ge nc ys i t uat i onc ons e que nc e swi l lal l ow e nha nc i nge f f i c i e nc yandr a pi df unc t i oni ngof Di s as t e r sMe di c i neSur v e y( DMS)owi ngt o: ・Fas tr e c e i vi ngofma x i mum c ompl e t er e l i a bl ei nf or mat i onf r om di s a s t e rz one; ・Ef i on f i c i e nta ndac c ur a t ee s t i mat eofs c al eandc ompl e xi t yofe me r ge nc ys i t ua t ・Ef f e c t i vede c i s i onmaki ngont hea c t i onsf ore l i mi na t i onofe me r g e nc ys i t ua t i on c ons e que nc e s ,c ont r ola ndc oor di nat i onofr e l i e fope r at i ons ・Or gani z at i onofqua l i f i e dme di c alc a r ef orc i v i l i ansi ndi s a s t e rc ondi t i onsa nddur i ng e l i mi nat i onoft he i rc ons e que nc e s . Ge ogr aphi c alpe c ul i ar i t i e sofmanyc ount r i e sa ndl ac kofa dva nc e dandhi g hl yr e l i abl e c ommuni c at i onsi nf r as t r uc t ur ei ns omer e g i onsne g a t i v e l yi nf l ue nc eont hec a pa bi l i t yofDMS uni t st opr oduc ee f f e c t i vee s t i mat eofe me r g e nc ys i t ua t i onc ons e que nc e s ,t ode v e l opand i mpl e me ntt hec oor di nat e dc ompl e xofor g ani z at i onala ndme di c alme as ur e sont he i r e l i mi na t i on. I nRus s i anFe de r at i onmobi l eme di c als y s t e mi sus i ngs at e l l i t ec ommuni c a t i on. Pe cul i ar i t i esoft heSys t em Funct i oni ng Ge ne r al l yt het e c hnol og i c alpr oc e s sofs t a f fa ndDMSuni t sr e s pondi ngone me r g e nc ys i t uat i on ( ES)i sasf ol l ows .I nt hee v e ntofESt hec or r e s pondi ngi nf or ma t i ona r r i ve st oDMSs t a f f , whe r ei ti sa na l yz e da ndt he nt hede c i s i onons e ndi ngt heme di c a lt e am t odi s a s t e ra r e ai s made .I fne c e s s ar yt hemobi l emul t i pr of i l eDMShos pi t a li sde pl oye di nt hi sa r e a. Re g i onal andt e r r i t or i a ldi s a s t e rme di c i nec e nt e r sdi r e c tt he i rs pe c i a l i z e dme di c alt e amst oESz one . Att hi ss t ag et her api di t y,ac c ur a c yandade quac yoft hede c i s i onsonde t e r mi nat i onofnumbe r andpr of i l eofme di c alpe r s onali nt het e am de pe ndsmai nl yons pe e da nda c c ur ac yoft he i nf or ma t i onde l i ve r yonl oc a t i on,t ypeands c al eofES,t henumbe rofv i c t i ms ,t hel e ve la nd f e at ur e sofda mag e ,a va i l a bi l i t yofl oc a lhos pi t a l sa ndt he i rs pe c i al i z at i on,e t c . Themobi l e mul t i pr of i l eDMShos pi t alde pl oy me ntt i mei sa bout1da y . Anave r aget i meoff unc t i oni ngi nt heESz onei s7t o1 0da yst hatc a nbepr ol ong e dupt o3 0 day s .I nt hec ondi t i onsofhi g hl oa di ng ,g e og r aphi c a lr e mot e ne s sf r om t heme di c a lc e nt e r s , l ac korde s t r uc t i onofc ommuni c at i oni nf r a s t r uc t ur ei nt hedi s as t e rz oneandne e dt omakevi t a l de c i s i onswi t hi nt hes hor tt i me ,t hequal i t yofme di c a la s s i s t a nc ec a nbei mpr ov e dowi ngt o wi deappl i c at i onofa dvanc e di nf or mat i on,c ommuni c at i onandt e l e me di c i net e c hnol og i e s . Mobi l eandf i xe dt e l e me di c i nec ompl e x e saspar t soft hes ys t e m pr ov i dee f f i c i e nt2 4hour s 26 6 c ommuni c at i onsf orc ons ul t anc ywi t hs pe c i a l i z e dc l i ni c sa nds c i e nt i f i cc e nt e r soft hes t at e . Thi sc ommuni c at i oni sne e de ddur i ngt hene ar e s tt i mei nt e r v al( 10t o30day s ) ,whe nr api d di agnos i s ,waysf orf ur t he rme di c alt r e at me nt ,pl a c e sofhos pi t al i z a t i onandne c e s s i t yofs ur g i c a l ope r at i onss houl dbede t e r mi ne d. I ti sal s oi mpor t antonal onge rt i mes c a l e( a bov e26 mont hs )whe ndoc t or sc a nr e c e i vene c e s s a r yi nf or ma t i ona ndc ons ul t at i onsofl e a di ng s pe c i al i s t sonf ur t he rt r e at me ntandr e ha bi l i t a t i onofi nj ur e d. Themobi l et e l e me di c i nes t at i oni se qui ppe dwi t ht hec ompl e xofdi a g nos t i candt he r a pe ut i c me di c ale qui pme nt . The r ear eaut onomouss y s t e mf ors a t e l l i t ec ommuni c a t i on,aut onomous powe rs uppl ys ys t e msand l i f e s uppor ts ys t e m pr ovi di ngc omf or t abl ewor ki ngc ondi t i onsf or pe r s onali nanyc l i mat e . Thes t at i onpr ov i de de f f i c i e ntdi ag nos t i c sofi nj ur e d,i nf or mat i on s uppor ta ndc ons ul t at i onsf orme di c alpe r s onal . Taki ngi nt oac c ountt hec r i t i c ali mpor t a nc eofappl y i ngt hea bi l i t i e soft e l e me di c i net os y s t e ms ofe l i mi nat i onofe me r ge nc ys i t uat i onc ons e que nc e s ,i nor de rt of or ma na ppr opr i at es oc i a l de ma ndi nRus s i a,aswe l la si not he rc ount r i e s ,mobi l et e l e me di c i nes ys t e msa ndt e c hnol og i e s ar ebe i ngde mons t r at e dandpopul a r i z e datma nye xhi bi t i ons ,f or umsandc onf e r e nc e s . Among s omeoft hemos ti mpor t a nte ve nt soft hi ski nd,ones houl dme nt i ont hel a r ge s t i nf oc ommuni c at i one xhi bi t i onoft heye ari nRus s i a :I nf oCom2 004,he l dbyt heRus s i a n Admi ni s t r at i onofCommuni c at i onsa nddur i ngwhi c ht het e l e me di c i nepr oj e c ta ndt heMobi l e Te l e me di c i neUni t( MTU)we r ede mons t r a t e dt ot hel e a de r soft heSt a t e ,a ndt hee xhi bi t i on Re s c ueMe ans 2004 oft heRus s i anMi ni s t r yf orEme r ge nc ySi t uat i ons ,whe r et hepr oj e c t r e c e i v e dag ol dme da l .I nMar c h20 04t heSCAESNe ts ys t e ma ndt heMTU we r e de mons t r at e datt heI nt e r nat i ona lSal onofI nv e nt i onsi nGe ne v aandwe r ehonor e dwi t ha gol dme dal . TheGe r manI nve nt or sSoc i e t yawa r de ds ys t e m wi t hi t sSpe c i alPr i z e . TheMobi l eTe l e me di c i neUni twa sa l s os uc c e s s f ul l yde mons t r at e ddur i ngt heWor l dSummi t ont heI nf or mat i onSoc i e t yi nGe ne va,1 01 2De c e mbe r2 00 3. 26 7 MTU I NTERI OR ARRANGEMENT Mi c r os c ope Ai r c ondi t i one r Xr a yas s i s t antswor kpl ac e Wor kpl ac ewi t hai r c l e ans i ngs ys t e m e s t Wor kpl ac ef ordi gi t a l i z a t i onofr r e s ul t s He at e rs y s t e m,wa t e r di s pe ns e r 26 8 24 Tanz ani a59 Muhi mbi l iHeal t hExchangeFor um ( MuHEF) TheUni t e dRe publ i cofTanz ani aorTa nz a ni a,i sac ount r y ont hee as tc oas tofe as tAf r i c a .I ti sbor de r e dbyKe ny a andUgandaont henor t h,Rwa nda,Bur undia ndt he De moc r at i cRe publ i coft heCongoont hewe s t ,a nd Zambi a,Ma l a wiandMoz ambi queont hes out h. Tanz a ni a hasapopul at i onof36 , 588, 2 25( 20 04e s t . )a ndat ot alar e a of9 45, 090km2. Tanz ani ai sc ur r e nt l ye xpe r i e nc i ngac r i s i si nt hea va i l abi l i t y ofhe al t hs t af f . Gi ve nt hes hor t age s ,s t af f si nr ur a la r e as of t e nwor ki ni s ol at i onwi t hnopos s i bi l i t yofa c c e s s i ng Fi g. 1 Tanz ani a he al t hi nf or mat i onands us t ai ni ngdi a l oguewi t ht he i r c ol l e ague si ns pe c i a l i z e dhos pi t al s . Runni ngl i br ar i e si n Muhi mbi l iUni ve r s i t yCol l e geofHe al t hSc i e nc e s( MUCHS)haspr ove nt obec os t l yand i ne f f e c t i v e ,y e tt heSc hoolofPubl i cHe a l t h&Soc i alSc i e nc e sg e ne r at e sal otofr e s e a r c hand pa pe r swhi c hc oul ds e r vea sal i f e l i net ot he i rc ol l e ague si nt hepe r i phe r y . Toi mpr ovei nf or mat i ons har i ngwi t hvar i oushe al t hs t a f fwi t hi na ndout s i det hec ount r y ,a we bs i t e ,www. muhe f . or . t z ,knownast heMuhi mbi l iHe a l t hEx c hangeFor um ( MUHEF)wa s e s t abl i s he datt heMuhi mbi l iUni ve r s i t yCol l e geofHe al t hSc i e nc e s ,Da re sSa l aa m,Ta nz a ni a i nOc t obe r2003. MuHEFsc e nt r alg oa li st opr omot ei mpr ove dhe a l t hc ar epr ac t i c e sand be hav i or sbyi nc r e as i nga c c e s st ohe al t hi nf or mat i on. I t smi s s i oni st of a c i l i t a t ee xc ha ngeof onl i nec ommuni c at i onandt hef l ow ofc ur r e nthe a l t hi nf or mat i ont oa ndf r om di s t r i c t s ,r e g i ons andhe al t he x pe r t swi t hi nandout s i det hec ount r ys oa st oi mpr ov equal i t yi nhe al t h. Whatt odo? Thebac kgr oundi st hati n2002t heSc hoolofPubl i cHe al t ha ndSoc i alSc i e nc e sa ndt he Ge r ma nTe c hni c alAs s i s t anc e ,GTZ de c i de dt oas s e s st hee xt e ntt owhi c ht hi ss i t ua t i onc a nbe i mpr ov e dbyme ansofI nf or mat i onandCommuni c at i onTe c hnol og y. I ni t i al l yaque s t i onna i r e wa spi l ot e damongCHMT me mbe r sa ndhe a l t hs t af fi ns i xdi s t r i c t sofTa ng aRe g i on,t he r e af t e r 230que s t i onnai r e swe r es e ntt oCHMT me mbe r si nt heot he r2 0r e g i onsofmai nl andTa nz a ni a. Theai mswe r et o: ・As s e s sc omput e ra va i l a bi l i t yandus age ・Exa mi neknowl e dgeofhow t ous et hec omput e r ・As s e s sa c c e s st oI nt e r ne t ・I de nt i f yt hes c i e nt i f i cj our nal sr e adr e gul ar l y ・I de nt i f yt hei nf or mat i ont hatwi l lbehe l pf ult oCHMT me mbe r sf orMuHEF Ther e s pons er a t ewa s5 5 %andt her e s ul t swe r emor et ha nj us ti nt r i g ui ng: ・Themaj or i t y( 86 %)oft hedi s t r i c thos pi t a l shadc omput e r sa v ai l a bl e ,butnota l lCHMT me mbe r shadac c e s st oac omput e r ・Le s st hanhal f( 48%)oft hedi s t r i c thos pi t al shadac c e s st oI nt e r ne t ・The r ewa sal ow l e ve lofbas i cc omput e rl i t e r a c y( 37 %)a tt hedi s t r i c tl e v e l ・Ac c e s st os c i e nt i f i cj our nal swa sve r yl i mi t e d( 2 8%) . Someoft heCHMT me mbe r sr e c e i ve danav e r ag eoft wot ot hr e ec opi e sofac e r t ai nj our na l 5 9 @muc Pr of e s s orG.Ms a manga ,Ms .He l e nPr yt he r c ha ndMrZ.Godf r e y ,gms a ma nga hs . ac . t z 26 9 pe rye ar . Thenumbe rofc opi e st hatr e ac he dt he m wa ss mal lc ompa r e dt ot henumbe rof he al t hs t af f . Bas e dont heabov eme nt i one ds ur ve ys ,t hede c i s i onf orde ve l opme nta ndwi dedi s t r i but i onof ofMuHEF wa st ake n;wi t ht hef i r m be l i e vet ha tMuHEF woul dhe l pi nt hedi s t r i but i onof he a l t hc a r ei nf or ma t i ons uc has: ・Ar t i c l e sf r om I nt e r na t i onalJ our nal s ・Na t i ona lHe al t hSt at i s t i c s ・He a l t hc ar eGui de l i ne s( Tr ai ni ng,Pol i c y& Tr e at me nt ) ・Lat e s torupdat e dhe a l t hne ws ・Pos s i bi l i t yt oputque s t i onst oHe al t he x pe r t s ・Ar t i c l e sf r om l oc ale xpe r t s Di s c us s i onsbe t we e nDe a nofSc hoolofPubl i cHe al t ha ndSoc i alSc i e nc e sa ndawi de s pe c t r um ofhe al t hs pe c i al i s t sf r om MUCHS,Muhi mbi l iOr t hope di cI ns t i t ut e ,a ndMuhi mbi l i Nat i onalHos pi t alwe r ehe l d. Gi ve nmode s tf undi ngava i l abl ei twa sde c i de dt ot r yt oans we r t hene e dsv i aawe bs i t eandCD. St e pst owa r dsbr i ngi ngt ol i f eMuHEF www. muhe f . or . t z ・I de nt i f i c at i onofus e f ula r t i c l e sa nd di s c us s i onswi t hMi ni s t r yofHe al t ht o obt ai ngui de l i ne s ・Cat e gor i z at i onofdoc ume nt s ・Copyr i ghtobt ai ne d,a r t i c l e sc onve r t e di nt o PDF a nds e c ur i t yf e at ur e sa dde d ・Hos t i ngopt i onsi nTa nz ani aar el i mi t e d s oRSA wa spr e f e r r e d ・MuHEF wa sl aunc he dOc t obe r2 00 3. Att hemome ntMuHEF we bs i t eof f e r s: 죿 400Ar t i c l e sf r om l oc ale xpe r t sand I nt e r nat i onalJ our nal sc ove r i ng32t opi c s 죿 Nat i onalHe al t hSt at i s t i c s 죿 Gui de l i ne s( Pol i c y,Tr e a t me nt& Tr ai ni ng)f r om Mi ni s t r yofHe al t ha nd WHO 죿 I EC i nf or mat i on( l e af l e t s ,f l i e r s , bookl e t s )f ordownl oad 죿 Di s c us s i onFor um ( Que s t i on& Ans we r s ) 죿 I mpor t a ntwe bs i t e s( r e l at e dt ohe al t h) 죿 Bas i cc omput e ri nf or mat i on 죿 Ne ws& Eve nt s( Fi g. 2-5) . Fi g . 2 MuHEFonCD Ro m / Gi ve nt hatt he r ei sl i mi t e di nt e r ne ta c c e s s onne c t i ons pe e d,at ot alof4 00 s l ow c CDRom ve r s i onswa spr oduc e dand di s t r i but e datoneoft heDi s t r i c tMe di c a l Of f i c e rsc onf e r e nc e ,andot he r swe r et hr oug h t heChr i s t i anSoc i alSc i e nc e sCommi s s i on. Theque s t i onandans we rf ac i l i t yi snotl os t , ast heque s t i ons he e tc anbepr i nt e df r om t he CD a ndf axe dt oMuhi mbi l i . CD i snow Fi g . 3 27 0 Fi g. 4 Fi g. 5 updat e dandmai l e dt odi s t r i c t st wi c eay e a r . I ns um: Upt oday( Se pt e mbe r2 005) ,t heove r a l lnumbe rofdi s t r i but e dv i s i t or si sov e r8 , 00 0. A t ot al ― of1 0 0onl i neque s t i onshavebe e nr e c e i ve d c ov e r i ngmai nl yr e s e ar c h,wi t haf e w que s t i ons r e g ar di ngc l i ni c alwor k. Theus eoft heque s t i onanda ns we rf a c i l i t yi sl i mi t e d. Pos s i bl e r e as onsf ort hi smi ghtbe: ( a )t hewe bs i t ei snots uf f i c i e nt l ymar ke t e d,( b)as l ow c onne c t i on s pe e d,( c )t hewe bs i t ei sdi f f i c ul tt ous ebys omei ne x pe r i e nc e de ndus e r s ,a nd( d)pr oba bl yl a c k ofs uf f i c i e ntc ul t ur eofa s ki ngque s t i onsa nds e e ki nghe l p. Ne xts t e ps Thepl ani st oc ont i nuous l yupdat et hei nf or ma t i onont hewe bs i t e;upl oadne wt ool s ,f or e xampl ewehaver e c e nt l yputaCompr e he ns i veCounc i lHe a l t hPl ant oolwhi c hi sac omput e r bas e dpl anni ngt ooll i nke dt ot heTanz ani aEs s e nt i alHe al t hI nt e r ve nt i onPr og r a m( TEHI P) a l s ot os har ei nf or mat i onons hor tc our s eof f e r e dbyt heSc hoolofPubl i cHe a l t ha ndSoc i a l Sc i e nc e sa tMUCHS. I nNove mbe r2 00 5,ane val uat i onque s t i onnai r ewi l lbedi s t r i but e da ta DMOsc onf e r e nc et oas s e s st hee xt e ntt owhi c hme mbe r sofCHMT ha veac c e s s e dt hewe bs i t e andt heCD Rom a ndi de nt i f ypot e nt i alpr obl e mst he ymayha vee nc ount e r e dandwhe t he rt he y hadanyque s t i onspe r t ai ni ngt ot hei nf or mat i ont ha thasbe e ns ha r e d. Atame e t i ngoft hee xpe r t sa tt hee ndof2 004andr e c e nt l yi nAug us t2 005 ,i twasde c i de dt o s e e kc l i ni c alque s t i onsmor eac t i v e l yands hor t e nt her e s pons epe r i odt oatl e a s tt woda ys .A pi l oti sbe i ngunde r t ake nwi t hMne r ohos pi t al ,Na c hi ngwe adi s t r i c t ,Li ndiRe gi on. Thi si sa c hur c hhos pi t ali noneoft hepoor e s ta r e asofTa nz ani awhi c hr e c e nt l yga i ne di nt e r ne ta c c e s s . Ther e s ul t sa r ebe i ngmoni t or e dbuti ti ss t i l lv e r yf orf i nalc onc l us i ons .I na ddi t i on,i ti s f or e s e e nt owi de nt hec i r c l eofe xpe r t st oi nc l udez ona lt r a i ni ngc e nt r es t a f fa st he s ear enow g a i ni ngbe t t e ri nt e r ne ta c c e s sa swe l la st obe c omemor ei nv ol v e di nc ont i nue de duc at i onwi t h / di s t anc el e ar ni ngpos s i bi l i t i e sv i aonl i nec our s e si nRH,STDs ,HI V AI DS. Somec our s e son HI V/AI DSf r om Enge nde r he al t hhaver e c e nt l ybe e nt r ans l at e di nt oKi s wa hi l ia nda r ea v a i l a bl e uponMuHEF. 27 1 25 Tur ke y60 Backgr ound Tur ke yi sade ve l opi ngc ount r yl oc at e don t hes out he as t e r npar tofEur opeandbr i dge s ove rt owe s t e r ne ndofc ont i ne nt alAs i a ( Fi g. 1) .I thasat ot ala r e aof7 8 0, 580km2 a ndpopul at i onof6 9, 660, 559( 2005) . Backgr ound Thec ount r yi sdi vi de di nt os e ve nr e gi ons wi t hr at he rdi f f e r e ntc l i mat i c ,popul at i ona l Fi g. 1 Tur ke ybr i dgi ngEur op eand As i a ande c onomi cc har ac t e r i s t i c s:Ma r mar a , Ae ge an,Me di t e r r ane an,andBl ac kSe ar e g i onshav ef ai r l yde ns epopul at i onwi t hhi ghe r s oc i oe c onomi cs t at us ,whi l eCe nt r al ,Eas t e r na ndSout he as t e r nAnat ol i anr e g i onsha v es pa r s e popul at i onandunde r de v e l ope de c onomy( Pi c t ur e2 ) . Tur ke yhasa bout8 0, 0 00me di c aldoc t or s ,45, 0 00oft he ma r ege ne r a lpr a c t i t i one r s . He al t hc a r e f a c i l i t i e sar eune ve nl ydi s t r i but e dove rt hec ount r y. Mos toft hehi ghl ys pe c i al i z e dme di c al c e nt e r sa swe l last opl e ve lphys i c i a nsa r ec onc e nt r a t e di nme t r opol i t a nar e as . Al lt he s ema ke s Tur ke yi de alc a ndi dat et oi mme ns e l ybe ne f i tf r om t e l e me di c i nes e r vi c e s . Asot he rde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,Tur ke ys uf f e r sf r om l a c koff undi ngt oe s t a bl i s hs t at eoft hear t he al t hc a r es e r v i c e st hr oughoutt hec ount r y. Ci t i z e nsi nr ur a la r e ass uf f e rbot hf r om l a c kof ade qua t e l yde ve l ope dhe al t hc ar ef ac i l i t i e sa ndf r om i na de qua t equa l i t yofme di c alc ar e . Thi s , c r e at e ss oc i oe c onomi cpr obl e m:af f or da bi l i t yanddi s t a nc et ot hec l os e s tme di c alc e nt e r . Pat i e nt ss e e ki ngqual i t yhe al t hc ar ear ebe i ngf or c e dt ot r a ve lt odi s t antme di c a lf ac i l i t i e sor al t e r nat e l yha vi ngt he de s i r et ol i v ec l os e rt o a de quat e l y e qui ppe d me di c a lc e nt e r . Asa r e s ul ti nvol unt ar yi nt e r nal i mmi gr at i ont obi gc i t i e s s t ar t s ,c aus i ngunbal anc e d gr owt handunpl anne d e xpans i onofbi gge rc i t i e s , r e s ul t i ngi nov e r c r owdt he me di c alc e nt e r s ,e ve ni n bi gme t r opol i t anar e as . Te l e me di c i nec anpos s i bl y Fi g. 2 Tur ke yi sdi v i de di nt o7 g e o gr ap hi c alr e gi o ns .We al t hy c i t i e si nMar mar a,Egeand t s t opandr e ve r s et hi st r e nd heMe di t e r r ane anc oas t s bygi vi ngphys i c i anst he hav et hehi g he rpo pul at i o nsand b e t t e rs o c i alf ac i l i t i e s . l at e s ta dvanc e me nt si n Si nc et hec l i mat eand s o c i alc o ndi t i o nsar el e s sat t r ac t i v e me di c i ne ,r e adi l y,e as i l y i nEas t e r nand Sout hEas t e r np ar t so f Tur ke y,t he andatmi ni malc os po p ul at i oni sl o we r .Par al l e lt op op ul at t . i o ndi f f e r e nc e s , Thi swoul dal l ow t he t he r eal s oe xi s t sadi f f e r e nc ei nt hedi s t r i but i ono f doc t or st oadvanc e s p e c i al i s t sbe t we e nt he s er e gi ons 6 0 Cav i tAv c i ,M. D. ,Le ve ntAvt an,M. D. ,Ya v uzOz dog u 27 2 t he ms e l ve swhi l epr ovi di ngqual i t yme di c a lc ar ewhe r ea de quat ehe a l t hc ar ei sne e de dt hemos t , e ve ni nr ur ala r e a s . Thegl oba lvi s i on,i de ol og yandhumani s t i ci de a sc a ne a s i l yr e duc ec os t ofhe al t hc ar e ,pavet hewa yt ohi g hl yadva nc e dhos pi t al st of l our i s hi ne ve r yr e gi on,upg r a de t heme di c alknow how ofphys i c i anst oe ve nhi ghe rl e v e l sa nda l l ow e ve r yc i t i z e nt or e c e i v e be t t e rhe a l t hc ar ei nt he i rownc ommuni t y. Fort he s er e as onsa l lTe l e me di c i ner e l at e dPr oj e c t s ar eofv i t ali mpor t a nc et oal lde ve l opi ngc ount r i e sa ndpar t i c ul ar l yt oTur ke y. TheTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c t sa l ongwi t hadv anc e dt e l e c ommuni c at i ont e c hnol ogy; me di c a l knowl e dg eandr e s our c e sofpar t i c i pant s ,wi l lhe l pf ac i l i t a t et hef i nanc i al ,t e c hni c aland a dmi ni s t r at i veas pe c t sofqua l i t yhe al t hc a r ef ore ve r y one . Wec oul dbr i ngt e l e me di c i net oal l doc t or s ,e ve r ywhe r e ,wi t houthav i ngt he mt ol e av et he i rwor kpl ac e ,t he i rpa t i e nt s ,e l i mi nat i ng e nor moust r ans por t a t i onandl odgi nge x pe ns e s . Thevi s i onofa l lpe opl ei nvol v e di n t e l e me di c i net oday,s houl dbet ot e l la l lphy s i c i a nsnomat t e rwhe r et he ypr a c t i c e ,t ha t t e l e me di c i nei sa vai l abl e ,t e l e as s i s ti sav ai l abl e ,t e l e me nt or i ngi sa va i l a bl e ,t e l e c ons ul t a t i oni s a vai l abl eandr obot i ct e l e s ur ge r ywi l lf ol l ow s oon. Eve r ypr a c t i c i ngdoc t ors houl dknow t ha t t he r ei samor ee xpe r i e nc e ds pe c i al i s ta va i l abl et ohe l p; t e c hnol ogi c a landme di c a l advanc e me nt sar eavai l a bl ef ort he mt of ur t he rt he i rpos tme di c alt r a i ni ngors i mpl ypa r t i c i pa t e i ni nt e r ac t i v epr of e s s i ona lf or ums ,wi t houtl e av i ngt he i rpl a c eofpr a c t i c e . Thi swoul da l s o y i e l dt heoppor t uni t yt of orphys i c i anst os e r vee ve ni nr e mot ear e aswi t houtf e e l i ngt ot a l l y i s ol at e d. Le tusg i vet he mt hec onf i de nc et he yne e dbya s s i s t i ngt he m pr ov i dequal i t yhe a l t h c ar e . Theonl ybe ne f a c t or swi l lbet hec i t i z e nsi nge ne r a l ,r e gar dl e s soft he i rwe a l t hor l oc a t i on. Compar e dt oot he rde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,t het e l e c ommuni c at i oni nf r a s t r uc t ur eofTur ke yi s qui t egood. The r ei swi deus ageofI nt e r ne t ,c abl eTV,s at e l l i t ebr oa dc a s t ,a ndot he re l e c t r oni c c ommuni c at i ons e r vi c e sbyt hege ne r alpubl i c . St e adi l yi nc r e a s i ngnumbe rofs e r v i c epr ov i de r s i nt hef i e l dofe l e c t r oni cc ommuni c at i onaswe l la si nc r e as i ngnumbe rofe v e r ydayus e r si s pos i t i vei ndi c at or sofpr ogr e s s . Ba s e dont hi s ,i ft e l e me di c i nei swi de l yi nt r oduc e dand e nor mousbe ne f i t soft e l e me di c i nee xpl ai ne dpr ope r l yi nTur ke y,i tc oul dde f i ni t e l yge ne r a t e i nt e r e s ta ndf i ndf ul la c c e pt anc er e adi l y. Howe ve r ,att hi smome nt ,t e l e me di c i neus ag eandappl i c a t i oni snoty e tf ul l yde v e l ope d. Thi s i sar e s ul tofe c onomi c saswe l la sl ac kofadmi ni s t r a t i veandi nf or mat i vepr e s e nc e . Low nat i onali nc omepe rc a pi t apl usc ount r yse c onomi cs t a t us ,c oupl e dwi t he xt r e mec os tof i mpl e me nt i nghi ght e c ht e l e me di c i nes e r v i c e s ,a ppe ar st oha vec ur t a i l e dt her api de x pa ns i onof t e l e me di c i ne .I ni t i a li nv e s t me ntandope r a t i ngc os tma ybec ons i de r e da se xc e s s i vei nc ount r i e s wi t hac t ualme di oc r ee c onomi e s . Onc es e tupands t ar t sope r at i ngs moot hl y ,t e l e me di c i newi l l pr ovi debe t t e rbe ne f i t sa ndmor ee c onomi c a ladv ant ag e sc ompa r e dt oc l as s i cme di c a land he al t hc ar es e r vi c e swi t he qua lv al ue .I nor de rt oa t t e mptt oa c hi e v et hi s ,i ni t i a ls t ar tupc os t s houl dnotbec ons i de r e dasc l a s s i ci nve s t me ntt ha ts houl dbeamor t i z e dwi t hi nac e r t a i nt i me f r ame . Ta ki ngs t a t eofTur ke ysc ur r e nte c onomyi nt oc ons i de r a t i on,t hi si snota ne a s yt a s k. Anot he rdi f f i c ul t yus ual l ye nc ount e r e di nc ount r i e swhe r ec a pi t a li nv e s t me nti nt e l e me di c i nei s ne e de dt hemos t ,i sbe i ngabl et os how t hei mme ns ebe ne f i t soft e l e me di c i nea ndar g uet he adva nt ag e s ,pr ovet hel ongt e r m advant a ge ouse c onomi c s ,bot ht og ov e r nme ntof f i c i al sa ndt o pr i va t es e c t ori nve s t or s . Cur r e nt l y,t henat i ona lpe r s onali nc omepe rc a pi t aandf undss e ta s i def orc l as s i che al t hc ar emai nt e nanc ei nTur ke yi sf a rbe l ow g l oba ls t andar ds .I nv i e w of t hi sf ac t ,i ti shar dt ot r ans f e ra ddi t i onalf undsf r om t henat i ona lbudge tf orane wv e nt ur el i ke t e l e me di c i ne . Mi ni s t r yofHe a l t hi se xpe c t e dt os uppor tana t i onwi det e l e me di c i nepr oj e c tt hatc a npr ovi de hi g he rqual i t ys e r vi c et oal lc i t i z e nsi ne ve r yr e gi onoft hec ount r y . Fr om t i met ot i me ,we 27 3 c omeac r os st he or e t i c alt e l e me di c i nepr oj e c t s t udi e swi t hi nt heHe al t hMi ni s t r yhowe ve r t he r ehasnotbe e nanyt hi ngt ang i bl eunt i l now. I nTur ke y,c ur r e nt l y ,t he r ear ebas i c al l yt wo t ype sofe s t abl i s he di ns t i t ut i onst hata r e f oc us e dont e l e me di c i ne ,t heuni v e r s i t i e sa nd pr i vat ehe al t hpr ovi de r s . I nI s t anbul ,t he r ea r es e ve r a lpr i va t ehos pi t al s t hatha Fi g. 3 I s t anb ulUni v e r s i t y veani nt e r nali nt e r de par t me nt a l c ommuni c at i onss ys t e mv i al oc alar e ane t wor k ( LAN)wi t hade quat ec apac i t yt ohavei nt e r a c t i veaudi oandv i de oi ma gi ngc ommuni c a t i ons . Bute ve nt hi ss e r vi c ei sl i mi t e dt oaf e w de par t me nt swi t hi nt hehos pi t al ,s uc hasr adi ol og ya nd pat hol og y. I s t a nbulUni v e r s i t yi st heonl yi ns t i t ut i oni nTur ke yt hatha ss t a r t e dme ani ngf ulwor kand l i mi t e dappl i c at i onoft e l e me di c i ne .I STEM ( I s t a nbulUni ve r s i t yCont i nui ngMe di c al Educ at i onandRe s e ar c hCe nt e r )c ur r e nt l yc ar r i e soutt e l e me di c i newor ka tt heUni ve r s i t y ( Fi g. 3) .I thasye ar sofe xpe r i e nc ei nTe l e me di c i ne . Thi se xpe r i e nc ec oupl e dwi t ha n a mbi t i ousTur ki s hNat i onalTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c t( TNTP) ,c a na c hi e v et hi sobj e c t i v e . Admi ni s t r at i v es t a f fofI STEM c ont i nuous l ymoni t or sa nda c t i v e l ypar t i c i pa t e si ni nt e r na t i ona l t e l e me di c i nede ve l opme nt s . The yar eal wa ys; ope nf ormor ec oope r at i onwi t hot he r i ns t i t ut i ons .I STEM i same mbe rofI ET( I ns t i t utEur ope andeTe l e me di c i ne ) ,I SFT( The I nt e r na t i ona lSoc i e t yf orTe l e me di c i ne ) ,SET( Soc i 썝 e t 썝E e ur ope 썝 e nnedeT 썝 e l 썝 e me di c i ne ) , TELEMEDI ANA ( Vi r t ualAc ade myoft heART Sc i e nc eofHe a l t hc a r e ) ,I FTRE( I nt e r na t i onal For um f orTe l e s ur gi c alRe s e ar c handEduc at i on)a ndEI TS( Eur ope anI ns t i t ut eof Te l e s ur g e r y ) .I n20 02I STEM par t i c i pa t e di nI TUWHU me e t i ngi nGe ne v aandbe c a me i nvol ve di n Te l e me di c i nef orDe ve l opi ngCount r i e ss t udyg r oup( De ve l opme ntSe c t orSt udy Gr oup2,Que s t i on141/2) . Addi t i ona l l y ,I STEM i sa l s oaf oundi ngc ons or t i um me mbe rof EMI SPHER ( Eur oMe di t e r r ane anI nt e r ne tSa t e l l i t e Pl a t f or mf orHe a l t h,Me di c a lEduc a t i on andRe s e ar c h)s pons or e dbyEur ope anCommi s s i on. EMI SPHER wor kc omme nc e di n Se pt e mbe rof2 002andi twi l lc onc l udet hef i r s tphas ebyOc t obe r30 ,2 00 4. I STEM ha v e par t i c i pat e di nt hi spr oj e c tf ort hepas tt woy e ar sa ndt he yar eor g a ni z i ngt he Be s tPr a c t i c eof Re alTi meTe l e me di c i ne c onf e r e nc es c he dul e dt ot akepl ac eSe pt e mbe r1 5 19,2 004i nI s t anbul . Dur i ngt hi sc onf e r e nc eanot he rEur ope a nCommi s s i ons pons or e dpr oj e c thasbe e ndi s c us s e d a ndde ba t e dt oc omme nc ewor konVEMH ( Vi r t ua lEur oMe di t e r r a ne a nHos pi t al ) .I STEM i s r e a dyt opa r t i c i pa t ei nt hi sv e nt ur e ,t oo. I STEM wi s he st oc ont i nuet her e l a t i ons hi pwi t hI TU ( I nt e r nat i onalTe l e c ommuni c at i onUni on) ,WHU ( Wor l dHe a l t hUni on)a ndf ur t he ri t s c oope r a t i onwi t hDe ve l opme ntSe c t orSt udyGr oup2,Que s t i on1 41/ 2. Bydoi ngt hi s ,I STEM wi l lhe l pe nhanc ef ur t he rt heTur ki s hNat i onalTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c t( TNTP)whi c hi samaj or ne wc ont r i but ort oTur ke ysnat i onalhe a l t hpol i c yandi twi l lc ont i nuei t spa r t i c i pat i oni nt he i nt e r nat i onalt e l e me di c i nepl at f or ms .I STEM,a l s opl anst os t r e ngt he ni t sr e l a t i onsand t e l e me di c i nec oope r at i onwi t ht hef or me rSovi e tUni onc ount r i e sl i keAz e r ba i j a n, Tur kme ni s t a na ndot he rc ount r i e st hats ha r et hes a mec ul t ur alTur ki cr oot sa ndc ommonl y us e ddi al e c t sofTur ki cl a nguage s . Webe l i e v e ,t hec l os er e l at i ons hi pa ndbe t t e rc oope r a t i on a mongTur ki cc ount r i e swi l lal s oc ont r i but et oi mpor t a nc eandr api de x pans i onoft heTur ki s h Nat i onalTe l e me di c i nePr oj e c t . 27 4 Tur ki s hNat i onalTel emedi ci nePr oj ec t( TNTP) Pur pos e,oper at i onalp r oces s ,cur r entap pl i cat i onsandf ut ur eexp ect at i o ns: Themai ng oa li st oe s t abl i s haNat i ona lTe l e me di c i neSt udyGr oupunde rt hel e a de r s hi pof I STEM,I s t a nbulUni ve r s i t yCont i nui ngMe di c a lEduc a t i onandRe s e a r c hCe nt e r . Thi sg r oup smai nobj e c t i vewi l lbet ol a unc h,e nl i ght e n,andde f i net e l e me di c i nec onc e ptnat i onwi de . I ni t i a t ewi de rr e a l i z at i onoft e l e me di c i nenat i ona l l yande ns ur et hate nor mousbe ne f i t sof t e l e me di c i ner e ac he v e r yc or ne roft hec ount r y . Att hes a met i meac hi e vewi de rc oope r a t i on wi t hf or e i gnor gani z at i onsa ndpar t i c i pa t ei ni nt e r na t i ona lpr oj e c t st oke e pa br e a s tofgl obal me di c ala ndt e c hnol ogi c aladvanc e me nt s . St r at egyandc har t i ngacour s e: The r ear enumbe rofpr e par at or ys t udi e st ha tne e dt obec a r r i e dout . Wene e dt or e s e a r c h s ui t abi l i t yoft e l e me di c i newi t he xi s t i nghe al t hc ar es ys t e mi nTur ke yandde t e r mi nei t sov e r a l l be ne f i t sa swe l las: ―t /pr ot r yt opi npoi ntpos s i bl edi f f i c ul t i e s obl e m ar e a sa ndf i nds ol ut i ons , ―t ode t e r mi net heappr opr i at et e l e c ommuni c a t i ons y s t e m andi t ss ui t abi l i t ywi t ht hee x i s t i ng t e l e c ommuni c a t i oni nf r as t r uc t ur e , ―t omakeal i s tpos s i bl epr i vat ea ndg ove r nme nta ge nc i e st hatc a npr ovi der e s our c e sa nd de t e r mi net hepr os pe c toft he i rc l os ec oope r at i on. Wene e dt ode t e r mi nepr obabl ei ns t i t ut i onsqual i f i e dt oj oi nt hes ys t e ma ndope ndi a l ogwi t h t he i ra dmi ni s t r at i vebodi e s . Wehav et oi nt r oduc e ,por t r a yt hegr e atbe ne f i t sande x pl ai nt he me c hani c soft e l e me di c i net ot he i rgove r ni ngbodi e s . Wene e dt oc onf e rwha tt he yhav et odo anddi s c us st her e s pons i bi l i t i e s . Wene e dt oout l i net hee xt e ntofi nv e s t me nti ne qui pme nta nd de pl oyme ntoft e c hni c als t af f .I naddi t i ont oi nt e r nalr e s our c e s ,e x t e r nalr e s our c e ss houl dbe e xpl or e dt ode t e r mi nepos s i bi l i t yande x t e ntofc oope r at i ont hatc a nbee xpe c t e d. Onc et he s ei s s ue sar ec ompl e t e l yaddr e s s e da ndr e s ol ve dt hepr oj e c ts houl dc omme nc eunde r t hes t e wa r ds hi pofI STEM. St r uct ur eofTNTP: I STEM ( I s t anbulUni ve r s i t yCont i nui ngMe di c a lEduc a t i ona ndRe s e ar c hCe nt e r )i s r e s pons i bl ef ori ni t i a t i ng,de ve l opi nganda dmi ni s t e r i ngt heTur ki s hNa t i ona lTe l e me di c i ne Pr oj e c t .I STEM,t hedr i vi ngf or c eofTNTP,i sa na c a de mi ci ns t i t ut i onofI s t a nbulUni v e r s i t y . Admi ni s t r at i ve l yi ti st i e dt oRe c t or s hi pofI s t anbulUni ve r s i t y . Admi ni s t r at i v ebodyof I STEM c ons i s t sofac ha i r ma n,avi c ec hai r man,boa r dofdi r e c t or s ,a nda na dv i s or yboar d. Pe r ma ne ntAdmi ni s t r at i v eBodyc ons i s t sofDi r e c t or ,As s i s t antDi r e c t or ,t wos e c r e t a r i e sa nd t hr e et e c hni c a ls t af fme mbe r s . Addi t i ona lpe r s onne lar ede pl oye da sne e de d,us ual l ye mpl oy e d a sc ons ul t i ngc ont r ac t or s .I nt hef ut ur e ,whe ni ti sc ompl e t e l yope r at i onal ,r e pr e s e nt at i ve sof ot he runi v e r s i t i e sandi ns t i t ut i onswi l lbei nv i t e dt oj oi nt hea dmi ni s t r at i v eboa r d. I STEM i sl oc at e datt heI s t anbulUni v e r s i t yMe di c alFa c ul t yCapaCampus . The yha v e60 0 s quar eme t e r sofof f i c es pac ef orDi r e c t or ,as s i s t a ntdi r e c t or; s e c r e t a r i als t af fa ndt he yhavet he i r ownpr oduc t i ona ndpos t pr oduc t i ons hop. The r ei sa12 0s e a ta mphi t he a t e r ,t wome e t i ng r ooms onewi t hac apac i t yof8 0pe r s onsa ndas ma l l e ronef or3 0pe r s ons( Fi g. 4 ) . I nf r as t r uc t ur eande qui pme nt:I STEM us e st e r r e s t r i a lc onne c t i onsa nds at e l l i t el i nksf or t e l e c ommuni c at i onsa ndut i l i z e sI nt e r ne t ,ADSL,Ra di oLi nk,I SDN,Sa t e l l i t eandUl akNe t 27 5 ( Tur ki s hNat i onalI nt e rUni ve r s i t yAc ade mi c Ne t wor k) I nt e r ne t:Ut i l i z e sI nt e r ne tc onne c t i onpr ov i de d byI s t anbulUni ve r s i t yandTur ki s hTe l e c om t o c ommuni c at ewi t hl oc al ,nat i onala nd i nt e r nat i onalt e r mi nal s . Thes e r v i c epr ov i de d byTur ki s hTe l e c om i sne i t he rs uf f i c i e nti n s pe e dnora de quat ei nc a pa c i t yt os e r vet he c ommuni c at i onne e dsofI STEM. Al t houg h s e r v i c es e e mst obes at i s f ac t or yf ordat a t r ans f e r ,i ti si na de quat ef orqual i t yi mage t r ans f e r s . Fort het i mebe i ng,onl yda t aand s t i l li mage s( phot os ,r adi ol ogyi mage s ,a nd Fi g . 4 Pi c t ur ef r om I STEM c e nt e r pat hol ogi ci ma ge s )a r ebe i ngt r ans mi t t e d. By us i ngwe bc ame r ac onne c t i on,l ow qua l i t yl i ve i ma ge sa r et r a ns mi t t e dwhe nde s pe r at e l yne e de d. ADSL a nds i mi l a rs y s t e mspr ovi des uf f i c i e nt s pe e dandbe t t e rqual i t y. Wee xpe c tTur ki s hTe l e c om t oupgr adet he i rc ur r e nti nf r a s t r uc t ur e i nt hene arf ut ur e . Onc eupgr adi ngpr oc e s si sc ompl e t e ,wemaybei napos i t i ont obe t t e r ut i l i z el i nec onne c t i ons e r vi c ei nTe l e me di c i ne . Cur r e nt l yI s t anbulUni ve r s i t yhasaf r ame r e l ayc onne c t i ont oHa r r anUni v e r s i t yi nUr f a appr oxi mat e l y2000ki l ome t e r ss out he as tofI s t a nbul . Wi t hapoi nt t opoi ntc onne c t i on, i nt e r a c t i v emat h,phy s i c sc our s e sar eof f e r e dt os t ude nt sa tHar r anUni ve r s i t y . Ra di oLi nkConne c t i ons:I s t anbulUni ve r s i t yhast wome di c alf a c ul t i e s ,Ca paandCe r r a hpa s a , appr oxi mat e l y13km a par t . Si nc e199 6 ,Ce r r ahpa s aMe di c alFa c ul t yhasha dar adi ol i nk wi t hCapaMe di c alFac ul t y,whe r eI STEM i sl oc at e d. Bot hf ac ul t i e sha vebe e nut i l i z i ngt hi s r a di ol i nkt ohav ej oi nts c i e nt i f i cme e t i ngs ,di s c us s i ons ,de bat e sa ndt e l e c onf e r e nc e sonv a r i ous s ubj e c t ss uc hass ur ge r y ,gyne c ol ogyandot he r s . Re a lt i me ,i nt e r a c t i v et e l e c ommuni c at i onsv i a r adi ol i nkyi e l dsve r ygoodqual i t yaudi oandv i s ua li mage r y .I ti sa v ai l a bl e24hour sada y, bas i c al l yf r e e ,wi t houta nyr oami ngc har ge s . Bi g ge s tdi s a dva nt a ge sofr a di ol i nk c ommuni c at i onar edi s t or t i ondur i ngbadwe a t he rc ondi t i onsa ndi ne f f e c t i vet r ans mi s s i ont o mor edi s t antpoi nt s . I SDN Conne c t i ons:I n1996whe nI STEM de c i de dt oi mpl e me ntdi s t a ntme di c a le duc at i on,i t c ons ul t e dTur ki s hTe l e c om ( TT)admi ni s t r at or s ,t oe va l uat ea ndhe l ps e l e c tas ui t abl e t e l e c ommuni c at i ons ys t e m. Tur ki s hTe l e c omse va l uat i onr e s ul t e di ns ugge s t i ngI SDNPRIor I SDNBRIt obet hemos ts ui t a bl es ys t e mf orTNTPa tt het i mea ndc ons i de r a t i onofI Pba s e d ne t wor ka tal at e rdat e . Ba s e dont hi sf i ndi ng,wei ni t i a l l ys ubs c r i be df orI SDNPRI( 2MB) andl at e rc hange dours ubs c r i pt i ont oI SDNBRI( 3 x12 8kb/s ) . Wec ur r e nt l yus eone I SDNBRI( 3 84kb/ s )l i nea c t i ve l yandweke e pt woot he rl i ne si na c t i v e . Fort hepa s ts e v e n y e a r sweac t i v e l yi mpl e me nt e dt e l e me di c i newi t hs e v e r a lc e nt e r swi t hi nTur ke yande ve nwi t h mor ec e nt e r sout s i deTur ke y. Bas e donours e ve ny e a r sofe xpe r i e nc e ,wehav ee s t a bl i s he dt hat / I SDN c onne c t i onwi t hmi ni mum 384Kb sy i e l dsa c c e pt a bl equal i t yofaudi oa ndv i s ua l i mag e r yt r a ns mi s s i on. I SDN l i ne sar emor er e adi l yus e di not he rc ount r i e sande a s i l y obt ai nabl e . Howe ve rt he r ear es e ve r aldi s a dva nt ag e sa swe l l; f r e que ntdi s c onne c t i ons ,i mag e f r e e z i ng,di f f i c ul t i e sof3 x128c onne c t i on,poorqual i t ywi t h2 5 6and1 28Kb/sc onne c t i on. Thel i ne sne e dt obeke ptunde rc ons t antandc a r e f uls ur v e i l l a nc e ,r oami ngc ha r g e sar e e x pe ns i veandmaki ngmul t ic onf e r e nc ec onne c t i oni snote as y( ne e dMCU) . Sat e l l i t e:I ti swe l lknownt hats at e l l i t es ys t e mi st hebe s tc hoi c ef ort e l e c onf e r e nc e sa nds i mi l a r 27 6 i nt e r ac t i vet r ans mi s s i ons . Howe ve ri ni t i al i nve s t me ntt os e tupt hi ss ys t e mi squi t ehi gh. Duet ove r yhi ghs t ar tupc os t ,t hi ss ys t e m was nota nopt i onf orTNTP. Ont heot he rhand,I STEM i st heTur ki s h r e pr e s e nt a t i veandf oundi ngme mbe rof EMI SPHER ( Eur oMe di t e r r ane an I nt e r ne t Sat e l l i t ePl at f or mf orHe al t h,Me di c a l Educ at i onandRe s e ar c h)Pr oj e c tt hatwa s s pons or e dmos t l ybyt heEur ope an Commi s s i on. Duet ot hi sr e l a t i ons hi p,now t he r ei sa2. 5m di ame t e rpar abol i cs at e l l i t e ant e nnas e tupont her oofofI STEM bui l di ng Fi g . 5 Par abo l i cSat e l l i t eant e nnamo unt e d ( Fi g. 5) . Byut i l i z i ngt hes at e l l i t ec a pac i t yof o nt o po fI STEM b ui l di ngatCapa Eut e l s atwhi c hi sat e c hni c alpar t ne rof c amp us EMI SPHER,Me di t e r r ane a nbas i nc ount r i e s ar enow a bl ec ar r youtt e l e me di c i ner e l at e d wor kamongt he ms e l ve sa swe l last he i rEur ope anpar t ne r s .I nt hef ut ur eTNTPwi l lbeabl e t ous et heI STEM a nt e nnaf ors i mi l art e l e me di c i ner e l a t e dwor ka nde duc a t i on. Ul akNe t:Ul akNe ti st henameofas ys t e mc al l e dNa t i onalI nt e rUni ve r s i t yNe t wor ks e tup t opr ovi debe t t e rc ommuni c at i ons e r vi c eamonguni v e r s i t i e s .I ti sabr oadba nda ndI Pbas e d, c ommuni c at i onne t wor k. Thi ss ys t e m wass e tupandi sc ur r e nt l yope r a t e dbyTUBI TAK ( Tur ki s hNat i ona lSc i e nc eandRe s e a r c hCe nt e r ) ,agov e r nme nta g e nc y . Al l4 7me di c al f ac ul t i e sofnume r ousuni ve r s i t i e si nt hec ount r yar ec onne c t e dt oe a c hot he rus i ngt hi ss y s t e m. Uni ve r s i t i e sa r eabl eut i l i z et hi ss ys t e mf ordat at r ans f e ra ndI nt e r ne tc onne c t i ons e r v i c e wi t houta nyc har ge . Cos tofope r at i ngt hes ys t e mi sc ove r e dbyTUBI TAK. I STEM ha vebe e ns t udyi ngt hepos s i bi l i t yandf e as i bi l i t yofus i ngUl a kNe tt oe nha nc eTNTP. The r ei sa l s oas t udygr oupi npl ac et oanal yz ehow 4 7me di c a lf a c ul t i e sc a nc a r r yout t e l e me di c i newor kamongt he ms e l ve sa swe l lasme di c alc e nt e r si nEur oMe di t e r r ane a n c ount r i e st hr oughUl akne twi t ht heas s i s t anc eofI STEM s at e l l i t el i nk. Cur r e nt l yuni ve r s i t y me di c alc e nt e r sa r eabl emakepoi nt t opoi ntt e l e c onf e r e nc e swi t hf a i r l ygoodr e c e pt i on. We ar ei nt hepr oc e s soft r yi ngoutmul t ic a s ta ppl i c a t i ons . Ul akNe twi l laddi mpor t anta ndval ua bl eadv ant a ge st oTNTPwhe ni ti sf ul l yut i l i z e d. Thr oughpr ope rde pl oyme ntofe xi s t i ngs ys t e m,4 7uni ve r s i t yme di c a lc e nt e r sa ndt he i rLAN ( Loc a lAr e aNe t wor k)wi l le nabl ee ve r yc omput e rt e r mi nalt or e ac horc onne c tt ot e l e me di c i ne wor kbe i ngc onduc t e datadi s t antpoi nt . A phy s i c i a ns i t t i ngi nanof f i c e ,us i ngape r s ona l c omput e rwi l lbeabl et or e c e i veands ha r eme di c a li nf or mat i onorpa r t i c i pat ei nme di c al f or ums . Al loft hi swi l lc omewi t houta nyc os tt oc ampusus e r s ,s i nc eTubi t a kha ss e ta s i de f undst oc ov e rt hec os toft hi sope r a t i on. Te l e co nf er enceEqui p mentandSys t em atI STEM : Cur r e nt l y,I s t e m us e st hef ol l owi nge qui pme nt: ・1Sony5100Pt e l e c onf e r e nc euni t ,I SDN c ompa t i bl e ,ons c r e e nmul t ic onf e r e nc ec a pabi l i t y + / at4( 3 1)x128kb s . ・1Ez e ni aMCU uni t ,I SDN c ompa t i bl e ,1 2x 384kb/ smul t ic onf e r e nc ec a pabi l i t i e s . ・1Pol yc om t e l e c onf e r e nc eUni t ,I SDN andI Pc ompat i bl e . 27 7 ・Anal oganddi gi t alc amc or de r s ,doc ume nt c ame r as ,vi de opr oj e c t i one qui pme nt s ,a nd y)a nd s ui t abl eaudi os ys t e m,mont ag e( as s e mbl pos t pr oduc t i one qui pme nt s . I STEM al s ohasa ne xt e ns i vevi de oar c hi v eof /pr ove r1 000me di c ala nds ur gi c alc as e s oc e dur e s r e c or de donvi de oc as s e t t e si ndi f f e r e ntf or mat s ( VHS,8,Hi 8,Di g )a ndwor ki sunde r wa yt o c onve r tt hec ompl e t ear c hi v ei nt odi gi t a lf or ma t f orus ebyTNTP. Pas t ,Pr es entandFut ur eofTel eme di ci ne Pr oj ecto fI s t anbulUni ver s i t y I s t anbulUni ve r s i t yi st heol de s te duc a t i ona l i ns t i t ut i oni nTur ke y. I tha spi one e r e dma ny i nnovat i onsi nnume r ousf i e l dsov e rt heye ar s . Now,I s t anbulUni ve r s i t yhaske e ni nt e r e s ti n whatt hel at e s ti nf or mat i onandc ommuni c a t i on t e c hnol ogyhasbr oughtt ous:Te l e me di c i ne . i onal Fi g . 6 Vi e wo f anI nt e r nat Te l e me di c i neMul t ic onf e r e nc e , par t i c i pat e db yI STEM t e am and s e v e ndi f f e r e ntc ount r i e st e am. I s t anbulUni v e r s i t yhasbe e nvanguar dofme di c i nea ndme di c ale duc at i ondur i ngt hepas t5 50 ye ar s ,notonl ybyus i ngc ut t i nge dgeoft e c hnol og ybuta l s obyhe l pi ngt hee vol ut i onof me di c i nei nt e r mse qui pme nta ndt e c hni que s .I n19 92 ,t wome di c alf ac ul t i e sofI s t a nbul Uni ve r s i t ye s t abl i s he dt heAudi oVi s ua lMe di c alEduc at i ona ndRe s e a r c hCe nt e r( ODVI M)t o pr ovi demor eupt odat eme di c ale duc at i on. I n19 96ODVI Ms t a r t e d Di s t a ntEduc a t i on a nd Te l e me di c i ne i mpl e me nt at i on. I n19 97 ,t hena meands t r uc t ur ewa sc hang e dt o I STEMI s t anbulUni ve r s i t yCont i nui ngMe di c alEduc a t i onandRe s e ar c hCe nt e r . Be t we e n 1997and2000us i ngr adi ol i nkandI SDN c onne c t i on,I STEM c omme nc e ddi s t a ntme di c a l e duc at i on,t houghl i mi t e di ns c ope .I STEM c e nt e rpr og r e s s i ve l ys t ar t e dt oga i ne x pe r i e nc ea nd r e c ogni t i oni nt e l e me di c i ne . OnApr i l3 ,2000I STEM or g ani z e dt heFi r s tNat i onalTe l e me di c i neSy mpos i um t hatwa st he f oundat i onofTNTP( Fi g. 6) . Thi ss y mpos i um br oug htt og e t he rMi ni s t e r sofHe a l t h, Educ at i onandTr ans por t a t i onal ongwi t ht opof f i c i al sofuni v e r s i t i e sa ndme di c alf a c ul t i e sa s we l la shi ghr anki ngr e pr e s e nt at i ve sofTur ki s hTe l e c om,TUBI TAK a ndot he rc ommuni c a t i on of f i c i al st opr e s e ntt he i rv i e wsa ndopi ni onsonTNTP. Eve rs i nc e2001,s i xMe di c a lFac ul t i e si ndi f f e r e ntr e g i onsofTur ke yhav ebe e nmaki ng t e l e me di c i nec onf e r e nc e sov e rI SDN 3 84Kb/sl i nec onne c t i onatI STEM. Addi t i ona l l y,f r om / t i met ot i me ,wehaveme e t i ng sc onf e r e nc e swi t hnume r ousme di c a lc e nt e r si nFr anc e ,Be l gi um, Ge r ma ny ,Aus t r i a ,I t a l y ,Swe de n,I s r a e landU. S. A. Wepl a nt oi nc r e a s et e l e me di c i neac t i v i t i e s i nt hef ut ur eandma ket he m mor ee f f e c t i ve( Fi g . 7 ) . Wepl ant ous et hee xi s t i ngUl akNe tc ommuni c at i onne t wor kt ha tl i nks4 7me di c a lf ac ul t i e s . Thi sbr oadba ndI Pbas e dne t wor kappe ar st obemor eadv ant a ge st ha nI SDN c onne c t i on. Exi s t i ngUl akNe tSy s t e mi sope r at e dbyTubi t a k,agov e r nme ntage nc y ,t he r e f or eal lope r at i ng c os t sa nde xpe ns e sa r ec ove r e daspa r toft he i ra nnualbudg e t . Ourf ut ur epl ani sa l s ot ol i nknonuni v e r s i t yme di c alc e nt e r s ,me di c a lc l i ni c se ve ni ndi v i dua l pr ac t i c e swi t hme di c alc e nt e r sa r oundt hewor l dv i as a t e l l i t e ,i nt e r ne tandt e r r e s t r i a ll i ne ss o t hatt he ywi l ls har et he i rme di c ale xpe r i e nc e swi t ht he i rpe e r si nt heme di c a lf i e l da ndke e p t he ms e l ve supt oda t ewi t hde ve l opme nt sa ndadva nc e me nt si nme di c i ne( Pi c t ur e7) . 27 8 Fi g. 7 Fut ur ep l ano f TNTP Re f er ences 1 .Av c iC. :I mpor t anc ee tdi f f i c ul t 썝 edel aT 썝 e l 썝 e me 썝di c i neda nsl e spa y se nv oi eded 썝 e ve l oppe me ntc ommel aTur qui e . r e nc eonTe l e me di c i ne .Cong r e sMondi aldeTe l e me di c i ne .Fr a nc e Toul ous e200 0 ,Abs t r a c tBooks , Wor l dConf e Pa ge: 1 9 0. e me di c i neGl os s a r y .5t hEdi t i on.Cont r i but or:Av c iC: .A s hor tov e r vi e w oft e l e me di c i nei n 2 .Be ol c hiL.Te l Tur ke y . .Pr i nt e df r om t heEur ope a nCommi s s i on,I nf or ma t i onSoc i e t yDi r e c t or a t e Ge ne r a l ,Br us s e l s ,Se pt e mbe r 20 0 3,Pa g e: 11 5 11 15 4 . e me di c i ne .Pr a c t i c i ngi nt hei nf or ma t i ona g e .Li ppi c ot t Rav e nPubl i s he r s ,Phi l a de l phi a , 3 .Vi e g a sSF,DunnK. : Te l 19 9 8. ml e r i ,Kul l ani m Al a nl a r iveT 썥 ur ki y edeTe l e t i p ( Te l e me di c i neSy s t e ms ,Cur r e nt 4 .Donme zAH. :Te l e t i pSi s t e Appl i c a t i onsa ndTe l e me di c i nei nTur ke y)The s i sofGr adua t e d.Ma r ma r aUni ve r s i t y,Fa c ul t yofHe al t h Educ a t i on.I s t a nbul Tur ke y,2 00 3 . 27 9 26 Ukr ai ne61 Exper i enceandr es ul t soft el econs ul t at i o nsi ndai l ycl i ni calp r ac t i c e Backgr ound Thi sEas t e r nEur ope anc ount r yi ss i t uat e d be t we e nPol a nd,Roma ni a ,andMol dova i nt hewe s ta ndRus s i ai nt hee as ta ndi s bor de r i ngt heal s oBl ac kSe aont hes out h. Ukr ai nehasapopul at i onof5 0, 447, 719 ( 1997)a ndat ot ala r e aof6 03 , 7 00s qkm. Thi si st hes e c ondl ar ge s tc ount r yi n Eur ope . Tel econs ul t at i o ns Be gi nni ng Fi g . 1 I n20002005Done t s kRe s e a r c hand Te c hni c alI ns t i t ut eofTr aumat ol ogyandOr t hopa e di c s ,De par t me ntofI nf or ma t i c sa nd Te l e me di c i ne ,c ar r i e doutove r3 0 0t e l e c ons ul t at i onsi n1 5di f f e r e ntf i e l ds . Theve r yf i r s tone wa spr ovi de dbyPr of e s s orM.Ne r l i c hf r om Re g e ns bur g( Ge r many)on2 5. 01 . 200 0,who c ons ul t e dapa t i e ntwi t hs e r i ouspe l vi ct r a umai nDone t s k. Mor ei nf or ma t i oni sa va i l abl ea t www. t e l e me d. or g. ua. Thewe l lde ve l ope dt e l e c ons ul t at i onsne t wor kwa sa l s ous e dt oc ons ul t pa t i e nt sa f t e rt het e r r i bl ee ar t hquakei nI ndi ai n20 0 1. Asapr e r e qui s i t e soft e l e c ons ul t at i onss uc c e s sal i s tofma i ni ndi c e swe r ede v e l ope dand f ol l owe d. I ndi c e s ・De t e r mi nat i onofdi a gnos i sa ndt r e at me ntt ac t i c si nc as e sofi nf r e que nt ,s e r i ousora t ypi c a l l y f l owi ngdi s e as e s; ・Ne c e s s i t yt ope r f or m ne wa nd/ori nf r e que nts ur gi c al( me di c a lordi ag nos t i c ) ,pr oc e dur ee t c . ; ・Lac kofi mme di at ee xpe r t si nt hegi v e nme di c ale s t a bl i s hme ntorl a c kofs uf f i c i e ntc l i ni c al e xpe r i e nc ef ordi agnos t i c sort r e at me ntofdi s e a s e s; ・Conf i r mat i onoft hee l e c t e dt ac t i c soft r e a t me nt; ・Se nat i v es ol ut i onsofac l i ni c a lpr obl e m; ar c hofa l t e r ・Ge ogr aphi c aldi s t anc epr e ve nt i ngt hee he al t hpr ovi de rf r om pr ovi di ngat t e ndi ngur ge nt l yt o t hepat i e nt; ・Cos tl owe r i ngf ort hedi ag nos t i c sa ndt r e a t me ntwi t houtt hel os si nt he i rqua l i t yand e f f i c a c y; ・Fe at ur e sofs ur ge r yandme di c ame nt oust he r a py; ・Di s put abl ec l i ni c a ls i t uat i on; ・I nde pe nde ntopi ni onf orpat i e nt sc ompl a i nt . De v i c e s Te l e c ons ul t at i onswe r er e al i z e dvi awor ks t at i onsf orda i l yc l i ni c a lus e:PC/not e book( 500 6 1 A.V.Vl a dz ymy r s kyy ,V.G.Kl ymovy t s ky y ,Done t s kR & D I ns t i t ut eofTr a uma t ol og ya ndOr t hope di c s ,De p.of @t I nf or ma t i c sa ndTe l e me di c i ne ,Ukr a i ne ,a vv e l e me d. or g. ua 28 0 Fi g . 2 MHzandmor e )wi t ht hes e tofmul t i me di ae qui pme nt ,di g i t a lc ame r a( 1 . 3mpxandmor e ) , e r( a ny) ,f i l mvi e we r( Fi g. 2 ) . I nt e r ne tl i ne( 56K andmor e ) ,s c anne r( a ny ) ,pr i nt Te c hnol ogi e s As ync hr onous l yands ync hr onous l yt e l e c ons ul t at i onsa tt heba s eoft heI nt e r ne tt e c hnol ogi e s + we r eappl i e dmai l i ngl i s t s ,me di c alof f l i nef or ums ,e mai l ,I CQ,s ys t e m I CQ e ma i l,a l s o MMSI nt e r ne tc onne c t i onsde pe nde dont hedi s t anc e di a l upf ors mal lhos pi t a l sa ndr ur a l ar e as ,l e as e dl i nec onne c t i onf orbi gr e gi onalhos pi t a l sa ndGPRS/ Mobi l e f orur g e nt c as e s . Toe ns ur edat as e c ur i t y ,t hef ol l owi ngt opi c swe r ea l wa y sc onc e r ne dandt a ke ni nt o / c ons i de r a t i on:p at i e nt sc o ns e nt ,anonymi t y,l ogi n pas s wo r df ora l lt e l e me di c i newor ks t at i ons anddi g i t als i gnat ur es ys t e mf orr e gi onale he a l t hc a r e . −21 −4 Ar e asf ort e l e c ons ul t at i ons:t r auma−57 , 5 %,or t hopae di cs ur ge r y , 5 %,ne ur os ur ge r y , 9%, onc ol og y−4 , 2%,t e r at ol ogy−3, 5%,r he umat ol ogy−2, 8 %,he mat ol og y−2, 1%,ot he r( pl a s t i c −2, s ur g e r y,e ndoc r i nol og y,opht hal mol ogy ) 1 %. Ta bl e1pr ovi dede t a i l e di nf or mat i onf ort he pe r i od20002004,whi l eTa bl e2de s c r i be dda t at r ans mi t t e dt hr oughdi f f e r e nt t e l e c ommuni c at i ons y s t e msdur i ngt e l e c ons ul t at i ons . Re s ul t s Ther e l i abi l i t yoft hedi agnos t i c sofdi f f e r e ntt r aumasa nddi s e a s e sus i ngdi gi t i z e dda t ai squi t e hi ghandmake sup72, 8%( p<0, 0 5)a ndmor e . Re c omme nde ds c he me sf ort r e at me ntwe r eus e di n88%oft hec l i ni c alc a s e s . Cl i ni c alr e s ul t s: ・16%r e duc t i onoft het e r msofi npat i e ntt r e a t me nt; ・9, 2%r e duc t i onoft hef r e que nc yofc ompl i c at i ons( mor e ov e r ,t he r ei ss t a t i s t i c a le v i de nc et ha t t hes t r uc t ur eofc ompl i c at i onsc ha nge dal ots ot hatt hemi l df or mspr e va i l e d); a) b) c ) Fi g . 3 28 1 Tabl e1 Tabl e2 Fi g. 4 ・10%r e duc t i onoft her e l at i ver i s kofde ve l opme ntofc ompl i c at i ons; ・0, 4%r e duc t i onofr e hos pi t a l i z a t i onr a t e . Thus ,wer e c omme ndwi deus eoft e c hni c a l l ys i mpl et e l e me di c a ls ys t e msf oras y nc hr onous l y a nds ync hr onous l yt e l e c ons ul t at i ons . Ourr e s ul t si n s e c ondopi ni on c ons ul t i ngar eal s owor t hme nt i oni ng. Ours i t e Te l e me di c i ne i nUkr ai ne ( Fi g. 4)pr ovi de sas pe c i alwe bpagef orpa t i e nt s ,wea l s ohav eas pe c i alma i l box @t ( c ons al t e l e me d. or g . ua) . 8, 3%oft e l e c ons ul t a t i onswe r ec ar r i e doutus i ngt hi sme t hod. The ar e asofme di c i nei nwhi c hdi s t antc ons ul t i ngwe r eus e dar et r a umat ol ogyandor t hope di c s ( 50 , 0%) ,i nbor npat hol ogy( 33, 4%) ,ne ur os ur g e r y( 8 , 3%) ,pl a s t i cs ur g e r y( 8 , 3 %) .I ti se x pe di e nt t ome nt i ont ha t5 0%ofa l lt he s e c ondopi ni on t e l e c ons ul t at i onsc onc e r ne dt r a umas ,a c qui r e d di s e as e sa ndi nbor npat hol ogi e sofhands . Af t e rt hi ski ndoft e l e c ons ul t a t i onsa bout30%of 28 2 t hepat i e nt swe r et r e at e di nourc l i ni c . 28 3 27 Zamb i a62 TheRe publ i cofZambi ai sal andl oc ke dc ount r yi n s out he r nAf r i c a. I tbor de r st heDe moc r at i cRe publ i cof t heCongot ot henor t h,Tanz ani aont henor t he a s t , Ma l awiont hee as t ,Moz ambi que ,Zi mbabwe ,Bot s wa na, andNami bi at ot hes out h,andAngol aont hewe s t . For me r l yNor t he r nRhode s i a,t hec ount r yi sna me daf t e r t heZambe z ir i ve r . Zambi ahasapopul at i onofove r 10, 462, 436( 1977)a ndat ot ala r e aof7 5 2 , 6 14km2. Backgr ound Thel i f ee xpe c t anc yi nt hec ount r yi sa bout4 0y r s . Mos t oft hepopul at i oni sc l us t e r e dal ongt hel i neofr ai lt hati s hi ghl yur bani z e dduet oe c onomi cac t i vi t i e s . Di s pe r s a lof popul at i onwi t hhi ghr at e sofur ba ni z at i onhasmadei t di f f i c ul tt ode l i ve rhe al t hc ar es e r vi c e sa c r os st hec ount r y ( Fi g. 2-3) . mbi a Fi g. 1 Za Thel as tde c adehaswi t ne s samaj orr e or ga ni z at i oni nZa mbi anhe a l t hs e r v i c e s . Gove r nme nt hasde di c at e dl ot sofe f f or t st oi mpr ovequa l i t yofl i f e . Oneoft hes t e pswa st hehe a l t h r e f or mst hats t a r t e di n19 99 . Thes t r at e gi cg oalwasa nds t i l li s ,t ot r a ns f or mt hehe a l t hc a r e s e c t ori nt oa ne f f i c i e nthe al t hc a r es ys t e mt ha ti sa bl et ogua r a nt e ee qui t yofac c e s st oc os t e f f e c t i vehe al t hc ar easc l os et ot hef ami l ya spos s i bl eus et heav ai l a bl ef a c i l i t i e s( Ta bl e1) . De s pi t eoft hee f f or t ss of a r ,t hel i mi t e df i nanc i alr e s our c e sha ves e r i ous l yc ons t r ai ne dt he g ov e r nme nt ale f f or t si nac hi e vi ngde s i r e dobj e c t i ve s . Sc ar c i t yofs pe c i al i z e dhe a l t hs t uf fandi t s s ke we ddi s t r i but i onpl ust hes i g ni f i c antbr ai ndr a i nha smadedi f f i c ul tt hee f f e c t i v ede l i v e r yof he al t hc ar es e r vi c e s .I naddi t i on,t hehi g hc os tofr e f e r r al sanddi f f i c ul tt e r r ai nsc r e at emaj or pr obl e msf orane qui t abl ehe al t hc ar ede l i ve r y . Al lt he s ef or c e dt hegove r nme ntt oc ons i de r i mpl e me nt at i onoft e l e me di c i net heonl ypos s i bl es ol ut i on. Tel emedi ci nePr ogr am Te l e me di c i nehasbe e ni de nt i f i e dasa ni nnova t i onf orbr i dgi ngt hegapi nma nyar e a sof Fi g. 2 Mr .Te mbohasbe e ns l e e pi ngunde r at r e ene art heuni ve r s i t yt e ac hi ng hos pi t alf oronemont ht r yi ngt o s e eadoc t or 6 2 Fi g. 3 Wome nc ampi ngunde rat r e e wa i t i ngf ort he i rbe l ove dt obe s e e nbyadoc t or . Someha v e be e nt he r ef orove rt womont hs Mr s .Be a t r i c eMwa pea ndMr .Cki ka ndaCol l i nsChi ny a ma ,Ce nt r a lBoar dofHe a l t h,Lus a ka ,Zambi a ,bmwa pe @c @c boh. or g . z m,c ol l i ns c h20 0 0@ya hoo. c om boh. or g . z m andc ol l i ns 28 4 Tab l e1 i nt e r ve nt i on. Te l e me di c i nei ns hor tc anbede s c r i be das pr ac t i c alme di c i nef r om adi s t a nc e xpe r t sast hec e nt r eofe x c e l l e nc ewi t hdi s t ant l yl oc a t e dpat i e nt s whi c hc anbedonebyl i nki nge andpr i mar yhe al t hc a r epr ovi de r s . Te l e he al t hi sat e c hnol og yt ha ti fi mpl e me nt e dwi t han e qui t yf oc usc oul dpr omot ehe al t he v e ni nunde r pr i v i l e ge dar er e mot es e t t i ng s . I n2003t heGove r nme ntofZambi at hr oughMi ni s t r yofHe al t ha ppoi nt e dme mbe r sf r om var i ousi ns t i t ut i onst os e tupt heNat i ona lt e l e me di c i neSt e e r i ngCommi t t e e . Thema ndat eof t hi sc ommi t t e ei st oe s t abl i s hTe l e he al t ha c t i v i t i e si nt hec ount r ya ndi nt e g r at ei ti nt ot he g e ne r a lhe al t hpol i c yofZa mbi a. Thes t a r t i ngpoi nti nt hewor koft hec ommi t t e ewa st hes e l e c t i onofs i xpi l ots i t e sunde ra phas e di mpl e me nt at i ons y s t e m. Thes e l e c t e ds i t ewe r eMumbwa ,Kabwe ,Cha i nama,Chi pat a , Chong weandUTH ( Uni v e r s i t yTe ac hi ngHos pi t al ) . Thes e l e c t i onwasba s e dont he f ol l owi ngc r i t e r i a: ・Avai l abi l i t yoft e c hnol ogy ・Forr e ac hi ngAr e as ・Hos pi t al swi t hve r yc ompl i c at e dc as e sa nd ・Hi ghe rc at c hme nt s ・Popul at i onde c onge s t i on c t e ds i t e sba s e dont he i rr ol ei nt he Va r i oust e c hnol ogi e swe r er e c omme nde df ore a c hoft hes e l e ne t wor k. Fore xmpl e ,UTH asmaj orr e c e i v i ngc e nt r ehav e1 5poi nt sLAN,DSL,wiFIa nd di alups e r vi c easabac kup. Chai namai st hema i nt r a i ni ngc e nt r eands houl dhav eLAN ( 3 poi nt s ) ,DSL,wi FIa nddi alupasabac kup. Thes a mer e f e r st oMumbwa ,Lundadz i ( addi t i onal l yadde d)a ndKabwe ,whi c hi ss i t uat e d15 0km f r om t hemai nc e nt e r . Chi pat ai s s i t uat e d500km f r om UTH a ndhast ohav e4poi nt sLAN,DSL,wi FIa nddi alupasabac k up. Ac hi evement ss of ar Thef ours i t e shavebe e nas s e s s e df ori ns t al l at i onoft hes y s t e ma nds e ns i t i z at i onoft hes t a f fon t hepr ogr am hasbe e nc onduc t e d. Thepe r s onne lt ha tha v et ounde r got r ai ni ngwe r ec hos e n. Re c omme ndat i onshavebe e nmadet oc onne c tt hef ours i t e sf ort e l e c ons ul t a t i onson c ompl i c a t e dc a s e sa ndt e l e r adi ol og yandt e l e de r mat ol og yc a s e s .I na ddi t i on,i nor de rt og a i n mor ee xpe r i e nc eonr e c e ntde ve l opme nti nt e l e me di c i ne ,ane x t e ns i v es t udyt ourwa sma det o Sout hAf r i c ai nFe br uar y20 05 . Vi s i t swe r emadet ot heDe par t me ntofHe al t h,c e nt r a l g ov e r nme nt ala g e nc i e s( SI TA,MRC,e t c . )t ouni ve r s i t i e s ,l oc a l ,pr ov i nc i ala ndt e r t i a r y hos pi t a l sa ndpr i v at ee nt e r pr i s e s . Lot sofc ommi t me nt sf ore xt e ns i v ec ol l a bor a t i onswe r e ac hi e ve dasr e s ul t soft hes t udyt our . Ex ampl ei st heagr e e me ntwi t hMRC t ha twi l lhe l pi n pr ov i di ngt e c hnol og y,s t andar ds ,pr ot oc ol s ,r e s e ar c hr e s ul t s ,e t c . Sout hAf r i c ane t wor kwoul d 28 5 i nde e dof f e roppor t uni t i e sf ore xc ha ngeof e xpe r t i s ebe t we e nc ount r i e spa r t i c i pat i ngi n t hec oope r a t i on. Me a nwhi l e ,ane l e a r ni ngpr ogr a m on r adi ol ogyatUTH ha ss t a r t e d. Thef i r s t s t e pwa sal i nkag et oFont y sUni ve r s i t yof TheNe t he r l ands . Thee l e a r ni ngpr ogr a m i sa l r e adyi nus ebys t ude nt s .I ti nc l ude s notonl yde mons t r a t i ons( Fi g . 4s ummar i z e s t e c hnol og yus e d)buta l s or e c omme nda t i ons Fi g. 4 a ndt e l e c ons ul t at i onsonvar i ousr adi ol ogyc as e s . Co mi ngs o on Thepl a nsf orf ur t he rde ve l opme ntoft e l e me di c i nei mpl e me nt at i oni nc l ude: ・Tr ans mi s s i onofl i ve ,vi de oandvoi c ef a i l s; ・Dat at r ans mi s s i on; ・Re ec ons ul t at i ons; alt i mer e mot ・Re alt i mer e mot ee xami nat i onofpat i e nt s; ・Tr a ns mi s s i onofi mage sandXr a ysa swe l la sdi s t a nthi ghl ys pe c i al i z e dl e c t ur e sa se xt e ns i on t oe l e ar ni ngc our s e s . De s pi t eoft heac hi e ve me nt ss of ara ndouropt i mi s ma nde nt hus i as m,t hema i nc ons t r a i nt sf or t e l e me di c i nede ve l opme nti nZambi at ha tc a nnotbee as i l yove r c omear e: ・Fundi ng mos toft hee qui pme ntt hatc a nbeus e di nourt e l e c om i nf r as t r uc t ur ei se xpe ns i v e; ・Tr ai ni ngve r yf e w me di c alpe r s onne lhav ec omput e rc ompe t e nc e; ・Toomanyc ompe t i nghe al t hde mands:HI V/ AI D; ・Une v e ndi s t r i but i onoft e l e c ommuni c at i onsi nf r as t r uc t ur e . Thatswhywea ppe a lt oe ve r ybodyf orhe l p. Zambi ane e dst e l e me di c i nemuc hmor et ha n ot he rc ount r i e sbe c aus eoft henume r oushe a l t hc ha l l e ng e s . Wea ppe a lf ors uppor ta nd f undi ngt of ur t he rde ve l opt hi snobl epr oj e c t . 28 6 Anne x1 Re s ol ut i on41( I STANBUL,2002) Eheal t h( i ncl udi ngt el eheal t h/t el emed i c i ne) TheWor l dTe l e c ommuni c at i onDe ve l opme ntConf e r e nc e( I s t anbul ,200 2 ) , c ons i de r i ng a)t hatt heWor l dTe l e c ommuni c at i onDe ve l opme ntConf e r e nc e( Va l l e t t a ,1 99 8)r e c omme nde d t hatI TU c ont i nuet os t udyt hepot e nt i a lofus i ngt e l e c ommuni c at i onsf ore he al t hi nor de r / t ome e ts omeoft hene e dsofde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,andasar e s ul ta dopt e dQue s t i on14 2 Fos t e r i ngt heappl i c at i onoft e l e c ommuni c a t i onsi nhe a l t hc ar e; b)t hatt heI TUD haspr oduc e dar e por ton Te l e me di c i nea ndde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s Le s s ons l e ar ne d whi c hwasa ppr ove dbyI TUD St udyGr oup2i nSe pt e mbe r2 000 ,anda t e l e me di c i nedi r e c t or ywhi c hwasappr ov e di nSe pt e mbe r20 01; c )t hatt hes e c ondWor l dTe l e me di c i neSy mpos i um f orde v e l opi ngc ount r i e sc onv e ne dbyt he Te l e c ommuni c at i onDe ve l opme ntBur e au( BDT)i nBue nosAi r e s ,19 9 8,r e c omme nde dt ha t BDT s e ta s i deas pe c i f i cbudg e t a r yal l oc a t i onf r om I TU TELECOM s ur pl us e sa ndf r om t he BDT budg e tf ors uppor t i ngt het e l e c ommuni c a t i onc ompone ntofe he a l t hpi l otpr oj e c t s , e he al t ht r a i ni ng,andmi s s i onsbyt e l e me di c i nee xpe r t st oa s s i s tde v e l opi ngc ount r i e si nt he f or mul at i onofpr opos al s ,andt hatI TUDc ont i nuei t ss t udi e soft e l e c ommuni c a t i onne e ds f ore he al t hand,i npar t i c ul ar ,t oi de nt i f ypi l otpr oj e c t s ,pr ov i deananal ys i sofpr oj e c t r e s ul t s ,andas s i s tc ount r i e st ode f i neapol i c yands t r at e g yt owa r dst e l e me di c i ne i mpl e me nt a t i on, c ons i de r i ngf ur t he r a)t hepot e nt i albe ne f i t si de nt i f i e di nt her e por ton Te l e me di c i nea ndde v e l opi ng c ount r i e s Le s s onsl e ar ne d; b)t hene w Que s t i ononwhatme as ur e ss houl dbet a ke nt of ac i l i t a t et hei nt r oduc t i onof e he al t happl i c a t i onsi nde v e l opi ngc ount r i e s , r e c ogni zi ng a)t hatt hepos s i bi l i t yofunde r t a ki nge he a l t ha ppl i c at i onswi l lbee nhanc e di fa ppr opr i at e r e gul at or y,l e gala ndpol i c yf r a me wor kse xi s ti nt het e l e c ommuni c a t i ona ndhe al t hs e c t or s; b)t hats har i nge xpe ns i vec ommuni c at i oni nf r as t r uc t ur e swi t hot he ra ppl i c a t i onss uc has e c omme r c e ,di s t anc ee duc at i onands oonc ani mpr ovet hea va i l a bi l i t yands us t ai na bi l i t yof e he al t happl i c at i ons; c )t hati nor de rt ode pl oyt he s eappl i c at i ons ,i ti sne c e s s a r yt oadoptamul t i di s c i pl i nar y appr oac handbr i ngt oge t he re x pe r t i s ef r om t hei nf or ma t i onandt e l e c ommuni c at i on t e c hnol ogyandhe a l t hs e c t or s , r e s ol v e st hatBDT 1c ont i nuei t se f f or t st or ai s et hea wa r e ne s sofde c i s i onma ke r s ,he a l t hpr of e s s i ona l s ,par t ne r s , be ne f i c i ar i e sa ndot he rke ypl aye r sa boutt hebe ne f i t soft e l e c ommuni c a t i onsf ort hee he a l t h appl i c at i ons; 2c ont i nuet os uppor te he al t hpr oj e c t si nc ol l abor at i onwi t hgov e r nme nt ,publ i c ,pr i v at e , nat i onala ndi nt e r nat i onalpar t ne r s i npar t i c ul arwi t ht heWor l dHe al t hOr g ani z a t i on ( WHO); 3c ol l abor at ewi t hi nt e r nat i onalandna t i onali ni t i at i ve si ne he al t h,s uc hast heUN 2 8 7 Mi l l e nni um Pr oj e c t:He al t hI nt e r Ne t wor k,l e dbyWHO; 4e nc our agec ol l abor at i on,andpr ovi des uppor tus i ngTELECOM s ur pl usf undsandot he r r e s our c e s ,one he al t hpr oj e c t sont hena t i ona la ndr e g i ona ll e ve l; 5s e tup,wi t hi ne xi s t i ngbudge t ar yr e s our c e s ,af undf ort e l e c ommuni c a t i onf a c i l i t i e sf or e he al t h,andi nt r oduc ee he al t ht r ai ni ngi nt hec e nt r e sofe xc e l l e nc e; 6pr omot e ,f a c i l i t at eandpr ovi det e c hni c als uppor ta ndt r ai ni ngi ni nf or mat i ona nd c ommuni c a t i ont e c hnol ogi e sf ore he a l t h; 7wor kwi t ht hehe al t hs e c t ort oi de nt i f ymode l sf ors us t a i nabi l i t yofe he a l t ha ppl i c at i ons , par t i c ul ar l yi nr e mot eandr ur ala r e a sofde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s ,e xpl or i ngpos s i bi l i t i e sf or s har i ngi nf r as t r uc t ur ewi t hot he rs e r v i c e sa nda ppl i c a t i ons , i nv i t e s /t 1Me mbe rSt at e st oc ons i de rt hee s t abl i s hme ntofana t i onalc ommi t t e e a s kf or c ec ompr i s i ng r e pr e s e nt at i ve sf r om t het e l e c ommuni c a t i onandhe a l t hc a r es e c t or si nor de rt oa s s i s twi t h awa r e ne s s r a i s i ngatnat i ona ll e ve la ndwi t ht hef or mul a t i onoff e a s i bl et e l e me di c i ne pr oj e c t s; 2t hei nt e r nat i onalf i nanc i ali ns t i t ut i onsa nddonora g e nc i e st oa s s i s ti nde ve l opi ng /t t e l e me di c i ne e l e he al t happl i c at i ons ,pr oj e c t sa ndpr og r a mme si nde ve l opi ngc ount r i e s . 2 8 8 M akingbetteraccesstohealthcareservices I n t e r n a t i o n a l Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n U n i o n Maki ngbet t eracces st oheal t hcar es er vi ces I TUD St ud yGr o up s Re p o r to nQue s t i o n141/2 Printed in Switzerland Geneva, 2006 International Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Union Ky o d oBunkas haCo,Lt d