Telemedicine and distance education: the Memorial University of Newfoundland experience

摘要

An outline of a variety of systems developed for delivery of distance education and telemedicine in Canada is presented. Some of the program discussed include (a) an experimental one-way-video-two-way-audio satellite network, (b) a dedicated province-wide audiographic teleconference network, (c) a satellite link to provide medical supervision to offshore rig medics, and (d) international telemedicine projects between Canada, Africa, and the West Indies. The emphasis is on the application of inexpensive and cost-effective technologies, with the involvement of a large user consortium to ensure economic viability.