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News: Newsletter 14

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January 22, 2003

In this newsletter:

  • Cost effective health stations from Computerized Screening
  • Telemedicine Alliance: paving the way for the expansion of telemedicine across Europe
  • Future astronaut diagnostics brings advances in technology for telemedicine
  • Official opening of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Telemedicine in Tromso (Norway)
  • The telemedicine market in developing countries
  • Register now for the three day exhibition and conference for only 25 Euro!
  • Exhibit and expand your business worldwide
  • Hotel accommodation still available at special rates
  • News from the Telemedicine Trade Fair's media partners
  • Newsbriefs
  • Conferences


CSI Health Network is a cost effective health station combining a patented, unparalleled in accuracy, self-attended blood pressure and weight measurement, telehealth capabilities, plus extensive health information and measurements. It empowers and motivates patients/clients to achieve their health goals through:
- extension of patient care strategies,
- patient education,
- and disease state management.
The centerpiece health station screens, identifies, monitors, records, documents, communicates, and intervenes.
Computerized Screening, Inc. (CSI) will be demonstrating their technology to industry and medical professionals at the Telemedicine & Telecare International Trade Fair 2003 in Luxembourg. CSI health stations can improve community access to affordable health risk assessment and local health resources.


The Telemedicine Alliance (TM Alliance) has been set up to pave the way for a unified system of telemedicine in Europe. This alliance is a cooperation between the Information Society Technologies (IST) programme of the European Commission (EC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Its first job consists of making a market survey on the state of telemedicine within Europe and to map the best way forward. Once this overview has been carried out, models for telemedicine support will be put forward. The strategic goal is the improvement of public health and quality of life, adapting to changing needs and utilizing existing and new technological capabilities, while at the same time increasing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these services.
Several key issues like data security and privacy, harmonising health care services and policies, and taking into account cultural differences between the European countries will play a central role in the final implementation of what is to become a unified European telemedicine service.
Representatives of the four TM Alliance partners will be at the Telemedicine & Telecare International Trade Fair in April 2003 in Luxembourg to present their activities and to provide information about the TM Alliance. More info can also be found on their respective websites (click on the above links to access these websites directly).


In December 2002, a European Space Agency (ESA) coordinated demonstration in medical telediagnostics was carried out on board the French hospital ship Sirocco. A radiologist at St. Anne's Hospital in Toulon (France) used a teleoperated robotic arm to diagnose a test patient on board the ship stationed at sea. With the robotic arm, videoconferencing equipment and satellite communications, the radiologist was able to assess the severity of medical problems from the remote site. This has important implications for spaceflight and research as it means that astronauts on board the international space station can receive diagnostic attention without returning to Earth. Medical telediagnostics research also has important implications for life on earth. It expands the range of remote echographic diagnosis and this can contribute significantly to the delivery of efficient medical care in small rural hospitals in Europe where access to radiologists is limited or in situations where second opinions are needed. Remote echographic diagnostics also has a role to play in remote and emergency situations such as in many developing countries, the polar regions and at sea.


The World Health Organization (WHO) designated the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine (NST) in Tromso as its first Collaborating Centre for Telemedicine. WHO herewith recognizes the potential benefits of telemedicine for global health and of the value of NST’s competence and experience in this field. At the occasion of the opening on December 10, 2002, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of WHO stated in her video address that telemedicine can play an important role in the strengthening and scaling up of health systems. She continued to say that: "Information and communications technologies (ICTs), as a whole, have introduced profound opportunity and potential for the worldwide advancement of medicine and health care. Telehealth, electronic health records, computer-prescription entry systems, and e-health, hold great promise for the future."
Dr. Brundtland recognizes that there are several challenges which need to be overcome in order to realize the full potential of telemedicine, such as:
- organizational barriers, technical knowledge, economic viability, organizational support and behaviour modification;
- security, privacy and confidentiality issues;
- legal and ethical challenges dealing with accountability and liability and jurisdiction; and
- generating evidence that the technology contributes to performance improvement in health systems, helps build human capital for health, and improves access to knowledge, supports decision-making, and leads to better outcomes for patients.
But Dr. Brundtland concluded that the WHO Collaborating Centre for Telemedicine in Tromso, will support WHO and its member states in addressing these challenges and helping countries realize the full potential of ICTs in health.


The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has a special telemedicine study group dealing with the needs of developing countries. The main goal of this telemedicine group is to study the potential benefit of telemedicine applications in the healthcare sector of developing countries, as well as the demonstration of these applications through the implementation of telemedicine pilot projects in selected countries.
In their recent meeting in Geneva (Switzerland), the study group discussed and approved a four year work program of the group. The meeting confirmed once again the extremely high level of interest from many developing countries for telemedicine services which they consider to be an important tool to improve and extend access to medical knowledge and healthcare services. According to Mr. Petko Kantchev, in charge of all telemedicine activities within ITU, the number of requests from developing countries for assistance in the introduction of telemedicine services is growing very fast. Mr. Kantchev also stressed the fact that the successful implementation of several telemedicine pilot projects has created a trend towards comprehensive country telemedicine programs including distance medical education and teleconsultations.
The meeting also raised a question related to the sustainability of the telemedicine/e-health projects in developing countries. Chairman of the study group, Prof. Leonid Androuchko, pointed out that this issue is included in the work program which will be carried out in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). The need for a close cooperation between WHO and ITU was confirmed by the WHO representative, Prof. Yankap Kwankam. He strongly believes that this cooperation will continue in line with the evolution in telecommunication/information technology and the increasing knowledge about telemedicine applications in developing countries.
WHO and ITU representatives will provide more details about their telemedicine projects and programs during the upcoming Telemedicine & Telecare International Trade Fair in Luxembourg.
The subject of telemedicine in developing countries will also be addressed by the Africa Telehealth Group who will host the Second Africa Telehealth Series during the Telemedicine & Telecare International Trade Fair.


A visit to the Telemedicine & Telecare International Trade Fair will give you the chance:
- to meet with a wide range of suppliers of telemedicine equipment or ancillary services to the telemedicine industry;
- to meet with international institutions and organizations involved in telemedicine research, development, funding and implementation;
- to ask questions you have pertaining to the implementation of telemedicine applications in your organization;
- to step away for a few days from your daily activities and to focus completely on new opportunities to become more efficient;
- to find new products for distribution in your country or market;
- to spot future trends;
- to attend high profile presentations on clinical and business subjects presented by industry experts;
- to make useful contacts with other attendees and to exchange thoughts and ideas.
The registration fee is only €25,- and this fee includes access to the exhibition and to all the educational programs. Details about the educational programs will be available soon on www.telemedicine.lu and will also be announced in the upcoming newsletters. You will also be able to attend two great networking events: a welcome reception is scheduled on the evening of the first day of the trade fair (April 9th) at the Cercle Municipal in the center of town. Another reception is scheduled at the close of the second day of the trade fair (April 10th) at the FIL exhibition center itself. These two social events will give you the chance to unwind after a hard day's work and to discuss with your peers in a relaxed atmosphere about experiences from the past and visions for the future. So register yourself now for the Telemedicine Trade Fair by filling out a visitor registration form.


If you are a manufacturer or supplier of telemedical equipment or services, or if you offer telecommunication services or information technology for use in telemedicine applications, consider what the return could be on the small investment of participating at the Telemedicine & Telecare International Trade Fair:
- meet with your existing customer base and show them your new developments;
- meet with new potential customers;
- find out about the needs in the market and develop new products or adapt your existing products to meet those needs;
- establish contacts with representatives of international institutions and organizations and find out about opportunities to work together with them in the implementation of telemedicine projects;
- organize a meeting with your sales force or (prospective) customers to add direction and momentum to your sales program;
- make a presentation on a thought provoking subject and increase your exposure at the event and your status as an innovative force in the field of telemedicine.
So sign up now by filling out an application form and take advantage of free pre-show promotional opportunities in our newsletters and on our website.
If you have any questions, e-mail us at , or contact our international coordinating office in Belgium by telephone at +32 2 269 84 56, or by fax at +32 2 269 79 53.


Discounted hotel rates have been negotiated for your stay in Luxembourg during the Telemedicine Trade Fair with hotels located near the FIL exhibition center (Sofitel, Novotel) and its surroundings (Alvisse Parc Hotel), near the airport (Ibis, Campanile) and in the city center (Grand Hotel Mercure Alfa, City Hotel, Hotel Parc Belle-Vue). With FIL being only a 5 minutes drive away from the airport and 5 minutes from the city center, all of the above hotels are conveniently located. To book a hotel at the discounted rates, make your reservations via the Luxembourg Convention Bureau. Click here for the rate list and to make your on-line reservation request or to download a faxable form. Or if you want extra information about the different hotels, go to www.luxembourg-city.lu/touristinfo or contact the Luxembourg Convention Bureau at . If you would like to extend your stay in Luxembourg during the weekend, and would like information about sightseeing opportunities or city tours, the Luxembourg Convention Bureau is available to provide you with more information.
Luxembourg is very easy to get to, from almost anywhere in Europe. There's no reason to miss the Telemedicine & Telecare International Trade Fair. Even if you can only attend for a day, there are lots of options for a 1-day return trip to Luxembourg from many cities in Europe with a morning arrival and a late afternoon or evening departure.
To take advantage of the attractive hotel rates on offer by the Luxembourg Convention Bureau make sure to start making your reservations NOW!


- Clinica Reports is a leading publisher of in-depth business reports for the international medical device and diagnostic industry. Covering the hottest topics such as Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgical Devices, and Medical Diagnostic Imaging, Clinica Reports provides the highest standard of focused business intelligence in the medical device and diagnostic industries offering advice and authoritative management education on the issues that affect your business. The Clinica website contains the complete range of available titles covering: diagnostic technologies, medical devices, strategic management, e-strategies and market analysis. An executive summary and full table of contents is provided for each title, together with details of forth-coming publications such as Successful Marketing Strategies for Medical Devices and Diagnostics and IT in Healthcare. Telemedicine Trade Fair delegates can take advantage of a 10% prepublication offer on these last two titles (contact: ).
- The Telemedicine Information Service (TIS) is provided by The University of Portsmouth and sponsored by the UK NHS Information Authority. TIS aims to bring together those working in the field of telemedicine and telecare in the UK; to encourage them to share information and experience; and to provide an information resource on telemedicine activity in the UK. The components of TIS are: an award winning website (incorporating the National Database of Telemedicine, fully searchable and includes categories for projects, companies, people, publications and equipment), and an e-mail discussion list.
- For more information about these and other Telemedicine Trade Fair media partners, check out www.telemedicine.lu. Information about the media partners will also be available during the Telemedicine & Telecare International Trade Fair in the trade fair's media corner.


- Fundamental Shift in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Ignites Support and Stimulates Growth for Telemetry Monitoring Equipment --- click here for full story (by Frost & Sullivan).
- Minimally invasive surgery and ambulatory plus homecare services to the forefront in European hospital market, Virtual Medical Worlds Monthly reports --- click here for full article.
- Security concerns overhang wireless LAN's entry into Europe's hospitals, warns Frost & Sullivan, Virtual Medical Worlds Monthly reports --- click here for full article.
- Technological Advances Could Change the Face of Telemedicine, Health Data Management reports --- click here for full article.
- e-Health Rises from the Ashes, Health Data Management reports --- click here for full article.
- Technology allows in-flight care, BBC News reports --- click here for full article.


- The Association of Telehealth Service Providers (ATSP) is introducing a new educational forum: ATSP TeleUpdates. TeleUpdates are a series of live audio conferences that focus on a specific topic within the telehealth industry. They consist of an interactive phone bridge and Internet based PowerPoint slides and handouts. The events are designed for maximum interaction; attendees are able to ask questions and make comments. Registration includes access for an unlimited number of participants at each call-in site. ATSP recently held their first TeleUpdate: Innovations in Telemental Health. Mental health is one of the most active clinical specialties used by telemedicine networks. The audio conference provided an update on such mental health topics as: appropriate uses of telemedicine technology for mental health, home telemental health, and telemental health resources. More information (including the full program and speaker biographies) is still available at www.telehealthconference.org.
- The Biofeedback Foundation of Europe (BFE) is a non-profit organization located in the Netherlands. It was founded to promote a greater awareness of biofeedback techniques and technology among European health professionals. The BFE presently sponsors a wide variety of workshops across Europe and North America. The BFE is holding its 7th annual meeting in Italy on February 18-22, 2003. The meeting will be held at the Hospital Gervasutta in Udine. There will be SEMG and EEG biofeedback tracks and choices of one-day and two-day workshops led by clinicians from Europe and North America. They will demonstrate the latest biofeedback techniques and technology for many applications. For more information, contact Mark Schwartz at .
- The International Conference on Telemedicine of the International Society for Telemedicine (ISfT) took place at the University of Regensburg in September 2002. The conference was attended by experts and organizations from around the world. During the opening session - hosted by Prof. Michael Nerlich, the conference chair form the University of Regensburg - Prof. Rick Satava of the Washington University in Seattle presented his visions about the future of telemedicine by video conference, and the Bavarian Minister of Health Christa Stewens showed that the relevance of health telematics has been recognized in politics and is being promoted.
The scientific program covered topics such as mobile health telematics, emergency telemedicine, telematics in homeland defense and mass casualty incident response, in addition to the "classical" fields of telemedicine like telesurgery, teledermatology, teleradiology. Topics with a broader scope like impact on health management, e-health, telehomecare, and national and international telemedicine strategies were also discussed. A retrospective on the conference can be found at www.ict2002.org.


- Details of the educational programs and other meetings which will be held in conjunction with the Telemedicine Trade Fair
- UK eHealth Association (UKeHA) leads UK delegation to the Telemedicine Trade Fair
- Information on bio-informatics and interconnectivity from CRP-Santé (Luxembourg)
- Conference of the Telemedicine Society of India
- Zambian Central Board of Health pursuing telemedicine development
- Practical applications of telepsychology
- and more...

 
 

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