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Paris, 16 May 2003
Press Release
Nx 31-2003

Telemedicine via Satellite in the Information Society

Part 1 of 2

The European Space Agency is organising a telemedicine symposium,
'Telemedicine via Satellite in the Information Society', to be held
at ESRIN, Frascati, Italy, on 23 and 24 May 2003.

This Symposium, which will bring together information and
communications technology specialists and health professionals, aims
to review the current status of satellite-based telemedicine services
and technologies and identify common requirements of direct relevance
to future satellite telemedicine services. During the two-day event,
guidelines for defining future programmes for further development and
promotion of telemedicine via satellite will also be identified.

Telemedicine depends on effective transfer of medical information
through the use of information and communications technologies
(ICTs). The expansion of telemedicine will be built on improvements
in the availability, quality and speed of information transfer.

In order to improve the take-up and effectiveness of telemedicine,
advanced ICT infrastructures are needed to provide access to suitable
services in any given location.

Satellite communications, being accessible from virtually any
location and quickly adaptable to specific needs, has great potential
for the development of telemedicine.
 
Since the mid-1990s, a number of activities have been initiated in
Europe by national and international organisations with the purpose
of demonstrating and promoting the use of satcom in the field of
telemedicine.

Through such projects it has been possible to demonstrate the
technical feasibility of several satellite-based telemedicine
systems, and to raise awareness among potential users.

Use of satellite-based ICTs for telemedicine is progressing from the
exploratory phase towards a more operational profile, in which
integration into existing health care systems and early attainment of
self-sustainability are essential.

The following aspects of telemedicine will be covered during the
Symposium, each with a dedicated Working Group:

- Telemedicine for elderly people
- Telemedicine for disaster relief and emergency applications
- Telemedicine for hospitals in remote areas
- Teleconsulting, second opinion and regulatory aspects
- Telemedicine, medical education and clinical research
- Telemedicine technology development in satcom.

Media representatives are invited to attend the Symposium's opening
session on the morning of Friday 23 May.

For more information please contact:
Simonetta Cheli
Head of Public and Institutional Relations Office
ESA/ESRIN
Tel:  + 39 06 94180350
Fax: + 39 06 94180352
Simonetta.Cheli{at}esa.int

_____________________________________________________________________

Telemedicine via Satellite in the Information Society 
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy - Magellan Conference Room
23-24 May 2003


First Name :______________________  Surname : ______________________

Media :   __________________________________________________________

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Please return by fax to:
Jacqueline Deymier
Public and Institutional Relations Office
ESA/ESRIN
Tel:  +39.06.9418.0351
Fax: +39.06.9418.0352   
_____________________________________________________________________
 
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