Message-ID: <199512071328.IAA12903@lifestat.net> Date: Thu, 7 Dec 1995 08:28:12 -0500 From: "Bruce L. Geisert" <mailto:bgeisert@LIFESTAT.NET> Subject: Re: Electronic networks in health? To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
>I am looking for news of projects to use computer
>networks in health care in developing countries - I'm a
>journalist and would like to write them up for my
>newsletter. All leads or suggestions are welcome.
>
>Sorry if this message is inappropriate for most of you.
>By way of thanks, I offer all members _ whether able
>to help or not! - a free sample issue on request.
>
>--
>Regards,
>
>Pete Mitchell, Editor, E-Med News - an international
>newsletter on electronic data in medical applications
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>PJB Publications, 18-20 Hill Rise, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 6UA, England
>phone (44) 181 332 8980 fax (44) 181 332 8940
>Free headline news service: http://www.pjbpubs.co.uk/a/emedhome.html
>or mail to : mailto:emed@dmed.demon.co.uk
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
Two applications of networks might be of interest: India: National level network for service delivery, epi, etc. information reporting. Sri Lanka: Medical information access (i.e. research, MEDLARS, Etc.)India has a national health system running on the National Informatics Center Network (NICNET) that collects monthly information from 12 States on Service Delivery information. Additionally, the network is being used to report epi reportable diseases to the Min. Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi.
Sri Lanka is begining to use an Internet link to provide medical research and reference information. This connect allows Dr.'s to query the latest medical technology and information via a central source.
Whereas the first type of system, management of health care, is growing in popularity, the second type of system, access to medical information, is possibly the most exciting since it will allow medical information to be accessible to a large number of Dr.'s who can't afford to attend conferences, or read the latest journals. This might not be as futuristic as being able to concurrently review xrays, etc. but the world wide impact can be significant.
You might check with the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda for more information. They seem to be one of the biggest advocates of on-line access to medical information around. I hope this helps, and that it's of interest to the wider readership of DEVEL-L.
============================================================ Bruce L. Geisert, MIS Consultant P.O. Box 254 p/f) 1-540-937-3651 Amissville, VA 22002 mailto:bgeisert@lifestat.net