Title: Communications in health in the Western Pacific: a case study

Authors: Joseph A. Flear, Donald A. Person, Gregory J. Dever

Addresses: Medical Graduate Support Program, Micronesia Seminar, P.O. 160, Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941, Micronesia. Department of Clinical Investigation, Tripler Army Medical Center, HI, USA. Micronesia Human Resource Development Center, P.O. Box 1298 Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941, Micronesia

Abstract: This paper describes the use of medical technology and telemedicine to provide healthcare to a population of over 400,000 Micronesian and American Samoan who live on islands scattered over the Pacific Ocean, in an area equal to that of the USA. Low cost communication technologies were used to provide this population with medical consulting and distance medical learning. The paper describes a case of such usage, and lists the initial steps taken to institute a continuing program of telemedicine in Micronesia and the Pacific Islands.

Keywords: telemedicine; Micronesia; United States Associated Pacific Islands; communication technologies; healthcare services; medical technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2000.001071

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2000 Vol.2 No.1/2/3/4, pp.246-254

Published online: 30 Jun 2003 *

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