MEDITEL2008 – ICT in Healthcare Conference in Chennai

Medical Computer Society of India is holding its 5th International conference on Medical Informatics & Telemedicine - MEDITEL2008 at Sri Ramachandra Medical College (Sri Ramachandra University Auditorium) on 19-20th Dec 2008.

Like the past four events of MEDITEL, this conference will be a platform to showcase successful implementation of the ICT projects from the field of healthcare in India.

Unquestionably, ICT has had an impact on teaching, training and treatment methodologies in developed countries. India with its highly skilled computer and healthcare professionals can ride this wave quite comfortably provided the right framework is set. The MEDITEL event is organized to take this framework proposal forward and help policymakers implement it. The high-profile event invites clinicians and computer technocrats to this platform to discuss, deliberate and deliver solutions that can be easily adapted within the dynamics of Indian healthcare. The rapid advent of technology has left no field untouched; however it is in healthcare that far-reaching changes can make a significant difference to the life of the common man. In India, we continue to struggle to provide decent healthcare in rural areas where application of technology can make a significant difference if proper models are evolved. MEDITEL will highlight some of the far-reaching capabilities of this technology in rural healthcare and has a session dedicated to it.

Good Manpower Available, But More Investment Needed

During the past decade the senior members of the Medical Computer Society of India have witnessed how IT has firmly established its presence in healthcare globally. In India, we are still grappling with the issue of how to integrate technology into the larger picture of healthcare. In this decade we have also seen emergence of a tech-savvy Indian manpower in healthcare who are fairly knowledgeable and if given an opportunity can deliver what is required for our country. Much of this force from India has used their skills to develop advanced solutions for overseas clients. Some have tried to migrate to the Indian healthcare environment. However there is an element of frustration in this manpower as the investments coming into the application of ICT in healthcare is meagre compared to other areas like banking, travel or insurance. MEDITEL will address many of these issues during the conference.

E-learning in healthcare goes beyond the teaching of students, and paramedical staff; it also encompasses learning for patients especially for lifestyle related diseases and in chronic care. The second day of the conferences will be discussing these aspects. Expert doctors will discuss its application in the MBBS curriculum in different subjects such as anatomy, physiology and surgery.

Other Areas To Be Covered Include:

- Applications of touch-screen patient information facilities

- Early warning and automated response systems specially in the context of diseases such as Chikungunya.

- Application of RFID in Healhtcare

- Ethics, legal issues and changing clinical practices

- The latest in e-health and the likely future trends.

- Policy on use of ICT, legal support necessary: MEDITEL to produce document

India has lagged behind in the last ten years and has still to have a legally valid document on the use of ICT in healthcare. Our IT law has failed to cover the field of healthcare. A consensus document of recommendations will be sent to the Health Ministry on the deliberations that take place during the conference.

The conference will also have presentations from experts of national and international repute and the event besides showcasing successful products in the Indian healthcare environment will also discuss the challenges in their implementation.

The conference as in the past will bring together decision makers, policy makers, practicing clinicians, healthcare educators and researchers, health administrators, health technologists and IT vendors The event will feature presentations from experts of national and international repute on various aspects of medical informatics and telemedicine. As always there will be an exhibition of products and technologies.

As the conference is supported by Medical Computer Society of India, its registration is subsidized to invite wider participation from the healthcare domain.

Contact Persons:

Dr. Aswin Sayiram,
Joint Secretary
Mobile No: +919884064466

Ms. Preeti Jha,
Conference Co-ordinator
Mobile No: +919940636812

Contact Address:

Dr.Sunil Shroff
President
Medical Computer Society of India

A-113, Third Avenue, Anna Nagar,
Chennai-600 102
India
Telephone no: 91 44 26263372
Fax: 91 44 26263477
Email : [email protected] &
[email protected]

Source-Medindia