Telemedicine with Digital Video Transport System in Asia-Pacific Area

Abstract

We have established a medical network in Asia-Pacific area with high-quality moving image on a super broad-banded Internet line since February 2003. Broadcasting real-time surgery and teleconference with medical-quality videos with digital video transport system (DVTS) were so useful to learn surgical techniques and other medical procedures beyond borders. We have conducted 20 events in categories of teleconference (8 times), live transmission of medical procedure (6 times), and remote attendance to scientific medical meetings (6 times) until September 2004. We had teleconferences among 3 countries in APAN-Hawaii in January 2004 (Japan, Korea and USA), and in APAN-Cairns in July 2004 (Japan, Korea and Australia). There have been no serious transmission/ethical problems so far. With these experiences and current achievements, we hope to extend this advanced network system to whole Asia-Pacific countries to share medical skills and knowledge.