The “Global Forum on Telemedicine: Connecting the World Through Partnerships”, represents a first of its’ kind Forum bringing together non-government relief agencies and organizations with the resources and expertise represented by the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) members. The conference is supported in partnership with the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) and is an excellent opportunity to start the discussions and build the relationships that are needed to serve the many organizations doing an extraordinary job in medical relief in developing nations. Telemedicine will assist these organizations to further their respective medical missions in bringing aide to areas of the world in need.

The goal of the meeting is to provide relief agencies not currently using Telemedicine technologies, and international Telemedicine programs, a forum to exchange information and dialogue with the goal of building partnerships. Relief organizations will have the opportunity to communicate their needs in the area of medical care and to learn more about how telemedicine can meet some of those needs, extend their reach and provide connectivity to resources. Too often these busy organizations are unaware of what is possible and lack the connections to those who have expertise in assisting them.

Sessions will focus on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) and others who serve in areas of distress including developing nations and world disaster sites. Various outreach models and sustained initiatives in partnerships with government agencies and independent efforts will be presented.

Panel Descriptions:

Panel 1: Component Framework: The NGO perspective: Understanding the mission, challenges and opportunities for international outreach.

Presentations by relief organizations who use Telemedicine and who do not. The purpose is to identify the needs of NGO’s in executing their mission to deliver medical care and identify where current Telemedicine technologies and applications can expand and assist mission goals.

Panel 2: Financial Sustainability: Funding, financial models, reimbursement, and grants.

Funding Opportunities and Challenges in International Outreach. Discussion of sources of financing for projects in developing nations: understanding the needs, concerns and opportunities of foundations, international development agencies, venture capitalists, and industry.

Panel 3: Governmental/Military Perspectives: Challenges and Opportunities for humanitarian missions

Review of government programs that facilitate international relief and identify opportunities for the NGO community to work with government organizations and leverage the knowledge and expertise represented by these organizations.

Panel 4: Co-creation Environment: International Telemedicine Outreach Program: Current and emerging opportunities for Development and Partnership.

Panel presentations will explore and present opportunities for NGO’s to work with current efforts and develop partnerships and support.

Round Table Sessions: Framework for International Telemedicine Outreach

Paper presentation on international Telemedicine programs followed by discussion, identify critical factors of program success, identify needs in the NGO community, explore possibilities to leverage Telemedicine technologies (getting started, identifying need, technology, connectivity, business model resource information needed by participants, lessons learned, sociological interactions aka politics, getting buy-in).

Nancy E. Brown-Connolly
Clinical Consultant
805.258.4665
connolly@tatrc.org