Informática en la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chile. I: origen y evolución de la computación biomédica en Chile / Informatics at the school of medicine of the University of Chile. I. Origin and evolution of biomedical computing in Chile

ABSTRACT

In the sixties and early seventies, the School of Medicine of the University of Chile was the first Chilean institution to incorparate computers into academic endeavors through its own Computer Center. Later, professors were marginated form policy making which became oriented to adminstrative goals, but they compensated that situation with the easy access to personal computers brought about by present technology. In 1986, when School authorities were again elelcted by the faculty staff, professors were able to participate again in a committee designing projects in this area. Current development at the School of Medicine include a proliferation of personal computers, the implementation of a computer network with access to medicla data bases, and a growing number of apllications in the fields of research and teaching. In the near future, due to the accesibility of telecomunications and computers, these advancements should have an impact on the whole biomedical community, a situation that would restore, after many years, the traditional role of the University of Chile in the life of the country