ABSTRACT
We believe that network national and international teleconferencing is viable and that the problems remaining have mostly to do with overcoming reluctance to change, reorganizing one's thinking, and making the equipment easier to use--essentially minimizing behavioral and operational constraints. Those of us who use audiographic teleconferencing are enthusiastic. In an era of increasingly rapid change and energy consciousness, teleconferencing should be considered. Finally, we experienced how national and international teleconferencing can meet various medical requirements, while at the same time achieving decentralization of human resources. We also considered the impact of teleconferencing on the daily business of people, as well as the social, medical, and economic activity relative to teleconferencing systems on a large scale. If the mastery of information technology is a challenge of the Eighties, then it appears that national and international teleconferencing as an integral feature of any professional environment--medicine, dentistry, engineering, education, and so on could be very supportive in cultivating a national and international exchange of ideas. The end result of teleconferencing is the benefit realized from improved group communication and the efficient use of time, both professional and personal.
