Telemedicine and international disaster Response : Medical consultation to Armenia and Russia vía a telemedicine spacebridge

The telemedicine spacebridge a satellite mediated audio-video-fax link between four US and two armenia and Russia medical centers,permitted remote american consultants to assist Armenian and Russia physicians in the management of medical problems following the December 1988 earthquake in Armenia and the June 1989 gas explosion near Ufa. Methods: during 12 weeks of operations, 247 Armenian and Russian and 175 American medical professionals participated in 34 half-day clinica conferences. 209 patients were discussed. Conclusion: These results suggest that interactive consultation by remote specialists can provide valuable assistance to onsite physicians and favorably influence clinical decisions in the aftermath of major disaster (AU)