The Education for the Developing The Education for the Developing Countries:Countries: Sharing Books and Sharing Books and Professional Experiences on the WebProfessional Experiences on the Web

Michele L. Hales

University of Alberta

Edmonton, AB CANADA

cyberNephrology: A New Opportunity for the ProfessioncyberNephrology: A New Opportunity for the ProfessionA Tutorial and Interactive Seminar A Tutorial and Interactive Seminar

November 24, 2000November 24, 2000 Bologna, ItalyBologna, Italy

Presented atPresented at

Programs of InterestPrograms of Interest

COMGAN (Commission on Global Advancement of Nephrology)

RENAL-TECH Computer Donation Project

Educational/Teaching Resources Discussion Groups (NephDevel)

COMGANCOMGAN

Purpose -Aid regions of the world where a need for better renal care is

foremost

Goal - Provide assistance to these areas via ISN programs such as:

- the fellowship program- president’s CME program- library enhancement program- travel grants- slides on Renal Parenchymal Diseases & Hypertension- visiting scholar’s program- scholarship training program

http://www.isn-online.org

COMGAN – Cont’dCOMGAN – Cont’d

Organization & Leadership –

Formed as a Commission of ISN in 1995

Chaired by Dr. John Dirks of the University of Toronto and Toronto Hospital

5 working subcommittees that cover the globe:1. Africa2. Asia3. Central and South America4. Eastern and Central Europe5. Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet

Union) and Middle East

COMGAN – Cont’dCOMGAN – Cont’d

Activities - Most work is that of fact-finding missions, site

visits and short courses

Courses1. Moscow, June 1997 – 350 in attendance2. Istanbul, July 1997 – 800 in attendance

Partnering with other organizations & societies1. American Society of Nephrology (ASN)2. Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology (APSN)3. European Renal Association (ERA)4. European Society of Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN)5. Society of Latin American Nephrology & Hypertension

Renal-Tech Donation ProjectRenal-Tech Donation Project

Established by Zina Munoz to provide for computer education and linkage in developing countries

Cooperative program with the ISN Donate computer hardware and

software Provide computer/Internet training

to renal units in developing countries as well as to families of children with renal disease in the US

http://www.renal-tech.org

Pilot Program in Nepal - June, 1998Pilot Program in Nepal - June, 1998

In June of 1998, the Renal-Tech Project initiated its first on-site pilot program.

Eight computers, six laptops and two desktop units were donated to three hospitals in the greater Kathmandu area

The computers were donated by Toshiba Corporation of Japan, Compaq Corporation, and Lucky Computers.

Members on the team participated in various functions

- medical lectures

- lectures on internet’s use in medical settings

- training and demonstration of equipment

Renal-Tech Donations To DateRenal-Tech Donations To Date

Nepal (June 1998) Nigeria Cuba (Spring 1999) Argentina Kosovo (December 1999 & May 2000)

Focus on Kosovo – June 2000Focus on Kosovo – June 2000

Renal-Tech’s MainRenal-Tech’s Main GoalGoal

To expand communication between Renal-Tech and the recipients so that there remains a sharing of knowledge and information to benefit the worldwide community of renal patients.

Schrier Atlas of Diseases of the Kidney(to be distributed free to developing countries)

ISN Video Legacy CD-ROM

Banff Allograft Pathology Conference WWW site content placed on CD-ROM

Educational Slides on Renal Parenchymal Diseases and Hypertension

Educational/Teaching ResourcesEducational/Teaching Resources

5 volumes 5 volumes 66 chapters66 chapters 2500 Images2500 Images Entire product on-line in searchable form Entire product on-line in searchable form

at www.kidneyatlas.orgat www.kidneyatlas.org

http://www.kidneyatlas.org

Schrier’sSchrier’s

ISN Video Legacy ProjectISN Video Legacy Project

This project is headed by Drs. Stewart Cameron and Kim Solez

Twenty- three interviews with nephrologists of exceptional merit, have  been recorded to date

The first CD-ROM came out in 1997 5000 copies were made and distributed in North

America and Europe A new CD is currently in the works and should be

available in 2001 The Commission attempts to include both

Bibliography and CV in the CDs

Banff ConferenceBanff Conference on Allograft Pathologyon Allograft Pathology

CD-ROMS Produced: Third Banff Conference (1995) Fourth Banff Conference (1997) Fifth Banff Conference (1999)

Features: More than 400 full colour images Many of the presentations are accompanied by a full-text

abstract Full text search capabilities Links to World Wide Web Conference video segments Easy to use interface

Renal EducationRenal Education

Through the Internet, physicians can quickly consult experts anywhere in the world about local problems.

Part of the Renal-Tech mandate is to provide continued support for physicians and support personnel about dialysis, transplant issues and general nephrology or computer queries

CD-ROMs can be easily created and sent to developing countries

Keeping Physicians Updated:

Our GoalsOur Goals

Link all world countries together through a global nephrology e-mail system

Create a natural disaster response program through the Internet that can help direct rescue efforts worldwide

Create an educational program that can either be transported to developing countries through the Internet or CD-ROM

Grow the Renal-Tech project Continued prosperity of COMGAN

ConclusionConclusion

Technical support WWW sites E-mail discussion groups Educational content on CD-ROM Computer hardware and software

We have strived to offer the desired continued

educational resources to developing countries

by providing the following:

Special ThanksSpecial Thanks

John Dirks – Director, COMGAN Zina Munoz – Director, Renal-Tech Gary Green – Director, of New Technologies NKF John Daugirdas – cyberNephrology Board Member Steve Fadem – cyberNephrology Board Member Robert Schrier – cyberNephrology Board Member

FOR MORE INFO...

Michele.Hales@UAlberta.CA