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Contenido archivado el 2023-03-27

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Specific programme of research and technological development (EEC) in the field of telematic systems in areas of general interest - Health care (AIM) -, 1990-1994

 
Part of the specific programme of research and technological development in the field of telematic systems in areas of general interest (1990-1994) under Area 3: "Health care (AIM)", this second phase of the AIM programme builds on the results obtained during the two-year exploratory phase (AIM I, 1988-1989).

The exploratory phase addressed with success the need for establishing conceptual models, developing workstations, working on a common medical terminology, coding and classification and testing out the ideas of decision support systems. The present programme pursues the same lines but adds a strong element of further integration of systems by highlighting the medical workstation interconnectivity, development of bridges to a broad-band communication network with health care specific added services, telemedicine, and interactive, shared databases.

Under the unifying objective of developing tools, techniques and practices supporting a common European approach to health care informatics and telecommunications, the emphasis of the current R&D phase is on building prototypes and pilot applications, as a first step prior to commercial exploitation. It will test and guarantee for acceptance by the users and demonstrate compliance with regulations and standards. Part of the effort will still be oriented to strategic research in innovative concepts for the next generation of products.

The main domains tackled by the projects are:
- Technical services based on systems which communicate information and medical services (telemedicine);
- Computer-assisted decision making and resource management;
- Image analysis and communications;
- Architecture for a common medical record;
- Integration of telematics between the hospital departments or the primary care environment;
- Quality assessment.

In addition, accompanying actions will be run in the domains of strategy for the coming years, which include integration into industry, consensus in the Community, exchangeable medical records, nursing and primary care, teaching and learning, and medical classification systems.
To stimulate the development of harmonized applications of information and communication technologies in health care and the development of an European health-care information infrastructure taking into account the needs of users and technological opportunities.
Three main lines:

- Strategies for the use of technologies, telematic systems and services and contribution to the definition of common functional specifications:
The nature of the research and technological development activities will depend to a large extent on user needs and the general constraints associated with the transnational nature of the information infrastructure required;

- Development of telematic technology applied to medicine:
. Alphanumeric data and text coding standards;
. Images and biosignals with coding standards;
. Integrated medical instrumentation and devices;
. Knowledge based and decision support systems;
. Medical use of multi-media workstations;
. Health-care communication systems;
. Telemedical systems and archiving systems;
. Modularity and integration of medical and health information systems;
. Regulatory tools and incentives (medical, legal, ethical, economic and social);
. Technologies and services for the handicapped and elderly;
. Inter-hospital telematics for increased security in distance care and improved management of staff and specialized equipment;

- Validation and integration:
. Pilot applications to demonstrate and evaluate the innovative nature of using IT and communications in health care;
. Tests of the applicability of the research and development results and the interoperability of telemedicine services.
The Commission is responsible for the implementation of the programme, which comprises research and technological development (RTD) projects, accompanying measures and concerted actions.

The projects are the subject of shared-cost contracts, with Community financial participation not normally exceeding 50%. Universities and other research centres have the option of requesting, for each project, either 50% funding of total expenditure or 100% funding of the additional marginal costs. Contracts relating to shared-cost research projects must as a general rule be concluded following a selection procedure based on calls for proposals published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Projects must, as a general rule, provide for the participation of at least two partners, each independent of the other, established in different Member States.

The Commission is authorized to negotiate, in accordance with Article 130n of the Treaty, international agreements with third countries which are members of COST, in particular the member countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, with a view to associating them with the whole programme or a part of it. Where framework agreements for scientific and technical cooperation have been concluded between the Community and European non-Member States, bodies and enterprises established in those countries may, on the basis of the criterion of mutual benefit, be allowed to become partners in a project undertaken within the programme.

No contracting body based outside the Community and participating as a partner in a project undertaken within the programme may benefit from Community financing for this programme. The body concerned shall contribute to the general administrative costs.