Objective
To define, specify and develop a prototype multimedia applications environment in the health-care sector over ISDN and evaluate its usage.
A multimedia workstation for clinical communications has been developed for consulting between specialists in medical procedures. The technical objectives of the product are summarised as follows:
definition and development of a platform with a documental database which allows storage, retrieval and editing of multimedia documents;
definition and development of an application to allow interactive communications;
implementation of an electronic mail for multimedia documents;
provide flexible communications media through narrow and broadband interfaces;
adapt a man machine interface to the user requirements.
The main aim of the research was to define, specify and develop a prototype multimedia applications environment in the health care sector for use with the integrated services digital network (ISDN) and to evaluate its usage. The research took into account:
the special requirements of health care professionals;
security, speed and operation in clinical environment.
The project carried out an analysis of the generic requirements of professional user groups and the specific requirements of the health care sector. Development of the multimedia work place facilities gave real users the opportunity to experiment, and in some cases put it into everyday use. The system was improved and demonstrated to the users by means of hands on training. Feedback has been obtained from the usage of the system by professional user groups in real environments.
Technical Approach
The pilot has established close working relationships with groups of hospital consultants working on at least two hospital sites in each country concerned (UK, France, Spain, Finland). These consultants have been provided with multimedia terminals linked together with ISDN at 2B+D or 30B+D rates on which multimedia working is implemented. The target users are intended to be representative set of the generic 'professional user group'. The key user characteristics being that they are groups of high value staff, working with confidential and sometimes valuable data, located on separate sites but sharing a common culture.
In each country a different pilot experiment has been performed according to local requirements and the technology preference of the local MultiMed partners. Results are being gathered and compared on an international level.
The project will continue to gain user feedback on health care for the RACE URM, and to increase the functionality provided to users.
Key Issues
- Special requirements of health-care professionals.
- Security, speed, operation in clinical environment.
- User-friendliness.
Achievements
During 1988, the project carried out analysis of generic requirements of professional user groups and the specific requirements of the health care sector and it identified and specified the technologies it would use.
Development of the multimedia work-place facilities began during 1989, and in 1990 real users were given the opportunity to experiment, and in some cases put it into everyday use. During 1991, the system has been improved and demonstrated to the users by means of hands-on training. Feedback has been obtained from the usage of the system by professional user groups in real environments. The pilot has been offered to the IBC/LAB and a plan has been prepared to show the demonstrator in Seville during the Expo'92.
A major achievement was that the MultiMed prototypes in Rennes and Nantes were used at the launch of France Telecom's NUMERIS in that region to demonstrate the capability of ISDN.
Expected Impact
A significant improvement has been achieved in the accessibility of multimedia health-care information for professional (not IT-trained) users, resulting in faster and more accurate diagnosis and therapy. Within the RACE programme the main impact of the project will arise from the provision of data on IBC usage within the health care sector, and on the evolution of user requirements from local to geographically spread multimedia applications.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences databases
- social sciences media and communications
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Coordinator
28001 Madrid
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.