Telecommunications, Health and Education

Abstract

Prior to 1971 there were many experiments conducted in order to demonstrate or test the feasibility, acceptance and effectiveness of communications technology applied to health care and education systems. Within the past year two groups of experiments were completed. One, utilizing terrestrial broad band systems, included seven separate applications. The other, which utilized the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Applications Technology Satellite Six (ATS-6), had five experiments in health care and education. Each of these experiments is briefly described. Further experimentation is needed with special emphasis being given to the impact of technology on human systems. There is growing acceptance of the fact that demonstrations of feasibility are no longer needed. This particular session is concerned with "Telemetry for the Benefit of Mankind." I will assume that telecommunications is not excluded and that I can spend my time in describing some of the applications of communications technology to health care delivery and health education. I will not attempt to include all applications but will limit my attention to those that seem most timely and effective. Since all applications that will be mentioned were experimental in nature, concerned largely with feasibility and effectiveness, cost-benefits were incidental considerations.