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

1. Presented at The Education for the Developing Countries: Sharing Books and Professional Experiences on the Web cyberNephrology: A New Opportunity for the Profession A Tutorial and Interactive Seminar Michele L. Hales University of Alberta Edmonton, AB CANADA Bologna, Italy November 24, 2000

2. Programs of Interest • COMGAN (Commission on Global Advancement of Nephrology) • RENAL-TECH Computer Donation Project • Educational/Teaching Resources • Discussion Groups (NephDevel)

3. COMGAN 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

4. COMGAN – 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: • Africa • Asia • Central and South America • Eastern and Central Europe • Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union) and Middle East

5. COMGAN – Cont’d Activities - • Most work is that of fact-finding missions, site visits and short courses • Courses • Moscow, June 1997 – 350 in attendance • Istanbul, July 1997 – 800 in attendance • Partnering with other organizations & societies • American Society of Nephrology (ASN) • Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology (APSN) • European Renal Association (ERA) • European Society of Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN) • Society of Latin American Nephrology & Hypertension

6. Renal-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

7. Pilot 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

8. Renal-Tech Donations To Date • Nepal (June 1998) • Nigeria • Cuba (Spring 1999) • Argentina • Kosovo (December 1999 & May 2000)

9. Focus on Kosovo – June 2000

10. Renal-Tech’s MainGoal • 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.

11. Educational/Teaching Resources • 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

12. Schrier’s • 5 volumes • 66 chapters • 2500 Images • Entire product on-line in searchable form at www.kidneyatlas.org http://www.kidneyatlas.org

13. ISN Video Legacy Project • This project is headed by Drs. Stewart Cameron andKim 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

14. Banff Conferenceon 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

15. Renal Education Keeping Physicians Updated: • 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

16. Our 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

17. Conclusion We have strived to offer the desired continued educational resources to developing countries by providing the following: • Technical support • WWW sites • E-mail discussion groups • Educational content on CD-ROM • Computer hardware and software

18. Special 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

19. FOR MORE INFO... Michele.Hales@UAlberta.CA