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

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

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

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: 1.Africa 2.Asia 3.Central and South America 4.Eastern and Central Europe 5.Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union) and Middle East

COMGAN – Cont’d Activities -  Most work is that of fact-finding missions, site visits and short courses  Courses 1.Moscow, June 1997 – 350 in attendance 2.Istanbul, July 1997 – 800 in attendance  Partnering with other organizations & societies 1.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 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

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

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

Focus on Kosovo – June 2000

Renal-Tech’s Main Goal  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 Resources

 5 volumes  66 chapters  2500 Images  Entire product on-line in searchable form at Schrier’s

ISN 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 Conference on 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 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 Goals  Link all world countries together through a global nephrology 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

Conclusion  Technical support  WWW sites  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 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

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