Implementation of a telemedicine and medical practice support network covering the whole Brazilian territory

• Grant number: 95/01907-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Partnership for Technological Innovation - PITE
• Start date: March 01, 1996
• End date: February 28, 1998
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computer Systems
• Principal Investigator: Álvaro Garcia Neto
• Grantee: Álvaro Garcia Neto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Company: Unimed Participações
• City: São Carlos

Abstract

The use of computer networks is one of the modern-day revolutions. With this in mind, Unimed approached the universities for guidance as to how to make best use of them. In September 1993, an agreement was signed between the São Carlos Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the University of São Paulo, via the Foundation for the Support of Physics and Chemistry, and Unimed Participações. This agreement resulted in Brazil’s first network to use the TCP/IP protocol via satellite (VSAT), which has 43 points of presence, spread throughout the Brazilian territory. These points constitute the network backbone. The objective of this second project was to expand this backbone to the 250-plus remaining points (Unimed affiliates), to form UniRed, in order to provide telemedicine services (access to information, new techniques, continuous training, publication of periodicals, bibliographical research) and medical practice support services (virtual doctors on duty distributed by area of medical specialty and electronic mail). (AU)