Translated by Chance Lai
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The international symposium "The Future of Telemedicine: Medical Education," jointly hosted by the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), and Taipei Medical University (TMU), took place with great fanfare on September 28th and 29th. The event focused on the application of ICT in healthcare, emphasizing how artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning shape precision medicine and medical decision-making while addressing the ethical challenges arising from these developments.
Mayo Clinic Shares Telemedicine Success; Aging Societies in Asia Ignite Discussion
One of the event's key highlights was the presentation by Dr. Michael J. Maniaci, Medical Director of Mayo Clinic Platform's Center for Digital Health, who shared insights into the evolution of telemedicine in the U.S. during the post-pandemic era. He introduced the "Home Hospital" initiative launched by the Mayo Clinic, detailing how the platform integrates telemedicine technologies to provide efficient and convenient home healthcare services. His talk offered valuable lessons from the U.S. experience, sparking new ideas for attendees.
In addition to international case studies, local experts discussed the latest trends in telemedicine, such as the integration of wearable devices, IoT technologies, and advancements in precision medicine. The growing demand for telepharmacy services in Asia became a focal point. Scholars emphasized that with technological advancements, the Asian market's need for telemedicine rapidly increases, signaling telepharmacy as a future trend.
Dr. Kuriko Kudo, Chief Technology Officer at Kyushu University's Telemedicine Center in Japan, also shared her research on "Technological Support for Telemedicine and Emerging Technologies in Asia." She explored how telemedicine technologies are helping Japan address the challenges of an aging population, highlighting their potential value for other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Kudo pointed out that telemedicine holds significant potential for aging societies, particularly in improving access to healthcare and managing elderly care.
The symposium brought together representatives from NYCU, National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University, TMU, National Sun Yat-sen University, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH), Mackay Memorial Hospital, NHRI, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. They extensively explored the rapidly evolving landscape of medical education, as driven by ICT advancements, and discussed emerging ethical issues such as legal frameworks and personal data protection. Participants agreed that the current talent cultivation system, centered on clinical medicine, must be reassessed to meet the demands of this tech-driven healthcare transformation.
FPresident Chi-Hung Lin attended the symposium, joining industry, government, and academic representatives to discuss the impact of telemedicine and technology on medical education.
NYCU Leads the Way in Interdisciplinary Medical Education, Telemedicine Shaping Future Medical Decision-Making
Dr. Ying-Ying Yang, Deputy Chair of NYCU's School of Medicine and Director of Education at TVGH, highlighted that future medical students must not only master biomedical knowledge but also have a background in engineering to meet the evolving demands of healthcare. She emphasized that telemedicine will increasingly rely on data analysis for medical decision-making.