The Professional Association of Children’s and Young People’s Physicians aims to develop a Bavaria-wide telemedicine system that will enable pediatricians to connect online with experts, such as rheumatologists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, neurologists, hematologists and immunologists.

Dr. Martin Lang, state chairman of the Bavarian doctors for children and young people, of the new online module that is expected to become operational in 2013, explains: "With this initiative we will also strengthen healthcare in rural areas. Not everywhere in Bavaria physicians for children and young people are available close to patients’ residences. In the future, children will be examined on the spot as well as via a network of experts that is to be developed and who will be able to assist in the broad treatment of severe or complex cases within 24 hours. We therefore expect a big advantage for patients who want to have access to homecare in the future. The use of this online expert system will also increase the competence of all doctors involved.”
  
In this latter regard, Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Burdach. Head of the Hospital and Medical Director Pediatric Hospital Munich-Schwabing said "The need for specialised training in clinics has increased in order to cover the broad field of pediatric diseases.”

Dr Martin Lang added: "We therefore believe that a part of pediatric training - with a focus on prevention – needs to be completed in practice.”

More generally, lifelong training in the field of general pediatrics along the lines of what exists in general medicine practice, could prevent the threatening possibility of lacking pediatric care in rural areas.

Further information:

• Original News Article - e-Health-com.eu (in German)