Telemedicine, the use of bidirectional telecommunications systems for the delivery of health care at a distance, could create a more equitable distribution of medical care. Many medical tasks can be performed at a distance although some require the presence of a physician's assistant. Cost-benefit analysis of this service is difficult and requires…

The role of the university in medical education, specifically, the education of the medical practitioner is discussed. The challenge is to connect better the practicing physician to the evolving knowledge base and the scientific agenda to the world of practice. (MLW)