Interactive telemedicine as a tool to avoid a digital divide in the world.

An efficient way of closing the gap in medical care between the EU and its Mediterranean partners is the use of satellite-based networks for telemedical applications. Using standard hardware components and specially designed communication software (WinVicos) various telemedical applications (teleconsultation, telementoring, teleteaching, etc.) have been realized. Two telemedical networks which have been designed and developed recently, MEDASHIP (Medical Assistance for Ships) and EMISPHER (Euro-Mediterranean Internet-Satellite Platform for Health, medical Education and Research), are presented.