Grid Technologies for eHealth: Applications for Telemedicine Services and Delivery

A Manuscript edited by Dr. Ekaterina (Eka) Kldiashvili
Georgian Telemedicine Union (Association), Georgia

Proposal Submission Deadline: October 31, 2008

Introduction

“Grid” computing has emerged as an important new field, distinguished from conventional distributed computing by its focus on large-scale resource sharing, innovative applications, and, in some cases, high-performance orientation.

Grid computing is increasingly being viewed as the next phase of distributed computing. Built on pervasive Internet standards, Grid computing enables organizations to share computing and information resources across department and organizational boundaries in a secure, highly efficient manner.

From its inception, the goal of telemedicine has been to overcome the time and distance barriers that separate the caregiver from the patient.  Innovations such as computer-based patient records, remote consultations, clinical information systems, etc., are supported by, and in some cases reliant on, the widespread use of networked telemedicine technologies.

The main advantages of applying Grid technology to eHealth are the new and effective opportunities for establishment and implementation of eHealth networks, clinical information systems and databases.

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Objective of the Manuscript

The proposed publication will present a new model of Advanced Grid Technologies, Systems and Services to implement a new model of Virtual Organization for healthcare support. eHealth faces a growing need for large computations, pre-operative planning, medical interventions simulation, the building of anatomical and physiological models, surgery support in real time, etc., all of which could be successfully implemented through Grid technology. This publication aims to describe completed and ongoing research eHealth projects and activities in this field. It is planned to present Data/Information/Knowledge Grids as well as Collaborative Grids.

Special emphasis will be placed on the following topics: clinical information system; distribution of computational resources; ensuring image processing algorithm’s accessibility; combining image data with other medical data, facilitating data access; bringing affordable solutions to respond to real problems in healthcare.

Special attention will be paid to the following areas: ePharmacology, eImaging, eClinic and eLearning.

Emphasis will be placed on presentation of: organization of clinical information system; timely and secure access of patient data; interoperability of medical databases of heterogenous content; computing intensive applications and knowledge discovery, eDiagnosis, Virtual Epidemiology.

Target Audience

Healthcare professionals, eHealth and telemedicine specialists and researchers, IT specialists, healthcare authorities and managers.

Recommended topics include, but are not limited to the following:

• Clinical information system
• Clinical diagnosis
• Medical databases
• eLearning
• Simulation
• eHealth networks
• Standardization
• Virtual Epidemiology

Submission Procedure

Researcher and practitioners are invited to submit on or before October 31, 2008 a 2-3 page chapter proposal (Word document) clearly explaining the mission and concerns of his or her proposed chapter. Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by November 30, 2008 about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines. Full chapters are expected to be submitted by February 28, 2009.

All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis.

This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the “Information Science Reference” (formerly Idea Group Reference) and “Medical Information Science Reference” imprints.

Additional information regarding the publisher

Forward inquiries and submissions electronically to:

Ekaterina (Eka) Kldiashvili, Ph.D.
Georgian Telemedicine Union (Association)
75 Kostava str., 0171 Tbilisi, Georgia
Email: [email protected]
Blog: www.gridtechnologiesfore-health.blogspot.com