[Consultation per video-conferencing with regional hospitals: the MEDKOM project of the Hannover Medical University].

Consultations between doctors are necessary tools for decisions in diagnosis and treatment of patients. The mainstay is a sound communication between the participants, using verbal and audio-visual means. Usually clinical findings and imaging results are included. Using video technology with ISDN (integrated services digital network), such consulting can be performed across any distance. The department of hematology and oncology of the Medical School Hanover has introduced such a system in 1989 for conferencing with 12 regional hospitals and two private practices. It is now a well recognized and established system being applied for 270 sessions and for 1100 Patients per year. It is an integrated part of the co-operation, also allows medical education and quality improvement.