The U21 e-health project was established by the U21 University consortium to provide a framework for exploring opportunities for collaborative research, information exchange and sharing of resources. One of the goals was to identify new ways that e-health and e-learning could be used to meet challenges in global health-care delivery. In response to this the U21 e-health network resolved to undertake a pilot study that involved U21 universities supporting an underserved health facility/community in a developing country, for provision of support via information technology and student involvement.
The U21 Health Sciences group held an e-health workshop in Hong Kong in September 2007.
The U21 project provided a unique opportunity for final-year medical students from participating U21 universities to undertake a clinical placement in a distinctive environment, and to be involved in an exciting research programme. The project commenced in July 2005 at the Ragama Hospital in North Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was continued at the Tabubil Hospital in western Papua New Guinea. Click here to find out more about Ragama. The project ended in 2008.
Clinical placement opportunities were offered to final-year medical students at Tabubil Hospital in the Western Province Region of Papua New Guinea. Students were responsible for operating a low-cost telemedicine support service for the hospital doctors with specialist advice provided by consultant staff from the U21 universities. Click here to find out more about Tabubil.
Click here to read more about the student experience.