[Telescience : Feasibility studies, definition and a fair answer to the scientific brain drain]

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Telemedicine
• Scientific Education

Background:

• Telescience, a broad term for remote academic information transfer, lacks a formal definition but offers global implementation potential.
• This article explores the feasibility of telescience through practical examples and analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and assess the feasibility of telescience for educating young scientists across vast distances.
• To demonstrate the practical application of telematics in scientific knowledge transfer.

Main Methods:

• Feasibility analyses were conducted for neurological diagnostics, an epidemiological study, and a dengue fever thrombocyte function laboratory study.
• These projects utilized transcontinental telemedical cooperation over 12,000 km.

Main Results:

• All conducted studies confirmed the feasibility of telescience.
• Telematics effectively facilitated the transfer of laboratory techniques, study planning, execution, result interpretation, and publication skills.

Conclusions:

• Telescience is a viable and promising method for global knowledge and expertise transfer.
• It offers a solution to prevent brain drain by enabling direct knowledge dissemination and supporting local scientific initiatives.
• Telematics infrastructure proves effective for educating and guiding scientists remotely.