Medical education by satellite: the EuroTransMed experience

Continuing medical education is a key feature of ensuring quality delivery of health care by doctors. In a rapidly changing technological environment it is important that medical education is undertaken in an effective and efficient manner. EuroTransMed, set up as an experiment to investigate the use of satellite-delivered continuing medical education, now supplies regular programming to receive sites in 20 European countries. Programmes are broadcast live and are interactive, enabling doctors to have access to experts and opinion leaders and to question and challenge them. This review paper highlights the development and technical problems which have taken place during the initial establishment of EuroTransMed. The current status and future prospects are identified.