MDtv is Shaping the Future of Medical Education through Technology and Broadcasting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2006 CONTACT: Anthony Bey
Education Broadcast Channel, Inc. (EBCi)
(415)615-2177
info@mdtvonline.com
"Broadcast Medical Education: New CME Options for Medical Professionals " (San Francisco, CA.)-The Chief of Cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco; the Director of the Heart Failure Program at Stanford University and the Head of Family Practice at the University of Washington Harborview Medical Center joined together to share their thoughts and discuss the latest therapies and treatment options available for patients with cardiac related conditions. Their meeting did not take place behind closed doors as they are filming an episode of MDtv. As many in the medical community are about to learn, MDtv is combining broadcasting and technology to offer an unparalled medical education experience. In the Pacific Northwest, physician members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Washington State Medical Association as well as the Northwest Pharmacy Association are now able to quickly and conveniently access accredited CME programs from their television, computer, internet and Pocket PC. At the same time they are also able to access and manage their private account via a secure web site. EBCi is targeting MDtv to quickly become a major source for educating healthcare professionals and the general public. With pharmaceutical leaders Pfizer, Inc. and Merck & Co. already implementing EBCi's broadcast programming platform into their regimen of training activities along with the potential to access 2900 hospitals and over 25 medical universities through broadcast partnerships with distribution networks such as GE and NBC, MDtv is clearly positioning itself to shape the future of medical education delivery.
"In this age of the internet and virtual reality, telemedicine and telecommunications have the potential to be part of nearly every aspect of health care - from consumer and provider education to the actual diagnosis and treatment of disease," said Dr. Michael Ackerman, head of the National Library of Medicine. The MDtv programming format was designed by physicians and broadcast executives to provide an open forum for internationally known thought leaders to discuss various approaches to treatment in therapeutic areas. Programs that are delivered through multi-media and streaming video present an interactive viewing experience enhanced through a proprietary media player (in partnership with Presenter, Inc) that synchronizes video, slides and transcripts and includes search capability, navigational TOC and handouts.
"We are excited about the outlook for MDtv. You would have to look deep into the nearly 25,000 CME programs and events offered to healthcare professionals each year to find a more convenient and cost efficient way to deliver medical education programming that features the world's leading medical professionals", said EBCi President Anthony Bey. Sharing in his enthusiasm are the many physicians who are lining up to appear on MDtv programs. "We (EBCi) have been able to attract many of the world 's medical thought leaders to appear on both our CME programming and patient education initiatives", says Bey "Their commitment to MDtv is a testament to our principle goal; to provide physicians and the general public access to the highest quality medical education available. MDtv programs are designed to be efficient, effective and fun."
About EBCi:
Education Broadcast Channel, Inc., a Delaware Corporation based in San Mateo, California, was incorporated in November 2000 for the purpose of developing and distributing education programming over broadcast media. EBCi's initial focus is to deliver Continuing Medical Education (CME) to healthcare professionals and consumers through television, multimedia and the internet. In addition, EBCi will develop and broadcast sponsored non-CME programming in areas specific to patient education and training for professionals in healthcare organizations. EBCi's client base includes physicians and other healthcare professionals, medical institutions such as hospitals and universities, healthcare organizations, pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturers and consumers. EBCi enables the healthcare industry to meet educational goals and objectives by addressing specific requirements through the production and distribution of programming in all specialties of medicine. Utilizing its proprietary synchronizing player software, EBCi works with its clients to produce professional training programs for employees and staff in all areas of the enterprise.
More detailed information is available at http://www.mdtvonline.com.
EBCi general information is available at www.ebci.tv.
Members of the media are invited to attend a press conference to be held in Seattle, Washington March 7-11th, 2006. Press inquiries should be directed by phone to Anthony Bey at (415)615-2177 or by e-mail to info@mdtvonline.com.
