Today I had planned to head out with the Loma Linda Telemedicine group to observe their onsite procedures. The trip was cancelled due to (I understand) their satellite connection being down. I then (tried to) assist Peter Buxton with his exercise in telemedicine for the Swinfen Charitable Trust. Surfed various networks in the AM, but was unable to upload images. After the network was reconfigured in the afternoon, I was able to get web pages and acknowledgements – but the images did not upload. Sigh.

As an Observer looking at medical management during disasters, today showed me again that technology cannot be depended upon – as I also saw in Katrina Relief Medical in Houston. However, a large number of the participants were caught up in their “techno-focus” and so did not reach out to others via personal chat and sneakernet – which *did* happen in Katrina Relief.

I did benefit from discussions with several individuals in that I found out most commercial enterprises focus on military “trauma” disasters rather than civilian “chronic” disasters because that’s where the funding is. Maybe I’m naïve, but I was very disappointed by this attitude. You would think that the various levels of government would be interested in providing the infrastructure to safeguard their people in times of disaster. Isn’t that what taxes are for? For the common good?

I plan to continue with observing more about telemedicine capabilities – and challenges - during the next few days.