This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lecueder, S. Articles by Manyari, D. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lecueder, S. Articles by Manyari, D. E.

Virtual Congresses

¹ Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
² University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Corresdpondence and reprints: Silvia Lecueder, MD, José Ellauri 768 ap. 301, 11300 Montevideo, Uruguay; e-mail: lecueder{at}fmed.edu.uy

Received for publication: 08/02/99; accepted for publication: 09/16/99.

A new form of scientific medical meeting has emerged in the last few years—the virtual congress. This article describes the general role of computer technologies and the Internet in the development of this new means of scientific communication, by reviewing the history of "cyber sessions" in medical education and the rationale, methods, and initial results of the First Virtual Congress of Cardiology. Instructions on how to participate in this virtual congress, either actively or as an observer, are included. Current advantages and disadvantages of virtual congresses, their impact on the scientific community at large, and future developments and possibilities in this area are discussed.