TELECONFERENCING: Video Links Kids In Pediatric Hospitals

      Children at Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach can now interact with children at other hospitals across the country using a new real-time video computer network known as Starbright World. Miller Administrator Dr. Mel Marks said, "Children who are isolated from their friends can talk to other children who also have serious or chronic medical conditions." In addition to teleconferencing, Starbright World provides "games, educational sites and chat rooms, allowing kids to trade advice or learn more about their illnesses." So far 23 of the nation's hospitals are participating in the program run by the Starbright Foundation -- headed by movie producer Steven Spielberg and General Norman Schwarzkopf -- and the goal "is to bring 100 hospitals into the system." Starbright and its sponsors, which include Intel and Sprint, provide the $100,000 hardware, while hospitals are responsible for maintaining the system (Heald, Long Beach Press-Telegram, 11/20).