A conference held via telecommunication equipment among individuals who are physically separated (perhaps by thousands of miles). Ordinarily the individuals all participate in the “conversation” interactively, that is, each in response to the input of the others. Telecommunication equipment includes computers (or computer terminals), telephones, and television. In the health care field, one of the earliest applications of teleconferencing was in continuing medical (and other professional) education, usually with the educator at an education center, and the students in their hospitals or other settings. Teleconferencing may also be used, for example, for official meetings, such as governing body meetings (provided the institution’s bylaws and relevant statutes permit).