Information technology is going under the microscope at the Rural General Practice Network's annual conference that starts in Rotorua on Thursday.
The network's chair Jo Scott-Jones says the rural broadband roll-out will increase access to the sorts of communication technologies that are already changing the way rural doctors and nurses operate.
Dr Scott Jones says video links are being used to get access to specialists in hospitals for advice, as well as for continuing medical education and linking GPs together in peer groups.
He says the network will also be seeking an update from the national IT board relating to how far plans are going in terms of prescribing and discharge summaries.
Dr Scott Jones says the idea of shared medical records has some specific issues in terms of reaching into rural communities.