1. Policy dialogues Leuven 2010 1 PRESENTATION OF MEDICAL IMAGES ON THE WWW Samo Ribarič University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia samo.ribaric@mf.uni-lj.si

2. Policy dialogues Leuven 2010 2 PRESENTATION OF MEDICAL IMAGES ON THE WWW Summary We developed some solutions related to integration and presentation of medical images organised in a World Wide Web (WWW) database. To solve these problems we developed a prototype of an open access, bilingual (Slovenian and English) WWW database of medical images for the field of dermatology. This dermatology database includes a graphic interface with four modes of access: (1) browsing, (2) searching, (3) comparison of images, and (4) self-testing. The quantity and quality of requests to this WWW database was estimated with log file analysis. There was a steady increase in the number of users and volume of data transferred from the dermatology WWW database. Ribaric S, Todorovski L, Dimec J, Lunder T. Presentation of dermatological images on the Internet. Comput Methods Programs Biomed. 2001 May;65(2):111-21. PMID: 11275331Presentation of dermatological images on the Internet.

3. Policy dialogues Leuven 2010 3

4. 4 PRESENTATION OF MEDICAL IMAGES ON THE WWW Key learning points –Multimedia medical databases on the WWW are a platform for the development of information and educational tools suitable for life-long learning. –The usefulness of a digital library, as an every day reference tool, also depends on its size and coverage of the topic it is specialised for. Relevance for other EU Member States –The amount of work necessary for building a comprehensive WWW digital library of medical images is bound to exceed the available funds of a single EU Member State. Co-operative work between EU Member States is the only long-term solution of this problem. –Internet technology facilitates and stimulates co-operative work on medical databases. –Open access multimedia medical databases on the WWW could contribute towards the harmonisation of medical education standards among EU Member States and life long learning.