Information networks and their impact upon medicine

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Information Science
• Computer Science

Background:

• The rapid expansion of medical knowledge presents significant challenges for individual physicians.
• A gap in physician knowledge can negatively impact patient care.
• Existing information retrieval and teleprocessing technologies offer potential solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide physicians with a foundational understanding of computer concepts for medical information retrieval.
• To outline the necessary hardware and software for accessing medical databases from individual practices.
• To highlight the American Academy of Dermatology's efforts in addressing members' information needs.

Main Methods:

• Review of computer concepts relevant to information retrieval in medicine.
• Identification of essential hardware and software components for medical information networks.
• Case study of the American Academy of Dermatology's initiatives.

Main Results:

• Microcomputers can serve as effective tools for accessing extensive medical data.
• Physicians require training to effectively utilize computer technology for practice needs.
• Specific hardware and software are crucial for seamless integration into medical information networks.

Conclusions:

• Computer technology, particularly microcomputers, offers a viable solution for physicians to access and manage the increasing volume of medical information.
• Effective implementation requires addressing physician training and understanding of these systems.
• The American Academy of Dermatology is actively working to support its members in navigating this technological shift.