Radiology CME on the Web using secure document transfer and internationally distributed image servers

We describe the implementation of a World Wide Web-based Continuing Medical Educational (CME) program in Diagnostic Radiology which allows accumulation of Category I credit. The program implements an unknown case presentation format which includes multiple choice questions, didactic information, and literature references with links to abstracts. Physician participation is anticipated to occur in brief sessions during which the program automatically tracks CME credit accumulation. To allow an interactive presentation, HTML electronic form documents are created "on the fly" by a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) application interfacing with several relational databases. The system is scalable with bandwidth intensive image transfers distributed over multiple internationally distributed image servers. For CME participants, the system utilizes documents encryption to ensure confidential physician interactions.