Digital Teaching Files in Diagnostic Imaging

An architecture for digital teaching of radiology targets the next generation of network based education in diagnostic imaging. We developed applications of this system in UCSF hospitals (San Francisco, USA). The networked digital teaching file for medical imaging presented here builds on the availability of existing clinical information infrastructure in hospitals, such as PACS and RIS, and the recent advances in open systems Internet technology. Such a digital teaching file possesses enormous potential to change the practice and landscape of medical imaging education. Countries throughout the world share the goal of improving health care productivity and quality. They must invest not only in clinical services, but also in effective training of a new generation of imaging specialists. A networked digital teaching file provides a cost effective tool for attaining this goal.