TY - JOUR
T1 - DermRx
T2 - An experiment in computerizing information on dermatologic therapy
AU - Levit, Fred
AU - Kopf, Alfred W.
AU - Huntley, Arthur
AU - Stengel, Fernando
AU - Rabinovitz, Harold S.
AU - Freeman, Michael J.
N1 - Funding Information:
Modem computer technology has already far outstripped its actual present-day applications to the practical aspects of medical sciences. We predict that in the not too distant future, most dermatologists will want and will acquire such microcomputers if they are developed and made available. The Task Force on Creating a Biomedical Communications System for Dermatology has been actively working on this project for the past decade. The Task Force has received continuous moral and financial support fl'om the American Academy of Dermatology since its inception in the early days of the National Program for Dermatol- ogy. The rapid advancements in computer technology and in microfiche imaging have exceeded our original expectations and expanded our imagination of computer possibilities. The combination of a rapid alpha-numeric retrieval system via computer terminals, plus a means of reproducing at low cost small images of high quality color in microfiche format, provides an unparalleled opportunity to improve quick access to information required by the modern practicing dermatologist. For the comprehensive concept depicted in Fig. 2, data bases in the other components of it are still to be created. The final steps will be the selection and
PY - 1979
Y1 - 1979
N2 - The Task Force for Creating a Biomedical Communications System for Dermatology was commissioned by the American Academy of Dermatology to develop an experimental segment of a computerized data bank on dermatologic therapy. The Task Force has completed such a “first generation” system and has named it DermRx. Its data bank carries the following information on each entry: the name of the disease; topical, systemic, physical, and other kinds of treatment; caveats; references to the literature; and the date and reviewer(s). The DermLit and DermRx programs are two components of a projected broader concept of an eventual comprehensive Biomedical Communications System for Dermatology. Such a system is envisaged as a means of making available to dermatologists diverse data relevant to practice, teaching, research, and business aspects of the specialty. At the moment, access to the stored information on dermatologic literature and therapy is by telephone call to, or by correspondence with, the central computer facility at Northwestern University. Eventually it is projected to be accessible by dedicated microcomputers housed in the physician's office. This preliminary report on DermRx is presented to review the progress of the project to date and to elicit comment upon its structure and value.
AB - The Task Force for Creating a Biomedical Communications System for Dermatology was commissioned by the American Academy of Dermatology to develop an experimental segment of a computerized data bank on dermatologic therapy. The Task Force has completed such a “first generation” system and has named it DermRx. Its data bank carries the following information on each entry: the name of the disease; topical, systemic, physical, and other kinds of treatment; caveats; references to the literature; and the date and reviewer(s). The DermLit and DermRx programs are two components of a projected broader concept of an eventual comprehensive Biomedical Communications System for Dermatology. Such a system is envisaged as a means of making available to dermatologists diverse data relevant to practice, teaching, research, and business aspects of the specialty. At the moment, access to the stored information on dermatologic literature and therapy is by telephone call to, or by correspondence with, the central computer facility at Northwestern University. Eventually it is projected to be accessible by dedicated microcomputers housed in the physician's office. This preliminary report on DermRx is presented to review the progress of the project to date and to elicit comment upon its structure and value.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0190-9622(79)70038-7
DO - 10.1016/S0190-9622(79)70038-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 512097
AN - SCOPUS:0018650716
SN - 0190-9622
VL - 1
SP - 462
EP - 467
JO - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
JF - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
IS - 5
ER -