Map of dermatology: 'first-impression' user feedback and agenda for further development

Maged N Kamel Boulos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Map of Dermatology (http://healthcybermap.org/dermap/) is a free web resource that enables users to search for images of skin conditions by body region and morphology rather than by condition name, which is much more useful and natural in answering questions about unknown clinical presentations/diagnoses, especially for non-specialists.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: This paper presents responses received from twelve users, including specialist dermatologists, non-specialists (some with interests in health informatics), and lay persons, who provided their 'first-impression' feedback on Map of Dermatology by responding to a very short e-mail questionnaire covering service usefulness and interface usability. The paper also provides a brief review of the gaps in current online dermatology information service provision in general.

RESULTS: The overall user feedback received was very positive. An exploratory discussion of the arguments and possibilities for radically improving Map of Dermatology to produce 'the ultimate web-based dermatology diagnostic tool' is also provided, together with some desiderata and preliminary 'design and feature specifications' for such a tool based on users' suggestions, the gaps highlighted in other existing online dermatology tools, and the author's own reflections and experience.

CONCLUSIONS: When successfully developed, the proposed tool is expected to have significant potential for efficiently and effectively addressing many of the currently unmet educational needs of clinicians.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)203-13
Number of pages11
JournalHealth Information and Libraries Journal
Volume23
Issue number3
Early online date11 Aug 2006
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2006

Keywords

  • Atlases as Topic
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction
  • Dermatology
  • Feedback
  • Humans
  • Information Storage and Retrieval
  • Internet
  • Libraries, Digital
  • Medical Illustration
  • Questionnaires
  • Skin Diseases

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