The Images of Disease Project: a computer-based aid to the teaching of pathology

Abstract

The design and implementation of a large interactive database of images of diseased tissues is described. Images of macroscopic, microscopic, radiographic and clinical aspects of human disease have been acquired, converted and stored for use in the database. Image identifiers, together with relevant textual information, have been indexed in a relational database format, to facilitate effective and flexible retrieval of data. A graphical user interface has been constructed to simplify) data access. A formative evaluation of the project is presented, together with an outline of ways in which the database may be further developed as a means of improving undergraduate education in the discipline of pathology.