ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Electronic bulletin board systems have been used for education, information exchange, and medical consultation for a number of years. However, most of these systems have been text-based. The field of dermatology has never had a system that allowed a quick exchange of visual information. OBJECTIVE: Dermatology is a field of medicine which especially requires a visual image for an accurate diagnosis, and subsequent effective treatment. We have developed a web-based bulletin board system which can be used by any clinician with access to the internet to view clinical images of skin diseases with accompanying clinical findings. METHODS: A web-based bulletin board system was developed for the internet. The system is designed to operate independently of client hardware and software using hyper text markup language so participants using different platforms can access and use the site effectively. RESULTS: Any participant can easily upload a diagnostic image to the board along with relevant clinical information. Other participants can make comments regarding the presented case which may prove useful to the presenter in diagnosis and development of an effective treatment modality. CONCLUSION: Our web-based bulletin board system for discussion of skin diseases has the potential to help in the diagnosis and treatment of various skin diseases. Dissemination of information relating to clinical cases and participation of a widespread audience of experienced clinicians will allow better practice of dermatology and aid in further training of inexperienced clinicians.