ABSTRACT
Introduction: In health sector, image functions as a form of document that can convey a considerable amount of information. Employing this type of information can increase the effectiveness of the performance of medical experts. This study aimed to survey how health experts use medical images in their practice
Methods: This applied qualitative study was carried out in 1392 [2013]. The study population constituted 25 medical experts from 17 disciplines in basic sciences and clinical sciences at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interview and were analyzed based on the Grounded Theory approach
Results: Participants described various advantages for using images. They considered image as a kind of document that can convey a maximum amount of information in a minimum amount of time. These experts considered images as an integral part of medical education especially in the way images can objectify various concepts. Among content and structural features, color attraction and three-dimensional structure of images as well as the attractiveness of the texts were found to be effective in practice
Conclusion: As the experts understand the significance of images as part of medical education and for this reason, they emphasize using them in their teaching, research, and treatment activities
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The medical image as a source of non-textual information has an important role in the field of medicine. Since the quality of life is directly related to health, employing this type of information is effective in improving the practice of health professionals. This study was aimed to survey medical image retrieval in the Web from the perspective of experts in medical sciences
Methods: This qualitative research study was conducted by means of a semi-structured interview with 25 medical experts. The data were analyzed on the basis of the grounded theory approach
Results: According to experts' opinion the following reasons were responsible for the retrieval of medical images on the Web: educational, research, and medical applications of images, instrumental and training role of images, benefits, importance and special characteristics of medical images, and motives such as personal, educational and research interests. Participants of this study used non-technical search engines and technical resources such as medical databases to retrieve these images on the Web. Their methods of recovery consist of browsing, accidental retrieval, purposeless and purposeful search, and diverse search. Experts have mentioned individual, organizational, systemic and technical issues as the most important problems in the area of medical image retrieval
Conclusion: The results showed that image retrieval is important for the experts. Despite numerous difficulties in retrieving images, the image is still the best type of information in the medical profession. To improve physicians' access to and retrieval of medical images, it is recommended to hold training courses for search strategies and retrieval of images