CHORUS: a computer-based radiology handbook for international collaboration via the World Wide Web

Abstract

To facilitate collaboration among physicians, a computer-based radiology handbook was developed and published electronically via the World Wide Web on the Internet. This system, called CHORUS (Collaborative Hypertext of Radiology), allows physicians without computer expertise to read documents, contribute knowledge, and critically review the handbook's content by using a simple, graphical user interface from virtually any type of computer system. CHORUS contains 1,168 "note-card" documents that describe radiologic findings; differential diagnoses; technical information; and pertinent anatomy, pathology, and physiology. Documents are indexed by title and by organ system and are linked to related documents. Data entry forms allow physicians to comment on published documents, submit new documents, and review submitted documents. CHORUS uses public-domain technologies to present useful, easily accessible knowledge for education and clinical decision making, and it provides a medium for international medical collaboration via the Internet.