2006 Informatics Courses and API Meetings

PRACTICAL INFORMATICS COURSE

Practical Informatics is an intensive introduction to knowledge and skills needed to use information systems effectively in the practice of pathology and oncology informatics.  The course is intended both for those with a limited background in informatics as well as for those wishing to enhance their foundation and understanding of core informatics principles.  The course will be given in two sessions.

SESSION 1: Core Concepts in Informatics 
Tuesday, August 15, 2006, 6:30 – 9:30 PM

6:30 – 8:30  Desktop Computers and Networking
John H. Sinard, MD, PhD

This lecture will be divided into three parts of approximately 35-40 minutes each, with a 5 minute break
between each.

Part 1: Desktop computer hardware:  An explanation of the meaning and details underlying elements of desktop computer specifications, including processor speed, different types of memory chips, and peripheral interfaces (serial and parallel)

Part 2: Desktop computer software:  A discussion of operating system architecture, executable vs non-
executable “software”, digital storage of various types of data, and the basics of computer programming
languages.

Part 3: Networking and the Internet:  An introduction to network topologies and communication logic,
internet messaging traffic, web servers and static vs. dynamic web pages.

8:30 – 9:30 Digital Imaging in Pathology
Anil Parwani, MD

Basic concepts of digital imaging (pixels, resolution, image size), image acquisition and workstation design, image storage and archiving, common uses of digital imaging, introduction to telepathology and whole slide imaging

SESSION 2: Special Topics in Informatics
Wednesday, August 16, 2006, 1:00 –4:00 PM

1:00 – 2:00  Databases and Data Storage
 John H. Sinard, MD, PhD

Database terminology and conceptualization, relational databases, database normalization, database abstraction, database management systems, data integrity, and SQL

2:00 – 3:00  Clinical Applications of Telepathology and Whole Slide Imaging  
Anil Parwani, MD

Historical perspective, static vs. dynamic telepathology, proven uses and clinical applications of telepathology, whole slide imaging: theory, practice, clinical applications, and future potential

3:00 – 4:00  HL7
Jules J. Berman, PhD, MD and Ulysses J. Balis, MD

The Association for Pathology Informatics (API) is committed to creating a new specification for pathology-related images.  The specification will permit pathologists and researchers to annotate images with clinical, histologic, and analytic data and convey this information along with the binary image object, in a well-described format.  The project is called the Laboratory Digital Imaging Project (LDIP).  We are currently in the second year of this effort (that began in October, 2004). The LDIP committee has over 40 members and is composed of software vendors, service pathologists, informaticians, image experts, and researchers.

Currently we are creating an XML namespace for image data elements using an RDF (Rich Description Framework) model. The RDF model was chosen to support data integration with diverse data sets and to facilitate the future development of applications that will port image data between preferred standards (e.g. DICOM and OME). The purpose of the APIII session is to review the work done so far, and to provide LDIP committee members with a forum for soliciting ideas and opinions from the user community.

The Imaging Working Group session is open to all attendees of APIII.

Association for Pathology Informatics (API) Membership Meeting

Friday, August 18, 2006, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

The Association for Pathology Informatics (API), a joint-sponsor of APIII, will hold an annual business meeting at APIII 2006.  This meeting is open to members as well as non-members who may be interested in joining API.  The purpose of the API is to advance pathology informatics as an academic discipline and a clinical subspecialty of pathology.  The main goal of the business meeting will be to update members on API organizational activities and progress.  The meeting also provides an opportunity for potential new members to meet the API leadership and learn about our member services. Anyone involved in or interested in any aspect of pathology informatics is strongly encouraged to join API.  Membership application materials for those wishing to join API will be available through the APIII conference and are also available on-line at www.pathologyinformatics.org