Clinical evaluation of a telemedicine platform for digital watermarking of radiology images

Perakis, K; Haritou, M; Kordatzakis, A; Androulidakis, A; Zografos, G; Koutsouris, D

dc.contributor.author	Perakis, K	en
dc.contributor.author	Haritou, M	en
dc.contributor.author	Kordatzakis, A	en
dc.contributor.author	Androulidakis, A	en
dc.contributor.author	Zografos, G	en
dc.contributor.author	Koutsouris, D	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T01:58:35Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T01:58:35Z
dc.date.issued	2009	en
dc.identifier.issn	1479649X	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/28690
dc.relation.uri	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-68749112761&partnerID=40&md5=55755d18d8ad5a308e6b1fb84ace4a83	en
dc.subject.other	access to information	en
dc.subject.other	article	en
dc.subject.other	clinical assessment	en
dc.subject.other	clinical evaluation	en
dc.subject.other	confidentiality	en
dc.subject.other	digital mammography	en
dc.subject.other	feasibility study	en
dc.subject.other	Greece	en
dc.subject.other	information retrieval	en
dc.subject.other	information technology	en
dc.subject.other	patient information	en
dc.subject.other	pilot study	en
dc.subject.other	radiology image digital watermarking	en
dc.subject.other	teleconsultation	en
dc.subject.other	telemedicine	en
dc.subject.other	teleradiology	en
dc.title	Clinical evaluation of a telemedicine platform for digital watermarking of radiology images	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.publicationDate	2009	en
heal.abstract	Objective: Data such as images transmitted as part of telemedicine consultations should ensure maximum patient confidentiality. One way to enhance this is through the use of a digital watermark. This can hold information which is not visible to users viewing the image unless they have a key to unlock the digital watermark. The information held in a digital watermark can also be used for other purposes such as indexation. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility and user views on a telemedicine platform for digital watermarking of radiology images. Methods: Mammograms taken in a health centre in Athens were scanned and digitally watermarked with a variety of information including patient details, their identity number and details of the centre where the mammograms had been taken. The digitally watermarked mammograms were transmitted to a Breast Unit in Athens for clinical assessment. At the Breast Unit the watermarks were unlocked by a clinician with a digital key, and after evaluation the images with additional text such as a diagnosis or a report incorporated in the digital watermark were transmitted back to the health centre. A questionnaire was given to the 10 medical personnel who participated in the pilot study to evaluate their views on the system and the digital watermarking tool. Results: A total of 39 mammograms were successfully transmitted with a digital watermark over a 4 week period. Users found the digital watermarking tool easy to use. The majority of the personnel felt that the additional information embedded with the watermark was comprehensive and useful. In addition they felt that the security precautions of the application guaranteed both the integrity of the images as well as the privacy of medical data. Conclusion: Digital watermarking can easily be incorporated into a telemedicine platform. It enhances security and confidentiality of patient data and provides other benefits such as data integrity, efficient image archiving and retrieval. © The Journal on Information Technology in Healthcare.	en
heal.journalName	Journal on Information Technology in Healthcare	en
dc.identifier.volume	7	en
dc.identifier.issue	3	en
dc.identifier.spage	160	en
dc.identifier.epage	168	en