Techno pearls for digital image management.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The past decade has provided a paradigm shift in image management. Technological advances have enabled affordable, high-quality digital clinical photography. In addition, this technology has enabled doctors to easily compose and present multimedia lectures with programs such as Microsoft PowerPoint. Since most practitioners already possess large numbers of conventional slides and photographs, digitization is required to convert these to a usable format. Depending on the type of image and resolution, it can take anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes to scan each slide. This drawback delays or prevents many practitioners from switching to digital technology. OBJECTIVE: Using a digital camera and the XP version of Windows, some common tasks associated with digital images and PowerPoint presentations may be simplified and facilitated. METHODS: Using common digital cameras and computer image editing software, slides, photographs, radiographs, and textbook images may be digitized in seconds with adequate quality for most common clinical and educational applications. In addition, the use of new dual monitor functionality is discussed. This new technology comes standard with Windows XP and allows the use of two monitors simultaneously, allowing the user to view thumbnail images on one monitor and the PowerPoint presentation on the other monitor. Images may be dragged and dropped into the presentation, thereby avoiding repetitive menu commands. RESULTS: The author shows several techniques and shortcuts to assist the clinical practitioner in digitizing slides and facilitating the management of these images in PowerPoint presentations. CONCLUSION: A digital camera can be used to adequately digitize most slide pictures, and these images can be managed in a more simple and direct manner utilizing the Windows XP operating system that is shipping with most new computers.