Multimedia PDQ Prototype

PDQ (Physician Data Query) is a set of related files produced by the National Cancer Institute,International Cancer Information Center and available online on CD-ROM, via facsimile (subset) and viaInternet (subset). PDQ contains information on the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer. PDQis currently a text-only database. We will greatly enhance the comprehension of PDQ information bypresenting it via multimedia objects (audio, images, animation and full-motion video) in addition to thetext. During Phase I, we will generate an operational prototype for a breast cancer subset of PDQ,employing sample multimedia objects of all those types. In addition, we will generate a specification forthe dissemination, by NCI to vendors, of those multimedia objects using 8mm cartridge tape as themedium. The specification will be assigned to the public domain. Finally, we will demonstrate thedissemination of multimedia PDQ objects via the Internet. In Phase II, the multimedia content will beextended to all of PDQ, the distribution specification will be finalized and officially submitted forstandards body approval, and the dissemination via telecommunications will be extended to the NREN(National Research and Education Network) and the HPCC (High Performance Computing andCommunications) network.