Case report summary browsing system for education of pharmaceutical students through the Internet

We have developed a patient case database at Gunma University Hospital. The transmission of the data contained in this database via the Internet is protected by SSH encryption technology. The database may also function as an education tool for medical and pharmaceutical students who can access this system through the Internet using a special browser system that we have also developed. In a survey questionnaire relating to our system conducted among graduate students, most responded positively to its usefulness as an opportunity for exposure to actual clinical practice. Because this system can introduce students to realistic and daily practices at hospitals, it might have a great impact on Japanese pharmaceutical education in universities or pharmaceutical colleges where early exposure to actual hospital practices is not appropriately included in the curriculum. In addition, our system will function to establish a mutual feedback system between hospitals and basic research institutions such as pharmaceutical universities.