title: Constructing a knowledge-based database for dermatological integrative medical information.
abstract: Recently, overuse of steroids and immunosuppressive drugs has produced incurable dermatological health problems. Traditional medical approaches have been studied for alternative solutions. However, accessing relevant information is difficult given the differences in information for western medicine (WM) and traditional medicine (TM). Therefore, an integrated medical information infrastructure must be utilized to bridge western and traditional treatments. In this study, WM and TM information was collected based on literature searches and information from internet databases on dermatological issues. Additionally, definitions for unified terminology and disease categorization based on individual cases were generated. Also a searchable database system was established that may be a possible model system for integrating both WM and TM medical information on dermatological conditions. Such a system will yield benefits for researchers and facilitate the best possible medical solutions for patients. The DIMI is freely available online.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeeyoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yunju
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyunsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Moochang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Minkyu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yangseok
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim