Creating a website as a tool for free exchange of information

among medical research groups and researchers.

Paul BOON, Kristl VONCK and Pieter CLAEYS  

Clinical and Experimental Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology,

Ghent University Hospital,

Belgium 

Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy

Laboratory for Clinical and Experimental Neurophysiology

Context

• Traditional purpose(s) of website:– Source of information for customers and

professionals (presenting products, services, projects, staff, researchers, advertising events, publicity and commercials, …)

– Communication platform; indirect versus interactive

– Administrative and scientific management of meetings

Context

• More recent applications: – Publishing research (electronic versions of

paper journals, full electronic journals)– Providing access to research data that can

be downloaded directly

http://www.neuroepigroup.com

• Website of a medical research group• Presenting clinical programmes,

services and staff• Providing information on field of interest

for general public and professional users

• Presenting research group, c.v. of researchers, projects and collaborations

http://www.neuroepigroup.com

• Providing direct access to published abstracts, articles, thesises and presentations of the research group

• Providing platform for data exchange and discussion with collaborating research groups

Problems

• Public exposure of medical professionals (deontological considerations and Medical Council regulations)

• Copyright (transfer) published manuscripts• Information embargo during time between

acceptance and publication of manuscripts• Conflict between publication and patenting

process• Protection against uncontrolled copying• Different levels of access and confidentiality for

different users

Conclusions

• Need for more specific regulations for physicians with regard to the internet

• Need for new copyright regulations with regard to electronic media

• Need for specific information and guidelines for websites used as platforms for scientific interaction between researchers

Epilepsy Research Group Ghent University Hospital

• Clinical and Experimental Neurophysiology Laboratory (Heymans Institute)

Stefanie DEDEURWAERDERE, Pieter CLAEYS, Robrecht RAEDT, Leen SEYS, Tim DE SMET, Kristl VONCK, Paul BOON

• Neuroradiology -MR UnitEric ACHTEN, Karel De BLAERE, Pieter VANDEMAELE, An

THIELEMANS

• Nuclear Medicine - SPECT – PETKoen VAN LAERE, Rudy DIERCKX

• Experimental Neurophysiology and Signal AnalysisPeter VAN HESE, Michel D’HAVE, Rik VANDEWALLE, Ignace

LEMAHIEU

• Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy – Department of NeurologyPaul BOON, Lutgard GOOSSENS, Kristl VONCK, Michel D’HAVE,Geert MICHIELSEN, Liesbeth DE GROOTE, Veerle DE HERDT,Jacques DE REUCK, Nicole BLANCKAERT, Kathleen ONGENAE, Annie WEYMEERSCH, Alice DEWILDE, Monique THIENPONT, Tania HELLEPUTTE and Neurology nursing team

Ghent University Hospital

•