ISSUE 3
![[ SIM logo ]](../images/logo.gif){kind=logo}
![[ SIM Quarterly ]](../images/sim_quarterly.gif)
| Issue 3, December 1997 | ISSN 1368-1591 |
Annual Report of the Society for the Internet in Medicine
1. Introduction and Background
The Society for the Internet in Medicine
(SIM) was launched in October 1996 at MEDNET 96 - European Congress of
the Internet in Medicine. It came into being as a result of developments
in the area of the Internet in Medicine that had taken place at the Royal
Sussex County Hospital (RSCH), Brighton, UK. In December 1994, information
regarding RSCH was placed on the World-Wide-Web resulting in much interest
from the medical community around the UK and beyond. Subsequently, a one
day meeting - Towards an Information Superhighway in Medicine was held
in July 1995 at the University of Sussex, Brighton, UK. The success of
this meeting prompted individuals from the Sussex area to organise
MEDNET 96 at the Brighton Conference Centre, Brighton, UK which was
attended by an international body of delegates. An open business meeting
was held at MEDNET 96 to discuss how the project should be taken forward,
and as a result SIM was created, with an initial remit to ensure that a
further conference on the Internet in Medicine was held. SIM now has members
from over 40 different countries and is involved in a range of projects
as well as the MEDNET series of conferences.
2. Membership
Membership growth has been reasonable and sustained since SIM was opened to public membership in March 1997, in part because of the policy of offering a substantial discount for members attending MEDNET. We will find out more about whether the Society is meeting it's members' expectations when membership renewals start to fall due in the Spring.
In some cases, registration fees
have been waived or reduced. Examples of these include institutions
from the developing world, or companies which have showed a substantial
committment to the Society in terms of sponsorship.
Personal members (October 21st, 1997):
213
Commercial members:
9
Institutional members:
5
Personal membership growth by month:
| March | 22 |
| April | 30 |
| May | 27 |
| June | 22 |
| July | 28 |
| August | 41 |
| September | 39 |
| to October 21st | 18 |
Membership by country (not including commercial members)
South America
Argentina 4
Brazil 2
Chile 2
Peru
2
-----
10
Far East and Pacific Rim
Australia 7
Indonesia 1
Japan 2
New Zealand 1
-----
11
Europe
Austria
1
Belgium
6
Croatia
1
Czech Republic
5
Denmark
3
Estonia
1
Finland
1
France
4
Germany
3
Greece
3
Ireland
2
Italy
9
Norway
2
Poland
1
Portugal
2
Republic of Moldova 1
Russia
2
Slovakia
2
Spain
7
Sweden
4
The Netherlands 12
Ukraine
1
United Kingdom 91
Yugoslavia
1
------
165
North America
Canada 3
Mexico 2
USA
17
-----
22
Middle East
Israel 2
Lebanon 1
Saudi Arabia 2
United Arab
Emirates 2
-----
7
Africa
Nigeria 1
-----
1
Asia
Bangladesh 1
India
1
-----
2
3. Activities
Apart from the organisation of MEDNET 97, the activities of the Society have revolved around five areas:
3.1 The Society for the Internet
in Medicine Quarterly web-journal
Editor: Bruce McKenzie
SIMQ has now had 2 issues, both of which have been well received. There have been approximately 25,000 hits since it first went live in June.
A significant amount of work was required to set SIMQ up, which should be credited to Bruce McKenzie, who has volunteered to be the SIMQ editor for it's first year. It is clear that the on-going workload can be reduced by the use of more automation. The Editorial Board are examining this issue.
Bruce's editorial post falls vacant after the March issue in 1998.
3.2 Web site
Webmaster: Ramsey Badawi
This can safely be described as a problem area for the Society. The website is distributed, with data and cgi scripts residing on six different servers. The look and feel of the site is dated. Maintenance of the membership list is laborious and needs to be automated. A significant part of the problem could be solved by appointing a dedicated web-master with no other Society responsibilities. This should be done in conjunction with a rationalisation of the site. It is probably desirable to incorporate the SIMQ site into the main SIM site.
It would certainly be possible to relocate the website at an academic institution such as Queensland University of Technology, the University of Sussex or the United Medical and Dental Schools, London. However, there is the possibility of attracting commercial sponsorship/hosting for the web-site, and this should be investigated.
3.3 Official Journal
"Medical Informatics" has been adopted as the official journal of the Society, and a member of the Society's Executive Committee (currently Clive Baldock) sits on the Editorial Board of the Journal. Members involved in research and development are encouraged to submit papers to the Journal. There will be a special issue of Medical Informatics containing papers arising from MEDNET 97.
3.4 sim listserver
List-owner: Ramsey Badawi
The sim listserver has enjoyed a remarkable expansion since it's creation in February 1997. It now has well over 700 subscribers from 65 different countries.
The sim list has a hypermail archive sponsored by Venus Internet, and is generating an average of approximately one message per day. Maintenance of the list on its own is not a significant burden - however, the list-owner recommends that it is done by someone with no other Society responsibilities.
3.5 Services to members
The Society has negotiated the following services for it's members:
- Free (limited) web space courtesy
of Venus Internet
- Substantially reduced subscription
to Medical Informatics
- The Society is currently finalising
a deal with Mitsubishi Electric for reduced prices to members for ISP and
hardware services.
Personal members also enjoy reduced registration fees to Society events (such as MEDNET).
The current intention is to actively
seek to increase the portfolio of services to members, and the Executive
committee is interested to hear from members regarding the kinds of services
they would like to see offered by the Society.
4. MEDNET 97
A report on MEDNET 97 will be created
and distributed after the
conference.
5. External Affairs
Relationships have been developed
between the Society and the following
organisations:
American Medical Informatics Assocation
Internet Working Group
British Computer Society
British Healthcare Internet Association
British Medical Informatics Society
European Federation for Medical
Informatics
International Medical Informatics
Association
Internet Healthcare Coalition
The following companies have been particularly helpful:
Mitsubishi Electric PC division
Venus Internet Ltd
Pavilion Internet Ltd
Taylor and Francis Ltd
Elecomm Corporation
Other companies have assisted the
Society with MEDNET 97 in particular -
these include:
Sun Microsystems
Microsoft
Trident Health
Cable and Wireless
Organised Computer Systems Ltd
BioMedNet
MDConsult
Caducee.net
6. Administration
The bulk of the administrative work including handling of subscription fees has been carried out by the University of Sussex as part of the MEDNET conference management contract.
A smaller amount of work, involving
the sending of electronic welcome letters, subscription to the listserver
and additions to the web-pages has been performed by the Secretary. This
work lends itself to automation and this should be incorporated into the
web-site re-structuring project.
7. Summary
In it's first year, SIM has created
several projects of value, and has started to provide a useful portfolio
of services for it's members. However, the challenge of the second
year will be to encourage sufficient participation in these projects by
active and interested parties that they become self-sustaining.
Clive Baldock (Chairman)
Ramsey Badawi (Secretary)
Clive Baldock BSc MSc MIPSM MInstP CPhys
Lecturer in Physical Sciences
Centre for Medical and Health Physics
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane, Australia
Ramsey Badawi BSc MSc
Guy's and St. Thomas' Clinical PET Centre
United Medical and Dental Schools
London, UK
Held at 3 pm on Wednesday, 5th November 1997 at the Brighton Centre, Brighton, East Sussex, UK.
1. Apologies for absence
Dr P Lopez
Professor A Todd-Pokropek
2. Chairman's introduction
Mr Baldock opened the meeting and welcomed members to the Society's first AGM.
3. Annual Report
Mr Badawi presented highlights of the annual report for 1996-97.
In answer to a question from a member, Mr Badawi agreed to investigate the possibility of obtaining cheaper web space once the Society is registered as a charity.
MOTION: That the annual report be accepted.
Moved by: Dr S F Keevil Seconded by: Mr C Baldock
Carried nem con, with one abstention.
4. Accounts for 1996-97
Dr Keevil presented highlights of the Society's accounts for 1996-97.
Dr Risk asked whether the projection that Mednet97 would break even included provision for the shortfall in 1996. Dr Keevil said that it did not.
MOTION: That the accounts for 1996-97 be accepted.
Moved by: Mr C Baldock Seconded by: Mr R Badawi
Carried nem con, with one abstention.
5. Elections of Officers and Executive Committee for 1997-98
Mr Badawi said that Dr HM Mahroof had told him that he had attempted to stand for election to the Executive Committee ahead of the deadline, but his e-mail had failed. He had kindly offered to stand down, and assist the Society in other ways.
One valid nomination having been received for each of the posts of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and four for membership of the Executive Committee, the following were declared elected unopposed.
- Chairman: Mr Clive Baldock
- Secretary: Dr Stephen Keevil
- Treasurer: Dr Michael North
- Ordinary Members of Executive Committee:
- Dr Theodoros Arvanitis
- Mr Ramsey Badawi
- Dr Oscar Gyde
- Dr Marcelo Sosa
Mr Badawi explained that up to a further two members could be co-opted by the Executive Committee.
6. Formation of a Registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee.
Mr Badawi explained that the Executive Committee was exploring the possibility of registering the Society in the UK as a company limited by guarantee, and as a charity. This would have various legal and financial advantages, and by limiting the personal financial liability of members would allow the Society to run commercial ventures in its own name. Discussions with solicitors had begun, and the total cost was estimated at £1,500. Registration would entail adopting a new constitution, which would be put to a membership referendum.
After discussion, it was agreed that the referendum could be conducted by e-mail, but that members' responses should be printed out and returned.
MOTION: That the Executive Committee be empowered to pursue registration of the Society as a Company Limited by Guarantee and as a Registered Charity.
Moved by: Mr R Badawi Seconded by: Dr S F Keevil
Carried nem con, with one abstention.
Dr Keevil said that until the new constitution was adopted, it might be necessary to make minor changes to the existing constitution to facilitate the process of registering as a company and a charity. The Executive Committee was seeking extension to its power to modify the constitution without reference to the membership solely to meet this eventuality.
MOTION: That Clause S of the Constitution of the Society be modified by deleting the whole clause and inserting:
'The constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at a general meeting. The notice of the general meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed.
Prior to the second annual general meeting of the Society, the constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the Executive Committee present and voting at an ordinary meeting of the Executive Committee, provided that these modifications are limited to those necessary in the view of the Executive Committee to facilitate registration of the Society as a Company Limited by Guarantee and as a Registered Charity. The notice of the general meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed.'
Moved by: Dr S F Keevil Seconded by: Mr R Badawi
Carried nem con.
This motion received the assent of not less than two thirds of the members present and voting, and the constitution of the Society is therefore modified accordingly.
7. The Society for the Internet in Medicine and the Internet Healthcare Coalition
Dr Risk described the benefits of joining the Coalition at a cost of $50.
MOTION: That the Society for the Internet in Medicine join the Internet Healthcare Coalition
Moved by: Dr. A Risk Seconded by: Mr. R Badawi
Carried nem con.
8. Any other business (notified in advance to the Chairman).
Professor Winding suggested that the name of the Society be changed to The International Society for the Internet in Medicine (ISIM).
After discussion, a poll of members present showed 17 in favour of retaining the current name, and 14 in favour of changing to ISIM, with seven abstentions.
In view of the close result, the Executive Committee agreed to include the proposed name change as an option in the forthcoming constitutional referendum.
9. Close of Meeting
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Stephen Keevil
Secretary 1st December 1997.
Stephen Keevil
Lecturer in Radiological Sciences & Head of Magnetic Resonance Physics
United Medical and Dental Schools
London, UK
Explanatory notes:
The Society was opened to public membership in March 1997. These accounts cover a period of approximately seven months to 21st October 1997.
Day-to-day financial administration of the Society is currently handled
by the Centre for Advanced Software Applications (CASA) at the University
of Sussex, United Kingdom.
1. MEMBERSHIP
| Paid-up | Subscription
outstanding |
Complimentary | Total | |
|
Personal
|
123
|
67
|
23
|
213
|
|
Institutional
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
5
|
|
Commercial
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
9
|
2. INCOME
Paid-up membership
Personal membership 123@ £ 25.00
£3075.00
Commercial membership 3@ £200.00
£ 600.00
Institutional membership 1@ £200.00 £
200.00
Interest on bank account
£ 4.15
Total: £3879.15
3. EXPENDITURE
Credit card handling fee
£34.00
BALANCE £3845.15
4. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS
SIM account at Barclay's bank
on 17/10/97*
£1479.15
Subsequently paid in by CASA
£ 650.00
Held in MEDNET account at CASA**
£1716.00
Total: £3845.15
Note:
The Executive Committee has begun discussions with Bates, Wells and Braithwaite, solicitors, who are specialists in charity law. This firm is advising us on the transition to a company limited by guarantee with registered charity status. The cost of this work, if the membership agrees to renew the Executive's mandate to pursue this course of action, is estimated at £1,200-1,500 plus VAT.
* This is the date of the last statement of account received.
** This represents subscriptions paid by credit card, which are processed
through the MEDNET account in the interests of economy and will later be
transferred to the SIM account.
5. FINANCIAL POSITION OF SIM ACTIVITIES
5.1 MEDNET 96
Our inaugural congress showed a loss of the order of £12,000.
This has been generously underwritten by the Trafford Centre for Medical
Research, University of Sussex. The Society and its members have
no liability in this regard. We have agreed that the Trafford Centre
has first call on the first £12,000 of any surplus made by subsequent
congresses which it underwrites.
5.2 MEDNET 97
MEDNET 97 has again been generously underwritten by the Trafford Centre for Medical Research.
The financial position of MEDNET 97 will not be clear until after the
congress. However, at the time of writing we are optimistic that
the congress will break even. This is despite the fact that we have
maintained registration fees at last year's rates for members of the Society.
Dr. Stephen Keevil
Honorary Treasurer
Stephen Keevil
Lecturer in Radiological Sciences & Head of Magnetic Resonance Physics
United Medical and Dental Schools
London, UK
CONTENTS | EDITORIAL | COLUMNS | REVIEWS | SHORT PAPERS | MEETING REPORTS | ANNOUNCEMENTS | HOME | SEND COMMENT | SUBMIT CONTENT
Society for the Internet in Medicine
Comments to: simq@cybertas.demon.co.uk
Copyright © 1997 Society for the Internet in Medicine. All rights reserved.
Date: December 7, 1997
Document URL: http://www.cybertas.demon.co.uk/simq/issue3/columns.html