Thyroid hormones might lead to significant decrease in pulmonary ventilation in patients with dysfunctional thyroid disorders. The aim of the study was to assess the pulmonary ventilation in patients with thyroid dysfunctional states. This observational, cross-sectional study included 20 patients with hyperthyroidism, 20 patients with hypothyroidism and 20 euthyroid subjects. Serum FT3, FT4 and TSH levels were determined with the ElectroChemiLuminiscent immunoassay. Spirometry analysis was performed on portable spirometer SpiroUSB using the software Spida 5 for the analysis. We determined VC%, FVC%, FEV1% and FVC/ FEV1% Mean VC% was significantly lower in hyperthyroid (94,18±1,24%) and hypothyroid (96,13±1,09%) compared to euthyroid group of subjects (98,54±0,93%)(p

Summary Introduction: XXII European Congress of Medical Informatics (MIe 2009) took place in Sarajevo from August 30th to September 2nd 2009. Assessment of quality of papers presented at MIe 2009 was a process of observation, measurement, comparison and evaluation of the quality of orally presented papers. Methodology: For this study, and for the first time since EFMI founding (1976) and MIE congresses, the authors introduced a specially created quality assessment form with five relevant paper quality variables (methodological approach, international influence, scientific content, language quality, technical features) which the first author of this article used in peer-review process of papers submitted for publication in the journal Acta Informatica Medica (as Editor-in-Chief for last 18 years). The survey was conducted on the principle of random sampling of participants of MIE 2009 Conference in Sarajevo, where specially trained interviewers (final year students of medicine and engineering at the University of Sarajevo) interviewed 33 session’s chairs and 110 participants/listeners of MIE 2009 paper presentations in 33 sessions (of total 40). Data was collected, entered into a specially created database, analyzed and presented. Results: From the total of 150 oral presentations at the MIE 2009, 110 oral presentations were graded by both chairs and participants/ listeners. Grading results were compared and we found that in 60% of cases (66 papers) session chairs gave higher ratings than other participants of the congress. The highest rating was 10, and the lowest 3. Only 3 of the papers received all four grades 10 from the session chairs. The most common grade given by chairs of the session was 8 (26.36%), followed by 7 (20%), 9 (19.32%), 6 (13.18%), 10 and 5 (7.50%), 4 (5%) and 3 (1.14%). Significant differences in quality assessment of papers done by chairs and those done by other participants/listeners are observed. Conclusion: This work should demonstrate the importance of introducing universal (uniform) scale for assessment of articles at conferences that would provide objective and relevant assessment, which has not been the practice. Results obtained using a single standardized scale can be compared to each other and thus improve the quality of the articles and the congress. Future congresses can be organized in this manner and become leading events in certain fields of medical science.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: NONE DECLARED SUMMARY Agency for Quality and Accreditation of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AKAZ) has developed computer based chronic disease register based on the accreditation standards in order to facilitate maintenance of chronic disease registers in the absence of electronic health records, and to speed up and simplify calculation for over 70 clinical indicators from accreditation standards for family medicine teams. This article presents development of the software and its practical use.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: NONE DECLARED SUMMARY Introduction Agency for healthcare quality and accreditation in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AKAZ) is authorized body in the field of healthcare quality and safety improvement and accreditation of healthcare institutions. Beside accreditation standards for hospitals and primary health care centers, AKAZ has also developed accreditation standards for family medicine teams. Methods Software development was primarily based on Accreditation Standards for Family Medicine Teams. Seven chapters / topics: (1. Physical factors; 2. Equipment; 3. Organization and Management; 4. Health promotion and illness prevention; 5. Clinical services; 6. Patient survey; and 7. Patient’s rights and obligations) contain 35 standards describing expected level of family medicine team’s quality. Based on accreditation standards structure and needs of different potential users, it was concluded that software backbone should be a database containing all accreditation standards, self assessment and external assessment details. In this article we will present the development of standardized software for self and external evaluation of quality of service in family medicine, as well as plans for the future development of this software package. Conclusion Electronic data gathering and storing enhances the management, access and overall use of information. During this project we came to conclusion that software for self assessment and external assessment is ideal for accreditation standards distribution, their overview by the family medicine team members, their self assessment and external assessment.

Development of computer networks and introduction and application of new technologies in all aspects of human activity needs to be followed by universities in their transformation on how to approach scientific, research, and education teaching curricula. Development and increased use of distance learning (DL) over the past decade have clearly shown the potential and efficiency of information technology applied in education. Use of information technology in medical education is where medical informatics takes its place as important scientific discipline which ensures benefit from IT in teaching and learning process involved. Definition of telemedicine as "use of technologies based on health care delivered on distance" covers areas such as electronic health, tele-health (eHealth), telematics, but also tele-education. Web based medical education today is offered in different forms--from online lectures, online exams, web based continuous education programs, use of electronic libraries, online medical and scientific databases etc. Department of Medical Informatics of Medical Faculty of University of Sarajevo has taken many steps to introduce distance learning in medical curricula--from organising professional--scientific events (congresses, workshop etc), organizing first tele-exam at the faculty and among first at the university, to offering online lectures and online education material at the Department's website (www.unsa-medinfo.org). Distance learning in medical education, as well as telemedicine, significantly influence health care in general and are shaping the future model of medical practice. Basic computer and networks skills must be a part of all future medical curricula. The impact of technical equipment on patient-doctor relationship must be taken into account, and doctors have to be trained and prepared for diagnosing or consulting patients by use of IT. Telemedicine requires special approach in certain medical fields--tele-consultation, tele-surgery, tele-radiology and other specific telemedicine applications should be introduced to the curricula. Telemedicine and distance learning are best suited for medical education and doctor-to-doctor consultation--first contact between doctor and a patient should stay face-to-face when possible. In this paper, we present the results of the project Introduction and Implementation of Distance Learning at the Medical Faculty of University of Sarajevo and compare it with the following expected outcomes: development and integration of information technology in medical education; creation of flexible infrastructure which will enable access to e-learning to all students and teaching staff; improvement of digital literacy of academic population; ensuring high educational standards to students and teaching staff; helping medical staffto develop "life-long learning" approach in work and education.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: NONE DECLARED In order to speed up and simplify the self assessment and external assessment process, provide better overview and access to Accreditation Standards for Family Medicine Teams and better assessment documents archiving, Agency for Healthcare Quality and Accreditation in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AKAZ) has developed self assessment and externals assessment software for family medicine teams. This article presents the development of standardized software for self and external evaluation of quality of service in family medicine, as well as plans for the future development of this software package.