DICOM Training

The DICOM standard is the world's most important standard in the field of medical imaging: It describes file formats for medical images, reports and measurement data and defines network services for exchanging images and supporting the medical workflow. However, with more than 7000 pages, DICOM is a highly complex specification. Our courses offer a targeted introduction to the most important topics of the DICOM standard - from the basics to newer DICOM extensions.

The training courses are primarily intended for service staff, software developers and technically interested users working in the DICOM domain. Usually, the training courses take place online. On-site training courses at your company or organization are also possible on request. The current range of training courses is described below.

In case you are interested in DICOM related training courses, please contact one of the contact persons at OFFIS or write an email to dicom@offis.de including details of your request. Please write “[Schulung]” at the begining of the subject. Our general terms and conditions apply. 

 

DICOM Training Courses

15th/16th April 2024 DICOM Intensive Course (new), online
17th/18th April 2024  DICOM Tools & Troubleshooting, online
21th/22th October 2024  DICOM Intensive Course (new), online
23th/24th October 2024  DICOM Advanced, online

All courses: early bird discount for registrations up to six weeks before the course date!
All DICOM training courses are offered in cooperation with
J. Riesmeier and Open Connections GmbH.

 

Range of training courses

The current range of training courses encompasses the following courses which are available in German or English:

 

DICOM Intensive Course

Objective You will receive an introduction and a comprehensive overview of the DICOM standard. You will learn how the DICOM data structures and file format are designed and how communication works on the network. The most important DICOM services for storing, querying and exchanging medical information will be introduced. Practical exercises ex­tend and deepen the presentation.
Contents The DICOM standard: background and struc­ture; DICOM data structures; network communication; databases in DICOM; modal­ity workflow; DICOM file format and storage media; DICOM image format; non­-image DICOM objects; compression; display consistency; DICOM conformance statement; maintenance of the DICOM standard
Requirements None
Target Group Service and support staff, software developers and technically interested users working in the DICOM domain
Language English
Duration 2 days
Upcoming Dates See list of training dates above.
 

DICOM Intensive Course - Online - 4 half days

Objective You will receive a basic introduction and a comprehensive overview of the DICOM standard relevant to the field of medical image communication. You will learn how the DICOM data structures and file format are structured, how communication works on the network, and how the relevant DICOM services can be used to exchange medical information. Your benefit is an efficient introduction and know-how transfer by competent speakers who have been dealing with the subject for many years.
Contents History and organization of the DICOM standard, data structures and information objects, file format and encoding rules, association negotiation and message exchange in a network, basic network services (verification, storage), structure of DICOM images, well-established network services (query/retrieve, worklist management/MPPS, storage commitment, print management), storage media and storage media exchange, conformance statement, compression in DICOM, display consistency, overview of further DICOM services.
Requirements None
Target Group Service and support staff, software developers and technically interested users working in the DICOM domain. This course takes place online over 4 half days from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. CET/CEST, corresponding to 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST/CDT. It is therefore well suited for participants from the American continent.
Language English
Duration 4 half days
Upcoming Dates See list of training dates above.
 

DICOM Toolkit DCMTK

Objective You will receive a comprehensive overview of the DICOM toolkit DCMTK and the command line programs contained therein. In addition to the basic structure of the DCMTK, all public modules are presented in detail. There is also the possibility to discuss specific requirements and current problems from the field. Its benefit is an efficient entry and transfer of know-how by competent speakers who have contributed significantly to the DCMTK over the years.
Contents DCMTK's development history, architecture of the toolkit, public modules (overview, examples of use, command line tools), current developments, overview of non-public modules, practical use of selected DCMTK tools, implementation strategies, discussion of specific requirements.
Requirements Knowledge of the DICOM standard, ideally acquired in the DICOM Intensive Course
Target Group Service and support staff, software developers and technically interested users working in the DICOM domain
Language English
Duration 1 day
Upcoming Dates On request
 

DICOM Compact Course

Objective You will receive a non-technical introduction to the IT systems and structures used in the field of medical imaging, as well as the fundamentals of network technology. You will learn how the DICOM standard works, what services it offers, and how it interacts with other standards to support typical imaging workflows. Your benefit is an efficient introduction to the basics of medical image communication by competent speakers who have been dealing with the subject for many years.
Contents Overview of hospital IT systems (basics of network communication) introduction to the DICOM standard, basic network services, storage media exchange, files (images, measurements, signal data), image compression, security solutions, configuration options - overview of other relevant standards and initiatives.
Target Group Product manager, sales staff and users from the DICOM environment
Language English
Duration 1 day
Upcoming Dates On request
 

DICOM Advanced Topics

Objective You will gain an in-depth look at a number of advanced DICOM concepts that have been introduced to the standard only in recent years and are being used in new information objects and services. These still quite new concepts are becoming increasingly important and are in part already being implemented in current systems. Your benefit is a well-founded introduction to these advanced DICOM concepts based on six selected subject areas.
Contents Brief introduction to key DICOM developments in recent years, new information objects based on the enhanced multiframe model, DICOM Whole Slide Imaging (WSI), Web based DICOM services (DICOMweb), structured documentation and structured data exchange using DICOM structured reporting (SR) and controlled terminology, advanced workflow support with unified worklist and procedure step (UPS), the DICOM security extensions (network user authentication, encrypted network connections using TLS, de-identification and pseudonymization of DICOM data, digital signatures, audit trail). The presentations are complemented by practical exercises.
Requirements Knowledge of the DICOM standard, e.g. from the DICOM Intensive Course; this course teaches new enhanced data structures and services that have only been introduced to the DICOM standard in recent years. For some of the practical exercises a notebook computer is needed.
Target Group Service and support staff, software developers, technically interested users from the DICOM environment
Language English
Duration 2 days
Upcoming Dates See list of training dates above.
 

DICOM Tools and Troubleshooting

Objective You will learn how typical problems in DICOM everyday life can be analyzed and mastered, and which open source tools can help you with this. You will also learn, with practical exercises, how to use some of these tools independently, i.e. to configure, execute and analyze the outputs on your own. A special focus of this course is the use of the tools of the DICOM open source toolkit DCMTK. Competent speakers who have been involved in DICOM programming and problem solving for many years will provide you with procedures and tools to successfully solve DICOM problems of the field.
Contents Typical problems and solutions regarding DICOM data structures, files and storage media, network services, DICOM image format and compression with practical exercises. Discussion of individual problems from practice and solutions, overview of "useful" open source and freeware tools.
Requirements Knowledge of the DICOM standard at the level of the DICOM intensive course is assumed; DICOM Tools and Troubleshooting is the ideal supplement to the intensive course, as here the previously theoretically imparted knowledge is deepened by means of problems from practice. A notebook computer is required for the practical exercises. Command line tools are used for the exercises. Basic knowledge of working with the command line is, therefore, assumed.
Target Group Service staff, software developers and technically interested users working in the DICOM domain
Language English
Duration 2 days
Upcoming Dates See list of training dates above.
 

DICOM Toolkit DCMTK for Developers

Objective You will learn how the DICOM toolkit DCMTK is structured, how it is configured and compiled. Numerous aspects of the toolkit are deepened through hands-on exercises, meaning you learn to gradually develop your own programs using the DCMTK. The course is run by DCMTK's main developers, all of whom have many years of experience in software development in the DICOM environment.
Contents Structure, configuration and compilation of the DCMTK; basic functionality (encapsulation of system functions, logging and command line programs); handling DICOM records and files; communication using network services; visualization of DICOM images. Other aspects such as DICOM Structured Reporting; general information about DCMTK's development process and support for further questions.
Requirements Knowledge of the DICOM standard, ideally acquired in the DICOM Intensive Course; programming skills, especially in C++; it is necessary to bring a notebook computer with a DCMTK supported compiler (see INSTALL file) to do the practical exercises.
Target Group Software developers who have basic DICOM experience and want to get to know the DCMTK (better)
Language English
Duration 2 days
Upcoming Dates On request

 

Terms and Conditions

Cancellation of registration has to be made in written form.

If the training course takes place at OFFIS in Oldenburg (Germany) or online, the following applies: For cancellations that are received at least 14 days before the training course begins, 100% of the course fee will be refunded. For cancellations that are received up to 8 days before the training course begins, 50% of the course fee will be invoiced. For later cancellations and for non-attendance of the participant, the complete course fee has to be paid.

If the training course takes place outside of Oldenburg (Germany), the following applies: For cancellations that are received at least 6 weeks before the training course begins, 100% of the course fee will be refunded. For cancellations that are received up to 3 weeks before the training course begins, 50% of the course fee will be invoiced. For later cancellations and for non-attendance of the participant, the complete course fee has to be paid.

The nomination of a substitute participant is always possible.

OFFIS reserves the right to cancel a training course if a minimum of 8 participants is not reached. In this case, the complete course fee will be refunded.


All DICOM training courses are offered in cooperation with J. Riesmeier and Open Connections GmbH .