"Topics in International Health" is a CD-ROM series of educational materials aimed at doctors in training and other healthcare professionals. The series covers major causes of disease and death in developing countries, such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The discs enable the user to become better equipped to diagnose, treat and control these diseases, and so to reduce the burden they place on humanity.

Material is presented in two formats: tutorials and image collection. Tutorials are didactic in approach and guide users logically through the training materials. The information is layered, with key points on screen and supplementary information in popup boxes. Information is presented in clear English to increase accessibility for users without English as a first language. Tutorials are visually attractive and include a range of interactive elements. The image collection is a database of photographs with full descriptions, which the user can interrogate. This resource incorporates sophisticated functionality such as Boolean searches. The images complement and extend the tutorials, for example showing the range in clinical presentation of a condition. A glossary enhances learning by providing simple definitions of key medical and scientific terms.

CD-ROM was chosen because it best matches the requirements for multimedia content delivery with IT infrastructure in the developing world. The media chosen are primarily text and photographs. Complementing the images are drawn graphics commissioned to illustrate key concepts. Judicious use is also made of animation, videos and sound. To date these CDs have been used by more than 17,000 people in 70 countries worldwide.