U.S. patent application number 09/682644 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-08 for creation of a database containing personal health care profiles.
Invention is credited to Davidson, John, Fitall, Simon, Mozayeni, Robert.
Application Number | 20040006488 09/682644 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27569417 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040006488 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fitall, Simon ; et
al. |
January 8, 2004 |
Creation of a database containing personal health care profiles
Abstract
Creation and population of a database of personal health care
information using subjective data, health care behavior, and
medical records A particular embodiment relates to the combination
of data in the form of a personal health profile from the profile
subjects and third parties holding such data. Key data is extracted
from the clinical medical record of the profile subject to create a
first dataset that can be included in a personal health profile.
The personal perceptions of clinical interactions of the profile
subject with health care practitioners and medical care delivery
systems is a second dataset that can be included in a personal
health profile. The health care behavior outside of medical care
delivery systems of the profile subject is a third dataset that can
be included in a personal health profile. In a preferred
embodiment, all three datasets are combined. In other embodiments,
any two of the three datasets could be combined to create unique
personal health profiles. The resultant collection of data is
stored as a personal health profile. The datasets can be updated on
a periodic basis or upon an event, such as a doctor visit. In a
preferred embodiment, an updated profile is generated using the
existing personal health care profile and the updated data
provided. In some embodiments of the present invention, volunteers,
profile subjects, and third party record holders are compensated
for their participation.
Inventors: |
Fitall, Simon; (Hove,
GB) ; Davidson, John; (Laytonsville, MD) ;
Mozayeni, Robert; (Rockville, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOGAN & HARTSON LLP
IP GROUP, COLUMBIA SQUARE
555 THIRTEENTH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
27569417 |
Appl. No.: |
09/682644 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60236661 |
Sep 29, 2000 |
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60236662 |
Sep 29, 2000 |
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60236876 |
Sep 29, 2000 |
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60236875 |
Sep 29, 2000 |
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60263221 |
Jan 23, 2001 |
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60263165 |
Jan 23, 2001 |
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60236663 |
Sep 29, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/2 ;
707/999.104; 707/999.107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 70/60 20180101;
G16H 50/30 20180101; A61B 8/56 20130101; A61B 5/411 20130101; G16H
50/20 20180101; G01S 7/52036 20130101; G06Q 10/10 20130101; G01S
15/8915 20130101; A61B 5/4076 20130101; A61B 5/7264 20130101; A61B
5/02007 20130101; A61B 8/06 20130101; G01S 15/8979 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/2 ;
707/104.1 |
International
Class: |
G06F 007/00; G06F
017/00 |
Claims
1. A system for data collection, the system comprising: a database
configured for storing data; and a server coupled to the database,
the server configured for gathering data over one or more
communication links, the data relating to at least two of the
following data types: data from at least one profile subject
relating to personal health care for the at least one profile
subject; data from at least one health care provider relating to
personal health care for the at least one profile subject; data
from the at least one profile subject relating to personal
perceptions of interactions by the at least one profile subject
with health care providers; data from the at least one profile
subject relating to health care behavior for the at least one
profile subject; and data from at least one third party relating to
the health care behavior of the at least one profile subject.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the communication links is
selected from the group consisting of a telephone communication
link and a computer communication link.
3. The system of claim 2 further comprising an interactive voice
response system configured for gathering data from the at least one
profile subjects and providing the responses from the at least one
profile subjects to the server.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the server is further configured
for storing the gathered data in the database.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the server is further configured
for: prompting the at least one profile subject over the
communication link with questions directed to the personal health
care of the at least one profile subject; and receiving responses
from the at least one profile subject over the communication link
in response to the questions.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the server is further configured
for: prompting the at least one subject for updated data relating
to the personal health care for the at least one profile subject;
and receiving responses from the at least one profile subject over
the network communication link in response to the questions.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the server is further configured
for: prompting at least one health care provider for medical
records relating to the at least one profile subject over the
communication link; and receiving data from the at least one health
care provider over the communication link.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the server is further configured
for: prompting the at least one profile subject with at least one
permission form authorizing a health care provider to provide one
or more medical records relating to the at least one profile
subject over a communication link; and providing the at least one
permission form authorizing the health care provider to provide the
one or more medical records relating to the at least one profile
subject.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the server is further configured
for: prompting the at least one profile subject over the
communication link with questions directed to the personal
perceptions of interactions by the at least one profile subject
with health care providers; and receiving responses from the at
least one profile subject over the communication link in response
to the questions.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the prompted questions relate to
the personal perceptions of the profile subject with respect to the
quality of the medical care and the satisfaction of the medical
care.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the prompted questions relate to
the personal perceptions of the profile subject with respect to the
advice, information, and prescribed treatment by one or more health
care professionals.
12. The system of claim 9 wherein the server is further configured
for: prompting the at least one subject for updated data relating
to the personal perceptions of interactions by the at least one
profile subject with health care providers; and receiving responses
from the at least one profile subject over the network
communication link in response to the questions.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the server is further configured
for:
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the server is further configured
for: prompting the at least one subject for updated data relating
to the health care behavior of the at least one profile subject
regarding an existing condition; and receiving responses from the
at least one profile subject over the network communication link in
response to the questions.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein the server is further configured
for: prompting at least one third party for records relating to the
at least one profile subject of a communication link; and receiving
data from the at least one third party over the communication
link.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the server is further configured
for: prompting the at least one profile subject with at least one
permission form authorizing a third party to provide one or more
records relating to the at least one profile subject over a
communication link; and providing the at least one permission form
authorizing the third party to provide the one or more medical
records relating to the at least one profile subject.
17. The system of claim 1 wherein server is further configured for:
prompting the at least one potential profile subject with screening
questions over the communication link; and receiving responses from
the at least one potential profile subject over the communication
link in response to the screening questions.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein screening the at least one
potential profile subject further comprises the server being
configured for: comparing the responses from the at least one
potential profile subject with candidate population
characteristics; and eliminating a potential profile subject based
on the comparison.
19. The system of claim 17 wherein screening the at least one
potential profile subject further comprises the server being
configured for: comparing the responses from the at least one
potential profile subject with candidate population
characteristics; and classifying a potential profile subject into
one or more studies based on the comparison.
20. The system of claim 17 wherein the screening questions further
comprise questions directed to at least one question selected from
the group consisting of contact details, demographics, lifestyle,
past chronic conditions, current chronic conditions, treatment for
current conditions, and current medications.
21. A method for collecting data, the method comprising the steps
of gathering data related to at least two of the following types of
data types: data from at least one profile subject relating to
personal health care for the at least one profile subject; data
from at least one health care provider relating to personal health
care for the at least one profile subject; data from the at least
one profile subject relating to personal perceptions of
interactions by the at least one profile subject with health care
providers; data from the at least one profile subject relating to
health care behavior for the at least one profile subject; and data
from at least one third party relating to the health care behavior
of the at least one profile subject.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of storing
the gathered data.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of gathering data from
the at least one profile subject relating to personal health care
further comprises the steps of: prompting the at least one profile
subject with questions directed to the personal health care of the
at least one profile subject; and receiving responses from the at
least one profile subject in response to the questions.
24. The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of:
prompting the at least one subject for updated data relating to the
personal health care of the at least one profile subject; and
receiving responses from the at least one profile subject in
response to the questions.
25. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of gathering data from
the at least one health care provider relating to personal health
care for the at least one profile subject further comprises the
steps of: prompting at least one health care provider for medical
records relating to the at least one profile subject; and receiving
data from the at least one health care provider.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of gathering data from
the at least one health care provider relating to personal health
care for the at least one profile subject further comprises the
steps of: prompting the at least one profile subject with at least
one permission form authorizing a health care provider to provide
one or more medical records relating to the at least one profile
subject; and providing the at least one permission form authorizing
the health care provider to provide the one or more medical records
relating to the at least one profile subject.
27. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of gathering data from
the at least one profile subject relating to personal perceptions
of interactions by the at least one profile subject with health
care providers further comprises the steps of: prompting the at
least one profile subject with questions directed to the personal
perceptions of interactions by the at least one profile subject
with health care providers; and receiving responses from the at
least one profile subject in response to the questions.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein the prompted questions relate to
the personal perceptions of the profile subject with respect to the
quality of the medical care and the satisfaction of the medical
care.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein the prompted questions relate to
the personal perceptions of the profile subject with respect to the
advice, information, and prescribed treatment by one or more health
care professionals.
30. The method of claim 27 further comprising the steps of:
prompting the at least one subject for updated data relating to the
personal perceptions of interactions by the at least one profile
subject with health care providers; and receiving responses from
the at least one profile subject in response to the questions.
31. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of gathering data from
the at least one profile subject relating to health care behavior
further comprises the steps of:
32. The method of claim 31 further comprising the steps of
prompting the at least one subject for updated data relating to the
health care behavior of the at least one profile subject; and
receiving responses from the at least one profile subject in
response to the questions.
33. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of gathering data from
at least one third party relating to the health care behavior of
the at least one profile subject comprises the steps of: prompting
at least one third party for records relating to the at least one
profile subject; and receiving data from the at least one third
party.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein the step of gathering data from
at least one third party relating to the health care behavior of
the at least one profile subject further comprises the steps of:
prompting the at least one profile subject with at least one
permission form authorizing a third party to provide one or more
records relating to the at least one profile subject; and providing
the at least one permission form authorizing the third party to
provide the one or more medical records relating to the at least
one profile subject.
35. The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of:
prompting the at least one potential profile subject with screening
questions; and receiving responses from the at least one potential
profile subject in response to the screening questions.
36. The method of claim 35 further comprising the steps of:
comparing the responses from the at least one potential profile
subject with candidate population characteristics; and eliminating
a potential profile subject based on the comparison.
37. The method of claim 35 further comprising the steps of:
comparing the responses from the at least one potential profile
subject with candidate population characteristics; and classifying
a potential profile subject into one or more studies based on the
comparison.
38. The method of claim 35 wherein the screening questions further
comprise questions directed to at least one question selected from
the group consisting of contact details, demographics, lifestyle,
past chronic conditions, current chronic conditions, treatment for
current conditions, and current medications.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Serial Nos. 60/236,661, 60/236,662, 60/236,663,
60/236,875, and 60/236,876, all filed Sep. 29, 2000, and U.S.
Provisional Application Nos. 60/263,165 and 60/263,221, both filed
Jan. 23, 2001. The above applications are expressly incorporated
herein by reference. Further, the present application expressly
incorporates herein by reference the applications entitled "Systems
And Methods For Assessing Vascular Health", "Systems And Methods
For Assessing Vascular Effects Of A Treatment", "Systems And
Methods For Screening For Adverse Effects Of A Treatment",
"Decision Support Systems And Methods For Assessing Vascular
Health", and "Systems And Methods For Investigating Blood Flow",
which are being filed on the same date as the present
application.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to the creation of a database
containing health care information about one or more individuals.
More specifically, this invention relates to the creation of a
database containing one or more personal health care profiles that
include information relating to personal health care data, personal
perceptions of clinical
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] The nature and role of pharmaceutical research and
development ("R&D") and marketing has changed dramatically in
recent years. The old R&D paradigm was to discover new
compounds and then develop drugs that would be approved and
marketed. In the new paradigm, the pharmaceutical industry first
identifies the clinical needs of the market, directs R&D
activities to find drugs that meet these needs and then markets the
drug for specific patient types.
[0006] In the old model, the most important market data was the
size and growth of the market, and then targeting and compensating
the sales force. In the new model, those data are still required,
but much greater detail is needed with regard to the patient.
Previously it was sufficient to know whether a patient suffered
from, for example, diabetes. Now the companies need to know all the
other conditions and risk factors that the patient has, in detail,
and they need to track those characteristics over time.
Increasingly, drugs are being developed for smaller niches of the
patient population, and resultingly, more detailed information must
be used.
[0007] United States pharmaceutical companies spend more that $350
million a year on market research information for prescription
drugs and more than $1 billion a year on market research related to
non-prescription health care products. An additional $15 billion is
spent on clinical research, 15% of which is wasted due to failed
research programs. A significant cause of these failures is poor
selection of participant subjects. This inefficiency persists in
spite of the fact that pharmaceutical companies spend over $100
million annually profiling R&D participant subject selection.
Even with all this expense, there remains a need for products and
services that track a combination of personal health care, personal
perceptions of interactions with health care providers, and health
care behavior.
[0008] This need exists for both snapshot and longitudinal data in
support of marketing and clinical research.
[0009] The consumer health care sector is diverse, covering area
ranging from over-the-counter products that were previously only
available under prescription, to vitamins, mineral supplements,
contact lens solutions, toothpaste for sensitive teeth, medicated
shampoo, creams for suntan and insect bites. There is a present
need for longitudinal data that allows manufacturers and other
concern parties to assess and better market to this sector.
[0010] Polling indicates that seventy million Internet users in the
United States currently search the web for health information. This
number is expected to grow at a rate of 18% or greater per year,
compared to approximately 11% for general web use. Large numbers of
people have demonstrated a willingness to provide details of their
medical history via Internet sites. See e.g.,
http://www.wellmed.com, and http://www.98point6.com. The present
invention exploits such trends to address the presently unmet need
for detailed, current, longitudinal health information.
[0011] Health care information about individuals is collected by
numerous organizations, but the collected information is fragmented
and limited in scope and duration. Medical care delivery systems
generally have access to the medical records of their patients
sporadically supplemented by information from others such as the
patient, insurance companies, and other health care practitioners.
Much of the information contained in these records is related to
and entered for purposes of obtaining maximum reimbursement from
insurance companies or government programs and/or medico legal
considerations. Insurance companies and government programs
generally have access to a patient's records related to
reimbursement of medical care delivery systems sporadically
supplemented by clinical records designed to justify charges.
Retail companies and financial institutions collect information
relevant to health care, but that incomplete information is focused
on payment and marketing considerations instead of the health of
the purchaser. Some companies have focused on creation of a unified
electronic clinical medical record for individuals. These attempts
focus on including all clinical information from all available
sources, and thus incorporate information directed to claims
processing, maximum reimbursement coding, and malpractice
protection. Such attempts have not attempted to collect
systematically information from the patient regarding clinical
interactions and health related behavior. Particularly, information
is needed about the intercurrent health concerns, conditions, self
treatments, and perceptions of the individual between and
contemporaneous with the individuals encounter with health care
providers and the health care system.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention takes the
form of a process that is designed to create, populate and update a
database with comprehensive information regarding personal health
care data, personal perception of interactions with health care
providers data, and personal health care behavior data for at least
one profile subject. Data is stored in a personal health care
profile for each profile subject.
[0013] In at least one embodiment, members of a candidate
population of interest to a health care data recruiter are targeted
by advertisements on Internet sites found to be of interest to
members of the candidate population. The advertisements link
volunteers to the health care data recruiter's Internet site where
potential personal health profile subjects are screened from
volunteers through use of health care screening data provided by
the volunteers and received by the health care data recruiter
through the recruiter's Internet site.
[0014] In a further aspect of the invention, a profile subject is
prompted to provide information and answer questions related to the
personal health care of that subject and to authorize access to the
records, e.g., medical records or clinical medical records, of the
profile subject held by a health care third party record holder,
e.g., a family doctor. Completed authorizations for access to the
medical records, along with requests for a copy of the
corresponding records are forwarded to the health care third party
record holders. Copies of the medical records held by the health
care third parties holders are obtained. Key data is extracted from
the medical records and is stored in a database as a personal
health care profile. Subsequently, updated personal health care
history information about the profile subject is requested. An
updated personal health care profile is generated using the
existing current profile and the updated information.
[0015] In a further embodiment, a profile subject is prompted to
provide information and answer questions related to the personal
interactions of the profile subject with health care providers. In
a preferred embodiment, the health care providers include
practitioners, e.g., a family doctor, and medical care delivery
systems, e.g., a pharmacy. Such information is provided shortly
after the profile subject has such interactions. In a preferred
embodiment, the profile subject is prompted to authorize access to
the records, e.g., medical records, of the profile subject held by
a health care third party record holder, such as a family doctor or
pharmacy. Completed authorizations for access to the medical
records, along with requests for a copy of the corresponding
records are forwarded to the health care third party record
holders. Copies of the records held by the health care providers
are obtained. Key data is extracted from the records of the profile
subject and is stored in a database as a personal health care
profile. Subsequently, updated personal interaction of the profile
subject with health care providers is requested. An updated
personal health care profile is generated using the existing
current profile and the updated information.
[0016] In a further embodiment, a profile subject is prompted to
provide information and answer questions related to the health care
behavior of the profile subject. The profile subject is prompted to
provide information regarding (1) use of health care products such
as prescription drugs, over the counter medications, vitamins,
dietary supplements, (2) subject compliance with doctor's
instructions, and/or (3) lifestyle information related to health
such as eating, drinking and exercise. In a preferred embodiment,
the profile subject is prompted to authorize access to the consumer
purchase information of the profile subject held by third parties
such as pharmacies, credit card companies, grocery stores,
financial institutions, etc. Completed authorizations for access to
the consumer purchase information of the profile subject, along
with requests for a copy of the corresponding information are
forwarded to the third parties having the information. Copies of
the information held by the third parties are obtained.
Subsequently, updated detailed personal data, in the form of the
health care behavior data is requested. An updated personal health
care profile is generated using the existing current profile and
the updated information.
[0017] In those embodiments where both objective clinical data and
subjective data are collected, useful information from the
viewpoint of the profile subject can promote insights that
objective medical records are not typically designed to reveal or
facilitate. For example, indication of a patient's misperception
regarding diagnosis may provide insight into later behavioral
complications, e.g., depression evidenced by inconsistent
compliance with a treatment program. Even objectively correct
diagnosis, treatment regimens, and prognosis can be of little
benefit to a subject who misunderstands such information. Insight
into the reasons for such misunderstanding can be gleaned from
longitudinal tracking of the personal perceptions of the profile
subject correlated to objective medical records.
[0018] Similarly, those embodiments where both objective clinical
data and data regarding health care behavior are collected can
facilitate the formation and testing of hypotheses regarding the
impact of health care behavior on the effectiveness of clinical
treatment. For example, longitudinal data on health care behavior
in combination with clinical data could provide indication of a
causal relationship between the health care behavior and recurrence
of symptoms. Typically, such indications are not readily apparent
from medical records alone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] In the following, the invention will be described in greater
detail by way of examples and with reference to the attached
drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary substitute
fulfillment system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart of the overall method for
gathering data in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart for gathering screening
data for one or more profile subjects in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 4A-4O are exemplary screen printouts used to gather
screening data in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart for gathering personal
health care data from a profile subject in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart for gathering personal
perceptions of interactions with medical care providers data from a
profile subject in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart for gathering health care
behavior data from a profile subject in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that
may be embodied in various and alternative forms.
[0028] The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may
be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular
components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are not to be limiting, but merely as a basis for
the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled
in the art to variously employ the present invention.
[0029] Furthermore, elements may be recited as being "coupled;"
this terminology's use contemplates elements being connected
together in such a way that there may be other components
interstitially located between the specified elements, and that the
elements so specified may be connected in fixed or movable relation
one to the other. Certain components may be described as being
"adjacent" to one another. In these instances, it is expected that
a relationship so characterized shall be interpreted to mean that
the components are located proximate to one another, but not
necessarily in contact with each other. Normally there will be an
absence of other components positioned there between, but this is
not a requirement. Still further, some structural relationships or
orientations may be designated with the word "substantially." In
those cases, it is meant that the relationship or orientation is as
described, with allowances for variations that do not effect the
cooperation of the so described component or component.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an exemplary system
for creating, populating and updating data relating to at least one
profile subject 26 according to an embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. The data collection system 10 comprises a
server 12 and a database 14, e.g., a database engine. As known to
one skilled in the art, the server 12 can be one or more servers
and can include the database 14. The server 12 manages the system
10 and maintains the database 14. The server 12 gathers or receives
data for the database 14, stores the data in the database 14, and
updates the data in the database 14. In a preferred embodiment, the
server 12 generates a personal health care profile for each profile
subject 26 and stores data associated with the profile subject 26
in the personal health care profile. The server updates the
personal health care profile for a profile subject 26 when the
server 12 receives updated or new information associated with the
profile subject 26. An updated personal health care profile is
generated using the existing current profile and the updated
information.
[0031] To gather the data, the server 12 communicates with a
profile subject 26 or a third party 30 via a telephone network 18,
e.g., a public telephone network, and/or via a computer network 20,
e.g., the Internet. One or more communication links 22, 24 couple
the server to the telephone network 18 and to the computer network
20, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the server 12 is
coupled to the telephone network 18 via one or more telephone
communication links 28 and is coupled to the computer network 20
via one or more computer communication links 30, respectively.
[0032] In the example of communication over the telephone network
18, a worker 28 may contact a profile subject 26 or a third party
information provider 30 directly or the server 12 can use an
interactive voice response technology (IVR) or system 16 to contact
a profile subject 26 or such a third party 30. When a worker
obtains data directly from a profile subject 26 or a third party
30, the worker stores data into the database 14 via a computer
connected to the server 12 via the computer network 20. When a
server uses an IVR system 16, the server uses pre-recorded prompts
to gather data from a profile subject 26 or a third party 30 and
stores the data into the database 14. In a preferred embodiment,
the IVR system 16 is on the server 12. In an alternate embodiment,
the IVR system 16 is coupled to the server 12.
[0033] In the example of communication over the computer network
20, one or more screens or webpages display or prompt the profile
subject 26 or third party 30 with questions and receives responses
from the profile subject 26 or third party 30. In a preferred
embodiment, the server 12 hosts an interactive data collection
program, configured as a series of application service provider
(ASP) pages to display information and receive information from the
profile subject 26 or third party 30. The server 12 stores the data
received from the profile subject 26 or third party 30 into the
database 14. When the stored data is needed, the server 12 exports
the stored data to other standard software packages, e.g., Excel.
In an alternate embodiment, the server 12 uses applets to gather
data from the profile subject 26 or a third party 30. In yet
another alternate embodiment, the server 12 uses email to gather
data from the profile subject 26 or a third party 30.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment, each personal health care profile
is coded so that the profile subject 26 is given a unique
identifier. This identifier has no significance to third parties 30
and allows identification of each data record associated with a
profile subject 26 without revealing personal information of the
subject such as name, address, Social Security number, etc. Data
regarding the profile subject 26 is entered into fields with
descriptive tags such as date, time, doctor, type of test, test
results, etc. Data is tagged and grouped together so that
associations can be identified.
[0035] Each personal health care profile can include different
types of data or datasets. One dataset that can be stored in a
personal health care profile is data related to personal health
care data for a profile subject 26. In a preferred embodiment, this
data includes personal health care data directed towards the study
subject matter and preferably includes data directed towards the
study subject matter that is extracted from records, e.g., medical
records or clinical medical records. The data from the records can
include conditions and symptoms noted by trained health
professionals in clinical interactions with the profile subject 26
and the results of tests (including laboratory tests) and
measurements of the subject by trained health professionals. In
another embodiment, the data extracted from the records is stored
as another dataset in the personal health care profile.
[0036] Another dataset that can be stored in a personal health care
profile is data related to perceptions of clinical interactions
subject with health care providers by the profile subject 26. In a
preferred embodiment, this data includes perceptions of clinical
interactions with health care providers, e.g., a doctor, and
medical care delivery systems, e.g., a pharmacy. The data can
include the personal perceptions of quality of the medical care,
customer satisfaction, information and advice from a doctor, and
prescribed treatments by the profile subject 26. In the preferred
embodiment, the personal health care profile also includes data
directed towards the study subject matter that is extracted from
records, e.g., medical records or clinical medical records. For
example, the data can include entries from a doctor's diary. In
another embodiment, the data extracted from the records is stored
as another dataset in the personal health care profile.
[0037] Another dataset that can be stored in a personal health care
profile is data related the health care behavior outside the
purview of medical care delivery systems of the profile subject 26.
In a preferred embodiment, this data includes data from the profile
subject 26 concerning his or her health care behavior and
preferably includes data from third party records, such as data
from pharmacies and grocery stores (e.g., restaurant receipts, food
purchases), and health clubs and personal trainers (e.g., exercise
records). In another embodiment, the data extracted from the third
party records is stored as another dataset in the personal health
care profile.
[0038] In a preferred embodiment, two or more of the datasets are
combined to create the personal health profile. In an alternate
embodiment, one or more datasets are combined to create the
personal health profile. The information in the personal health
profile is systematically updated to provide an ongoing
perspective. The use of the telephone network 18 and computer
network 20 permits rapid and cost efficient creation and updating
of personal health profiles.
[0039] In a preferred embodiment, advertisements are placed at
sites on the Internet by, or on behalf of, a recruiter wishing to
recruit people as subjects for a database 14 of personal data
profiles. Each advertisement is linked to an Internet recruiting
portal, thus leading persons (volunteers) interested in
participating to the next step in the process of establishing the
database 14 of personal data profiles. The group of people having
characteristics of interest to the recruiter is referred to as the
"candidate population." The advertisements are placed at sites
determined to be of interest to members of the candidate
population. Advertisement sites need not be directly related to the
type of research for which profile subjects 26 are being sought. As
an example of Internet advertisement sites, travel-related websites
would host advertisements targeted at populations suffering from
motion sickness. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention
in the health care domain, the profile subject 26 recruiting site
is hosted on mirrored secure servers.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary flowchart of the overall
method for gathering data according to an exemplary method of the
present invention is illustrated. At step 40, a potential
candidate, e.g., a profile subject 26, is screened using a
screening questionnaire. At step 42, data relating to personal
health care of the profile subject 26 is gathered. At step 44, data
relating to the personal perceptions of clinical interactions of
the profile subject 26 is gathered. At step 46, data relating to
the health care behavior of the profile subject 26 is gathered. At
step 48, the server 12 stores the gathered data into the database
14.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, a screener screens one or more
profile subjects 26 or volunteers. The screener can eliminate
profile subjects 26 who do not possess the characteristics of
interest, e.g., are not members of the candidate population, or can
classify or characterize one or more profile subjects into one or
more studies. The screener uses a screening questionnaire and
responses from a profile subject 26 to the questions in the
screening questionnaire to screen the one or more profile subjects
26. In a preferred embodiment, a profile subject 26 completes the
questionnaire via the computer network 20. In another preferred
embodiment, a worker 28 completes the questionnaire based on
responses from a profile subject 26 via the telephone network 18.
In another preferred embodiment, a profile subject 26 fills out a
questionnaire in person and a worker 28 enters the data into the
database 14. In a preferred embodiment, the data from the screening
step are held in a patient repository, preferably on the server 12.
In an alternate embodiment, the data from the screening data is
stored in a personal health care profile for each profile subject
26.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary flowchart for gathering
screening data for one or more profile subjects 26 according to an
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. At step 50, a
study password and authorization data is gathered from the profile
subject 26. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the profile subject 26 is
prompted for a password assigned to a given study, e.g., a diabetes
study. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the profile subject 26 is
prompted to authorize or to agree to the terms and conditions of
the study.
[0043] At step 52, contact data is gathered from the profile
subject 26. As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the profile subject 26 is
prompted for contact data which includes data relating to title,
first name, family name, apartment number (if any), street number,
street name, town or city, state, zip code, home telephone number,
work telephone number, cell telephone number, and email address of
the subject profile.
[0044] At step 54, demographic data is gathered from the profile
subject 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 4D, 4E, 4F, and 4G, the profile
subject 26 is prompted for demographic data which includes data
relating to marital status, race information, work status, and
education status of the subject profile, respectively.
[0045] At step 56, lifestyle data is gathered from the profile
subject 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 4H, 4I, and 4J, the profile
subject 26 is prompted for lifestyle data which includes data
relating to smoking, physical activities, and the number of days
the physical health of a profile subject 26 was not good,
respectively.
[0046] At step 58, data concerning the type of chronic conditions
ever suffered by the profile subject 26 is gathered. As illustrated
in FIG. 4K, the profile subject 26 is prompted for data which
includes data relating to whether the profile subject 26 has ever
suffered from stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood
pressure, allergies, heart problems, stomach or bowel problems,
obesity, long term skin conditions, chronic sinuses, gum disease,
lupus, etc.
[0047] At step 60, data concerning current and acute conditions is
gathered. As illustrated in FIG. 4L, the profile subject 26 is
prompted whether the profile subject 26 still suffers from the
acute condition or conditions entered in the previous step.
[0048] As step 62, data concerning current conditions currently
being treated is gathered. As illustrated in FIG. 4M, the profile
subject 26 is prompted whether he or she is receiving treatment for
a condition or conditions listed in the previous step.
[0049] At step 64, data concerning all current medication that the
profile subject 26 is taking is gathered. As illustrated in FIG.
4N, the profile subject 26 is prompted to list all current
medications, including prescribed an non-prescribed medication,
that the profile subject 26 is taken. The current medication
includes prescribed and non-prescribed medications.
[0050] At step 66, data characterizing the medication listed in the
previous step is gathered. As illustrated in FIG. 4O, the profile
subject 26 is prompted to characterize the medications listed in
the previous step. The characterization of the medication includes
the starting date that the person took the medication and if they
took the medication on that day.
[0051] Using the gathered screening data, one or more profile
subjects 26 are selected from among the volunteers based on
correlation between the screening data and the candidate population
characteristics. Disclosures and explanations regarding the
recruitment program, directions for providing detailed personal
data, and directions for authorizing access to records held by
third parties are provided to the selected one or more profile
subjects 26. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of such
disclosures, explanations, and direction are provided
electronically, e.g., via the recruiter's Internet site, or via
e-mail.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary flowchart for gathering
personal health care data from the profile subject in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. At step
70, the profile subject 26 is prompted with one or more questions
relating to the personal health care of the profile subject 26.
Typically, the one or more questions are directed towards the study
subject matter. At step 72, the profile subject 26 responds to each
of the one or more questions.
[0053] At step 74, a determination is made if data is needed from
one or more third parties 30. In a preferred embodiment, potential
third party health care record holders include, but are not limited
to, primary care physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, psychologists,
licensed clinical social workers, and insurance companies.
Typically, data from a third party 30 is data derived from one or
more medical records. Medical records can include: health
practitioner records including records of physicians,
psychologists, nurse practitioners, physical therapists;
prescription information from pharmacies; health facility records
including hospital and hospice records; a list of illnesses; and
test results. If no data is needed from a third party 30, for
example, if the profile subject 26 has not received medical
treatment from a doctor, then the data gathered from the profile
subject 26 is saved at step 80.
[0054] If data is needed from a third party 30, then at step 76,
authorization to obtain the data from the third party 30 is
obtained from the at least one profile subject 26. In a preferred
embodiment, authorization for accessing one or more records held by
one or more third party is requested from the profile subject 26
and is received from the profile subject 26. In a preferred
embodiment, the authorization is requested and received via the
recruiter's Internet site. In another preferred embodiment, the
authorization is offered as a downloadable form from the
recruiter's Internet site and received via mail or email. The
authorization can be sent directly to the third party 30 having one
or more records via mail or email or can be sent to the recruiter
and then forwarded to the third party 30 via mail or email. In each
embodiment, a received completed authorization is transferred to a
third party 30 having the desired records along with a request for
a copy of the corresponding records.
[0055] At step 78, data is obtained from the third party 30. Copies
of one or more records held by a third party record holder are
accepted from those third party record holders who have received
the appropriate authorization and complied with the request for
corresponding records. In a preferred embodiment, a medical record
professional evaluates the records and provides a streamlined
version of the medical record, e.g., extracts key data. In another
preferred embodiment, subsequent to receipt of the records from
third party record holders, a worker 28, e.g., a medical record
professional, evaluates, sorts, and prepares chart material as a
streamline version of the medical record.
[0056] At step 80, the data is stored in the personal health care
profile for the profile subject 26. This data is entered directly
into the database 14 using a keyboard, a mouse, or a voice
recognition system.
[0057] At step 82, the data in the personal health care profile for
a profile subject 26 is updated. An updated personal health care
profile is generated using the existing personal health care
profile and the updated detailed personal health care data provided
by the profile subject 26. As required, new authorizations are
obtained from the profile subjects 26 and transmitted to the
appropriate third-party record holders. Where updated clinical data
is provided, the same process described above for preparation of
initial clinical records is undertaken to prepare updates to the
personal health care data. The update can be done on a periodic
basis, e.g., on a weekly basis, or event driven, e.g., after every
doctor visit.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary flowchart for gathering
the personal perceptions of interactions with medical health care
providers by a profile subject in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated. In a preferred embodiment,
the health care providers include practitioners, e.g., a doctor,
and medical care delivery systems, e.g., a pharmacy. At step 90,
the profile subject 26 is prompted with one or more questions
relating to the personal perceptions of clinical interactions with
a health care practitioner or health care facility, e.g., a primary
care physician, a dentist, a hospital, etc. The personal perception
of a clinical interaction includes: the personal perception of the
profile subject 26 regarding the medical aspects of the
interaction, e.g., what the profile subject 26 perceives as the
health care provider's diagnosis, recommended treatment, or
prognosis; and subject's perception of administrative aspects of
the interaction, e.g., time spent waiting, convenience of insurance
and billing procedures, even the availability of parking at the
facility. For example, after a visit to a doctor the subject would
be queried as to what type of information was provided by the
doctor to the patient, e.g., did the doctor tell the patient his or
her temperature, weight, etc.; the specific measurements provided
by the doctor, e.g., overall cholesterol 260, blood pressure
110/80, etc. At step 92, the profile subject 26 responds to each of
the one or more questions.
[0059] At step 94, a determination is made if data is needed from
one or more third parties 30. In a preferred embodiment, potential
third party health care record holders include, but are not limited
to, primary care physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, psychologists,
licensed clinical social workers, insurance companies, pharmacies,
etc. Typically, data from a third party 30 is data derived from one
or more medical records. Medical records can include: health
practitioner records including records of physicians,
psychologists, nurse practitioners, physical therapists;
prescription information from pharmacies; health facility records
including hospital and hospice records; a list of illnesses; and
test results. If no data is needed from a third party 30, for
example, if the profile subject 26 has not received medical
treatment from a doctor, then the data from the profile subject 26
is saved at step 100.
[0060] If data is needed from a third party 30, then at step 96,
authorization to obtain the data from the third party 30 is
obtained from the at least one profile subject 26. In a preferred
embodiment, authorization for accessing one or more records held by
one or more third party is requested from the profile subject 26
and is received from the profile subject 26. In a preferred
embodiment, the authorization is requested and received via the
recruiter's Internet site. In another preferred embodiment, the
authorization is offered as a downloadable form from the
recruiter's Internet site and received via mail or email. The
authorizations can be sent directly to the third party 30 having
one or more records via mail or email or can be sent to the
recruiter and then forwarded to the third party 30 via mail or
email. In each embodiment, received completed authorizations are
transferred to a third party 30 having the desired records along
with a request for a copy of the corresponding records.
[0061] At step 98, data is obtained from the third party 30. Copies
of one or more records held by a third party record holder are
accepted from those third party record holders who have received
the appropriate authorization and complied with the request for
corresponding records. In a preferred embodiment, a medical record
professional evaluates the records and provides a streamlined
version of the medical record, e.g., extracts key data. In another
preferred embodiment, subsequent to receipt of the records from
third party record holders, a worker 28, e.g., a medical record
professionals, evaluates, sorts, and prepares chart material as a
streamline version of the medical record.
[0062] At step 100, the data is stored in the personal health care
profile for the profile subject 26. This data is entered directly
into the database 14 using a keyboard, a mouse, or a voice
recognition system.
[0063] At step 102, the data in the personal health care profile
for a profile subject 26 is updated. An updated personal health
care profile is generated using the existing personal health care
profile and the updated personal perception of interactions by the
profile subject 26 with health care providers. As required, new
authorizations are obtained from the profile subject 26 and
transmitted to the appropriate third-party record holders. Where
updated clinical interactions are provided, the same process
described above is undertaken to prepare updates to the personal
health care profile. The update can be done on a periodic basis,
e.g., on a weekly basis, or event driven, e.g., after every doctor
visit or pharmacy visit.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary flowchart for gathering
the health care behavior of the profile subject in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As step 110,
the profile subject 26 is prompted with one or more questions
relating to the health care behavior of the profile subject 26. For
example, the profile subject 26 is prompted to provide information
on a reasonably current basis regarding (1) use of health care
products such as prescription drugs, over the counter medications,
vitamins, dietary supplements, (2) subject compliance with doctor's
instructions, and/or (3) lifestyle information related to health
such as eating, drinking and exercise. At step 112, the profile
subject 26 responds to each of the one or more questions.
[0065] At step 114, a determination is made if data is needed from
one or more third parties 30. In a preferred embodiment, the
profile subject 26 is prompted to authorize access to the consumer
purchase information of the profile subject held by third parties
30 such as pharmacies, credit card companies, grocery stores,
financial institutions, etc. If no data is needed from a third
party 30, then the data from the profile subject 26 is saved at
step 120.
[0066] If data is needed from a third party 30, then at step 116,
authorization to obtain the data from the third party 30 is
obtained from the at least one profile subject 26. In a preferred
embodiment, authorization for accessing one or more records held by
one or more third party is requested from the profile subject 26
and is received from the profile subject 26 who provides such data
and authorization. In a preferred embodiment, the authorization is
requested and received via the recruiter's Internet site. In
another preferred embodiment, authorizations are offered as
downloadable forms from the recruiter's Internet site and received
via mail or email. The authorizations can be sent directly to the
third party 30 having one or more records via mail or email or can
be sent to the recruiter and then forwarded to the third party 30
via mail or email. In each embodiment, received completed
authorizations are transferred to a third party 30 having the
desired records along with a request for a copy of the
corresponding records.
[0067] At step 118, data is obtained from the third party 30.
Copies of one or more records held by a third party record holder
are accepted from those third party record holders who have
received the appropriate authorization and complied with the
request for corresponding records. In a preferred embodiment, a
worker 28 evaluates the records and provides a streamlined version
of the record, e.g., extracts key data. In another preferred
embodiment, subsequent to receipt of the records from third party
record holders, a worker 28 evaluates, sorts, and prepares chart
materials to a streamlined version of the record.
[0068] At step 120, the data is stored in the personal health care
profile for the profile subject 26. This data is entered directly
into the database 14 using a keyboard, a mouse, or a voice
recognition system.
[0069] At step 122, the data in the personal health care profile
for a profile subject 26 is updated. An updated personal health
care profile is generated using the existing personal health care
profile and the updated health care behavior of the profile subject
26. As required, new authorizations are obtained from the profile
subject 26 and transmitted to the appropriate third-party record
holders. Where updated health care behavior is provided, the same
process described above is undertaken to prepare updates to the
personal health care profile. The update can be done on a periodic
base, e.g., on a weekly basis, or event driven, e.g., after every
doctor visit or pharmacy visit.
[0070] In a preferred embodiment, profile subjects 26 and third
parties 30 are compensated for providing data. The compensation can
be monetary or non-monetary. Monetary compensation can be made
using an electronic payment system such as X.com's PayPal.TM.
payment service, or by check. Non-monetary compensation can
include, but is not limited to, access to personally relevant
information, airline frequent flier miles, or discounts on
merchandise or services.
[0071] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the
health care domain, as a benefit of participation, a profile
subject 26 is provided with secure access to a structured abstract
of their private personal health care profile. Upon request by the
profile subject 26, the abstract is used to match the profile
subject health concerns with publicly available Internet health
care resources.
[0072] In alternate embodiments, the methods described above can be
executed on a computer, processor, server, or computer readable
medium. For example, the method that is described above that
operate on a server by executing one or more sequences of one or
more instructions contained in a main memory. Such instructions may
be read into main memory from another computer readable medium. The
term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium
that participates in providing instructions to a processor for
execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not
limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission
media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic
disks. Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as main memory.
Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber
optics, including conductors that comprise a bus. Transmission
media can also take the form of acoustic or electromagnetic waves,
such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared
(IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media
include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,
magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other
optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium,
with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM (programmable ROM), and EPROM
(electronically PROM) a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or
cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a
computer can read.
[0073] Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to
processor for execution. For example, the instructions may
initially be borne on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The
remote computer can load instructions into its dynamic memory and
send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem
local to computer system can receive the data on the telephone line
and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared
signal. An infrared detector coupled to the bus can receive the
data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on the bus.
The bus carries the data to the main memory, from which a processor
retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received
by the main memory may optionally be stored on storage device
either before or after execution by the processor.
[0074] It should be recognized that various preferred embodiments
of the present inventions that have been described are merely
illustrative of the principles of this invention. Numerous
modifications and adaptations thereof will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *
References