WO2011026044A1

WO2011026044A1 - Online health service program and system

Info

Publication number: WO2011026044A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/047179
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brad Edson
Original assignee: Stat Health Services, Inc.
Priority date: 2009-08-28
Filing date: 2010-08-30
Publication date: 2011-03-03

Abstract

An improved online medical program and system under which health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation and treatment may be provided. The system may include the ability for a health care provider to prescribe medication. The system allows for transfer of medical information, records and data to health service providers and allows them access and evaluation of the information and/or data. Further the program allows for interactive audio, visual, data communication and storage of medical information between patient and health care provider in proprietary web based storage facilities. The system may allow for medical consultation with physicians for minor medical conditions while providing a cost-effective, convenient and medically acceptable alternative to an in person visit at an urgent care center or medical center, especially in the event of unavailability of a primary physician.

Description

ONLINE HEALTH SERVICE PROGRAM AND SYSTEM

Priority Claim

This application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 61/238,060 filed on August 28, 2009. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is online health service programs and systems. More specifically, an embodiment relating to an online system and program for the consultation and diagnosis of a medical condition by a physician from a remote location.

Background

Networking and online search systems have become an important way for people to interact, share experiences and gather information from one another. Historically, networking and more specifically, health information was predicated on a geographical location and access to health care individuals.

With the advent of the internet, information and resources may be available to the public any time they have access to the internet. A person desiring information on any matter may simply perform an online search request and get responses to their query within a very short time period. However, the need for support and experience requires an online site that provides information and resources for these queries.

There are many online networking and educational sites that provide online factual information such as numerous social networking sites that provide services to get individuals together for any number of purposes. There are also online health sites that provide information about various health concerns and articles relating to health studies. These online health sites provide general information about specific medical conditions, but do not give the medical expertise, or medical advice that can only be provided by a health care provider.

However, when it comes to health-related online medical or health related programs and systems, the resources are much more limited because of our desire to keep medically related information private and because we desire individuals to discuss their medical conditions with a physician. Individuals that suffer from specific minor ailments or injuries are forced to either seek medical attention at a health care facility or to seek out general information from internet websites relating to health issues. These general health related websites give information about specific ailments and medical conditions, but cannot tell the individual user if the conditions apply to them. Moreover, these general health websites don't relate information such as frequency of specific medical conditions; so many patients may be convinced they have a specific health condition that is extremely rare and not typically diagnosed by a health care provider. However, currently, there are no online health and/or medical systems that help individual patients to discuss and present their specific medical concerns in an online format, such as websites that may help consult diagnosis and treat the individual patients for their specific medical concerns. Such a website may be beneficial as it may save considerable expense to the health care provider, health insurance provider and the individual patient.

Therefore, a need exists for an improved online health care system and program. More specifically, a need exists for an improved online health care system and program which may help individuals with specific medical problems to gain access to a program which may allow the individual patient to be provided with health care delivery, diagnosis and consultation with a physician. Moreover, the system may allow for the ordering of X-rays and laboratory tests, follow-up and treatment, including prescriptions for medications and prescription-only devices.

Additionally, a need exists for an improved online medical/health system and a program which may provide convenient cost-effective and medically equivalent alternatives to an in- person visit at an urgent care center or emergency room. Moreover, the program may provide treatment of common minor medical conditions when the patient's primary care physician is unavailable. Further, a need exists for a cost-efficient online health service which may provide a significant cost savings to the insurance carrier and insured individual, thereby lowering the cost of health insurance premiums. Additionally, a need exists for an efficient health care program and system that allows for transfer of medical data and maintenance of medical records online such that a consulted online physician may have immediate access to an individual's medical record. Summary of the Invention

Various embodiments provide an improved online medical program and system under which health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation and treatment may be provided, including the prescription of medication. The improved medical program and system allows for transfer of medical information, records and data to health service providers and allows them access and evaluation of the information and/or data. Further, the program allows for interactive audio, visual and data communication and storage of medical information between patient and health care provider in proprietary web-based storage facilities. The online medical program and system may allow for medical consultations with physicians for minor medical conditions while providing a cost-effective, convenient and medically acceptable alternative to an in person visit at an urgent care center or medical center, especially in the event of unavailability of a primary care physician. It is contemplated that the online medical program and system may be affiliated with heath insurance groups such that the health insurance group may be responsible for payment for the consultations, treatments and other procedures incurred by the individual patient utilizing the online program and system.

To this end, in an exemplary embodiment, an online medical system is provided. The system may include an individual patient utilizing a remote computing station. The user may input criterion into the system, which can be a database located at a remote server location. The remote server can be used for storage of patient data and information. Additionally, a physician can be located at a remote location, e.g., a remote physician location. This location can be the same location as the remote server location or a different location from the remote server location. (It will be understood that "same location" means the same general location, such as the same address. The same location does not necessarily mean that the physician is located in a server room, for example.) The physician that receives information from the individual patient may respond through the remote server location whereby information from the physician is received at the individual patient's remote computing station.

In another exemplary embodiment, the system has a physician located at a remote location whereby the physician may provide consultation and diagnosis of minor medical conditions. In another exemplary embodiment, the system has a physician located at a remote location whereby the physician may provide treatment for the individual patient including prescriptions for medications and prescription only devices.

In another exemplary embodiment, the system allows for maintenance of medical records on the database located at a remote location.

In another exemplary embodiment, the system allows for communication via interactive audio, visual and other electronic and digital means.

In another exemplary embodiment, the system allows for payment for consultation by the individual patient, health insurance providers and the like.

In another exemplary embodiment, the system diminishes the need for in-person health care at an urgent care facility.

In another exemplary embodiment, the system has a physician located at a remote location whereby the physician may order X-rays and laboratory tests from a remote location relative to the individual patient.

In another exemplary embodiment, the system transfers medical information from the online system to the primary care physician.

In another exemplary embodiment, the system provides for follow up consultation with the individual patient.

Among the many different possibilities contemplated, the system facilitates an online medical consultation and patient diagnostic program and system.

In an exemplary embodiment, the online medical program and system may include a state-of-the-art interactive audio, visual and data communications system for use in conjunction with the online system.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the online medical program and system may include patient online registration through a secure website from a remote computer terminal whereby the individual patient may provide personal information and insurance information into the system for storage in a remotely accessible database. Still another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the individual patient may input the patient's primary care physician, complete a medical history or update an existing medical history housed in the remote database.

Yet another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the system may allow individual patients to access the program without insurance information and to consult with a physician by providing payment information into the system.

It is contemplated that an online medical program and system may be provided whereby the individual patient may provide credit card information to pay for the consultation and diagnosis by a physician that may access the program from a remote computer station.

In still another exemplary embodiment, an online medical program and system may be provided whereby the system may allow the individual patient to select and confirm the selection of a preferred pharmacy and any participating e-health medical group as a cross-coverage medical group or a primary care medical group for the individual patient.

Still another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the individual patient may utilize any of the advanced interactive Internet-based communication technologies available to the patient such as video conferencing, video calling or chatting to describe their individual medical condition and/or symptoms.

It is contemplated that the online medical program and system may allow for the individual patient to access the system and, in most cases, the patient will be notified that a physician will contact the patient within sixty (60) minutes for a medical consultation and that the patient will be charged a specified amount as a co-payment for the medical consultation.

In an exemplary embodiment, an online medical program and system is provided whereby if an individual patient describes symptoms commonly regarded as indicating the presence of a medical condition that may require immediate in-person medical care, such as chest pains, the patient will receive an on-line message advising the patient to immediately visit an urgent care center or hospital emergency care facility for diagnosis and treatment.

Yet another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the system may allow an emergency care physician to initiate a medical consultation from a remote computing station with the individual patient at another remote computing station using any of the advanced Internet-based interactive technology such as video conferencing, video calling or chatting.

In another exemplary embodiment, an online medical program and system may be provided whereby if the individual patient does not have access to a computing station, the system may allow for a physician to contact an individual patient via a telephone call.

Still yet another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the system may allow the individual user to send digital photographs to the physician by e-mail or web-based hand-held devices, such that the photographs may assist the doctor in making a diagnosis.

Yet another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the system may allow a user at a remote location having no access to an in-person physician to be provided with medical, diagnostic and consultation services via a telephone and/or internet connection.

In another exemplary embodiment, an online medical program and system may be provided whereby affiliate businesses may pay a fee for association with the medical program and system.

It is contemplated that the online medical program and system may provide an Internet- based online health service that may be designed to provide an appropriate medical examination for the type of medical condition to be diagnosed and treated.

In another exemplary embodiment, an online medical program and system may be provided whereby the system may be able to provide individual patients with assistance and diagnosis of common minor medical conditions such as allergies, colds and influenza; arthritis; asthma; conjunctivitis or pink eye; ear infections; inflamed or sore throats; minor joint trauma resulting from sprains and strains including those from sports injuries; sinus and nasal infections; skin inflammations caused by infections resulting from bacteria, blisters, burns or insect bites; and urinary tract infections. Urgent care or emergency care medical conditions requiring an in- person medical examination may be quickly referred for treatment at an urgent care center or hospital emergency care facility. Yet another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system which may allow a physician to order any X-rays or laboratory tests appropriate for the diagnosis through secure electronic communications to the radiologist or laboratory and the X-rays and laboratory test results may be sent to the ordering physician through secure electronic communications.

Still another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the system may send an electronic alert in the form of an email or text message to the individual patient that the X-rays or test results have been received by the e-health service and are being reviewed by an e-health physician.

Still another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the physician may review information received remotely including items like X-rays or laboratory test results and may initiate a follow-up consultation with the patient using an advanced Internet-based interactive technology such as video conferencing, video calling, chatting or an email communication, or if the patient does not have access to these advanced technologies, a telephone call.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, an online medical program and system may be provided whereby any prescriptions for medications or prescription-only devices made by the physician may be transmitted to the pharmacy selected by the patient by secure electronic communication.

In another exemplary embodiment, an online medical program and system may be provided whereby the physician may create a digital medical record following each patient medical consultation, which may be stored in a centralized database as part of the digital medical history maintained for the patient.

Yet another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby a patient's designated primary care physician may be notified and sent a copy of each medical record created and copies of any X-rays or laboratory test results utilized or diagnosed during the online consultation and these records may be sent to the primary doctor by a secure electronic communication. In an exemplary embodiment, an online medical program and system may be provided whereby if it is determined in the medical consultation that the patient should be referred to an urgent care center or hospital emergency care facility, the patient will select an urgent care center or hospital emergency care facility for the patient visit and the e-health service will electronically alert the facility of the anticipated arrival of the patient and send the facility by secure electronic transmission a copy of the medical record prepared by the e-health service physician setting forth the diagnosis.

In another exemplary embodiment, an online medical program and system may be provided whereby the computer based system and technology driven e-health system may align the interests of the health insurers, primary care and cross-coverage physicians, urgent care centers, hospital emergency care facilities and patients to provide a cost-efficient, convenient and medically appropriate diagnosis and treatment of many common minor medical conditions.

Still another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the system may dramatically reduce the cost of providing healthcare for common minor medical conditions and relieve overburdened urgent care centers and hospital emergency care facilities by reducing the patient visits for common minor medical conditions so as to allow these facilities to concentrate on medical conditions that require urgent or emergency physician care.

Still another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the system will have board-certified specialty doctors available for diagnostic and consultations.

Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment, the online medical system and program may be tailored to give medical consultation and diagnosis via online interaction with a patient.

Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment, the online medical program and system may address many healthcare needs for an individual patient.

In an exemplary embodiment, it is contemplated that the online medical program and system may be utilized for a variety of different medical conditions.

Yet another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby a health insurance group may pay for the consultation and diagnosis provided by the online system. Still another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the health insurance group may pay a fee for each subscribing insured member and the insured member may have access to the online medical program group by just being insured by a health insurance group.

Yet another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the health insurance group may pay a subscription fee to the online program and system for the ability for its insured members to utilize the system.

Another exemplary embodiment provides an online medical program and system whereby the system may identify and collect patient feedback.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, an online medical program and system may be provided whereby the individual patients may access their medical records and may track their medication records and the like.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an online medical system example in accordance with the systems and methods described herein.

Figure 2 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method in accordance with the systems and methods described herein.

Figure 3 illustrates another flow diagram of an example method in accordance with the systems and methods described herein.

While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

S- Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an online medical system 1 OO in accordance with the systems and methods described herein. The example online medical system IOO includes a remote computing station 102 connected to a remote server location 104 and a remote physician location 108. The system 100 may include an individual patient utilizing the remote computing station 102 to input criterion into the system 100. This information can, for example, be input into a database 106 located at a remote server location 104 by way of the remote computing station 102. In other words, a patient might add information to the database 106 using a remote station 102. This information might be sent to the database using a communication connection between the station 102 and locations 104 and 108. For example, communication connection might comprise the Internet. The remote server 104 can be used for storage of patient data and information, such as the criteria entered by the patient or other data entered by a medical professional. Additionally, a physician can be located at a remote location, e.g., a remote physician location 108. This location can be the same location as the remote server location 104 as indicated by line 110 or a different location from the remote server location. (It will be understood that "same location" means the same general location, such as the same address. The same location does not necessarily mean that the physician is located in a server room, for example.) The physician that receives information from the individual patient may respond through the remote server location whereby information from the physician is received at the individual patient remote computing station.

Additionally, it will be understood that data might flow from remote computing station 102 to server 104 and database 106. This might be done using an Internet connection or other communication system, for example. Alternatively, in other embodiments, data might flow directly from station 102 to location 108 using the Internet or another communication system. Similarly, data may flow from location 108 through server location 104 to remote computing station 102 or the information might flow directly from location 108 to remote computing station 102. Again, the Internet or other communication system might be used. Additionally, the remote server location 104 and the remote physician location 108 may be co-located.

In one embodiment, third party industry product and service providers can reach out to the patient/consumer, as well as physicians or other medical professionals, during the diagnostic process using an online medical program and system in accordance with the systems and methods described herein.

In some embodiments, for health care delivery and diagnosis, a licensed health care professional can provide consultation and treatment. The program may allow for the interactive audio, visual and data communication of potential treatment options, drug information, and educational information. This information can be tailored specifically to the patient's issues or health history. Additionally, a patient seeking treatment using an embodiment of the systems and methods described herein may use the system live, on screen, and in multiple languages of the patient's choice. Some example systems can provide a platform that allows for a more streamlined process of pharmacy selection that will result in targeted location selection. Such pharmacy selection may result in significant revenue opportunities for the company while providing potential cost savings to the consumer. Other incremental revenue opportunities to the company while saving the patient time in the fulfillment of the prescriptions may also be available.

One example system, allows for the opportunity to target specific advertising and to allow certain providers and manufacturers the ability to narrowly focus certain drug prescriptions and treatment protocols for patient consideration during the process of the online data collection. Additionally, some embodiments can provide for the ability to provide suggested pharmacies as possible locations of preference for post physician treatment. Exit instructions may also be provided which include drug prescriptions or post diagnosed therapy options.

Figure 2 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method in accordance with the systems and methods described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, a user can enter a user name and password in step 200 to log in at step 202. If the log in fails (step 204) then a message can be sent to the user and a retry can occur in step 206. After a predetermined number of attempts, e.g., 5, the login can be determined to be invalid (step 212) and a message notifying an administrator can be sent 210.

A valid login from step 204 or 212 will then lead to a determination if this is the first login at step 208. After first login, patient information 214 and medical records information 216 can be entered to provide first time demographics entry 218. If this is not the first attempt, login information previously entered might be checked for accuracy at step 220. Inaccurate information can lead to a profile update at step 222.

A chief complaint for the current medical problem or problems can be entered in step

224. A user disclaimer and text forms might also be provided. Credit card authorization or denial can occur in steps 226, 228, 230, 234. If the card is not approved a session may end in step 236. Assuming that the payment method, e.g., credit card, is approved, the system can receive, verify or change a location 232 of the patient. Software may be installed on the user's computer in step 244 and an "eVisit" Room may be opened to allow the user to consult with a doctor. (Generally, the application refers to doctors, however, it will be understood that the systems and methods described herein might be used in conjunction with other medical professionals.)

A wait may occur if a doctor is unavailable, as indicated in steps 240, 242. In step 242, a doctor makes an "eVisit" in step 242 and service begins 246. In step 248, the doctor may discharge instructions and a message indicating a conclusion may be sent in step 250.

One embodiment may also provide employer messages to employees in a virtual waiting room regarding treatment protocols, formulary information, and employee benefits. Additionally, some or all of this information might be made available in a multi-lingual environment. The benefits to the patient can be increased awareness of the various treatment options, possible pharmaceutical alternatives for treatment, and a reduction in the overall cost of the utilization of the platform. This might be accomplished because of a potentially significant amount of the ancillary revenue being generated by the business model which is being carried out by the third party advertisers or affiliate partners. These third party advertisers or affiliate partners may subsidize part or all of the costs for the opportunity to have certain non-intrusive outreach opportunities to virtually present to the patient during the process.

Some embodiments may offer a technological and regulatory compliant process that provides marketing and advertising opportunities to a directed buyer of health care needs. For example, some embodiments may provide a degree of privacy, which might be required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). In an embodiment, marketing and advertising opportunities might be provided to third parties based on a medical condition while not providing specific patient information, such as patient name. In some cases, state governments, who provide medical coverage for citizens who do not have private health insurance, as well as medical intermediaries providing or facilitating insurance coverage for private groups, specifically including Medicaid patient populations and self-insured companies who are providing coverage for their own employees, might be provided marketing and advertising opportunities that may provide revenue generation. Some embodiments allow for the monetization of various encounter opportunities between patient and doctor that medical practices might not currently provide because they may be foreclosed by regulatory prohibitions, time constraints, and lack of economies of scale. An embodiment might provide the ability for the pharmaceutical industry to provide specific targeted advertising and information to physicians that they might not have access to currently. Because some embodiments are internet based and service a large profile of patients, some example systems may be able to achieve economies of scale that might make this targeted advertising economically feasible.

In an emergency room encounter between the patient and the physician, often as much as 65% of the encounters are not true life threatening emergencies but rather inconvenient and episodic conditions that drive an Emergency Room visit due to the patient's inability of accessing a primary care doctor within a reasonable time. Approximately 20% of emergency room encounters are for a narrow range of urgent and inconvenient but non-life threatening medical issues. One embodiment provides a virtual platform that is available by patient selection in multiple languages, allowing a physician and a patient to interact for urgent but non-life threatening conditions that otherwise would have resulted in the patient seeking treatment at a physical location, such as an urgent care center or Hospital Emergency Room. An example system might also provide for some aspects of non-urgent care.

In some embodiments, various regulatory changes that have recently been put into effect have resulted in the inability of pharmaceutical drug companies and pharmaceutical drug manufacturers to provide previously offered educational and advertising opportunities directly to the physicians for the benefit of their patients. This has resulted in a significant impairment for the pharmaceutical industry to be able to provide timely and important product information to the medical community as was historically accomplished. As a partial result of this new regulatory environment, many of the outreach options to the physicians by the pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies have been foreclosed. In the alternative, many of these companies have chosen to utilize more direct consumer advertising and educational messages utilizing TV, radio, Internet etc. This approach tends to have a broad range and often fails to effectively reach its target market, and even when the intended patient base is successfully reached, the message is often untimely or inconvenient for the recipient. This has created a need for an improved vehicle of communication between those offering information and education on various medical opportunities to treat disease-specific conditions between the industry and the patient on a focused and timely basis. Additionally, some embodiments provide for a business model that may offer the patient utilizing the service to not only experience a high level of convenience, but also the opportunity to be made aware of financial savings from the fulfillment of their prescription needs pursuant to their medical diagnosis. This may also provide for a high level of quality assurance relative to the integrity of the script writing process.

In some embodiments, pursuant to a patient discharge, a prescription may be written, and given to the patient where the patient has physically visited an Emergency Room. It may be unusual for the emergency room physician to call in a prescription to a pharmacy on behalf of the patient. This potentially results in various negative scenarios. First the patient needs to carry the prescription "in person" to the pharmacy to get it filled. This often results in a wait time for the prescription to be filled of a half hour to several hours for the patient. In the event the specific medication is unavailable, the patient then needs to seek out other pharmacies to fill the script resulting in even more inconvenience. Additionally, since many scripts are hand written, there always remains the inherent risk of confusion and possible incorrect script fulfillment. When utilizing an Internet based doctors' program, this risk may be lessened or eliminated and a high level of consistency and accuracy may flow through the entire script writing and dispensing process.

The fulfillment of a script drives a consumer to the pharmacy. There is a tremendous amount of advertising capital expended by pharmacies to drive consumers to fulfill their scripts at their specific stores. This is driven by the desire of the pharmacies to not only fulfill their scripts at the pharmacy but also to encourage the consumer to purchase "non-script" related items within the pharmacy itself. Currently the pharmacy selection process has been left up to the consumer, and even when the consumer goes to a pharmacy, the consumer often goes through the "'drive through" window missing any incremental product sales opportunities that could be made available by the pharmacy. Even when the consumer enters the pharmacy, he often doesn't get exposed to the various potential product sales or any "'sale driven" advertising that is often missed or not convenient for the consumer to see. An embodiment may offer several unique opportunities that are heretofore unavailable during the traditional script writing and fulfillment process. First, some embodiments provide for the selection of the pharmacy itself by utilizing a drop-down menu that will default to a convenient geographic location, thereby directing traffic in the common situation where the consumer doesn't have a pharmacy preference. Next, since an internet based doctor might control the pharmacy process by acting as a potential formulary on behalf of itself or a designated pharmacy partner which can be geographic specific, it has the ability to better control the costs and drug selection process in a cost effective and ethical process. This can be driven by input offered by the specific insurance carrier or self-insured plan or other formulary partner to better control costs and consistency in the absence of a "Do Not Substitute'' designation by the attending physician. Additionally, during the diagnosis and discharge process, the embodiment is able to present the patient certain ancillary product purchase opportunities, that are diagnosis or cogent based on their medical histories that can offer the patient cost savings opportunities at pharmacies that have been identified for script fulfillment. These coupons now make the patient aware of the savings benefit, specifically targeted to their immediate issues, and incentivize the patient with a specific reason to enter the pharmacy or request these items at the time of visit to the pharmacy for their script fulfillment, which can be filled at the drive through window.

Some embodiments provide a unique opportunity at several strategic points during the patient interaction to allow targeted messages in a non-obtrusive and informative manner. The virtual patient encounter can require the individual to fill out a medical questionnaire as well as provide opportunities to view and make various selections throughout the course of preparing for the virtual visit. Some embodiments may provide for the creation of a '"Virtual Waiting

Room™" attachment. In anticipation and preparation of the virtual medical encounter with a licensed medical health provider, the patient resides in the Internet-based doctor Virtual Waiting

Room™ While the patient is queuing to see the doctor, this unique screen allows the patient to be presented with various informational and advertising opportunities that are all database driven and interactive. During this process, information is targeted which triggers multiple opportunities for specific advertising and educational presentations to help the patient become better informed and make better decisions about their treatment options. This engagement with the patient lasts until he/she is ready to see the attending physician.

At the time of the completion of the medical encounter, and if a prescription is part of the discharge, a drop down default screen can be structured to provide the "preferred and site recommended" pharmacy of choice for the patient, which also allows the system to provide targeted advertising and incremental marketing opportunities to the patient, also available in a printed format that the patient can print off the computer.

In some embodiments, a patient might be directed to a preferred pharmacy provider. In other embodiments, a patient may select a pharmacy before a visit. Additionally, a patient may have the opportunity to change the selection of the pharmacy at a later time. The system may pre-populate the alternate selection with targeted advertising opportunities based on the selection specific to that pharmacy and its exact location. These marketing and sales opportunities may be updated on a real time basis. The script (e.g., prescription) can be electronically sent to the pharmacy and will await the patient's arrival at the pharmacy. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the script fulfillment can be accomplished by an overnight delivery service. A large number of scripts might be written for the large number of patients that might utilize the system. Accordingly, this business model may allow a company using the systems and methods described herein to negotiate revenue from various pharmacy fulfillment partners while at the same time offering superior convenience for the patient. Additional cost product savings in the form of couponing, etc. might also be made available for the patient. The couponing and various marketing materials may be placed directly on the discharge instructions as well as a separate print out that may accompany the discharge papers. There may also be coupons that can be automatically populated on the discharge instructions based on the patient profile and diagnosis. Additionally, the patient can have the opportunity to select a button that allows him or her to browse additional coupons, which may populate on additional pages. These may also be patient and diagnosis specific. This targeted advertising can be available to print. These coupons, in addition to potentially being diagnosis and/or lifestyle specific, might be time and location sensitive. All of these patient advertising and educational points of contact may result in a significant shift in the cost burden to the third party providers while still completely leaving the course of treatment to the privacy of the physician patient relationship.

It is contemplated that the online virtual medical platform and complete process of interaction between the patient and the provider will be affiliated with certain third party industry product or service providers, integrated through the data collection process to provide revenue, cost savings and benefits for all parties. To this end, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, online, unique key word search functionality, which is symptom, disease, and lifestyle specific, will target certain unique information display opportunities that will incorporate technology that will access current news and editorial content that will be available to the patient while awaiting the medical visit.

Figure 3 illustrates another flow diagram of an example method in accordance with the systems and methods described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, a user can enter a user name and password in step 300 to login at step 302. If the log in fails (step 304) then it can be determined if the login is a first-time login in step 306. If the login is not valid (step 308) then the password may be reset in step 310 and the user may retry. After a first login patient information 312 and medical records information 214 can be entered to provide first time demographics entry 318. From a patient hub, step 318 can be used to make decisions in step 320 regarding patient satisfaction surveys 322, viewing history and discharge instructions 324, or beginning an eVisit 326.

In step 326, a patient or other user may update profile information in step 328. A chief complaint for the current medical problem or problems can be entered in step 328. A user disclaimer and text forms might also be provided. Credit card authorization or denial can occur in steps 330, 332, 334. If the card is not approved a session may end in step 354.

Queuing methods can be selected in step 336 and patient and doctor notification of the beginning of queuing in step 338. Queuing methods 336 can include next available slot with a possible wait 344 in the queue 340 or a scheduled time slot 342. In step 346 eVisit software can be installed on the patient computer 346 and the eVisit can begin in step 248, with a doctor joining 350. Electronic delivery of discharge instructions can occur in step 352 followed by the end of the session 354. In an embodiment, a patient can create a new account by: (1) patient receives invitation email and follows link to reset password and log in to an embodiment system, (2) patient completes Account Information form, (3) patient completes Medical Information form, (4) patient gets redirected to account hub page, and (5) patient logs out.

In an embodiment, a patient can start an eVisit by (1) patient logs in to an embodiment system, (2) patient opens eVisit form on account hub page, (3) patient reviews medical information and updates it as needed, (4) patient pays for eVisit through, e.g., a linked PayPal application or other payment method, (5) patient checks in and waits for doctor, (6) patient accepts WebEx invitation from doctor, (7) patient participates in a consultation with the doctor, and (8) patient logs out.

In an embodiment, a patient may start an eVisit but might not want to wait for the doctor.

Accordingly, the patient might (1) log in to an embodiment system, (2) patient opens eVisit form on account hub page, (3) patient reviews medical information and updates it as needed, (4) patient pays for eVisit through e.g., linked PayPal application, (5) patient checks in and asks to be notified when doctor is available, and (6) patient logs out.

Additionally, in an embodiment, a patient may log in for eVisit after receiving notification. Accordingly, a patient may (1) receive email notification, with embedded link to application, stating that doctor is ready, (2) patient clicks link in email and is taken to log in page, (3) patient logs in, (4) patient goes to account hub page, (5) patient accepts invite for WebEx/phone call, (6) patient participates in virtual visit, (7) patient completes visit, and (8) patient logs out.

In an embodiment, a patient may complete a satisfaction survey, including (1) patient receives email notification, with embedded link to application, stating that they can complete a patient satisfaction survey, (2) patient clicks link in email and is taken to log in page, (3) patient logs in, (4) patient goes to account hub page, (5) patient selects patient satisfaction survey, (6) patient completes patient satisfaction survey, and (7) patient logs out.

In an embodiment, a doctor conducts a virtual visit without notification, including (1) doctor logs in to an embodiment, (2) doctor reviews list of patients in queue, (3) doctor selects patient from queue, (4) doctor taken to patient account hub page, (5) doctor reviews patient information as needed, (6) doctor creates new Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) note, (7) doctor invites patient to participate in WebEx/phone call, (8) doctor prescribes for patient using ePrescription application, (9) doctor gives discharge instructions to the patient (optional), (10) doctor completes virtual visit, and (11) doctor returns to main page to review queue to select next patient.

In an embodiment, the doctor conducts a virtual visit with notification by (1) receiving an email with embedded link to patient account notifying him that patient is waiting, (2) doctor clicks on link and logs into an embodiment, (3) doctor taken to patient account hub page, (4) doctor reviews patient information as needed, (5) doctor creates new SOAP note, (6) doctor invites patient to participate in WebEx/phone call, (7) doctor prescribes for patient using ePrescription application, (8) doctor gives discharge instructions to the patient (optional), (9) doctor completes virtual visit, and (10) doctor logs out.

An embodiment may intercede a missed patient visit by: (1) an administrator may receive an email with embedded link to patient account notifying him that patient is waiting and has not been seen by a doctor, (2) the administrator may call or page a doctor who missed an appointment, (3) if a doctor who missed appointment is not available, the administrator can call/page/email next on-call doctor, (4) a new doctor can respond to the request and takes over patient visit, and the doctor administrator logs out.

It will be understood that no particular order for the steps in the methods described is required unless expressly stated and that some embodiments may use alternative orders for the steps or omit certain steps.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An online medical system, the system comprising:

a remote computing station, utilizable by a patient to input criterion into the online medical system;

a database, coupled to the remote computing station, located at a remote server location and configured to store patient data and information, including the input criterion; and

a remote physician location that receives the criterion from the individual patient through the remote computing station, wherein a physician located at the remote physician location can respond to the patient through the remote server location and whereby information from the physician is received at the remote computing station.

2. The system described in Claim 1 wherein the physician may provide consultation and diagnosis of minor medical conditions.

3. The system described in Claim 1 wherein said system allows a physician to provide treating including prescriptions for medications and prescription only devices.

4. The system described in Claim 3 wherein said system allows for maintenance of medical records on the database located at a remote location.

5. The system described in Claim 1 wherein said system allows for communication via interactive audio, visual and other electronic and digital means.

6. The system described in Claim 1 wherein said system allows for payment for consultation by the individual patient, health insurance providers and the like.

7. The system described in Claim 1 wherein said system diminishes the need for in-person health care at an urgent care facility.

8. The system described in Claim 1 wherein the system allows for a physician to order X-rays and laboratory tests from a remote location to the individual patient.

9. The system described in Claim 1 wherein the system transfers medical information from the online system to the primary care physician.

10. The system described in Claim 1 wherein the system provides for follow up consultation with the individual patient.

11. The system described in Claim 1 wherein the remote server location and the remote physician location comprise the same location.

12. A method for an online medical system, the method comprising:

providing a remote computing station, utilizable by a patient to input criterion into the online medical system;

providing a database, coupled to the remote computing station, located at a remote server location and configured to store patient data and information, including the input criterion; and providing a remote physician location that receives the criterion from the individual patient through the remote computing station, wherein a physician located at the remote physician location can respond to the patient through the remote server location and whereby information from the physician is received at the remote computing station.

13. The method described in Claim 12 further comprising providing a single location for the remote server location and the remote physician.

14. The method described in Claim 12 wherein a physician can provide treating including prescriptions for medications and prescription only devices.

15. The method described in Claim 12 further comprising providing for communication via interactive audio, visual and other electronic and digital means.

16. An online medical system, the system comprising:

a remote physician location that receives a criterion from an individual patient through a remote computing station, wherein a physician located at the remote physician location can respond to the patient through the remote server location and whereby information from the physician is received at the remote computing station; a database, coupled to the remote computing station, located at a remote server location and configured to store patient data and information, including the input criterion; and

wherein the system provides exit instructions that allow certain providers an ability to narrowly focus certain drug prescriptions and treatment protocols for patient consideration to the individual patient through the remote computing station.

17. The system described in Claim 1 wherein the remote server location and the remote physician location comprise the same location.

18. The system described in Claim 1 wherein said system allows a physician to provide treating including prescriptions for medications and prescription only devices.

19. The system described in Claim 1 wherein said system allows for communication via interactive audio, visual and other electronic and digital means.

20. The system described in Claim 1 wherein the system allows for a physician to order X-rays and laboratory tests from a remote location to the individual patient.