Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAINTAINING COMPUTERIZED
DENTAL RECORDS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to health-related electronic
information systems and methods, and more particularly to systems and methods
for electronic maintenance of patient health records accessible from remote
locations via a global computer network.
BACKGROUND
The health care industry continuously evolves to provide patients
with more efficient care. For example, the standard of care has progressively
shifted from unidisciplinary care to multidisciplinary care, and further to
interdisciplinary care in which teams of coordinated doctors, each with
specific
roles, provide patient care over a time continuum. This latter form empowers
both the patient and doctor to fully explore and consider both the complete
diagnosis and optimum treatment plan for maximum results.
The implementation of interdisciplinary care requires a
well-orchestrated team. Due diligence is required for accurate and precise
records, diagnoses, and treatment planning among team members. In addition,
full patient cooperation, understanding, and time is necessary to complete the
team. The difficulty in coordinating a team of doctors and a patient has
resulted
in a less than optimum percentage of doctors yet participating in
interdisciplinary
care practices.
Effective interdisciplinary care further requires proper transfer of
information and consultation between and among patients and their doctors.
This
currently requires a physical coming together of all relevant parties.
Appropriate
information and records are made available for each individual consultation by
way of mail or by hand, often with duplication of time, travel, labor, and
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materials. The steps of collecting relevant patient data, disseminating it
among
providers, allowing collective review, individual rendering of decisions,
individual informing of the patient, and ultimate confirmation of treatment
regimens, have thus been laborious at best. The time and cost of such
S sequencing, especially for complex cases where this is most needed, may
preclude either patient or doctor from fully pursuing the proper
interdisciplinary
approach.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and system for
maintenance of patient records and information in a computer database via a
global computer network. A computer database having one or more patient
records, each record of which has one or more fields, is created and is
accessible
via the global computer networlc for viewing axed editing by entry of the
appropriate authorization code by a user.
1 S The present invention provides a portal for both healthcare
consumer and professional. The invention provides information storage, access,
and dissemination, and interconnectivity between patients and doctors.
Databases housed and managed within a central, controlled environment allow
access and manipulation by authorized users via a global computer network.
Multiple providers from different locations are able to simultaneously access
a
patient database for team treatment planning and collaboration. Its capability
includes not only instant dissemination of increased information but seamless,
simultaneous data base access from multiple locations.
The invention preferably has distinct entry points for the users
2S accessing the site, including a dental member entry point, a patient entry
point,
and a general entry point. Each entry point provides access to several
different
database areas.
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The dentist entry point provides for entry of new patient records,
access to and edit of patient dental records entered by that dentist, and
input of
new entries into these patient dental records. Through the member dentist
entry
point, patient records and information may be disseminated to and accessed by
other health professionals at the discretion of the dentist who entered the
patient
information. The dentist entry point further provides access to other
databases of
interest to dental professionals, such as an interactive diagnosis and
treatment
database, practice management topics, continuing education subjects, and
Interdisciplinary Dentofacial Therapy (II7T) information.
The patient entry point allows access by a dental patient to view or
edit selected portions of his/her own dental record. The patient entry point
further
allows access to databases relating to dental topics, such as dental hygiene
and
care, common dental disorders, and dental treatments.
The present invention also provides for dissemination of dental-
related information from the general entry point.
Access through the various entry points is determined based on the
access code entered by a user of the invention. The dentist will provide a
patient
authorization code to each of his patients for whom the dentist has input a
patient
dental record into the database. This authorization code will enable the
patient to
access the patient dental record associated with that patient and to access
the
other databases available through the patient entry point.
Entry of the dentist authorization code will enable the dentist to
access all patient dental records input into the database by the dentist. The
dentist
will further be able to access the other databases available through the
dentist
entry point.
General visitors and dentists who may desire further information
regarding the features of the invention access selected databases and other
features through the home page without the entry of an authorization code.
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While the invention is described in relation to a preferred
embodiment relating to the provision of dental care and providers of dental
care,
the invention is not limited to use in the dental industry and has broad
applicability in any health care profession.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the member dentist entry point of the present
invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the patient area of the member dentist entry
point of
S the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the IDT area of the member dentist entry point of
the
present invention;
Fig. 4 is a bloclc diagram of the practice management area of the member
dentist
entry point of the present invention;
Fig. S is a block diagram of the continuing education area of the member
dentist
entry point of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a bloclc diagram of the reference area of the member dentist entry
point
of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the patient entry point of the present invention;
1 S Fig. 8 is a bloclc diagram of the dental professional area of the general
entry point
of the present invention; and
Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the general visitor area of the general entry
point of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention provides a method for medical professionals
to manage patient records by remote access via a global computer network. A
database of patient records is maintained, housed, and managed within a
central,
controlled environment remote from the location of the medical professional.
Remote access to the records is provided by entry of a unique authorization
coda
2S via the global computer network.
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Each patient record has at least one field of information.
Preferably, each patient record has at least one field for image data and at
least
one field for text data. Also preferably, each patient record corresponds to a
single patient. At least one entry of information into at least one field is
made
into the record. Subsequent entries into the record may also be made.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to
management of patient dental records. A preferred embodiment utilizes a web
site on the Internet as the access point for the patient dental records. It
will be
recognized by one of shill in the art that other embodiments may be practiced
that
do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined and set
forth in
the claims.
In a preferred embodiment, a user accesses a general entry point,
preferably a general home page on the Internet, which provides several
choices,
including a dentist entry point 100 (fig. 1) and a patient entry point 300
(Fig. 7).
Other choices from the general home page may include access to a visitor area,
access to a dental professional area, an information area, a dentist search
area, and
an application to change the user's status to allow access to areas of limited
access.
Figure 1 illustrates the architecture of the dentist entry point 100.
Upon entry to the dentist entry point 100, a dentist user is prompted and
required
to enter a predetermined dentist authorization code. This dentist
authorization
code is assigned to the dentist when the dentist joins the web site. The
dentist
authorization code is unique for each dentist accessing the web site. The
dentist
may also allow employees or agents of the dentist to use the dentist
authorization
code to access the dentist entry point. These would include receptionists,
dental
assistants, and dental hygienists employed in the dentist's office. This would
allow employees or agents of the dentist to assist in the management of dental
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patient records under the supervision of the dentist. Reference herein to
"dentist"
includes the employees or agents of the dentist. Additionally, the dentist may
establish separate authorization codes for the dentist's employees or agents
to
limit the access of the employee or agent to selected portions of the records.
The
use of these authorization codes, and the codes provided to the patients, as
discussed below, ensures that only authorized users have access to dental
patient
records or portions thereof. Thus, the confidentiality and security of access
to
patient dental records may be maintained.
After the dentist authorization code is entered, the dentist user
accesses a dentist home page (not shown) from which the dentist may access
other areas of the web site. The dentist home page may be customized by the
dentist. From there, the dentist may access any one of several different
sections-Patients 110, IDT Team Section 130, Practice Management 140,
Continuing Education 150, Group Purchasing 160, Classified Ads 161, Search
170, Help 180, and Reference Zone 200. It is within the spirit and scope of
the
invention for additional sections to be made available, and it is to be
recognized
that not all of the listed sections are required by the invention as defined
by the
claims.
Figure 2 illustrates the architecture of the patient 110 section of
the preferred embodiment. Once the dentist has entered the patient 110
section,
he or she may access any of the following areas:
Patient Scheduling 111,
Patients General Charts 112,
Medical/Dental History Charts 113,
General Exams 114,
Prescriptions 115,
Referral Slip/Extraction Slip 116,
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Diagnosis and Treatment Guide 117,
Lab Request and Tracking 118,
IDT Specific Charts and Records 119,
IDT Workflow/Application 120, and
E-Statements for Billing 121. .
In the Patient Scheduling 111 area, the dentist may input, view,
confine, or modify daily appointments by patients. The dentist may also e-mail
reminders to patients regarding upcoming appointments, respond to e-mails from
patients with appointment requests, and automatically or manually e-mail
notifications of needed appointments to patients.
The information in this area may be viewed in a variety of ways,
including by day, by week, by patient, and by name. This allows the dentist to
actively asld effectively manage his appointment calendar.
In the Patients General Charts 112 area, the dentist inputs and
maintains general information regarding the patient, such as personal
information
and insurance information. This information is generally provided by the
patient,
but may also be provided from other sources. As discussed below, this
information may also be edited by a patient user accessing the database.
In the Medical/Dental History Charts 113 area, the dentist inputs
and maintains information regarding the medical and dental history of the
patient.
This information may be provided from the patient or from other medical and
dental professionals who forward the information to the dentist, either
electroiucally or otherwise.
In the General Exams 114 area, the dentist inputs diagnostic and
treatment information currently included in hard copy records maintained by
dentists of the general examinations of their patients. This includes
information
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regarding results, observations, diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions, etc.
regarding the examinations of the patient.
The diagnostic and treatment information may include digital
photos and x-ray images. Image data of any format may be input and is
supported. Each patient dental record will have at least one text field and at
least
one image field.
Diag~losis and treatment information may be entered by uploading
documents generated by local word processing programs, by freehand typing
directly into the database, or by selecting one or more predetermined
diagnostic
and treatment options available from a menu of diagnostic and treatment
options
provided to the dentist via a drop-down menu. The data entry may also be
provided via a graphical or tabular interface, for example, as if the dentist
were
malting entries into a dental and periodontal examination chart. In other
words,
the data input screen may be made to resemble the dental and periodontal
examination chart typically used by the dentist, with different drop-down
menus
for each location in the chart in which an entry may be made.
Once an entry is made into the General Exams 114 area, such an
entry may be made permanent and viable to be altered. This will ensure that
diagnosis and treatment information is not subsequently altered or deleted,
such
that a record of the history of diagnoses and treatment of the patient is
incomplete. As discussed, below, a baclcup record of selected entries to a
patient
dental record may also be generated to ensure permanence of record entries.
An entry into the History 113 area may be automatically made
when an entry is made into the patient dental record though the General Exams
114 area.
Each entry or modification into the patient dental record is also
provided with a date stamp to reference when the entry or modification was
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made. The entries into the patient dental record may be sorted and displayed
by
date. Further, the entries may be provided with a version number, which is
discussed in more detail below.
In the Prescriptions 115 area, the dentist may enter information
regarding medications prescribed to the patient. This area may also be used
for
actual entry of prescriptions for electronic transmittal to an approved
pharmacy.
An entry into the History 1 I3 area may be automatically made when an entry is
made into the Prescriptions 115 area.
In the Referral Slip/Extraction Slip are 116, the dentist may enter
information regarding other medical or dental professionals to whom the
dentist
is referring the patient for additional evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.
Tlus
area may be used to male referrals via the global computer networl with e-mail
notifications to the patient and the relevant doctors of referral. An entry
into the
History 113 area may be automatically made when an entry is made into the
Referral 116 area.
In the Diagnosis and Treatment Guide 117 area, the dentist may
engage an interactive diagnosis and treatment guide to identify potential
diagnoses and treatments that a dentist may wish to consider that correlate to
the
symptoms of a patient. The dentist enter answers to a series of questions
relating
to observations, visual signs, or symptoms (collectively "symptoms"). The
symptoms may be those actually observed by or related to the dentist, or those
obtained from the record data. As with the case of record entry, as discussed
above, the answers or questions may be displayed and input via graphical or
tabular representations, such as a dental and periodontal examination chart.
The dentist enters one or more symptoms from a predetermined
list of symptoms. Preferably, these symptoms are available to the dentist via
one
or more drop-down menus. After the dentist has entered the symptoms, an
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automatic search of the diagnosis and treatment guide database is conducted to
identify records in the diagnosis and treatment database to the dentist that
match
the combination of symptoms entered.
Then one or more questions are automatically generated for the
dentist to answer based on the diagnosis and treatment records found. The
dentist
enters one or more answers to these questions from a predetermined list of
answers made available to the dentist, preferably via a drop-down menu. Then
the diagnosis and treatment guide database is automatically searched for one
or
more diagnosis and treatment records matching the combination of symptoms and
answers entered. The resulting diagnosis and treatment records are displayed
to
the dentist. If the dentist desires to continue to narrow the matching
records, the
dentist may answer additional questions to generate another automatic search
for
matclung records. The resulting matching diagnosis and treatment records may
then be consulted by the dentist in determining the diagnosis and plan of
treatment for the patient.
In the Lab Request and Tracl~ing 118 area, the dentist enters and
maintains information relating to orders to laboratories. This area may be
used
for electronic ordering of laboratory goods and services from approved
laboratories. This area may also be used to verify the status of laboratory
appliances and equipment.
In the IDT Specific Charts and Records 119 area, the dentist enters .
and maintains information for patient charts and records that are specific to
IDT
team treatment. This includes information regarding the members of the IDT
team and electronic correspondence between IDT team members.
In the IDT Worl~flow/Application 120 area, the dentist and the
IDT team members enter and maintain the information required to pursue IDT
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treatment for the patient. The IDT team treatment process is discussed in
further
detail below.
In the E-statements for Billing 121 area, the dentist enters and
maintains information relating to the billing of the charges for the services
rendered to the patient. This includes billings made to any insurance
companies
as well as billings directly to the patient. Further, a patient's payment
schedule
and payment history are maintained. This includes maintenance of on-line
account statements, provision for direct electronic billing to insurance
companies,
and automatic mailing, via electronic or hard copy mail, of overdue
notifications.
The Patient 110 section also enables the dentist to cormnunicate
with the patient. This may be effected via the patient's e-mail address, by an
area
established within the patient 110 section for leaving messages for the
patient in a
field associated with the patient dental record, or any other suitable method.
Lilcewise, the patient may also communicate with the dentist in a like
reciprocal
manner. The Patient 110 section may also include the capability to maintain
and
access threaded topics. Threaded topics are those that have the same or
similar
subject matter. This would enable a dentist or a patient to see only messages
related to a particular topic, for example, those related to treatment
regarding a
particular tooth.
The dentist may choose to maintain the remote access during
business hours, or may choose to terminate access at any time. Access to the
web
site is available at any time during the day or night, and the dentist may
choose to
access the web site from home as well as from the office. A feature of this
invention is that the patient dental records are available for access 24 hours
a day,
seven days a week, from any location with access to the Internet. This can
improve the efficiency of the dentist by enabling access to patient dental
records,
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and the other features of the invention, during times when the dentist is not
physically located in the office.
Once a patient dental record, or entries within a patient dental
record, is identified as matching the input text, this patient dental record
may be
retrieved, edited, or new entries made, as discussed below. After completion
of
the access to the patient dental record, the record is again stored into the
database
in its modified form.
Preferably, each time an entry is made to a record, selected
previous entries to the record are copied and stored separate from the active
database as a permanent baclcup record. Preferably, the selected previous
entries
include diagnostic and treatment entries. The baclcup record or the new entry
or
both are provided with a sequential version number which identifies the number
of times a record is baclced up or new entries are made the record. This
enables a
dentist, for example, to identify if there are new entries to be reviewed
based on
the version number of the record in the active database, provides for storage
of a
permanent backup copy of the record for security purposes, and may aid in the
coordination of treatment with other dental professionals. A dentist may also
request that a hard copy of the active record, backup record, or portions
thereof be
printed and provided for physical storage.
Periodically, the record, or selected entries or portions thereof,
may also be archived to a remote location by any method practicable, such as
tape
backup storage, removable electronic dislc storage, etc. This will provide
additional storage space for new records or new entries, while preserving the
history of the existing records.
Figure 3 illustrates the architecture for the mT Team Section 130
of the preferred embodiment. Once the dentist has entered the IDT Team Section
130, he or she may access any of the following areas:
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IDT Team Directory 131,
IDT Club Directory 132,
IDT Center Directory 133,
Calendar of IDT Meetings 134,
IDT Discussion Board 135,
IDT Conference 136,
Cliucal Pearls 137,
Custom Forms for Case Management 138, and
Custom Defined Protocols 139.
IDT entails collaboration of several different dental or medical
professionals to coordinate a treatment plan according to the symptoms of the
patient. Often this collaboration requires coordination of the timing of
treatments
from different disciplines to maximize the benefit to the patient. This
collaboration is accomplished via regimental sequencing of diagnostic and
treatment planning procedures.
While the features of the present invention are discussed in terms
of IDT, it is to be recognized that the invention includes within its scope
other
coordinated treatment efforts, study clubs, collaboration among two or more
dental care professionals, and other interactions between dental care
professionals, and is not limited to implementation of IDT programs. A
preferred
embodiment of the present invention empowers dentists to utilize
interdisciplinary dentistry through the IDT program.
The IDT team members are assembled and interact before a course
of treatment is commenced. The cooperation and advance planning by the team
of health care professionals results in maximizing the treatment benefit and
shortening of the treatment time by obtaining input from and coordinating the
efforts of all team members according to an agreed-upon schedule of treatment.
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In order to effectively coordinate the treatments and maintain the
regimental sequencing of procedures, interaction and communication between
team members is essential. To effect this interaction and communication, each
patient under treatment by an IDT team will have IDT-related information
available to team members in the IDT Specific Charts/Records 119 and IDT
Workflow/Application 120 areas of the Patient I 10 area. The specific
information available in these areas will depend upon the particular
circumstance
for the patient in question, but will ordinarily conform with the general
provisions
of IDT team treatment as established by The Academy of Interdisciplinary
Dentofacial Therapy.
Throughout the country, there are many members of The Academy
of Interdisciplinary Dentofacial Therapy and several established IDT clubs.
The
IDT Team Section 130 provides for coordination and information relating to IDT
clubs. The dentist may access the areas in the IDT Team Section 130 for
information regarding and in support of this program.
Figure 4 illustrates the architecture for the Practice Management
140 section of the preferred embodiment. Once the dentist has entered the
Practice Management 140 section, he or she may access any of the following
areas:
Staff Training 141,
Staff CE/Certification 142,
Payroll 143,
Help Wanted 144, and
Marketing 145.
The areas within the Practice Management 140 section all relate to
assisting the dentist in managing his/her practice. Within this area, the
dentist
may enter and maintain information regarding the business aspect of his/her
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practice. The Practice Management 140 section contains information designed to
assist the dentist and allows for record keeping relating to his/her office.
It will
be evident to one with ordinary skill in the art that areas in addition to or
omitted
froln those listed in the preferred embodiment do not depart from the spirit
and
scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
Figure 5 illustrates the architecture for the Continuing Education
150 section of the preferred embodiment. Once the dentist has entered the
Continuing Education 150 section, lie or she may access any of the following
areas:
Learning Space~ 151,
Case Study of the Month 152,
Roundtable Discussions 153,
Minutes and Agenda 154,
Membership Status Reports 155,
Bulletin Board 156,
Discussion Board 157,
Calendar of Study Group (SG) Meetings 158, and
Track CE Credits 159.
Every state has requirements regarding continuing education for
dentists. Additionally, it is good practice for a dentist to maintain
knowledge
regarding current events and new developments in the dental industry. Further,
dentists routinely exchange knowledge and continue study to refine their
knowledge regarding particular dental-related subjects.
The Continuing Education 150 section provides a section for the
dentist to monitor continuing education topics, including viewing a calendar
of
continuing education events, tracl~ing of the continuing education credits
acquired
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by the dentist, and actual discussion of dental topics with other dental
professionals.
The Search 170 section, shown in Figure 1, allows the dentist user
to search the entire web site for text matching an input text. This search may
also
be narrowed to search only patient dental records or to search one or more
particular fields within a patient dental record. Thus, a dentist user could
search a
patient record to identify and retrieve all entries dealing with a particular
subject
matter (e.g., orthodontia) or that were for a certain date or that related to
a
particular tooth.
Figure 6 illustrates the architecture for the Reference Zone 200
section of the preferred embodiment. Once the dentist has entered the
Reference
Zone 200 section, he or she may access any of the following areas:
Consultation Services 201,
Ask an Expert 202,
Encyclopedia of Dental Information 203,
Listing of Dentists 204,
Events 205,
Pharmacy Zone 206,
Dental Links 207
Speakers 208,
Real Time Chat 209,
Dental Labs 210,
Wealth Management 220, including Investments 221, Retirement and Estate
Planning 222, Accounting 223, Legal 224, and Architectural 225, and
Practice Transition 230, including SellingBuying 231, Associates 232, Site
Leasing 233, and Site Ownership 234.
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The Reference Zone 200 section provides areas for dentists to
locate and acquire information regarding topics not provided for in other
sections
and areas of the web site. The information provided in this section may be
provided by dentists who participate in the web site or by external content
providers. As in the other areas and sections, access to the various areas in
this
section may be controlled via the authorization code provided to the user or
by
the author of the information in each area.
Figure 7 illustrates the architecture of the patient entry point 300.
Upon entry to the patient entry point 300, the patient user is prompted and
required to enter a predetermined patient authorization code or patient
password.
The predetermined patient authorization code is provided by the dentist who
has
entered the dental record associated with that patient into the dental record
database, as is discussed in more detail below. Upon the first entry of the
patient
authorization code, the patient may be directed to an on-line medical
information
release authorization to authorize the member dentist to maintain digital
dental
records.
After this initial authorization, the patient user is directed to the
home page (not shown) of the dentist who provided the patient authorization
code
to the patient user. From this dentist home page, the patient user may enter
any
of several different sections, including Patient General Chart 310, Reference
Zone 320, Pharmacy Zone 330, Search 340, Help 350, and General IDT
Information 360.
Once the patient user enters the Patient General Chart 310 section,
he or she may access various areas relating to his dental record, such as
Medical/Dental History 312, General Exams 314, and IDT Charts 316. This area
also includes patient personal information which may be changed by the
patient,
such as address, telephone number, and insurance information. These areas may
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or may not be the same areas as those accessible via the dentist entry point
100
and identif ed as Patient General Charts 112, Medical/Dental History Charts
113,
General Exams 114, and IDT Specific Charts/Records 119. The areas accessible
by the patient user will have information that is also present in the areas
accessible by the dentist user, but the patient user will generally not have
access
to all of the information accessible by the dentist user.
The patient user will be able to add or modify selected entries in
the patient General Chart 310 section, but will only be able to view other
information in this section. The dentist who enters the dental record into the
database and provides the patient authorization code will initially determine
the
information accessible and modifiable by the patient user. As additional
entries
are made into the patient dental record, the author of the entry has the
capability
to enable the patient user to access or to modify the information. As can be
expected, there is a desire for the patient user not to have the capability to
modify
information relating to, for example, diagnosis and treatment of the patient.
However, it is advantageous to allow the patient user to view this
information.
The patient may also be able to correspond directly with the
dentist using a message area via the patient entry point 300 in order to asl~
questions, schedule an appointment, request a prescription from the dentist,
or
request information. This may be integrated into the patient General Chart 310
section, or in another section or area of the patient entry point 300.
Upon entry to the Reference Zone 320 section, the patient user
may access various areas relating to general dentistry topics, including
Encyclopedia of Dental Information 322, Aslc a Dentist 324, Listing of
Dentists
326, and Events 328. These areas may or may not be the same areas as those
accessible via the dentist entry point 100 and identified as Reference Zone
200,
Encyclopedia of Dental Information 203, Listing of Dentists 204, and Events
205.
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The Encyclopedia of Dental Information 322 includes information regarding
dental self care topics and regarding dental treatment topics. It will be
apparent
that other areas may also be include in this section, such as areas providing
for
external lincs to dental-related content on different web sites.
The patient user will also have access to Pharmacy Zone 330,
Search 340, Help 350, and General IDT Information 360 sections. These sections
may or may not be the same areas as those accessible via the dentist entry
point
100 and identified as Pharmacy Zone 206, Search 170, and Help 180.
The patient user may remotely access and terminate the remote
access to the web site at any time. Because the web site is available 24 hours
a
day and seven days a weep, the patient user may access his or hex patient
dental
record and the other features of the invention at any convenient time,
regardless
of the office hours of the dentist.
Figure 8 illustrates the architecture of the dental professional entry
point. Once the general home page 400 is accessed by the user via the
Internet,
the dental professional who is not a member may access sections including a
Tour 401 section, a How To Register 402 section, and an Information About Web
Site 410 section.
The Tour 401 section provides a tour of the features of the web
site to allow potential member dentists to evaluate the suitability of use of
the
web site with their individual practice. The How To Register 402 section
provides information regarding how to become a member and have access to the
features discussed above for those who have been provided a dentist
authorization
code.
The Information About Web Site 410 section includes How Will It
Benefit Me 412 and Member Directory 413 areas to further enable potential
member dentists to evaluate the suitability of use of the web site with their
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individual practice and identify other dentists who are members and are taping
advantage of the features.
The Information About Web Site 410 section also includes a What
Is IDT 420 section. This section includes information about IDT specifically
designed for dentists who are not yet familiar with IDT. The What Is IDT 420
section includes an IDT 430 section, having What Is IDT 431, How Do I Become
an IDT Member 432, More About IDT 433, Why IDT 434, FAQ (Frequently
Asl~ed Questions) 435, Member Directory 436, IDT Bulletin Board 437, and
Your Future in IDT 439 areas. These areas provide general information
regarding IDT.
The What Is IDT 420 section further includes an IDT Education
440 section, having What is an IDT Study Group 441, Chapter Directory 442,
Case of the Month 443, Continuing Education 444, and Speal~ers Bureau 445
areas. These areas provide information regarding how the IDT process is
learned
and promulgated throughout the dental industry.
The What Is IDT 420 section further includes an IDT In Practice
450 section, having How Do I Practice IDT 451, How Do I Build An IDT Team
452, and IDT Teams Directory 4S3 areas. These areas provide information about
the actual generation, practice, and coordination of IDT teams.
The Information About Web Site 4I0 section is designed to
provide the potential member dentist sufficient information regarding the web
site
and the practice of IDT to enable the potential member dentist to assess the
features of the web site. As will be apparent to one of slcill in the art, the
specific
sections and areas may be modified, as well as the specific information
provided
within the sections and areas, to reflect many different sets of particular
circumstances without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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Figure 9 illustrates the arclutecture of the general visitor entry
point. Once the general visitor accesses the general home page 400 via the
Internet, the general visitor may access any of several different sections,
including
General Information 460, Reference Zone 470, Pharmacy Zone 480, Search 485,
and Help 490. These sections will enable the general visitor to obtain general
information regarding the site and will allow the general user to access a
variety
of dental-related general information.
Once the general visitor user accesses the General Information 460
section, the user may choose to enter any of the following areas-IDT 461,
Sample Patient Chart 462, Dentists Who Practice IDT in My Area 463, Case
Study of the Month 464, and FAQ 465. Each of these areas provides the general
information indicated.
The general visitor may also elect to access the Reference Zone
470, having the areas Encyclopedia of Dental Information 471, Asl~ a Dentist
472, Listing of Dentists 473, and Events 474. These may be the same as or
different from areas identified as Encyclopedia of Dental Information 203,
322,
Asl~ a Dentist 324, Listing of Dentists 204, 326, and Events 205, 328. It may
be
desirable to provide more limited information in the general visitor entry
point
than that which is accessible via the dentist entry point 100 or patient entry
point
300 to provide an incentive for the visitor to join and acquire an
authorization
code though a member dentist.
The general visitor may also visit Pharmacy Zone 480, Search
485, or Help 490. These may be the same as or different from those areas
previously identified as Pharmacy Zone 206, 330, Search 170, 340, and Help
180,
350.
In operation, a dentist becomes a member by providing a first
predetermined payment in exchange for provision of a dentist authorization
code
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and the requisite access provided by that code. Single payments and periodic
payments are contemplated by the invention. This payment allows the dentist to
access information via the member dentist entry point 100 and to input a
predetermined ntunber of patient dental records into a database associated
with
the web site. Membership also provides an e-mail address for the member
dentist
and a home page for the dentist. The dentist home page may be modified as
desired by the dentist. Such modifications to the dentist home page could
include
directions to the dentist's office, photographs of the dentist's office or
office
equipment, and dental-related news items. It is contemplated that additional
payments may be required to access particular additional services,
particularly
content that may be provided from external sources.
Once the member dentist has entered one or more patient dental
records into the database, the member dentist has full access to the Patients
110
section through the member dentist entry point 100. If the member dentist
desires
to input a greater number of patient dental records than is provided for by
the first
predetermined payment, then additional predetermined payments may be made in
exchange for input of additional predetermined numbers of patient dental
records.
Information regarding registering to become a member dentist is available
through the How To Register 402 area.
When the member dentist malces a new entry into the patient
dental record, such as to document a general exam or to lay out a course of
treatment, the member dentist may specify the users that will have access to
that
entry. Further, the member dentist may designate that an e-mail message be
automatically generated and sent to the patient when preselected fields in the
patient dental record are edited or new entries made. Thus, if a first member
dentist is collaborating with a second member dentist, the first member
dentist
may specify that the second member dentist may access the new entry, but that
no
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others are allowed access to that entry. This is an improvement over current
dental record management practice with hard copy records, in which the dentist
may selectively disclose portions of a patient dental record with another
dentist
via the mail or by fax, by providing the capability to maintain the record and
instantaneously share selected information by remote access to a single
database
via the Internet.
Further, the web site and database access allows multiple users to
simultaneously access the same patient dental record via the Internet to
facilitate
collaboration. This feature allowing simultaneous access to a patient dental
record by multiple users who are geographically remote from each other and
fiom
the database also provides for improved dental care when the patient is away
from his or her regular dentist, such as on vacation. This allows the treating
dentist and the regular dentist to more effectively coordinate the care of the
patient in the event of a dental emergency because the treating dentist could
have
access to the patient dental record via the Internet.
When the member dentist allows entries to be made by other
dental or medical professionals to the patient dental record, the other dental
professional who authors the entry may designate the users who will have
access
to that entry. Thus, the author may designate that the patient have access to
the
particular entry, or that only other members of the IDT team have access to
view
the entry, or that only the original member dentist who input the record would
have access to the entry. Preferably, the member dentist who originally
entered
the patient dental record will have access to all entries, and, preferably,
may also
designate users who may access any entry.
If the member dentist who originally inputs the patient dental
record and subsequent entries to the record is a member of an IDT team, then
the
member dentist will allow other IDT team members to access to record for which
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the IDT treatment has been initiated. Allowing several dental professionals to
access and to male entries into the same patient dental record allows for more
effective coordination of patient treatment. because all members of the IDT
team
access the same record, each member of the IDT team has the same information
as all other members of the IDT team. This is a significant improvement over
current patient dental record management practices in which hard copies of
patient dental records must be transmitted to team members for each to have
the
same records.
Once a dentist has become a member dentist, the member dentist
may provide a patient authorization code to a patient which allows the patient
to
access the patient dental record associated with that dental authorization
code
without any payment by the patient. Each patient dental record has an
associated
patient authorization code. After the patient user enters the patient
authorization
code at the patient entry point 300, the patient user is directed to the home
page
(not shown) of the member dentist who provided the patient authorization code.
From there, the patient user then has access to the features available through
the
patient entry point 300.
It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that a variety of
hardware and software are presently available in the art to accomplish the
features
invention. The specific equipment and software used may be any that is
suitable
to accomplish the objectives as dictated by the individual circumstances of
use.
Specific sections and areas of the preferred embodiment as set
forth herein may be added or deleted to meet particular circumstances without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The specific content in
each
section and area also may be modified depending on specific circumstances
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The specific
relationships regarding location of information within the web site as shown
in
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Figures 1 through 9 may also be modified without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
It will be apparent to those of shill in the art that the present
invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Although various
embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it should be
understood that various modifications and substitutions, as well as
rearrangements and combinations of the preceding embodiments, can be made by
those spilled in the art, without departing from the novel spirit and scope of
this
invention. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all
such
changes and modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
