SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING INTERACTIVE VOICE-RECOGNITION TO AUTOMATE A PATIENT-CENTERED BEST PRACTICE APPROACH TO DISEASE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT

• US 20090270690A1
• Filed: 04/29/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Miami
• Original Assignee: University of Miami
• Inventors: CHEUNG, HERMAN S., ROOS, BERNARD A.
• Application Number:
  US12/432,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20090270690A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring, evaluating, and improving effectiveness and efficiency for treating chronic medical conditions of a large patient population. The inventive method and system utilizes computerized patient interview and data analysis modules for assessing a patient'"'"'s condition and indicating a need for medical attention. Patient interviews are regularly conducted by telephone using computer generated questions and voice recognition methods to enter responses into a database. A series of medical questions are developed and presented to the patient. Their answers are recorded and analyzed with respect to the database. Based upon the answers and the analysis thereof, a medical action plan is developed, care instructions provided, and an appointment with a doctor scheduled.

Claims

1. A method of medical assessment and treatment, comprising:

creating a database of medical information for a plurality of patients;

developing a plurality of medical questions;

posing at least one of the plurality of medical questions to at least one of the plurality of patients;

recording answers to at least one of the plurality of medical questions from at least one of the plurality of patients;

updating the database of medical information to include data from the recorded answers; and

analyzing the answers with respect to the database of medical information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising developing an action plan based at least in part upon the analyzing of the answers.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a health state selected from at least three distinguishable health states defined by the analyzing of the answers.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a notification based upon the analyzing of the answers.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein generating a notification includes providing at least one of a plurality of patients with medical care instructions.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein generating a notification includes sending a message to a pre-identified addressee.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the pre-identified addressee includes at least one of a caregiver, a family member, a legal guardian, patient representative, and person designated or approved by the patient or the patient'"'"'s legal guardian or representative.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein generating a notification includes creating at least one of a voice message, an electronic text message, an email message, a printed document, a visual signal, a color-coded signal, and a change of state of a remote electronic device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical questions include aggregating questions related to at least one of a general medical condition and a patient'"'"'s specific medical history.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising analyzing the responses to questions related to the general medical condition and the patient'"'"'s specific medical history to create one or more specific analytical questions.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding the recorded answers to the database of medical information.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising posing questions via at least one of telephonically, using electronic text messaging, via email, via a website, or on paper.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a computer controlled interactive voice response unit poses questions telephonically.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising verifying the identity of the patient prior to posing at least one of the plurality of medical questions.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising electronically scheduling a direct interactive communication with a selected medical care giver.

16. An interactive medical assessment system comprising:

a database containing medical information related to a plurality of patients;

a processor in electrical communication with the database, the processor for generating a at least one of the plurality of medical questions and for recording at least one answer to the medical questions from the one or more patients; and

a communication device in electrical communication with the processor, the communication device for interfacing over a communication network with one or more selected patients having a compatible communication device;

wherein the processor analyzes the answers to the medical questions and updates the database accordingly.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an automated dialogue system including a voice generation and voice recognition module.

18. A method of medical assessment and treatment, comprising:

creating a database of medical information for a plurality of patients;

developing a plurality of medical questions related to at least one of a general medical condition and a patient'"'"'s specific medical history;

scheduling an interactive session with a patient;

verifying the identity of the patient;

using a voice response unit to telephonically pose at least one of the plurality of medical questions to the patient;

recording answers to the at least one of the plurality of medical questions from the patient;

updating the database of medical information to include data from the recorded answers; and

analyzing the updated database to create one or more specific analytical questions.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising sending a message to a pre-identified addressee.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the medical questions posed can only be answered in a binary form.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the answers to the at least one of the plurality of medical questions are subjected to trend analysis to determine a health state, the health state selected from at least three distinguishable health states.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein one health state represents a bad or deteriorating health condition.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein one health state represents a health condition requiring further investigation.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein one health state represents an acceptable or improving health condition.