Systems and methods for scheduling and sequencing sessions or appointments

• US 20070250344A1
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IQVIA, Inc. (IQVIA Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Quintiles Transnational Corporation (IQVIA Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stephenson, Hugo
• Granted Patent: US 7,676,386 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for scheduling patients in an organized and uniform way using a batch follow-up system. Such batch follow-up methods help a research site conducting research to prepare one or more of study supplies, patient charts, study goals, and data collecting requirements in preparation for the batch follow-up visits. Embodiments of the invention also relate to systems and methods for communicating initial and follow-up visit dates to patients. In certain instances, various communications (e.g., between the patients and the study site or between the study site and the study sponsor) may be electronic communications. Methods of scheduling and sequencing patient visits may be conducted over a network wherein reminders about follow-up visits are electronically generated.

Claims

1. A method for conducting batch follow-up visits for patients, comprising:

(a) determining the number and nature of follow-up visits required after an initial visit;

(b) identifying a start date for the initial visit;

(c) identifying follow-up visit dates to be conducted after the initial visit in batches; and

(d) conducting batch follow-up visits in the identified batches.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is used in connection with a clinical study.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the follow-up visit dates to patients.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the communication is electronic.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is used by a research site conducting research, and wherein the research site is able to prepare one or more of study supplies, patient charts, study goals, and data collecting requirements in preparation for the batch follow-up visits.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the batch follow-up visits are scheduled based on the initial visit start date, such that a group of patients seen on the initial visit will be seen together at a batch follow-up visit.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein patient retention is improved.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the batch follow-up visits are conducted in a condensed time span.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is conducted over a network and wherein reminders about follow-up visits are electronically generated.