AU2007100869B4 - The system / program product for internet advertising of health service providers for enhancing medical tourism in selected locations and countries. - Google Patents

Description

The system program product for internet advertising of health service 00 providers for enhancing medical tourism in selected locations and countries.

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N Specification Description This invention relates to internet based software to assist people travelling for medical reasons to choose a service provider in selected location and assist with internet advertising of service providers and selling goods and services to travelling people. The software consists of a search Nengine and an adjustable hierarchical category structured database to form a system manageable 0 on line. The system is designed to charge fees for advertising and provides customers with facilities for internet purchases of goods and services related to Medical Tourism. The software O used online is capable to show prices for goods and services in selected locations, register names and business details of service providers related to Medical Tourism and rate qualities of services, keep history of uploading of business details of advertisers. The system can offer to an internet user a list of service providers to choose in recommended order to re-direct customers (tourists and patients) towards selected locations and available health resources and enhance Eshopping of services. The system can be used to turn any exacting database, i.e. any national or international directory of health care providers into a database suitable for Medical Tourism with a possibility to be integrated into software of health care providers for referral purposes.

Medical Tourism is a constantly developing industry of service providers to support needs of travelling for medical reasons. The whole concept of Medical Tourism is related to the idea that patients would attend those health providers who can offer near the same service for better price.

We have invented the system program product for internet advertising of health service providers for enhancing medical tourism in selected locations and countries. The system is supposed to attract new customers to selected locations, redirect flow of tourists and patients, financial streams from services and facilitates healthcare services for cash paying patients for convenience and security of customers and health providers assists to negotiate competitively for desired fees. That keeps the system capable of receiving various cultural benefits and gaining economical returns.

The system/program product (the system) can allow for various service providers related to Medical Tourism advertise their services by transmitting information (such as their business details and prices for medical services and/or procedures) to the centralised system. The system stores and retrieves and uses details of advertising for billing purposes and E-shopping. The system provides search on line including full-text search for a health provider by a variety of categories, such as, location (rural areas, city, location by Post Code, country), health provider name, speciality, services offered, and prices for services.

The invented system/program product has the next features that are useful for advertising of service providers related to Medical tourism and can assist with E-shopping of the services: a) Easily adjustable and maintainable search engine implementing a flexible rating system for service providers related to Medical Tourism to control advertising and order of search results returned to the end user of the system. The system determines the rating for a service provider of the database as an abstract integer number assigned on the basis of a set of criteria suitable for Medical Tourism. The set of criteria used by the system to form the rating of any service provider of the database includes locations of service providers to be advertised with a priority, result of quality assessment of services advertised, result of independent evaluation of the services by authorities related to Medical Tourism, the 00way to advertise the prices for services on line with the system interactive software or with the service provider's own linked website to reveal prices.

b) Adjustable hierarchical category structure of the database designed for application of the (-i invented search engine to provide selected advertising and able to absorb business details Sfor advertising from a variety of national databases and local directories of service C providers. The designed hierarchical category structure of the database can be integrated C into medical software organising professional and business activity of health providers for referral purposes.

c) Ability to store and retrieve and use details of advertising registered with reference numbers for billing purposes of registered in the system service providers to participate in O Medical Tourism competitively.

0d) Application of invented software to form the rating of any database service provider with ongoing selected advertising based on the set of criteria suitable for enhancing Medical Tourism (advertising of location, quality and price of services and usage of the interactive system software) can tumrn any national or international directory of health providers or database of service providers into instrument for enhancing of Medical Tourism in selected locations.

e) The system can assist to form local referral databases of service providers (directories related to Medical Tourism) for health providers using the system. Registered in the system service providers (regional or local managers of the system) can build own referral databases with integrated to the system software for selected advertising.

Resources of these referral databases related to particular locations (for e.g. city, post code location, country) can be united via Internet with assistance of the invented system/program product. The access via the internet to the system resources gives the opportunity for any health provider to refer patients to institutions or individuals registered in the system for purposes of Medical Tourism. These local databases with controlling of the order of search results returned to the health provider responsible for referrals (for general practitioner, allied health provider or manager of regional health services- divisions of general practices, local health area) can facilitate travelling for medical reasons Medical Tourism) around the Globe and E-shopping such as medication sale on line or sale of whole packages for medical assistance on line or other) for selected location and countries.

Details of search engine, structured database of the invented software to assist travelling for medical reason people and advertise of service providers for purposes of E-shopping.

The system is able to work with specially designed software. As an example of the system to be workable we used the web application based on the Microsoft (ASP.NET) platform and hosted on Microsoft IIS versions It was developed using free development tools and database engine: Microsoft Web Developer Express Edition with Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services as a back-end data storage. The application uses the standard role and membership providers included in .NET Framework 2.0 (ASP.NET 2.0) in its security subsystem. Members of the "Administrators" role can manage other users and roles. Users' privileges are defined by roles they are included in.

The search engine is combined with an adjustable hierarchical category structured database to form a system manageable on line. The invented interactive software of the system offers an advanced searching capability for monitoring of activity of advertisers on line and charging a service fee for advertising and re-directing the flow of tourists and patients. The system provides customers with a possibility to participate in internet purchases of goods and services related to Medical Tourism. The system technically assist to download document templates in available 00 formats for e.g. Microsoft Excel from the system to a service provider computer on line and 0 upload the created by the user data file with a content of advertising for e.g. prices to the system via internet. The system registers each of these data files with a unique identifier named reference number for prices to monitor online activity of the service provider. The system (keeps a history of each entry to the system and can charge a service fee associated with a new generated reference number for prices. The fact of receiving by the database service provider a N-i reference number for prices on line means an opportunity to participate in E-shopping.

The content of the uploaded data file determines the rating of the service provider for advertising according to the set of criteria chosen by the system administrator. If requested the system provides customers with facilities for E-shopping using created reference numbers for prices to 00 manage all stages of E-shopping on line. E-shopping is supposed to be successful if final users of our system can see on the computer screen those service providers who uploaded needed details to be considered for E-commerce. Our invented software offer this opportunity for the customers.

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1 The invented software (system) can present the result of the search of database service providers based on the set of criteria for rating of service provider suitable for Medical Tourism. This set of criteria can be modified by the of system administrator and includes the next components contributing to the rating for advertising: -location and names of service providers to be advertised, -result of quality assessment of services advertised, -result of independent evaluation of the services by authorities related to Medical Tourism, -the way to advertise the prices for services on line with the system interactive software or with the service provider's own linked website to reveal prices, -ability of a service provider of the database to participate in E-shopping The engine processes the information about each service provider based on the set of criteria to form an abstract integer number for each service provider of the database, rates them and determines a position of each service provider in the list of those service providers who are available on line for requested location. The higher rating of the service provider of the same category of providers the higher position in the list of others providers and better selection by a user of the internet for attendance. The position of the advertised service provider in the list depends on the information entered to the system by the interested in advertising service provider on line. If the service provider wants to participate in E-shopping than the opportunity will be given after downloading to the system of needed information on line with specially designed interactive software. The software adjusted by the system administrator gives rating to each database service provider automatically on the base of information uploaded to the system on line with a priority for advertising given those service providers who want to participate in Eshopping and use our invented interactive software.

As the result of application of these technical tools the user of the system on line can request and receive needed information including any one or a combination of: the location of the medical procedure/medical service; the price of the medical procedure/medical service; information in relation to doctors/allied health professional (or any other medical professional or medical institution) responsible for the medical service/procedure, such as, for example, their business details, their location, the available procedures and the advertised prices information in relation to medical services associated with the business activity of 00 advertised service providers such as medical procedures provided, receiving 0 medication, and the healthcare professionals involved information in relation to medical tourism (such as travel information or the like); information about healthcare providers for e.g. pharmacist nearest to the user; The system provides a track of records/changed business details made by the service N provider/healthcare profession. The user is able to receive a registered reference number associated with the information requested.

The system can assist in communication between health/ service providers (for e.g. between a IGeneral Practitioner and a Pharmacist) when a request of approval from one of providers is 00 needed for e.g. to supply a patient with medication from a Pharmacy or special prices should be considered for a particular clients. In this case financial transactions are considered between service providers on base of a new reference number for prices related to services to a particular category of patients when a patient can pay requested amount of money and a third party S(registered in the system) can pay to a health provider a difference according to rules and N regulations. The system can inform the client of the healthcare provider that the requested service is available and facilitate booking of the service and nominate conditions of delivery for the requested medication or to facilitate E-Shopping. The system can prove the agreed prices for the date of booking of the service as it has records related to changes of business details/ prices associated with a reverence number for prices entry of the service provider to the system on line or conditions of delivery for the requested medication or goods and facilitate E-shopping.

Having a multilingual support the system can allow service providers related to Medical Tourism for e.g. healthcare professionals to advertise/provide information in respect of their services to prospective patients/users. The system can assist to: add/adit their business details on line and improve business communication advertise their services/prises by uploading/ transmitting the information to the system on line download/upload data on line for the a website associated with the system negotiate prices, bookings, and enquires made by a user retrieve previously uploaded by service providers information for users retrieve the history of advertising information provided (for example, the history of prices etc).

track records and/or changes made to the business details as provided to system facilitate E-shopping for services offered/provided advise the client the best prices and quality of services available with assistance of the system database consider health, age care, general practice, mental institutions and other resources available for people travelling for medical reasons or residents people who wish to know prices for services in other locations referral our clients to receive better care with known prices for services in other locations Registered in the system health service provider can transmit information (such as their business details and prices for medical services and/or procedures) to the centralised system. The system stores and retrieves and uses details of advertising for billing purposes and E-shopping.

Each change made by the healthcare professional providing information in respect of medical procedures/medical services can be associated with a reference number. This reference number may be accessible by users. Thus, for example, changes in prices in a medical procedure can be 0 associated by a reference number, such that the healthcare professional is able to track quotes O provided to prospective patients/clients. Accordingly, a user may be able to receive via the centralised system/method the information requested, and in a further example, a registered reference number associated with the current details of advertised services in order to negotiate with the service provider (that is, the healthcare professional) prices for a particular medical procedure. The service provider is also able to use the reference number provided by a user to track the user's quote and other price changes. Thus, the service provider is able to use the reference number to match and/or identify information stored and previously provided by the service provider to the user. The user is also able to receive, additional information, including but not limited to certain travel information, such as accommodation, flight, tours, rental cars, Iand the like from advertised service providers.

00 SThe system provides so named selected advertising based on a flexible rating system to modify the return of search result to consumers (patients) who requested the search on line. This feature of the system is related of the whole concept of Medical Tourism and is available due to the Ssearch engine of the system, flexible hierarchical category structured database and details of (N invented functioning software.

Search engine: The Search Engine is to control the order of search results returned to the consumers (patients) with a flexible rating system based on the way to advertise prices for services and result of evaluation of credentials and quality of services offered by providers relevant to national or international standards.

The search engine of the system implements a flexible (changeable according to instructions of the system administrator) rating system for service providers. This rating system highlights priorities for Medical Tourism and assists to control advertising and order of search results returned to the end user of the system. The system determines the rating for a service provider of the database as an abstract integer number assigned on the basis of a set of criteria suitable for Medical Tourism. The set of criteria used by the system to form the rating of any service provider of the database includes locations of service providers to be advertised with a priority, result of quality assessment of services advertised, result of independent evaluation of the services by authorities related to Medical Tourism, the way to advertise the prices for services on line with the system interactive software or with the service provider's own linked website to reveal prices.

The search engine does work on base of flexible hierarchical category structured database and instructions of system administrator related to rating policy.

In order to decrease the amount of information needed to be entered by the service providers to facilitate search (including full-text search), to make the search engine easily adjustable and maintainable, to provide end users with an easy-to-use search engine without the need to know exactly the terminology involved, the search engine operates within a flexible (changeable with on line instructions) hierarchical category structure database. The services and goods can be assigned a particular category within the category tree. Categories are involved in the search in 2 ways: 1) a category has a set of keywords and textual description used in full-text search: a set of categories is found (using full-text search against the associated keywords and description) for each user query and the associated goods and services are included in the search results (subject to further filtering); this means that service providers do not have to provide common keywords and descriptions for every single item of a particular kind the shared characteristics are 00 described by the category or "type" of the item O 2) users themselves can use the categories to specify the type of the items they are looking for in the most convenient way by navigating through the category tree and choosing the right one; choosing the categories on different levels they can make the search broad or narrow to suit their needs; only the goods and services which are assigned the category chosen or one of its subcategories are included in the search results.

To control the order of search results returned to the end-user a flexible rating system is used.

Rating is an abstract integer number assigned to each service provider on the basis of a set of criteria suitable for a particular business (it may include result of assessment, the type of contract ND signed with the service provider users' feedback etc,) In the case of equal relevance for a 0 particular search of 2 different service providers the one (or one's services) having the greater rating is returned first. That is being used to solve out the advertising with a priority and modify the return of search result to consumers who requested the search on line.

The search engine of our invented system determines the rating for a service provider as the Oabstract integer number assigned on the basis of a set of criteria suitable for Medical Tourism.

(N For e.g. the system can assign rating 1, 2, and 3, 4, 5 and so on. The higher rating assigned for the database service provider the higher priority to reveal the details of the service provider on line.

The rating of a database service provider may be changed by the system administrator, however the system processes the information entered by the service provider on line (with previously signed by the service provider on line a contract related to responsibilities) and automatically assigns the rating depending on business details of health provider and location.

Relevant details entered by a health provider (service provider of the database) willing to participate in Medical Tourism are processed by the system to rate the service provider of the database. The system determines the rating for a service provider as an abstract integer number assigned on the basis of a set of criteria suitable for Medical Tourism. The set of criteria used by the system to form the rating of any service provider of the database includes: locations and names of service providers to be advertised with a priority, -result of quality assessment of services advertised, -result of independent evaluation of the services by authorities related to Medical Tourism, -the way to advertise the prices for services on line with the system interactive software or with the service provider's own linked website to reveal prices.

-ability of a database service provider to participate in E-shopping with own facilities or with assistance of our software invented.

To promote our software the system can the rating of registered in the system service providers using our facilities for E-shopping and advertising. Their rating and therefore success from advertising will be higher in comparison with those providers of the database who use own links to E-shopping.

The growing database can be a target for those companies that are responsible for a particular set up for E-shopping or wish to switch a financial stream associated with interbank transactions. In the case the system administrator can change criteria to form the highest rating of new selected service providers working with approved facilities for E-shopping.

A service provider signed the contract on line can receive the highest rating and priority to be advertised. The value of each out of five components to form particular rating may be different and to get "points" or their parts the system must processed information related providers and 0 instructions of the system administrator related rating policy.

0 0 For e.g. Rating of 5 points can be assigned by the system for a particular service provider able to (Ni N participate in Medical tourism competitively. As the rating of the service provider is an abstract integer number assigned by the system that rating depends on system information related to the service provider and activity of the health provider and each statement means, for example, one point (or part of the point) to add to form rating 1 Usage of the interactive integrated software of the system to advertise prices for Services goods one point or ND 2 Usage of related links to related websites with revealed prices for services one 0 point or 3 Meeting standards of national evaluation of quality of services one point) 4 Meeting standards of international evaluation of quality of services one point) The location of the service provider is for enhancing of Medical tourism Saccording to the recommendations of medical tourism authorities/ the system (N administration one point) The system is able to provide return of the search result to a final user of the website with sorting out a significant number of providers with the same rating for particular location (city, country) based on policy chosen by administration for e.g. alphabetic list of service providers requested, showing first those providers who have already were requested by end- users (patients) of the system.

For e.g. the next instructions can be considered by the system administrator to adjust the work of the search engine: Zero rating can be assigned by the system. At least rating 0 means that database health provider does not meet national standards of services quality. Rating 1 means at least one point gained from meeting standards of national evaluation of quality of services related to national registration or usage of interactive software of the system to advertise prices for services/ goods or prioritised location of service provider. The system has a potential to rate service providers on the base of world recognised criteria of quality assessment. The system is able to fulfil instructions of system administrator related significance of location or results of quality assessment of service providers for rating Instructions to change rating system therefore means to adjust the engine search performance and change return of search results to end users patients) for them to select recommended by the system other service providers.

The system is able to retrieve from the database the details of previous events of business advertising associated with the reference number given to any event of change of business details or prices made on line by registered service provider. This reference number reflects interactions between service provider advertising prices/ business activity and the system and can prove the entry to the system and refer to responsibilities of parties involved related to billing for services.

The database is maintained by a central server and accessed by users over the world wide for free using a conventional browser application. The database may be integrated or combined with other databases such as government to government healthcare provider recommendations and with private databases of local health providers. Specially structured database with assistance of our search engine turns into database suitable for Medical tourism industry. When any service provider of the database advertised prices for services on line then our search engine put that provider first in the list of providers for requested locations to show any user of our website. The patients may compare prices for services and know all business details of selected provider.

00 Travelling people can see results of the search of needed health provider on the screen of a 0 compute and a list of providers for requested locations around the globe and along the pathway 0 of travelling. The priority to be the first in the list of all service providers of the database for N requested location is given for those who published or uploaded prices for services with assistance of integrated to the website interactive software and signed on line agreement with the system administration. If no service providers with advertised prices are available for requested c- location then the system can offer the list of available service provides from the database.

An administrator of the system or selected health provider can access database from different world locations, control system search and modify presentation of search result for users. The Isystem in this aspect can modify purchasing and managing healthcare in particular locations to 00 attract new customers for advertised in particular locations providers of services, redirect flow of tourists and patients, financial streams from services and facilitate healthcare services for cash paying patients for convenience and security of customers and health providers.

C, Flexible hierarchical category structured database: The database may be provided and maintained by a central server or be integrated to other databases and accessed by users over the world wide using a conventional browser application.

The database of government to government healthcare provider recommendations can be combined with private databases of health provider recommendations and is available online.

Adjustable hierarchical category structure of the database has been designed for application of the invented search engine to provide selected advertising and able to absorb business details for advertising from a variety of national databases and local directories of service providers. The designed hierarchical category structure of the database can be integrated into medical software organising professional and business activity of health providers for referral purposes.

Service providers (with the approval of site administrators) or those responsible for the particular instance of the application can create any category tree which suits the needs of a particular business.

Flexible hierarchical category structured database of service providers consists of two top categories: Institutions and Health Providers. Top category Health Providers includes categories Doctors, Allied Health Providers). Within each category we can create any number of subcategories voluntarily. These subcategories reflect near the same form of business activity that may be described with "key words" and selected by the system during the database search.

The system provides search of own database using any entry from registered health providers.

Institutions- This is a top category. The next subcategories of this top category are considered and given as example for the structured database: 1. General Practice Surgery 2. Ageing care- Category. The next subcategories as an example can be included: hostels, nursing home, hospices, respite care, Aged Care Team Assessment Offices 3. Mental care -Category. The next subcategories can be included Detoxification Centres, Mental Institutions) 4. Residential care Dental care 6. Pharmacies 7. Medico-legal Centres- Category. The next subcategories are needed: medical tourism advice, insurances 8. For sale of Medical goods and products 00 9. Disability services 0 10. Hospitals S11. Employment agencies "New category of institution" -can be added any time on line "key words" for search engine.

C-i Health providers- This is a top category. The next two subcategories of this top category are: Doctors and Allied Health Providers (individuals) Doctors -is a Category. The next subcategories are considered and given as example: Allergist.

0 Cardiologist.

0 Cardiologist.

0 Cardiothoracic surgeon.

Dentist. Orthodontist. Periodontist SHaematologist SHypnotherapist.

Microbiologist Colorectal surgeon Endoscopist Endocrinologist.

Gastroenterologist.

Gastrointestinal surgeon.

General Surgeon.

Geriatrician.

Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.

Infectionist, Infection diseases specialist. HIV specialist.

Radiologist.

Nephrologist.

Neurosurgeon.

Nephrologist Neurosurgeon Oesophageal Surgeon.

Oncologist.

Ophthalmologist.

Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Otolaryngologist. ENT Specialist.

Paediatrician.

Palliative Care Specialist.

Pathologist.

Physician Psychiatrist.

Radiation Oncologist Rehabilitation Specialist.

Respiratory Physician.

Rheumatologist.

Oncologist.

Head and Neck Specialist.

Maxillofacial specialist Thoracic Surgeon.

Sexologist.

Sleep Apnoea Specialist Urologist.

00 Vascular Specialist 0 Vascular Surgeon.

c-I "New subcategory of Doctors" can be added any time on line "key words" for search Sengine.

Cl 13 Allied health providers- is a Category. The next subcategories are considered: Aboriginal Health Worker Ambulance Officer Audiologist SChemist 0Chiropractor Chiropodist Counsellor SDiabetic Educator Dietician Exercise Physiology Specialist Hypnotherapist.

Mental health worker Midwife Nurse Occupational Therapist Optometrist Osteopath Paramedic Physiotherapist Podiatrist Psychologist Speech Pathologist "New subcategory of Allied Health Provider" can be added any time on line "key words" for search engine The next areas of medicine can be covered by the system and given as an example: Anaesthesia Cardiology Cardiac Investigations and Echocardiography, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Clinical Haematology, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Colorectal surgery, Diagnostic Endoscopy, Detoxication, Dietetics, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal surgery, General surgery, General Practice Geriatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Health assessment centres, Infectious diseases, Lyphoedema Centre, Medical Imaging, Nephrology, neurosurgery, Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Medicine: Bone Mineral Density and Body Composition, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oesophageal Services, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic surgery, Otolaryngology, Paediatrics, Palliative care, Pathology, Physiotherapy, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Psychiatry/Psychology, Radiation Oncology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Rheumatology, Sexual health, Stomatology, Surgical Oncology/ Head and Neck, Thoracic Medicine, Thoracic: Sleep Medicine, Urology, Vascular Medicine, Vascular surgery, Sisters of Charity Outreach, other specialities All names of these areas of medicine are "key words" for subcategories to reflect near the 0same form of business activity of service provider to be use by the system during the search.

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Functioning of the system/ program product An administrator of the system or nominated regional directors of health services by location can access database from different world locations, control system search and modify C1 presentation of search result for users to attract new customers for advertised in particular locations providers of services, redirect flow of tourists and patients, financial streams from services and facilitate healthcare services for cash paying patients for convenience and security of customers and health providers registered. The system in this aspect can modify purchasing IN and managing healthcare in particular locations to assist to healthcare account managers compete 0for better sale for of medical, pharmacological, mental, legal, and age care related services of SMedical Tourism providers.

SThe search area of the system for our patients is to locate needed health providers in selected Olocations or services available or requested for particular locations/ countries.

Two top categories reflecting fundamental properties are: 1) Institutions 2) Health providers (with subcategories- Doctors and Allied Health Providers).

Customers (patients) looking for a medical service on the web site will be able to find information about the health providers registered in the system (doctors, medical institutions, their locations and contact details etc.) and also get valid quotes for the services and make bookings receiving the Reference Number for Prices which will be a proof of the booking registered in the system and ensuring the validity of particular terms and conditions of the service. Furthermore, if they don't find the service they need they will be able to submit a request to a particular medical institution or to the system itself expressing what sort of information or services they are interested in. The requests will be delivered to the known health providers and they will be able to upload additional information about the service if they can provide it. In any case this feedback should be useful in itself as a tool to analyse market requirements and trends and make decisions on the future development.

Maximum four levels of the parent category hierarchy is permitted. The system uses "Full Text Search" when variations of the same word/ medical term would not affect results of search.

Administrators, customers and service providers registered by the system have access to interactive part of the software to operate within the database in accordance with hierarchy of their rights nominated. The access to the needed area of the database is being permitted via LOGIN. The system administrators have full access to the database and may change details of service providers. Registered service provider has access to the part of the database that was previously formed by the service provider with downloading and uploading details related to advertised cervices.

For example after Login the System Administrator may use interactive software to review change and update details of selected service providers working from any distant computer or from home.

Service providers and administrators need different LOGIN to enter Interactive part of the system software to work with agreed by contract responsibilities. The System is designated for registered Administrators and Service Providers who can operate within the system with interactive software. The system can provide monitoring of business activity of these service providers. As an example the system is able for billing purposes to store retrieve and use details of advertising.

Members/Tasks My account: Administration: Monitoring of business activity or advice to users Password may be changed any time with simple instructions on the Screen to follow.

Development: Information about the project Manage users: Updating role of administrator, customers, and service providers Add category: Adding category (subcategory of parent category) for a new service provider with a new business activity, key words and description of the activities of the service provider Manage category: Operating within any subcategory to change key words and descriptions of activities and services of providers Service provider Add/edit service provider: Putting details of new service provider or update details Upload data Upload details to monitor My upload: Name of new service offered, price, Valid until, Service Type, Reference Number and supplier Upload details: Learning about uploading details Manage service provider: Uploading prices and put details of business Advanced search New engine search- a hybrid from the system About us Information related to participants Contact us E-Mail address, Phone and Fax of the Administration FAQ Most likely questions to ask and answers Forum You may monitor feedback of other participants Other medical sites Links to Getting advice related to other helpful websites Downloads Downloading related information The system uses "key words" for subcategories to reflect near the same form of business activity of service provider to be use by the system during the search. Special "key words" added by a registered provider for e.g. names of unique procedures can be included in search to locate advertised health provider.

Each service provider of the database is being considered as a potential participant in Medical tourism. If the service provider did not publish prices for services then the provider would be considered as a "silent" participant. With our assistance and a variety of technical tools we offer this participant will have opportunity to advertise prices on line. If the provider wants to attract new customers even from overseas then the provider should reveal prices on line to be in the system and receive a priority in advertising according to the flexible rating system used. It is up to the service provider to sign or not the entering to the system to participate or not in Medical Tourism. After reaching an agreement (and optionally signing a contract) service providers are given an account with access to a particular section of the web site. This section allows them to upload information about their services (such as treatments and their prices) and use their own facilities and website to compete in Medical Tourism industry. The system works to offer all requested service providers for selected location the terms of being a part of Medical Tourism Industry and has a mechanism to charge them for the service. There might be a number of ways to make the website profitable.

The system has ability to store and retrieve and use details of advertising registered with reference numbers for billing purposes of registered in the system service providers to participate in Medical Tourism competitively.

00 Application of invented software can form the rating of any database service provider with O ongoing selected advertising based on the set of criteria suitable for enhancing Medical CTourism (advertising of location, quality and price of services and usage of the interactive N system software) can turn any national or international directory of health providers or database of service providers into instrument for enhancing of Medical Tourism in selected locations.

The system can assist to form local referral databases of service providers (directories related to Medical Tourism) for health providers using the system. Registered in the system service providers (regional or local managers of the system) can build own referral databases with Iintegrated to the system software for selected advertising. Resources of these referral 00 databases related to particular locations (for e.g. city, post code location, country) can be united via Internet with assistance of the invented system/program product. The access via the internet to the system resources gives the opportunity for any health provider to refer patients to institutions or individuals registered in the system for purposes of Medical OTourism. These local databases with controlling of the order of search results returned to the health provider responsible for referrals (for general practitioner, allied health provider or manager of regional health services- divisions of general practices, local health area) can facilitate travelling for medical reasons Medical Tourism) around the Globe and Eshopping such as medication sale on line or sale of whole packages for medical assistance on line or other for selected location and countries.

The next rules can be considered by participants working with the system: 1) The end user of the website will be able to see contact details of any service provider of the database such as address, phone and fax number, E-mail and website address with the advice to the user to contact the office of the health provider directly.

2) Willing to participate in Medical Tourism service providers should update details including address, contact details, phone and fax numbers, e-mail address if any, website and services to offer customers, apply for an account online while advertising the prices on line and sign the contract for chosen rating of advertising. These providers can use or own website with prices or our interactive and integrated to the system software to reveal prices for services. If commissionable advertising is chosen by the service provider then system is able to bill the provider for the usage of the software during downloading and uploading prices as each entry to the system is being matched by a unique Reference Number. For health providers with own websites of prises available on line who signed the entry to the system a bill is being provided for advertising with a priority according to the rating of advertising chosen by the provider. Confirmation of membership itself allowing them to promote their services is being done on line with the LOGIN issued.

The system is able then to charge health providers for the number of times information about their services was displayed on the web page or according to the signed contract.

3) First in the list of service providers for chosen by the end user location or country will be those who published prices for services or can offer the prices via own linked website and who signed the contract on line with administration of the website with highest rating.

4) Receiving services the end user may request a discount from service provider if the discount was associated with reference number and confirmed by the service provider.

The reference number is generated by the system and matches the activity of the health provider to advertise services with discount. As the discount is needed for the end user of the website the Reference Number may be brought to get the invoice with discount. The same reference Number may be used by the system while charging the health provider for the service advertised for travelling patients from other country or distant location if OO advertising occurred with approved rating and highest priority and previously signed on O line contract between administration of the website and health provider.

Each offer can be assigned an expiry date after which the information is deleted from the N database, but until that time the system will have a proof of the offer and the health provider will be obliged to fulfil the terms of the offer. It will enable the system to make bookings for the services with fixed terms/conditions/prices which will attract travellers N, by resolving a major issue of uncertainty. This will provide a good compromise between prices flexibility and its feasibility for the travelling patients: health providers will be able to change prices but only in responsible and predictable way so that potential patients can remain confident and proceed with their travels. Health providers will have to calculate IN their prices and make them valid for a certain period of time getting in return new 00 0 customers.

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The system can facilitate client- service provider relationship and is able to bill for the service provided. Examples for financial and other interactions within the system are:

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1) A user of the website may request discount while discussing final price for the service with the health provider if the Reference Number for Prices of needed service is reflected in the system. Direct communication between client and service providers is welcome.

2) The system can provide a user of the website with a membership for E-Shopping from the website and rights to negotiate directly with selected service provider about prices to receive "Reference Number for Request" and ask for modification of services and prices offered via our website. With registration of Reference Number for Request the user of the website may request benefits or discount from selected item of service provider matched by the system with Reference Number for Prices.

3) Reporting the Reference Number for Prices or Request to the service provider after completion of the services is a proof that marketing was done with assistance of the system and the offer for the service provider to fulfil the obligations of financial agreement signed on line previously with the system for electronic money transaction.

The system can offer for registered clients and health providers the assistance with electronic banking and E-shopping for the service provided.

4) The information related business advertising is being maintained by a service provider in accordance with rules of entry to the system to protect consumer's rights. Fees for service provided to the registered service providers by the system is a subject of the contract signed on line and is supposed to be a responsibility of the regional offices around the Globe in different locations: states, cities, countries. Financial interactions between clients and service providers can be conducted without the system.

Our software can facilitate Multilanguage support with consideration of easy interface to be connected to other designed for WEB search software to build database for sale.

The Reference Number for prices published on line is being given to the quotation automatically by our software online during downloading/ uploading prices. Validity of the prices /reference number is in accordance with expiry date specified by service provider.

The Reference Number for request is being generated by the system when a user of the website with membership requests something from service provider- for eg. significant discount from service provider for prices and need to prove previous negotiations.

The system is to back up previously published prices and Reference Numbers related to prices and requests of customers for future references.

That assists to trace the progress in Provider Service-Client relationship. Benefits from usage of the system are related to: 00 1) Advertising of selected health providers (individuals and institutions) 0 2) Redirection of patient streams towards selected locations, S3) Redirection of financial streams and shown below.

SPossible business applications of the invented system/ program product are: CFor e.g.: 1. Medical tourism- travelling around the world people may choose appropriate service providers related to tourism industry and needed health provider along the travelling pathways or destination of travel. In the case advertising may compare prices for medical 110 assistance in different locations of the Globe.

00 2. Medical applications where selected advertising with designed rating system is needed.

Only as examples of possible projects one may consider: a) Modification of prescription models for medical practices and supply patients with medications from pharmacies.

b) Advertising of Age Care Facilities to simplify admissions of elderly people with chronic diseases and emergences c) Aboriginal health database directory of health services and assistance in emergences.

d) Database for urgent assistance to psychologically affected patients.

e) World wide dental assistance/ prices and location of institutions for urgent care f) International Database of prices for cardiothoracic and cardiological assistance Non medical applications can be considered with usage ideas related to the software: g) The Database of Stolen Items from properties for e.g. from car-parks when items and their registration numbers along with Police Report numbers for fallow up may be put in the system by affected customers 3. Usage of the software developed to form referral bases for health care managers, divisions of general practices, group of health providers who wants to participate in Medical Tourism competitively and attract more new clients. The software is able to advertise Australian Health resources for international medical tourism to redirect flow of tourists and patients, financial streams from services for convenience and security of end users of the website users and benefits of service providers advertised.

In a further example, the centralised system is able to receive payment from the user in respect of the medical service/procedure. Thus, the user may use the centralised system/method to order medication over the Internet and receive the medication via mail, in accordance with provided price information by a suitable pharmacy. In this case, selected pharmacies may advertise prices for delivery on a website associated with the centralised system/method. Further applications include the advertisement of aged car facilities, general practices, psychological services, or the like within particular referral base. This referral bases can be combined with the specially offered mechanism of uniting regional database for gaining profit from the system.

The prospects of the invented system/program product invented are highlighted on the attached four diagrams: Diagram 1 Search for prices of services for selected health providers or selected locations Diagram 2 Building of the database of prices suitable for Medical Tourism around the globe Diagram 3 Assistance in E-Medical Shopping and re-direction of patient streams Diagram 4 E-Medical Shopping with the system to secure quality of care and money flow.

Claims (1)

1. 04-PPR-20Q_? 20':14 FROM DR D TCHERKPSTO 02399P./3 TO 0262837999 P.02/03 Amendment Item 6 Claims 1 00 o The claims defining the invcution are as follows: 1. An easily adjustable search engine implementing a flexible rating system firr database service providers to be advertised based on a set of criteria for Medical Tourism suitable for people travelling for medical reasons and for those service providers who wish to advertise themselves, on line using our invented interactive software. The search engine is combined with an adjustable hierarchica category structured database to form a system manageable on line. The system shows first on line those service providers for requested locations who uploaded their business details with interactive software. The system offers an advanced searching capability for monitoring of activity of advertisers on iluc and chargng a service fee for IND advertising and re-directing the flow of tourists and patients. The system provides customers 00 with facilities for internet purchases of goods and services related to Medical Tourism. 0 2. The system of claim I wherein the system is manageable on line and technically can asist to download document templates in available formats for e.g. Microsoft Excel from the systerm o to a service provider computer on line and upload the created by the user data file with a content o of advertising for e.g. prices to the system via internet. The system registers each of these data files with a unique identifier named reference number for prices to monitor online activity of the service provider. The system keeps a history of each entry to the system and can charge a service fee associated with a new generated reference number for prices. The content of the uploaded data file determines the rating of the service provider for advertising according to the set of criteria chosen by the system administrator. If requested the system provides a connection with appropriate software for B-shopping using created reference numbers for prices to manage all stages of F-shopping on line. The systemn uses the reference numbers for prices to facilitate E- Shopping of services to promote business of selected service providers. 3. The search engine of claim I wherein the engine of the system can present the result of the search of database service providers base on the met of criteria for rating of service providers suitable for Medical Tourism. This set of criteria can be modified by the of system administrator and includes the next components contributing to the rating for advertising: -location and names of service providers to be advertised, -result of quality assessment of services advertised, -result of independent evaluation of the services by authorities related to Medical Tourism, -the way to advertise the prices for services on line with the system interactive software or with the service provider's own linked website to reveal prices, -ability of a service provider of the database to participate in F-shopping The engine processes the information based on the set of criteria to form an abstract integer number for each service provider of the database, rates and determines a position of each service provider in the list of those service providers who are available on line for requested location. The higher rating of the service provider of the same category of providers the higher position in the list of others providers and better selection by a user of the internet for attendance. The software gives rating to each database service provider automatically on the base of information uploaded to the system. on line with a priority for advertising given those service providers who want to participate in E-shopping and use the invented interactive software for downloading information. 4. The search engine for advertisers of claim I wherein the engine forms special rating for each of available from database service providers and list of service providers on line in order depending on chosen by the system administrator priorities to advertise and criteria suitable for 16 COMS ID No: ARCS-i 80269 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:08 Date 2008-02-21 04-APR-2002 20: 14 FROM DR D TCHERKPSTO06879P.33 TO 0262837999 P.03/03 medical Tourism. The software adjusted by the system administrator gives rating to each database service provider automatically on the base of information uploaded to the system on line by the service provider with a priority of those who want to participate in E-shoppin&, That organises a list of service providers of the same category in order depending on rating of the providers. The higher the abstract integers number for a particular service provider of the same category- the higher rating and thereafter the position of the service provider in the generated list of other service providers is more favourable to be selected. The engine provides the opportunity for a selected service provider of the same category to be actively chosen by a user of the invented software. The uystemn of claim I wherein the system provides selected advertising and re-directs the flow of tourists and patients towards locations determined by the system administrator who is in power to modify presentation of the result of search of service providers from the database. Those advertisers who are promoted by the system administrator/ software owners will be seen first on the screen of a computer by a final user (patients) searching needed service provider via Internet. The system in this aspect is capable to enhance medical tourism in selected locations and countries via the selected advertising and modification of local and national databases and electronic directories of service providers to reflect quality of related to Medical Tourism services, assist people travelling for medical reason and promote.1B-Shopping Medical Tourism services. Dr Dmitri Tcherkas TOTAL P.03 COMS ID No: ARCS-180269 Received by IP Australia: Time 20:08 Date 2008-02-21