EP1083841A1

EP1083841A1 - Disease management/training system and method

Info

Publication number: EP1083841A1
Application number: EP99928441A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Todd Anthony Glaxo Wellcome Inc. DIMSDALE; Donna Elizabeth Glaxo Wellcome Inc. JONES
Original assignee: Glaxo Group Ltd
Current assignee: Glaxo Group Ltd
Priority date: 1998-06-08
Filing date: 1999-06-07
Publication date: 2001-03-21
Also published as: JP2002517849A; WO1999063901A1; AU4550599A

Abstract

This invention is a computer (110) implemented disease management, and training method. The method can be used to training asthma patients self-management skills. The method includes creating, storing, processing the relevant data (101) to a patient's condition, and producing output reports (141) to health care personnel.

Description

DISEASE MANAGEMENTTRAINING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Description Priority Application Information This application claims the benefit of U S Provisional patent application

No 60/088,400, filed June 8, 1998 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety

Technical Field The present invention relates to an interactive computer implemented system for the training in and management of diseases Specifically, the present invention relates to an interactive computer implemented system for the training in and management of an individualized asthma care program

Background Art

One problem with current health care as it relates to disease management is that afflicted individuals many times do not realize they are suffering an episode related to their disease until such an episode has completely manifested itself upon the individual These occurrences often necessitate emergency room visits or extended hospital stays Emergency room visits and hospital stays are among the costliest events in the healthcare industry which , in turn, keep health care insurance costs at all time high levels Moreover, afflicted individuals suffer greater discomfort during such events If patients could be taught to understand and manage their condition to the extent that oncoming episodes can be recognized and dealt with at the earliest possible stage, then the patient can often times avoid an emergency room visit or hospital stay The benefit is twofold First, the patient can start receiving appropriate treatment (e g , medication, behavior modification) before the episode has progressed to the point of requiring immediate medical attention Second, the health care industry may not need to expend the costly resources required to attend to a patient suffering from a full blown episode The key to such an undertaking is linking patients and health care professionals in such a way that fosters a greater understanding on the part of the patient with respect to their affliction and that gives the ability to systematically monitor a host of disease contributing factors. One possible system or methodology of achieving the benefits described above involves a computer implemented system of managing patient data which is designed to educate a patient with respect to their disease and track their progress as it pertains to their utilization of health care resources over a period of time. Elements of such a system would include gathering extensive demographic data about the patient. Profiling the patient data to identify environmental symptom impact data as it relates to their specific affliction, and educating the patient to avoid or curtail high risk activities and situations. For instance, in the case of asthma, a patients level of suffering is affected by environmental stimuli such as dust, smoke, humidity, pets, etc. Educating a patient to recognize certain disease triggers can help the patient modify their environment to minimize or even completely eliminate the presence of such triggers. The system goes beyond education, however. Even under ideal conditions episodes can occur. In such instances it is critical for the patient to know precisely how to react. One helpful tool is a disease action plan which spells out steps to take during episodic events. Such plans are formulated usually with the participation of the patient's physician. These plans include, inter alia, medication data, emergency phone data, and objective evaluation or situation assessment data.

What is needed is a tool for implementing the aforementioned goals which provides the patient with the information and management skills needed to reduce serious events while giving health care professionals an objective outcomes driven tool for measuring the patient's utilization of health care resources over time. The goal being to reduce the frequency of a patient's need for emergency medical attention and/or hospitalizations. Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention includes systems, methods, and computer program products for an interactive computer implemented system for the training in and management of diseases The present invention integrates data collection, management training, identification of environmental factors, and administrative functions from a variety of sources including disease sufferers (e g , patients or participants), physicians (or other health care providers), and training personnel At the center of the data collection and management system is a computer program that processes input data from the variety of sources and provides specific output to one or more sources The output is designed to measure, monitor, and promote a participant's progress in managing their condition and also to help identify areas of strengths and weaknesses

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the disease of asthma is illustrated To start, a group of potential program participants that have exhibited significant asthma related encounters are identified Each of the potential participants is contacted, either in person or by phone, and given an explanation of the management care program and asked if they are interested in participating If successfully recruited, each participant s physician is notified and informed of the program s particulars and their role in same

The first part of the program calls for a meeting between a program coordinator (hereinafter "trainer") and the participant The purpose of this meeting is to gather, inter alia, personal, demographic, physical, and environmental data about each participant This is done via a set of surveys or questionnaires that each participant completes This first visit also includes educational discussions on asthma and tools for treating and/or managing asthma The initial visit is typically concluded with the trainer scheduling a subsequent visit with the participant

Following the initial visit, the gathered data is input into a central database either directly or through a dial-up modem connection where it is processed and evaluated A post-visit report is generated and sent to the participant's physician Subsequently, the participant is asked by the trainer whether the participant possesses and follows an asthma action plan An asthma action plan is a set of guidelines for responding to asthma related occurrences If no plan is currently in use, guidelines for one are generated and provided to the participant's physician for review before the physician forwards same to the participant

Follow up visits are either in person or over the telephone and involve further discussions between trainers and participants on an as needed basis Asthma occurrences are discussed, particularly how they were dealt with and what triggers may have caused them Diagnostic respiratory data is taken and processed to see if there has been any improvement in a participant's overall asthma condition Further visits are scheduled to ensure participant compliance with program guidelines All data gathered during each visit is deposited in tne central database for storage and processing Post visit reports are generated and sent to the participant s physician after every visit for analysis and review The objective of the program is to educate participants as to their environmental conditions and the effects on their asthma The acquired knowledge is used to change the participant's environment to the extent possible in order to reduce or eliminate asthma triggers If successful, significant health benefits and cost savings may be achieved

The computer implemented care program gathers, stores, and processes data including survey data, outcome data, medical diagnostic data, medication data, physical data, and demographic data Computer implemented training aids include asthma action plans, disease process training, diagnostic equipment training, and journal keeping Computer implemented environmental identification evaluations related to disease symptoms or environmental symptom impact data include peakflow data, metered dose inhaler (MDI) data, nebulizer data, environmental assessments, specific trigger discussions, and lifestyle discussions. Computer implemented program administration includes visit scheduling, participant recruitment, participant enrollment, participant disenrollment, maintaining of physician profiles, numerous reporting functions, maintaining a list of allergy control companies, supply ordering, and data exchange between the central database and trainers.

It is an object of the invention provide a computer implemented system to aid in the training of disease sufferers in the management of their disease condition.

It is a further object of the invention to reduce the occurrence of hospitalization stays and emergency room visits resulting from disease events by providing educational and management skills to sufferers which may prevent or minimize the severity of disease symptoms.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art with reference to the accompanying figures and written description below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a system overview illustrating the chronic disease management/training system and method;

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the procedure for identifying and enrolling qualified participants in the chronic disease management program;

Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the events occurring during the initial visit between a program trainer and a program participant;

Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the significance of a chronic disease management action plan;

Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the events occurring during subsequent visits between a program trainer and a program participant; and Figure 6 illustrates the hierarchical menu structure of an individualized asthma care training computer program

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied as a method, data processing system, or computer program product Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium having computer- readable program code means embodied in the medium Any suitable computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices

To the extent that the present invention is described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to the invention, it will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks

Acco^rdιngly, blocks of flowchart illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions It will also be understood that each block of flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions

SYSTEM OVERVIEW Referring now to Figure 1 , a system overview of the disease management/training system and method is illustrated A database 100 acts as the repository for raw participant data 101 as well as program participant data Raw participant data comprises demographic data about individuals who meet certain criteria and qualify as candidates for a disease management program. The raw participant data 101 is downloaded to a local computer 110 used by qualified trainers and, depending on the nature of the disease, certified to some degree of proficiency with respect to the disease. There can be multiple trainers (T1-T4) each responsible for multiple participants (P1-P4). An exemplary data structure is shown within the database 100 in which four (4) trainers are illustrated as having four (4) participants. Each trainer has his own file/data directory within the database 100 in which each participant has his own file/data subdirectory. Typically, trainers interact with the database 100 from their local computer 110 via a dial-up modem connection 120.

It is important that the trainer's local computer 110 continually be updated and synchronized with respect to the data in the database 100. Accordingly, the trainer's computer and the database may exchange trainer/database synchronization information 121.

The trainer, with computer 110, maintains contact with participant(s) 130 and physician(s) 140 for the purpose of collecting and disseminating management care program data. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the computer 110 may transmit or generate post visit reports 141 to or for the physician 140. The participant 130 may input survey data 142 and visit data 143 into the computer 110. The survey data 142 and the visit data 143 may be transmitted from the computer 110 to the database 100.

Although in the illustrated embodiment the database 100 is separate from the computer 110, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the database 100 may be resident on the computer 110. The database 100 may be located on a magnetic storage medium associated with the hard disk drive of the computer 110, on an optical storage medium associated with the optical disk drive of the computer 110 or any other storage medium associated with the computer 100. In such an embodiment, the disease management program may write data to and receive data from the database by accessing local storage media

Figures 2-5 are block diagrams illustrating exemplary steps involved in a disease management program and the data processing that takes place Referring now to Figure 2, in step 200, raw data is obtained by a program trainer pertaining to potential candidates for a disease management program This data typically includes demographic data identifying potential program participants and their suitability for a particular disease program The data may originate from an outside source but is downloaded from the database to a trainer's local computer In step 210, a trainer will contact potential candidates in order to recruit and enroll them into a particular disease management program In step 220, for each enrolled participant, a corresponding program announcement letter is sent to that participant s physician describing the program

Referring now to Figure 3, in step 300, upon enrollment of a participant, the trainer schedules an initial visit with the participant In step 310, during the initial visit, the trainer collects data from the participant mostly in the form of surveys The surveys are administered via a software based interactive set of windows in which the participant is asked a series of questions A typical initial visit is conducted in the participant s home and comprises a detailed program introduction explaining the procedures of the program, a review of the participant s demographic data, administration of the initial surveys, a review of the participant s current medications, a physical assessment of the participant, a review of the disease itself, and an introduction to management tools and other educational data Next, in step 320, the survey data is input into the trainer s local computer for subsequent uploading to the database When the database is resident on the trainer's computer, the data may be written directly to the appropriate storage medium, such as a magnetic disk In step 330, the data is also processed locally and a post-visit report is generated In step 340, the post-visit report is intended for and sent to the participant's physician for review The initial visit usually concludes with a discussion of participant goals for a next visit Lastly, in step 350, a subsequent visit is scheduled between the trainer and participant Subsequent visits can either be in person or telephonic

Referring now to Figure 4, the trainer contacts the participant's physician and, in step 400, inquires as to whether the participant has a disease action plan in place In step 410, if the trainer does not have a disease action plan in place, the trainer will send a form 410 to the participant's physician, explaining the purpose of the disease action plan, and asking the physician to provide any missing information The plan identifies a patient's 'zones' , and what to do in each of the zones In addition, the plan provides essential phone numbers (relatives/physician/ambulance) and other pertinent information It is the physician s decision to send the action plan to, and initially discuss the action plan with, the participant Once the trainer receives the completed action plan, the trainer will also review the action plan with the participant Subsequently, the trainer will review with the participant his adherence to the action plan, and the trainer will assist the participant in communicating issues around the action plan to the physician

A disease action plan for asthma is discussed below as an example Asthma is a highly variable disease Patients can go from asymptomatic exhibiting normal lung function to highly symptomatic exhibiting severely restricted airflow in a matter of minutes in response to a trigger Patients need to be instructed by their physician what to do at the onset of such instances In order to be effective, action plans should be in an easy to understand written format Such plans are commonly referred to as Asthma Control Plans or Asthma Action Plans The National Asthma Education Program of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommend providing a written plan to all moderate and severe asthmatics comprising the following components

• Current medications and dosages

• Warning signs and symptoms of impending exacerbations

• Peak expiratory flow rate measurements

• Instructions for use of asthma medications during exacerbations

• Instructions (including telephone numbers) for when and who to call Referring now to Figure 5, subsequent visit procedures are detailed

Generally in step 500, a visit commences by discussing disease related events, if any, that have occurred since the last visit The discussion may also include any goal achievements from the last visit In step 510, additional data is collected during the visit us.ng interviews and more interactive surveys Many of the same topics discussed in the initial visit are discussed again including medications, disease reviews management tools, and physical and environmental assessments In step 530, collected data is forwarded to the database and the trainer's computer is then updated or synchronized with the database ιr order to ensure the integrity of the gathered program data Synchronization is generally done on a daily basis In step 540, newly acquired data is processed and post-visit reports are generated In step 550, the post- visit reports are forwarded to the participant s physician for review In step 560, further visits are scheduled on an as needed basis, largely at the discretion of the trainer

One exemplary embodiment of the invention implements the above described system and methodology for the training in and management of the disease of asthma A comprehensive computer implemented program is described which facilitates and manages all of the above described data collection and processing functions providing a measurable outcome for evaluating the health maintenance progress of individuals participating in such a program as well as the effectiveness of the program overall as it pertains to improving the health maintenance of participants while decreasing the costs associated with emergency room visits and extended hospitalizations. Outcomes are measured by comparing each participant's progress or condition from report to report.

A windows driven graphical user interface computer program typically resides on a trainer's local computer, which, in most cases, is a laptop type computer for portability. The program is a compilation of data intake, data processing, network communication, and output generating modules interdependent on and communicating with one another.

Figure 6 illustrates a hierarchical menu structure of an example of an individualized asthma care training (IACT) program. Each of the boxes performs the function described via a set of standard windows drop down menus having standard point and click capabilities. That is, through the use of a mouse (o^r other similar input device), a trainer can access any one of the boxes illustrated in Figure 6. At the top is the IACT Main Menu 1000 which represents tne starting point upon execution of the IACT program. There are seven (7) top-level functions including FILE 1002, PARTICIPANTS 1004, SCHEDULE 1006, REPORTS 1008, UTILITIES 1010, POST-VISIT 1012, and HELP 1014. Each of the seven (7) top level functions possesses one or more sub-functions related in some way to its corresponding top-level function.

Throughout the various screens the trainer/user will often face a set of selectable buttons generally used to advance or guide the trainer through the various processes. In particular, the set of "Cancel", "Back", "Next", and "Finish" is used quite often. "Cancel" allows the trainer to escape from the current process and generally return to the preceding process or function. "Back" transfers the trainer to the previous screen of the current process. "Next" advances the trainer to the next step of the current process. "Finish" is used to complete the current process and is typically only actionable on the last screen of the current process. Whenever one of these buttons is not a selectable option from the current screen it will appear faded out. If the trainer attempts to select a shaded out button nothing will occur. For instance, the trainer will not be able to select the "Back" button from the first screen of a given process, nothing will happen since there is no previous screen to go to.

Another oft used icon is the "close" icon which appears on numerous screens, usually in the lower right portion of the screen. Selecting or clicking the close icon has the general effect of closing the current window or screen and returning the user to the previous window or screen.

Each top-level function is now discussed in greater detail

FILE Under the FILE function 1002, there is an Exit sub-function 1016 which allows the trainer to close or shut down the IACT program from the current session.

PARTICIPANTS The PARTICIPANTS 1004 function manages many of the interactions between trainers and participants. Its sub-functions include Recruit 1018, Disenroll 1020, Status Report 1022, Personal Contact 1024, Telephone Contact 1026, and Resume Visit 1028. The Recruit sub-function 1018 presents a list of candidates for the asthma care training and management program and demographic data associated with each candidate. As will be more fully described later, the trainer contacts these candidates in hope of enrolling them in an IACT program The Disenroll sub-function 1020 serves to remove active participants from an IACT program. The Status Report sub-function 1022 provides the current status of a selected participant. The Personal Contact sub-function 1024 provides the data and procedures necessary to conduct a personal visit The Telephone Contact sub-function 1026 provides the data and procedures necessary to conduct a telephone visit The Resume Visit sub- function 1028 allows a user/trainer to resume a previous visit, either personal or telephone that was interrupted or not completed

SCHEDULE The SCHEDULE function 1006 organizes and manages a trainer's daily, weekly, ana monthly schedule Its sub-functions include Edit 1030, View Schedule For This Week 1032, View Schedule For This Month 1034, View Schedule For Any Two Dates 1036, and To Do List 1038 The Edit sub- function 1030 allows the trainer to edit his schedule in order to make, change, or delete appointments with participants Tne iew Schedule For This Week sub-function 032 permits the trainer to view his schedule for the upcoming week The View Schedule For This Month sub-function 1034 permits the trainer to view his schedule for the upcoming month The View Schedule For Any Two Dates sub-function 1036 permits the trainer to view his schedule starting and ending on selected dates Lastly, the To Do List sub-function 1038 provides a note or scratch pad where the trainer can make informal notes to remind himself of tasks that need to be completed and the status of each task

REPORTS The REPORTS function 1008 provides the trainer with the ability to generate numerous reports relating to the status and progress of individual participants Its sub-functions include Active Participants List 1040, Inactive Participants List 1042, Participant Count 1044, Participant Status 1046, Visit Summary 1048, Complete Visit Summary 1050, Print Blank Surveys 1052, Print Surve\ Results 1054, and Allergy Control Company Report 1056 The Active Participants List sub-function 1040 provides, at a glance, a listing of all active participants for that trainer The Inactive Participants List sub-function 1042 provides, at a glance, a listing of all inactive participants for that trainer The Participant Count sub-function 1044 provides a listing of all participants categorized according to their status The Participant Status sub-function 1046 provides a detailed status of a selected participant The Visit Summary sub- function 1048 provides a semi-detailed report of a particular visit for a selected participant The Complete Visit Summary sub-function 1050 provides a more detailed report of a particular visit for a selected participant The Print Blank Surveys sub-runction 1052 allows the trainer to obtain unanswered hardcopies of the surveys used in the IACT program The Print Survey Results sub- function 1054 allows the trainer to obtain hardcopies of completed surveys for a selected participant The Allergy Control Company Report sub-function 1056 provides a report of local allergy control companies, their contact information, and the goods or services they provide

UTILITIES The UTILITIES function 1010 gives the trainer the ability to edit or modify certa n data Its sub-functions include Change Password 1058, Edit Trainer Information 1060, Edit Physician Information 1062, Edit Personal Information 1064, Change Medications 1068, Order Supplies 1070, Maintain Allergy Control Companies List 1072, and Provide Feedback 1074 The Change Password sub-function 1058 allows the trainer to change the password that grants access to the IACT program and its associated data It is a security feature typical of many software programs The Edit Trainer Information sub- function 1060 allows the trainer to add, delete, or modify information pertaining to himself The Edit Physician Information sub-function 1062 allows the trainer to add, delete, or modify information pertaining to physicians involved in the IACT program The Edit Personal Information sub-function 1064 allows the trainer to add, delete, or modify information pertaining to participants involved in the IACT program The Change Medications sub-function 1068 allows the trainer to add, delete, or modify information pertaining to participants' medications The Order Supplies sub-function 1070 allows the trainer to order additional needed materials for the IACT program The Maintain Allergy Control Companies List sub-function 1072 allows the trainer to add, delete, or modify information pertaining to selected allergy control companies The Provide Feedback sub-function 1074 allows participants to comment on the IACT program itself, and the asthma care management program in general

POST-VISIT The POST-VISIT function 1012 manages many of the data exchange sub-functions of the IACT program Its sub-functions include Daily Update 1076, Add Homework Notes to Visit 1078, Add Physician Notes to Visit 1080, and Add Personal Notes to Visit 1082 The Daily Update sub-function 1076 allows the trainer to synchronize, usually via a secure modem connection, the data resident on the trainer's computer and the data in the central database The Add Homework Notes to Visit sub-function 1078 provides a checklist of items to be addressed between visits and a mechanism for appending the items to a current visit summary The Add Physician Notes to Visit sub-function 1080 provides a blank window for inputting physician notes and appending same to a visit summary The Add Personal Notes to Visit sub-function 1082 provides a blank window for inputting personal notes and appending same to a visit summary

HELP The HELP function 1014 provides information about the IACT computer program to the trainer. Its sub-functions include About IACT and Support Information The About IACT sub-function 1084 provides information concerning the intellectual property rights claimed in the IACT computer program itself The Support Information sub-function 1086 provides trainers with a contact when in need of technical support

Selected sub-functions are now more fully described with reference to the screen that appears when the sub-function is selected by a user The screens are described as well as important data fields within the screens

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS The oresent invention can be implemented in a variety of computer environments including a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) environments, and stand-alone computers having dial-up modem capabilities The present invention can be implemented in computer environments utilizing TCP/IP communications protocol, such as the Internet Hardware for implementing the present invention is generally consistent with typical personal computing equipment, and does not generally require special environmental conditions other than a typical office environment Preferably the present invention is implemented on a laptop computer with a dial up connection for data transmission Even more preferable is a server based processor having typical specifications and peripherals (e g , 233 MHZ, 128 MB RAM, two 28 8 Kbps modem ports, and 100MB hard drive space) and having sufficient memory to perform all functions efficiently, and having sufficient data storage capacity Also preferred is automatic back-up capability for data and configuration files and trackball or mouse support The present invention may be implemented via other computing devices, including, but not limited to, mainframe computing systems, mini-computers, and lap-top computers It is preferable to use a high resolution color display; however, a standard personal computer monitor may be used.

The present invention may be written in various computer languages including, but not limited to, C++, Smalltalk, Java, Access, Visual Basic and other conventional programming languages such as BASIC, and FORTRAN

The present invention runs on current standard desktop computer platforms such as, but not limited to, Windows®, Windows 95®, Windows NT®, UNIX®, and OS/2® The present invention utilizes, in part, many standard features of current desktop configurations, such as the ability to store data locally, connect to the Internet, and display visual information

The present invention is not limited in scope to systems, methods and computer program products for managing and tra'ni ιq iπ 'viduals su^ffering with asthma The present invention may be utilized fc r managing ana training individuals suffering from various other chronic diseaseb Informat.on particular to asthma sufferers can readily be substituted with information particular to other chronic conditions without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention Thus, the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims

In the claims, means-plus-function clause are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A computer implemented system for aiding in the management of diseases comprising:

(a) a data entry means for collecting data pertaining to a disease sufferer's condition;

(b) a data storage means coupled to said data entry means for storing said collected data pertaining to one or more disease sufferers;

(c) a processing means coupled to said data entry means and communicable with said data storage means for processing the stored data; and

(d) a report output means coupled to said processing means and communicable with said data storage means for generating anc outputting one or more reports from said processed data pertaining to a disease sufferer's condition.

2. The computer implemented system of claim 1 operating as a windows driven computer program loaded onto a general purpose computer.

3. The computer implemented system of claim 2 wherein said general purpose computer is a lap-top personal computer.

4. The computer implemented system of claim 2 further comprising data communications means for exchanging data between said general purpose computer and a database not resident on said general purpose computer.

5. The computer implemented system of claim 2 further comprising a database resident on said general purpose computer, wherein said windows driven computer program sends data to and receives data from said database.

6. The computer implemented system of claim 2 wherein said data entry means comprises a software implemented interactive windows forms questionnaire

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said collected data includes physical data, environmental data, psychological data, environmental symptom impact data, medical diagnostic data, disease awareness, and lifestyle data about a participant.

8 A computer implemented method for aiding in the management of diseases comprising the steps of

(a) surveying one or more disease sufferers with respect to their condition;

(b) entering the surveyed data into a computer;

(c) processing the entered data in order to generate one or more reports pertaining to a disease sufferer^'s condition, and

(d) outputting one or more reports in human readable form detailing a disease sufferer's condition.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein steps (a) - (d) are repeated on an as needed basis.

10 The method of claim 8 wherein said surveying step inquires as to a disease sufferer's physical condition, psychological condition, environmental symptom impact data, medical diagnostic data, educational awareness of their disease, and lifestyle data.

1 The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of outputting educational displays and reports based upon a disease sufferer's level of educational awareness of their disease

12 The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of tracking said disease sufierer's condition by comparing current reports to previous reports to determine any changes to said disease sufferer's condition

13 A computer implemented method for assisting respiratory specialists in tne education, training, evaluation, and management of asthma, said method comprising the steps of

(a) initially surveying at least one asthma sufferer with respect to physical assessments, psychological assessments, environmental assessments, educational awareness, asthma triggering stimuli, and lifestyle data as they affect their asthma condition,

(b) inputting the surveyed data into a computer,

(c) processing the input data in order to generate one or more reports pertaining to the asthma sufferer's current condition and their knowledge with respect to asthma,

(d) outputting the one or more reports,

(e) conducting follow-up visits with the asthma sufferer for the purpose of collecting respiratory diagnostic data and additional survey data pertaining to physical assessments, psychological assessments, environmental assessments, educational awareness, asthma triggering stimuli, and lifestyle data as they affect the asthma condition,

(f) inputting said respiratory diagnostic data and additional survey data into said computer,

(g) processing the input data from step (f) in order to generate one or more reports pertaining to said asthma sufferer's current condition and knowledge with respect to said asthma condition, and

(h) outputting the one or more reports pertaining to said asthma sufferer's current condition and progress since a previous visit

14 T he method of claim 13 wherein steps (e) - (h) are repeated on an as nee╬▒e^~ basis

15 A data processing system for assisting a respiratory specialist in collecting, processing, and disseminating data for one or more asthma suffering participants Dertaining to said participants' condition comprising

(a) data input means for collecting data pertinent to the participants' condition,

(b) data storage and processing means coupled to said data input means for processing and storing said collected data, and

(c) data output means coupled to said data processing means for outputting data pertinent to said participants condition and any perceivable changes therein or significant observations thereof

16 The data processing system of claim 15 further comprising

(d) communication means within said data processing system coupled to said data storage and processing means for exchanging data between said data processing system and a database.

17 The data processing system of claim 15 wherein said data input means comprises

(e) software based interactive forms input means executing on said data processing system for inputting and editing data pertaining to said participants,

(f) software based interactive forms input means executing on sai╬▒ data processing system for inputting and editing data pertaining to participants' physicians,

(g) software based interactive forms input means executing on said data processing system for inputting an editing data pertaining to said respiratory specialist,

(h) software based interactive questionnaire means executing on said data processing system wherein said questionnaires include a plurality of queries with respect to the asthma condition of a participant prompting responses from said participant relating to physical assessments, psychological assessments, environmental assessments, educational awareness, asthma triggering stimuli, respiratory diagnostic data, and lifestyle, and

(i) means for entering questionnaire responses into the data processing system's storage and processing means

18 The data processing system of claim 15 wherein said data output means comprises

(k) software based report generating means coupled to said data processing and storage means for generating one or more reports with respect to a participant's condition and any perceivable changes therein or significant observations thereof including changes in environment, psychology, changes in lifestyle, effects of asthma triggering stimuli, and changes in respiratory diagnostic data readings

19 The data processing system of claim 15 wherein said data storage and processing means comprises

(I) interactive recruitment/enrollment/disenrollment means for guiding said respiratory specialist in the recruitment, enrollment, and disenrollment of participants, (m) interactive scheduler means for scheduling visits between the respiratory specialist and participant and maintaining the schedule of the respiratory specialist, (n) interactive training aid means for participant instruction in and use of nebulizers, peak flow meters, and metered dose inhalers

(MDI), (o) interactive medication maintenance means for inputting editing and maintaining participant medication data, and (p) interactive journal means for inputting and maintaining participant notes and observations on a day-to-day basis with respect to asthma events

20 A computer implemented process for training disease afflicted participants in the management of their diseases, said process comprising the steps of

(a) collecting participant demographic information,

(b) collecting participant physical assessment information, (c) collecting participant environmental assessment information;

(d) collecting participant disease triggering stimuli information;

(e) collecting participant lifestyle assessment information;

(f) collecting participant medical diagnostic information;

(g) storing said collected information; (h) processing said stored information;

(i) generating at least one report from said processed information; and 0) outputting said generated report.

21. The process of claim 20 wherein steps (a) - (j) are repeated on a periodic basis.

22. The process of claim 21 further comprising the step of tracking the progress of the training in and management of a chronic disease by comparing previous reports with current reports and determining any changes to a participant's condition.

23. A computer readable medium having thereon the computer implemented system of claim 1.

24. A computer readable medium having thereon the data processing system of claim 15.

25. A computer readable medium having thereon the data processing system of claim 16.

26. A computer readable medium having thereon the data processing system of claim 17.

27. A computer readable medium having thereon the data processing system of claim 18.

28. A computer readable medium having thereon the data processing system of claim 19.