NZ619780B2 - Systems and methods for graphically conveying information - Google Patents
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- NZ619780B2 NZ619780B2 NZ619780A NZ61978012A NZ619780B2 NZ 619780 B2 NZ619780 B2 NZ 619780B2 NZ 619780 A NZ619780 A NZ 619780A NZ 61978012 A NZ61978012 A NZ 61978012A NZ 619780 B2 NZ619780 B2 NZ 619780B2
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
- G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G16H10/00—ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data
- G16H10/60—ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
- G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G16H50/00—ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data mining; ICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics
- G16H50/30—ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data mining; ICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
Abstract
Disclosed is a graphical user interface for displaying a patient’s medical information such that a user can readily view a graphical display of a wellness of the patient. The graphical display shows a score for a first category that relates to a first system of the patient’s body and scores for multiple subcategories from a first subcategory set. The subcategories of the first subcategory set each relate to at least one of a scorable feature, attribute, and component of the first system. The graphical user interface comprises a dynamic display. The dynamic display comprises a first graphical representation and a second graphical representation. The first graphical representation depicts at least one of the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set. The first graphical representation comprises a graphical depiction of at least one of a human body, a portion of the human body, and a tree structure. The second graphical representation depicts the score for the first category relating to the first system of the patient’s body. The score for the first category is hierarchically related to the subcategories of the first subcategory set in that the score for the first category is generated by combining the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set. The score for the first category is selectable on the graphical user interface via user input such that selection of the score for the first category causes the graphical user interface to display at least one of the first graphical representation and the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set from which the score of the first category was generated. iple subcategories from a first subcategory set. The subcategories of the first subcategory set each relate to at least one of a scorable feature, attribute, and component of the first system. The graphical user interface comprises a dynamic display. The dynamic display comprises a first graphical representation and a second graphical representation. The first graphical representation depicts at least one of the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set. The first graphical representation comprises a graphical depiction of at least one of a human body, a portion of the human body, and a tree structure. The second graphical representation depicts the score for the first category relating to the first system of the patient’s body. The score for the first category is hierarchically related to the subcategories of the first subcategory set in that the score for the first category is generated by combining the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set. The score for the first category is selectable on the graphical user interface via user input such that selection of the score for the first category causes the graphical user interface to display at least one of the first graphical representation and the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set from which the score of the first category was generated.
Description
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
GRAPHICALLY CONVEYING INFORMATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems and methods for graphically
displaying and navigating through information, and more particularly to graphical
methods and systems for rapidly conveying information, such as medical information.
2. Background and Related Art
[0002] Currently-available systems and methods for recording patient medical data
and conveying the recorded data to others can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Additionally, currently-available systems and methods may do a poor job of
highlighting the most relevant or important information when the information is
conveyed, increasing the risk of missing critical information that could be used to
diagnose, treat, or otherwise assist a patient or doctor. The use of such systems and
methods is time-consuming, causes unneeded delays, and may result in an
unprofessional impression of medical professionals on patients.
For example, typical mechanisms and methods for conveying patient medical
information involve words and descriptions provided in a somewhat-organized
manner, requiring the medical professional to read through and evaluate a great deal
of data. An amount of data needed to be perused may be essentially irrelevant to the
medical professional’s needs.
Figure 1 illustrates some of the difficulties that may be encountered in
perusing this type of information. Figure 1 represents a list illustrating the
informational content of a complete systems review. As Figure 1 shows only the
types of information that can be obtained during a complete systems review, it will be
appreciated that a listing of information can become even more voluminous than the
listing of information shown in Figure 1. Therefore, it will be appreciated that
physicians, nurses, administrators, and other medical professionals, as well as patients
and other laypersons can find difficulty in reviewing, digesting, and understanding
the information presented in a conventional fashion, and especially in discerning the
most important information contained in write-ups using conventional methods and
systems.
Thus, while techniques currently exist that are used for recording patient
medical data and conveying the recorded data to others, challenges still exist,
including that current techniques are cumbersome and inefficient. Accordingly, it
would be an improvement in the art to augment or even replace current techniques
with other techniques.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to systems and methods for graphically displaying and
navigating through information, and more particularly to graphical methods and systems for
rapidly conveying information, such as medical information.
Further aspects are described and claimed in New Zealand patent specification NZ 715355
that is divided from this patent specification.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer
readable media storing computer executable instructions which when executed by one
or more processors of a computer system perform a method for displaying a patient’s
medical information such that a user can view a graphical display of a wellness of the
patient, the graphical display being configured to show scoring for a first category of
the patient’s medical information and for a first subcategory set comprising multiple
subcategories of the patient’s medical information that correspond to the first
category, the method comprising:
using the computer system to receive scores for the subcategories of the first
subcategory set, wherein the scores each relate to at least one of a scorable feature,
attribute, and component of the patient’s medical information;
storing, on the computer system, the scores for the subcategories of the first
subcategory set and a hierarchical relationship between the subcategories of the first
subcategory set and the first category;
generating, by the computer system, the graphical display of the wellness of the
patient based on the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, the graphical
display comprising a score for the first category, the score for the first category being
generated by combining the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, wherein
the graphical display comprises a depiction of at least one of a body, a portion of the body,
and a tree structure;
displaying, on a display connected to the computer system, the graphical display of
the wellness of the patient;
receiving user input that selects at least one of the first category and the score for the
first category; and
in response to the user input, displaying the scores for the subcategories of the
first subcategory set from which the score for the first category was generated.
The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification and claims means ‘consisting at least in
part of’. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the
term ‘comprising’, other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement
can also be present. Related terms such as ‘comprise’ and ‘comprised’ are to be interpreted
in similar manner.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method, performed by a
computer system having a display, for displaying a patient’s medical information such that a
user can view a graphical display of a wellness of the patient, the graphical display being
configured to show scoring for a first category that relates to a first system of the patient’s
body and for multiple subcategories from a first subcategory set, wherein the subcategories
of the first subcategory set each relate to at least one of a scorable feature, attribute, and
component of the first system, the method comprising:
receiving scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set;
storing, on the computer system, the scores for the subcategories of the first
subcategory set and a hierarchical relationship between the subcategories of the first
subcategory set and the first category;
generating, by the computer system, the graphical display of the wellness of the
patient based on the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, the graphical
display comprising a score for the first category relating to the first system of the patient’s
body, the score for the first category being generated by combining the scores for the
subcategories of the first subcategory set, wherein the graphical display comprises a
depiction of at least one of a human body, a portion of the human body, a progress form, and
a tree structure;
displaying, on a display connected to the computer system, the graphical display of
the wellness of the patient, wherein the score for the first category is selectable via user
input;
receiving user input that selects the score for the first category; and
in response to the user input, displaying the scores for the subcategories of the
first subcategory set from which the score of the first category was generated.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a graphical user interface for
displaying a patient’s medical information such that a user can readily view a graphical
display of a wellness of the patient, the graphical display showing a score for a first category
that relates to a first system of the patient’s body and scores for multiple subcategories from a
first subcategory set, wherein the subcategories of the first subcategory set each relate to at
least one of a scorable feature, attribute, and component of the first system, the graphical user
interface comprising:
a dynamic display comprising:
a first graphical representation depicting at least one of the scores for the
subcategories of the first subcategory set, wherein the first graphical representation
comprises a graphical depiction of at least one of a human body, a portion of the
human body, and a tree structure; and
a second graphical representation depicting the score for the first category
relating to the first system of the patient’s body, the score for the first category being
hierarchically related to the subcategories of the first subcategory set in that the score
for the first category is generated by combining the scores for the subcategories of the
first subcategory set, wherein the score for the first category is selectable on the
graphical user interface via user input such that selection of the score for the first
category causes the graphical user interface to display at least one of the first
graphical representation and the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory
set from which the score of the first category was generated.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer
readable media storing computer executable instructions which when executed by one or
more processors of a computer system perform a method for displaying a patient’s medical
information such that a user can readily view a graphical display of a wellness of the patient,
the graphical display being configured to show scoring for a first category of the patient’s
medical information and for a first subcategory set comprising multiple subcategories of the
patient’s medical information that correspond to the first category, the method comprising:
receiving scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, wherein the
scores each relate to at least one of a scorable feature, attribute, and component of the
patient’s medical information;
storing, on the computer system, the scores for the subcategories of the first
subcategory set and a hierarchical relationship between the subcategories of the first
subcategory set and the first category;
generating, by the computer system, the graphical display of the wellness of the
patient based on the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, the graphical
display comprising a score for the first category, the score for the first category being
generated by combining the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set;
displaying, on a display connected to the computer system, the graphical display of
the wellness of the patient;
receiving user input that selects at least one of the first category and the score for the
first category;
in response to the user input, displaying the scores for the subcategories of the first
subcategory set from which the score for the first category was generated; and
automatically recording billing information as treatment information is entered into
the system.
Described herein is a system for graphically conveying information, the system comprising:
a computer processor configured to receive and manipulate:
a category of information;
multiple subcategories of information in the category; and
a graphical subcategory score associated with each of the subcategories; and
a display mechanism for graphically displaying a graphical category score for the
category,
wherein the graphical category score is selected from:
(i) an average of the graphical subcategory scores,
(ii) a highest graphical subcategory score, and
(iii) a lowest graphical subcategory score, and
wherein the category of information comprises information selected from:
(a) medical information,
(b) educational information,
(c) maintenance information, and
(d) inventory/sales information.
Described herein is a computer program product for implementing within a computer system
a method for graphically accessing and rendering patient medical information, the computer
program product comprising:
a non-transitory, computer-readable medium for providing computer program
code means utilized to implement the method, wherein the computer program code
means is comprised of executable code for implementing steps for:
rendering a category of medical information, wherein the category of medical
information is associated with a plurality of subcategories of medical information,
wherein each subcategory is associated with a graphical subcategory score; and
graphically rendering a graphical category score that is associated with the
category, wherein the graphical category score is selected from:
(i) an average of the graphical subcategory scores,
(ii) a highest graphical subcategory score, and
(iii) a lowest graphical subcategory score,
placing the plurality of subcategories of medical information into a layered
hierarchical relationship with the category of medical information, and
recording which layers of the hierarchical relationship have been accessed by a user
of the system.
Described herein is a graphical communication method for displaying patient medical
information, the method comprising:
using a computer processor to access a first category of medical information;
using the processor to access multiple subcategories of medical information
belonging to the first category of medical information; and
using a display to graphically render a graphical category score for the first
category of medical information,
using the processor to identify a graphical subcategory score for each of the
subcategories,
wherein the graphical category score is selected from:
(i) an average of the graphical subcategory scores,
(ii) a highest graphical subcategory score, and
(iii) a lowest graphical subcategory score, and
using the processor to identify billing information as the patient medical
information is manipulated in at least one of (a) the first category of medical
information and (b) at least one of the subcategories of medical information.
Described herein is a system for graphically conveying information, the system comprising:
a computer processor configured to receive and manipulate:
a category of information;
multiple subcategories of information in the category; and
a graphical subcategory score associated with each of the subcategories; and
a display mechanism for displaying a graphical category score for the category of
information,
wherein the graphical category score is selected from:
(i) an average of the graphical subcategory scores,
(ii) a highest graphical subcategory score, and
(iii) a lowest graphical subcategory score, and
wherein the system automatically records billing information as medical information
is at least one of (a) entered into the system and (b) manipulated in the system.
Described herein is a system for graphically conveying information, the system comprising:
a computer processor configured to receive and manipulate:
a category of information;
multiple subcategories of information in the category; and
a graphical subcategory score associated with each of the subcategories; and
a display mechanism for displaying a graphical category score for the category,
wherein the graphical category score is selected from:
(i) an average of the graphical subcategory scores,
(ii) a highest graphical subcategory score, and
(iii) a lowest graphical subcategory score, and
wherein the system is configured to allow a user to drill from the category of
information to one of the subcategories of information, and vice versa, to access data.
Described herein is a system for graphically conveying information, the system comprising:
a computer processor configured to receive and manipulate:
a category of information;
multiple subcategories of information in the category; and
a graphical subcategory score associated with each of the subcategories; and
a display mechanism for displaying a graphical category score for the category,
wherein the graphical category score is selected from:
(i) an average of the graphical subcategory scores,
(ii) a highest graphical subcategory score, and
(iii) a lowest graphical subcategory score,
wherein the system is configured to render the category of information in connection
with a graphical representation selected from:
(a) a depiction of a patient,
(b) a depiction of a portion of a patient,
(c) a progress form, and
(d) a tree structure.
Described herein is a computer program product for implementing within a computer system
a method for graphically accessing and rendering patient medical information, the computer
program product comprising:
a non-transitory, computer-readable medium for providing computer program code
means utilized to implement the method, wherein the computer program code means is
comprised of executable code for implementing steps for:
rendering a category of medical information, wherein the category of medical
information is associated with a plurality of subcategories of medical information,
and wherein each subcategory is associated with a graphical subcategory score; and
rendering a graphical category score that is associated with the category,
wherein the graphical category score is selected from:
(i) an average of the graphical subcategory scores,
(ii) a highest graphical subcategory score, and
(iii) a lowest graphical subcategory score, and
wherein the category of medical information is rendered in connection with a
graphical representation selected from:
(a) a depiction of a patient,
(b) a depiction of a portion of the patient,
(c) a progress form; and
(d) a tree structure.
Described herein is a computer program product for implementing within a computer system
a method for graphically accessing and rendering patient medical information, the computer
program product comprising:
a non-transitory, computer-readable medium for providing computer program code
means utilized to implement the method, wherein the computer program code means is
comprised of executable code for implementing steps for:
rendering a category of medical information, wherein the category of
information is associated with a plurality of subcategories of medical information,
and wherein each subcategory is associated with a graphical subcategory score;
identifying billing information as a portion of the patient medical information
is at least one of input and manipulated; and
graphically rendering a graphical category score that is associated with the
category, wherein the graphical category score is selected from:
(i) an average of the graphical subcategory scores,
(ii) a highest graphical subcategory score, and
(iii) a lowest graphical subcategory score.
Implementations of the present invention provide graphical information
regarding one or more patients’ medical information, and may be used in various
methods of graphical comparison, including graphical comparison between patients,
over time with a single patient, and/or over time with and/or between multiple
patients. Implementations of the present invention may be used in place of and/or in
conjunction with existing methods and systems for conveying medical information,
including one or more textual methods and systems. The graphical information may
be provided electronically to any electronic or computer device or may be provided in
hard copy, such as a part of a patient’s chart. The use of graphical patient medical
information permits rapid and improved conveyance of information, and may
improve recognition and understanding of the most relevant medical information, as
will be understood below.
Implementations of the present invention utilize graphical methods and
systems to rapidly convey medical information, such as to medical professionals and
to laypersons, including to patients. While particular graphical methods and systems
are described herein, the illustrated systems and methods are intended to be
illustrative. It is anticipated that alternative graphical methods and systems may be
utilized other than those specifically described herein, and such alternative
implementations are embraced by the present invention and the full scope of the
present invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims.
Implementations of the present invention utilize a graphical rating or scoring
system in relation to multiple aspects of a patient’s medical information, and may
extend the analysis to all aspects of a patient’s medical information. Each item of
medical information may receive a rating, score, grade, mark, evaluation, or other
count, such as from one to ten, one to five, one to fifty, zero to ten, A to F, green to
red, etc., and the rating information may be stored. The received rating information
may be received numerically or graphically, or may be determined based on one or
more responses to queries as to the patient’s medical information. The information
may also be received electronically, such as utilizing a computer or electronic device,
or may be transferred into an electronic format from a paper, dictation, or other
format. The received rating information may then be displayed graphically, such as
using one or more bar charts, pie charts, images depicting a patient or a portion
thereof, medical progress forms, tree structures, utilizing color information, and/or by
some other graphical format, where it can be quickly and rapidly communicated.
[0009] In at least some implementations, multiple individual pieces of information
may be displayed graphically, and some individual pieces of information may be
combined to provide one or more average scores, ratings, etc. The average of
multiple scores, ratings, etc. may also be provided or displayed graphically, either as
part of a graphical representation of the individual scores, ratings, etc., or
individually, or in combination with multiple average scores, ratings, etc. representing
averages of other information items. In some implementations, averages of several
averages may be displayed, and any number of layers of averages may be provided.
In some such implementations, a user may elect to drill down (and back up, if
desired) through layers of graphical representations of averages, to better understand
certain average scores and their components.
In some implementations, the invention also relates to a system for graphically
conveying information through a tree structure, a bar graph, a depiction of a patient,
or in any other suitable manner. In such implementations, the system comprises at
least one category of information, and multiple subcategories of information in each
category. Additionally, a graphical subcategory score can be associated with each of
the subcategories. Accordingly, a display mechanism can communicate, in a
graphically succinct manner, a graphical category score for the category, wherein the
graphical category score is selected from an average of the graphical subcategory
scores, a highest graphical subcategory score, and a lowest graphical subcategory
score.
The graphical information provides a way to view, communicate, understand,
and/or utilize medical information that has heretofore been unavailable. By way of
example, medical professionals and even laypersons are able to quickly view and
grasp a patient’s medical situation using implementations of the present invention in
ways that were previously impossible. The information may be additionally utilized
in ways previously unavailable to assist in diagnosis and treatment.
[0013] In addition to the aforementioned features, the described systems and methods
can comprise a number of other features and characteristics. Indeed, in one example,
the described systems comprise a search feature that allows a user to search medical
information according to ratings, scores, or other search criteria. In another example,
the described systems and methods include means for generating and collecting
billing information in near real-time. In still another example, the described systems
comprise a mechanism for caching various levels of the information that have been
viewed by the user.
While the methods and processes of the present invention have proven to be
particularly useful in the area of medical care, those skilled in the art can appreciate
that the methods and processes can be used in a variety of different applications,
including in the area of providing dietary decisions, fitness evaluation, weight loss
counseling, exercise coaching, automotive repair, educational counseling,
inventory/sales reporting, and other types of care, diagnosis, treatment, and/or
analysis to an individual, group, or entity.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set
forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the
appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by
means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended
claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the present invention may be
learned by the practice of the present invention or will be obvious from the
description, as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and
advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the
invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are
illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only
typical embodiments of the present invention and are not, therefore, to be considered
as limiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying
drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a PRIOR ART textual method for conveying patient
medical information;
Figure 2 shows a representative computer system that may be used in
conjunction with embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a representative networked computer environment that may be
used in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention;
[0020] Figures 4-13 illustrate representative graphical displays that are illustrative of
features of embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 14 shows a representative graphical display comprising a
representative embodiment of tree structure;
Figure 15 shows a flow chart representing processes that may be used in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 16 illustrates a representative embodiment of a line graph representing
a comparison between potential status and actual status of a patient;
Figure 17 shows a screenshot of a representative embodiment including a text
box; and
Figure 18 shows a screenshot of a representative embodiment including a
search feature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with
reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may take many
other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative
and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to
the appended claims.
Embodiments of the present invention provide graphical information
regarding one or more patients’ medical information, and may be used in various
methods of graphical comparison, including graphical comparison between patients,
over time with a single patient, and/or over time with and/or between multiple
patients. Embodiments of the invention may be used in place of and/or in
conjunction with existing methods and systems for conveying medical information,
including one or more textual methods and systems. The graphical information may
be provided electronically to any electronic or computer device or may be provided in
hard copy, such as a part of a patient’s chart. The use of graphical patient medical
information permits rapid and improved conveyance of information, and may
improve recognition and understanding of the most relevant medical information, as
will be understood below.
Medical information, as used herein, should be interpreted broadly, and
includes any information that may be medically relevant, including symptom
information, general patient information, medical history information, family medical
history information, genetic information, medicinal information, treatment
information, dietary information, pharmaceutical information, or any other
information that relates to an individual.
Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical methods and systems to
rapidly convey medical information, such as to medical professionals and to
laypersons, including to patients. While particular graphical methods and systems are
described herein, the illustrated systems and methods are intended to be illustrative.
It is anticipated that alternative graphical methods and systems may be utilized other
than those specifically described herein, and such alternative embodiments are
embraced by the invention and the full scope of the invention should be determined
by reference to the appended claims.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each item of
medical information receives a rating, score, grade, mark, evaluation, color code, or
other count (sometimes referred to herein as rating information or a score), such as
from one to ten, one to five, one to fifty, zero to ten, A to F, A to Z, green to red,
white to black, etc., and the rating information is stored. The received rating
information is received numerically, alphabetically, and/or graphically, or is
determined based on one or more responses to queries as to the patient’s medical
information. The information can also be received electronically, such as utilizing a
computer or electronic device, or can be transferred into an electronic format from a
paper, dictation, or other format. The received rating information is then displayed
graphically, such as using one or more bar charts, pie charts, images depicting a
patient or a portion thereof, medical progress forms, tree structures, utilizing color
information, and/or by some other graphical format, where it can be quickly and
rapidly viewed and digested.
[0031] In at least some embodiments, multiple individual pieces of information are
displayed graphically, and some individual pieces of information are combined to
provide one or more average scores, ratings, etc. The average of multiple scores,
ratings, etc. can also be provided or displayed graphically, either as part of a graphical
representation of the individual scores, ratings, etc., or individually, or in combination
with multiple average scores, ratings, etc. representing averages of other information
items. In some embodiments, averages of several averages are displayed, and any
number of layers of averages is provided. In some such embodiments, a user elects to
drill down (and back up, if desired) through layers of graphical representations of
averages, to better understand certain average scores, ratings, as well as to better
understand high or low scores, and their components.
The graphical information provides a way to view, understand, and utilize
medical information that has heretofore been unavailable. Medical professionals and
even laypersons can quickly view and grasp a patient’s medical situation using
embodiments of the present invention in ways that were previously impossible. The
information can be additionally utilized in ways previously unavailable to assist in
diagnosis and treatment. While not all advantages and improvements in patient
diagnosis, treatment, and care provided by the embodiments of the invention have
been explicitly set forth herein, it is anticipated that such advantages and
improvements will be understood from the description and Figures and by practicing
the invention.
Figure 2 and the corresponding discussion are intended to provide a general
description of a suitable operating environment in which the invention may be
implemented. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be
practiced by one or more computing devices and in a variety of system
configurations, including in a networked configuration.
Embodiments of the present invention embrace one or more computer
readable media, wherein each medium may be configured to include or includes
thereon data or computer executable instructions for manipulating data. The
computer executable instructions include data structures, objects, programs, routines,
or other program modules that may be accessed by a processing system, such as one
associated with a general-purpose computer capable of performing various different
functions or one associated with a special-purpose computer capable of performing a
limited number of functions. Computer executable instructions cause the processing
system to perform a particular function or group of functions and are examples of
program code means for implementing steps for methods disclosed herein.
Furthermore, a particular sequence of the executable instructions provides an example
of corresponding acts that may be used to implement such steps. Examples of
computer readable media include random-access memory (“RAM”), read-only
memory (“ROM”), programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable
programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable programmable
read-only memory (“EEPROM”), compact disk read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), or
any other device or component that is capable of providing data or executable
instructions that may be accessed by a processing system.
[0035] With reference to Figure 2, a representative system for implementing the
invention includes computer device 10, which may be a general-purpose or special-
purpose computer. For example, computer device 10 may be a personal computer, a
notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”) or other hand-held device, a
workstation, a minicomputer, a mainframe, a supercomputer, a multi-processor
system, a network computer, a processor-based consumer electronic device, or the
like.
Computer device 10 includes system bus 12, which may be configured to
connect various components thereof and enables data to be exchanged between two or
more components. System bus 12 may include one of a variety of bus structures
including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus that
uses any of a variety of bus architectures. Typical components connected by system
bus 12 include processing system 14 and memory 16. Other components may include
one or more mass storage device interfaces 18, input interfaces 20, output interfaces
22, and/or network interfaces 24, each of which will be discussed below.
[0037] Processing system 14 includes one or more processors, such as a central
processor and optionally one or more other processors designed to perform a
particular function or task. It is typically processing system 14 that executes the
instructions provided on computer readable media, such as on memory 16, a magnetic
hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or from a
communication connection, which may also be viewed as a computer readable
medium.
Memory 16 includes one or more computer readable media that may be
configured to include or includes thereon data or instructions for manipulating data,
and may be accessed by processing system 14 through system bus 12. Memory 16
may include, for example, ROM 28, used to permanently store information, and/or
RAM 30, used to temporarily store information. ROM 28 may include a basic
input/output system (“BIOS”) having one or more routines that are used to establish
communication, such as during start-up of computer device 10. RAM 30 may include
one or more program modules, such as one or more operating systems, application
programs, and/or program data.
One or more mass storage device interfaces 18 may be used to connect one or
more mass storage devices 26 to system bus 12. The mass storage devices 26 may be
incorporated into or may be peripheral to computer device 10 and allow computer
device 10 to retain large amounts of data. Optionally, one or more of the mass
storage devices 26 may be removable from computer device 10. Examples of mass
storage devices include hard disk drives, magnetic disk drives, tape drives and optical
disk drives. A mass storage device 26 may read from and/or write to a magnetic hard
disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or another
computer readable medium. Mass storage devices 26 and their corresponding
computer readable media provide nonvolatile storage of data and/or executable
instructions that may include one or more program modules such as an operating
system, one or more application programs, other program modules, or program data.
Such executable instructions are examples of program code means for implementing
steps for methods disclosed herein.
One or more input interfaces 20 may be employed to enable a user to enter
data and/or instructions to computer device 10 through one or more corresponding
input devices 32. Examples of such input devices include a keyboard and alternate
input devices, such as a mouse, trackball, light pen, stylus, or other pointing device, a
microphone, a joystick, a game pad, a satellite dish, a scanner, a camcorder, a digital
camera, and the like. Similarly, examples of input interfaces 20 that may be used to
connect the input devices 32 to the system bus 12 include a serial port, a parallel port,
a game port, a universal serial bus (“USB”), a firewire (IEEE 1394), or another
interface.
One or more output interfaces 22 may be employed to connect one or more
corresponding output devices 34 to system bus 12. Examples of output devices
include a monitor or display screen, a speaker, a printer, and the like. A particular
output device 34 may be integrated with or peripheral to computer device 10.
Examples of output interfaces include a video adapter, an audio adapter, a parallel
port, and the like.
One or more network interfaces 24 enable computer device 10 to exchange
information with one or more other local or remote computer devices, illustrated as
computer devices 36, via a network 38 that may include hardwired and/or wireless
links. Examples of network interfaces include a network adapter for connection to a
local area network (“LAN”) or a modem, wireless link, or other adapter for
connection to a wide area network (“WAN”), such as the Internet. The network
interface 24 may be incorporated with or peripheral to computer device 10. In a
networked system, accessible program modules or portions thereof may be stored in a
remote memory storage device. Furthermore, in a networked system computer device
10 may participate in a distributed computing environment, where functions or tasks
are performed by a plurality of networked computer devices.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present
invention embrace a variety of different system configurations. For example, in one
embodiment the system configuration includes an output device (e.g., a
multifunctional peripheral (“MFP”) or other printer/plotter, a copy machine, a
facsimile machine, a monitor, etc.). In another embodiment, the system configuration
includes one or more client computer devices, optionally one or more server
computer devices, and a connection or network communication that enables the
exchange of communication to an output device, which is configured to perform
multi-colorant rendering.
Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the invention may be
practiced in networked computing environments with many types of computer system
configurations, Figure 3 represents an embodiment of the present invention in a
networked environment that includes clients connected to a server via a network.
[0045] In the representative embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, one or more clients
(40, 42, 44) can access patient information across a network 38, such as from server
48, for the rendering of the information in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention on the one or more clients (40, 42, 44) and/or using a printing
device, such as MFP 46.
[0046] While Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment that includes a client 40, two
additional clients (client 42 and client 44), one peripheral device (MFP 46), and
optionally a server 48, which may include a print server, connected to network 38,
alternative embodiments include more or fewer clients, more than one peripheral
device, no peripheral devices, no server 48, and/or more than one server 48 connected
to network 38.
Other embodiments of the present invention include local, networked, or peer-
to-peer environments where one or more computer devices may be connected to one
or more local or remote peripheral devices. Moreover, embodiments in accordance
with the present invention also embrace a single electronic consumer device, wireless
networked environments, local, and/or wide area networked environments.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further include a multitude of
clients throughout the world connected to a network, where the network is a wide
area network, such as the Internet.
As embodiments of the invention provide graphical representation of medical
information, any type of display device or technology may be used in conjunction
with embodiments of the present invention, including televisions, monitors,
projectors, general-purpose and custom handheld screens, etc. It will be appreciated
that future computer and graphical display technology may also be utilized with
embodiments of the present invention.
One embodiment of a graphical representation of patient medical information,
as it may be generated by a computer, a dedicated electronic device, or by any other
process (as will be appreciated below), is illustrated in Figure 4. As has been
discussed above and will be discussed below, the graphical representation of Figure 4
is merely illustrative. The graphical representation of Figure 4 provides a general
review of systems, and may provide a user (such as a medical professional or a
layperson) with a general overview of a patient’s past or present medical status. In
the illustration of Figure 4, the graphical representation has been provided with a
number of categories 50, each category 50 having a graphical score 52 associated
therewith. The categories 50 may include any desired category selections, and may
be varied to suit a particular purpose, such as a particular diagnostic design, a
particular type of medical practice, etc. The categories 50 of Figure 4 may be
considered to be a general review of systems, and therefore include the following
category selections: 1) Allergic / Immunological / Lymphatic / Endocrine, 2)
Neurologic / Psychiatric, 3) Musculoskeletal, 4) Genitourinary, 5) Gastrointestinal, 6)
Respiratory, 7) Cardiovascular, 8) Head / Eyes / Ears / Nose / Mouth / Throat, 9) Skin
/ Breast, and 10) General / Constitutional. While ten specific category selections are
represented among categories 50, any number or type of selections may be included.
As set forth above, each category has a graphical score 52 associated
therewith. In the graphical representation of Figure 5, the graphical scores 52 may
range from zero to ten. This number has been arbitrarily selected, and such scores
may range on any desired scale, such as from zero to five, one to ten, one to five, zero
to fifty, A to Z, A to F, etc. In addition, the graphical scores 52 need not necessarily
have corresponding numerical values, per se, but may have other graphical signals,
such as color, shape, or intensity, to represent the graphical scores 52. In the
representation of Figure 4, the numerical value of the graphical scores 52 may have
wellness associated with either the maximum or the minimum score value (i.e., either
ten or zero in the scale of Figure 4). That is to say that in some embodiments, a high
value of the graphical score 52 may represent wellness in the corresponding category
50, while in other embodiments, a low value of the graphical score 52 may represent
wellness in the corresponding category 50. In some embodiments, the user may elect
whether the high value or the low value represents maximum wellness, and in some
embodiments, the representation may be switched at will.
Thus, in a system where a high value represents wellness, a display such as
shown in Figure 4 would indicate the highest degree of wellness in the system
category 50 of “Neurologic / Psychiatric,” as that category 50 has a maximum
rightward graphical extent / graphical score 52, corresponding to a numerical score of
ten. In contrast, in a system where a low value represents wellness, a display such as
shown in Figure 4 would indicate the highest degree of wellness in the system
categories 50 of “Musculoskeletal,” “Gastrointestinal,” and “Head / Eyes / Nose /
Mouth / Throat,” as each of those categories 50 have the minimum rightward
graphical extent / graphical score 52, corresponding to a numerical score of four.
As may be appreciated, a user viewing a graphical representation such as
depicted in Figure 4 will be very quickly able to determine areas of potential trouble
for the associated patient. Indeed, as the user becomes familiar with the information
displayed in the graphical representation, it will become less necessary for the user to
refer to the category descriptions that may be displayed on the graphical
representation, and such descriptions may even be omitted from some displays in at
least some embodiments. Indeed, though the numerical values corresponding to the
graphical scores 52 are shown along the bottom axis of the graphical representation of
Figure 4, in some embodiments those values may be omitted and the relevant
information may be displayed exclusively through the rightward extent of the
graphical scores 52.
Even when the various categories 50 are labeled, a user of embodiments of the
present invention need not fully utilize all the information contained in the various
labels. For example, a general physician may review the graphical representation of
Figure 4 and may immediately determine that the most troubling item is the
“Neurologic / Psychiatric” category (assuming a low score represents wellness), and
may only read the label for that category on a first examination. Thus, instead of
having to wade through a long written list of positive and negative symptom
information (see the PRIOR ART information of Figure 1), the physician can obtain
what is likely the most relevant and important information at a glance. Other, less
important information may also be rapidly conveyed, and may be further investigated
as warranted.
In some embodiments, additional graphical information may be provided. For
example, the graphical representation of Figure 4 includes an average graphical score
54. The average graphical score 54 may represent an average of all the graphical
scores 52 shown in the graphical representation, or may represent some other average
or information. The average graphical score 54 may be represented in a different
graphical orientation or format for contrast and/or clarity (as shown in Figure 4), or it
may be represented similarly to the other graphical scores 52 and set apart via textual
information or some other identifier. The user may reference the average graphical
score 54 to obtain more general information about a certain portion of (e.g., a system)
or all the medical information represented, such as the patient’s general health.
Figures 5 and 6 present graphical representations similar to that of Figure 4.
The graphical representation of Figure 5 may correspond to a hypothetical perfectly-
healthy individual, if a high graphical score 52 represents wellness. Alternatively, if a
high graphical score represents sickness, the graphical representation of Figure 5
might correspond to a patient suffering from hypochondria or to a very-ill patient.
The graphical representation of Figure 6 would likely be quickly interpreted as
representing a generally-well person with one problematic area or a generally-sick
person with one area of no concern, depending on whether high or low graphical
scores 52 correspond to wellness. Regardless, it will be readily apparent from Figure
6 that a user of the embodiments of the present invention will be able to nearly
instantly determine problem and/or non-problem areas utilizing the graphical
representations discussed herein in a way not currently available.
It should be appreciated that in some instances it may be desirable to provide
more detailed information than can be graphically represented in a single graphical
representation (such as those of Figures 4-6). In some embodiments, additional
information may be presented textually or otherwise. Alternatively or additionally, in
some embodiments, additional information may be presented graphically. For
example, a user may decide that he or she wants more information about a specific
category 50, such as “Musculoskeletal.” In some embodiments, a user may either
turn to a page representing additional information related to the selected category 50
(if the graphical representations are in hard copy format), or may utilize an input
device to select a particular category 50 or graphical score 52 for more information.
In this way, the user can “drill down” to find more information.
Figures 7-9 show representations of a graphical representation that might be
displayed upon selection of the “Musculoskeletal” category 50. In these Figures, the
categories 50 might be replaced by new subcategories 56. The subcategories 56 may
represent the information utilized to provide the graphical score 52 associated with
the general “Musculoskeletal” category 50 (as shown in Figures 4-6).
Additionally, while a general graphical score for a category (e.g., the
“Musculoskeletal” category) can be given based on the lowest graphical score (e.g.,
back, elbow, hand, and knee) or the highest graphical score (e.g., foot) of its
subcategories, in some embodiments, a subcategory average graphical score 58 may
be provided. In such embodiments, the subcategory average graphical score 58 may
be the same as the graphical score 52 shown in conjunction with the general
“Musculoskeletal” category 50 (as shown in Figures 4-6). By way of example only,
the subcategories 56 such as those shown in Figures 7-9 may include 1) Neck, 2)
Back, 3) Shoulder, 4) Elbow, 5) Wrist, 6) Hand, 7) Hip, 8) Knee, 9) Ankle, 10) Foot.
While ten specific subcategories 56 have been illustrated, any number or type of
subcategories 56 may be utilized, such as to suit a particular diagnosis or treatment
purpose.
The subcategories 56 and the graphical scores 52 associated therewith may be
utilized in similar fashion to the categories 56 and the graphical scores 52 associated
therewith. In addition, further drilling down to more specific medical information
(whether textually-displayed, graphically-displayed, or otherwise-displayed) may be
possible. For example, if one of the “Hip” or “Knee” subcategories 56 or
corresponding graphical scores 52 of Figures 7-9 is selected, a new graphical display,
such as illustrated in Figures 10 or 11, may be displayed.
In the graphical display of Figure 10, new subcategories 56 (sometimes called
sub-subcategories) are presented in relation to the previous subcategory of “Hip,”
with their corresponding graphical scores 52 and the corresponding subcategory
average graphical score 58. By way of example only, the new subcategories 56
presented may include 1) ROM, 2) Sitting, 3) Stairs, 4) Support, 5) Limp, 6)
Activities, 7) Distance, 8) Pain/Stairs, 9) Pain/Walk, and 10) Pain/Rest. In the
graphical representation of Figure 11, new subcategories 56 are presented in relation
to the previous subcategory of “Knee,” with their corresponding graphical scores 52
and the corresponding subcategory average graphical score 58. By way of example,
the subcategories 56 may include 1) Function, 2) Malalign, 3) Flex. Cntrt., 4) Ext.
Lag, 5) Stability / AP, 6) Stability ML, 7) ROM, 8) Pain / Stairs, 9) Pain / Walk, 10)
Pain / Rest.
As may be appreciated, further drilling down may be possible, and it may also
be possible to drill back up, such as by selecting the subcategory average graphical
score 58, the graphical representation title, or a “Back” icon (not shown). Any known
mechanism for navigation or moving between graphical displays and representations
is embraced by the embodiments of the present invention.
In some embodiments, a bread crumb trail is provided as a user drills down
and/or up through the various categories 50 and subcategories of a patient’s medical
information. In this manner, the user can easily find his or her place in the patient’s
information or can skip to a desired location in the patient’s information by selecting
a desired category or subcategory from the bread trail. While this history can take
any suitable form, Figure 10 shows some embodiments in which the bread trail 100
includes a link 102 to each category, subcategory, and/or sub-subcategory the user
visits as the user navigates through the patient’s medical information.
Where the described systems and methods include a bread crumb trail 100, the
trail can be organized in any suitable manner. Indeed, in some embodiments, the
bread crumb trail includes a listing of links to the various categories and
subcategories of information the user has visited during a single session or over
several sessions. In other embodiments, the bread crumb trail only indicates the
subcategories and sub-subcategories a user has visited within a category.
[0064] Where the systems and methods include a bread crumb trail 100, the bread
crumb trail can also comprise scores or rating information to allow the user to quickly
find information of interest. By way of example, each link to a particular category or
subcategory may include a numerical score, a color code, symbol, etc. that is
associated with one or more average ratings/scores, highest ratings/scores, or lowest
rating/scores that are associated with each category or subcategory. Indeed, Figure 11
shows some embodiments in which each link 102 comprises a rating (e.g., 6, 2.4, 8)
that indicates the average rating information for each category and subcategory listed
in the bread crumb trail 100.
In some embodiments, it may be desirable to transition to specific textual
comments relating to a particular category 50 and/or subcategory 56 and the
associated graphical scores 52. In some embodiments, the transition may occur
automatically upon drilling down to a most-detailed level of graphical representation.
In alternate embodiments, the transition may occur at any graphical display upon
selection by the user, such as by an alternative input at an input device or upon some
other selection. In still other embodiments, a link to such textual information (not
shown) may be provided with respect to any piece of information/category
50/subcategory 56/graphical score 52/etc.
In some embodiments, some textual information provided can be provided
with detail corresponding to the level of detail in the associated graphical
representation. In other embodiments, the textual information may have a single level
of detail, and transitioning to the textual information may occur to a particular
relevant point within the textual information or may include highlighting the relevant
textual information in some way. In some embodiments, the graphical and textual
information may be simultaneously presented, such as side-by-side or above-and-
below, to best convey information in the manner desired by the user. Additionally,
the “textual information” displayed may include graphical or other information of the
type currently provided with patient medical information, where appropriate. In this
way, the user may be provided with all information available previously, but
supplemented with the rapidly-digested graphical information discussed herein.
As discussed above, the graphical representations may be customized and/or
focused for any specific needed application. For example, Figure 12 illustrates a
graphical representation that might be used to evaluate a patient prior to an operation
or other surgical or non-surgical procedure. A medical professional may, at a glance,
decide that proceeding under certain circumstances would be unwise and may
recommend treatment to lower certain risk factors, etc. Additionally or alternatively,
a pre-operation and a post-operation set of graphical representation(s) may be
prepared and compared. In this way, an evaluation of the success of the procedure
and/or how well the patient came through the procedure may easily be made. This
may be done, for example, by preparing and comparing two graphical representations.
Alternatively, the pre- and post- information may be prepared on a single graphical
representation, and may be demarcated by order, color, shading, placement,
identifiers, intensity, etc.
In some instances, graphical comparisons may be made between patients, as is
illustrated by Figure 13. The categories 50 of Figure 13 may represent individual
patients, and may permit rapid comparison between groups. The above-described
graphical comparisons between patients and groups is meant to be merely illustrative
of the various ways in which the graphical representations of the present invention
may provide improved information to users, including medical professionals and
laypersons.
For example, a medical professional may begin to recognize and associate
certain graphical patterns with certain diagnoses. As an example, a medical
professional may recognize that a certain pattern or set of graphical scores 52 in a
certain score range is associated with arthritic damage. Upon later encountering a
similar pattern or set of graphical scores 52, the medical professional may suspect
arthritis. Furthermore, the medical professional might notice a similar pattern
emerging for a certain patient, but with scores still more toward healthful than would
indicate arthritic damage. The medical professional might suspect early-stage
arthritis and might be able to preventatively treat the condition and/or do further
testing to confirm the tentative diagnosis. In this way, embodiments of the invention
might assist with diagnosis, even in earlier stages than might otherwise be caught, and
with treatment.
In some embodiments it may be possible to include software-based or other
semi-automatic or automatic recognition of certain graphical patterns to provide
tentative or potential diagnosis information to a user. In embodiments where
computer programs are utilized, the computer programs may include diagnosis
information based on patterns discovered over tens, hundreds, or thousands of
patients, along with the associated diagnoses. This information may be displayed
with the graphical representations and/or separately.
[0071] The above descriptions of possible uses and applications of the graphical
patient medical information are considered illustrative only. Additional uses and
applications may be learned by the practice of the embodiments of the invention.
Additionally, the illustrated graphical representations are intended to be
representational only.
[0072] For example, while the illustrated graphical representations include bar charts,
thereby providing linear graphical scores 52, the graphical scores 52 may be
represented in any number of ways. For example, the graphical scores 52 may be
represented as colors on a continuum of color. As one example, a red-green or other
bi-color graphical continuum may be utilized, with one of the colors (e.g., red or
green) representing a more healthful graphical score 52. The graphical scores 52 in
such an embodiment may be interpreted by determining how much of one color a
graphical score 52 is, or if the graphical score 52 is more in-between (e.g., brown, in
the red-green scheme). It will be appreciated that such a representation of graphical
scores 52 may permit more medical information to be displayed on a single graphical
display, as the graphical scores 52 in such embodiments do not rely on physical size
to convey the graphical scores 52.
Other non-limiting alternatives for the graphical scores 52 include shapes
(such as square, triangle, circle, hexagon, etc.) for different graphical scores 52,
varying shadings for different graphical scores 52, etc. As another example, black or
red partially- or wholly-filled bubbles, such as are used by Consumer Reports
Magazine might be used in some embodiments. An amount that a pie-chart type
graph is filled might also be used to represent a graphical score 52. In sum, any
graphical mechanism or method may be utilized to convey patient medical
information by way of a graphical score 52. Some such systems and methods may
permit more information to be displayed at a single time, while other methods and
systems may be clearer when utilizing certain display media or devices, and one of
skill in the art may determine a desired graphical system/method to suit a particular
use.
In addition to graphical representations that include bar charts, the described
systems and methods can include any other suitable graphical representation that can
display graphical scores for one or more categories/subcategories of information.
Indeed, in some embodiments, the graphical representation of patient medical
information is provided through the use of an image depicting a physical
representation of a patient or of one or more of the patient’s body parts. By way of
example, the representation may include a picture of the patient; a rendering of a
generic human body; a depiction of a physiological system, a body part, etc.; or any
other suitable depiction of a patient or portion thereof.
In such embodiments, the graphical representation can display rating
information (e.g., color codes, numerical codes, etc.) for one or more categories of the
patient’s medical information. In one example, the graphical representation shows an
outline of a human body that graphically represents several categories of the patient’s
health, including the patient’s: neurologic / psychiatric health (as indicated by rating
information in the head region), cardiovascular health (as indicated by rating
information associated with a depiction of heart), skin and breasts (as indicated by
rating information associated with the outline of the depiction of the body), etc. In
this regard, the rating information for each category of the patient’s medical
information can be graphically displayed for the highest score of the subcategories in
that category, the lowest score of the corresponding subcategories, an average score
of the subcategories, an average of several average scores, or any other information
associated with that category or any subcategory in that category. Accordingly, at the
macro level, a user, such as a medical professional, can easily look at the graphical
representation to determine the patient’s overall status (e.g., to determine problems,
healthy areas, etc.).
Where the graphical representation comprises a depiction of a patient or a
portion thereof, the user can drill down through the various subcategories of the
patient’s medical information in any suitable manner. For instance, if the user then
desires to obtain more information about a particular category of the patient’s medical
information, the user can select that category (e.g., by selecting a portion of the
depiction of the patient) and drill down to one or more subcategories to obtain more
information. Thus, if the graphical representation, at the macro level, displays rating
information that indicates a significant malady in the patient’s gastrointestinal tract,
the user can drill down to determine the specific type, location, treatments, and/or
other information related to the malady.
In other embodiments of the graphical representation, the graphical
representation comprises one or more tree structures that associate rating information
(e.g., color coding, or numerical coding) with one or more categories or subcategories
of a patient’s health information. As a result, a user can look at such embodiments
and easily locate problem areas (e.g., systems) of the patient.
Graphical representations comprising one or more tree structures can be
organized in any suitable manner that allows a user to succinctly observe rating
information for one or more areas of the patient. In one example, Figure 14 shows
that the tree’s trunk 200 identifies the patient and primary branches 202 from the
trunk each identify a different system of the patient’s body (e.g., Allergic /
Immunological / Lymphatic / Endocrine, Neurologic / Psychiatric, Musculoskeletal,
Genitourinary, Gastrointestinal, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Head / Eyes / Ears /
Nose / Mouth / Throat, and Skin / Breast). While Figure 14 shows that the trunk 100
includes General / Constitutional rating information 204 (e.g., a color code, numerical
score, etc.) for the patient, each primary branch 202 can include rating information
based on the highest score of any corresponding sub-branches, the lowest score of any
corresponding sub-branches, an average score of any corresponding sub-branches, an
average of several average scores, or any other information associated with that
system or any subcategory of that system.
In some embodiments in which the graphical representation comprises a tree
structure, the user can drill down into specific areas (e.g., portions, systems, etc.) of
the patient’s health by selecting a specific secondary branch 202 (e.g., system, such as
the cardiovascular system). From there, the user can continue to select one or more
tertiary 204, quaternary (not shown), and/or other subset of branches to obtain
additional information down to the most-detailed level.
In still other embodiments of the graphical representation of patient medical
information, a computer displays one or more progress forms (e.g., medical progress
forms) for a patient. In this regard, the medical progress form can comprise any
suitable level of information. For instance, at the most basic level, the form provides
an overall rating for the patient’s health (e.g., an average rating of several key health
indicators). In other instances, the form comprises rating information based on the
highest score, the lowest score, an average score, an average of several average
scores, or any other information associated with one or more categories/subcategories
(e.g., systems) of the patient’s health. In such instances, the user can drill through
forms of varying detail to review categories and subcategories of the patient’s health
down all the way to the most-detailed level.
[0081] To display the graphical representations of patient medical information, the
medical information may be obtained, generated, and/or converted into a graphical
format. Figure 15 therefore illustrates various illustrative methods for obtaining,
generating, and/or converting medical information into a graphical format (i.e., into
the graphical scores 52). Figure 15 is a flowchart showing processes that may occur
with some embodiments of the invention. Execution begins at decision block 60,
where a determination is made whether to obtain patient medical information. It may
be that medical information has already been obtained. For example, previously-
existing information may be utilized.
If no information need be obtained at the present time, execution proceeds to
accessing existing information at step 62. Once the information has been accessed,
the information may be converted into a graphical format and stored in the graphical
format at step 64, then displayed (either immediately or at a later time) at step 66. As
set forth previously, it may be desirable to display textual-based medical information,
or information in some other previously-available format, and so execution may
proceed to decision block 68, where it is determined whether to display such
information. This determination may be made by user input, for example. If such
information is not to be displayed, execution may end (or return to some earlier point
in the process), while if such information is to be displayed, it is displayed at step 70.
After the textual information or other information in a preexisting format has been
displayed, execution may terminate or return to some earlier point in the process.
The foregoing represents processes that may occur when utilizing preexisting
information either entirely or in part. If, however, it is determined at decision block
60 that medical information is to be obtained, execution proceeds to decision block
72. At decision block 72, a determination is made whether to obtain information
graphically or otherwise.
If it is determined not to obtain information graphically, execution proceeds to
step 74, where one or more questions may be presented to draw out the medical
information. For example, such questions may be presented by a medical
professional during a patient interview, may be presented to a medical professional
after observing a patient, may be presented in the form of a medical questionnaire to
the patient during a patient intake procedure or otherwise, or may be otherwise
presented directly to a patient, such as online. The questions presented need not all
be in the form of questions, per se, but may be in any format designed to obtain
medical information, and thus any method, system, or mechanism intended to draw
out medical information may be utilized at step 74. Additionally, in some
embodiments, the questions are structured in such a manner that the user entering the
information is forced to drill down or up through information and to provide
information from a general level to a most-detailed level, or vice versa.
Execution may then proceed to step 76 where the medical information is
received. While the medical information can be entered in any suitable manner,
including by responding to questions, inputting specific medical information, etc., in
some embodiments, information can be received through the use of one or more
dialog or textual boxes (see e.g., Figure 17) that allow the user to include notes or
other information in the patient’s medical records. While these dialog and textual
boxes can be made available at any location in the patient’s medical history, in some
embodiments, these boxes are only available at the most-detailed levels/subcategories
of the patient’s medical information. In such a manner, the systems and methods can
keep the less-detailed levels of the patient’s medical unencumbered with the user’s
notes.
Execution then proceeds to decision block 78, where a determination is made
as to whether all medical information has been received. If not, execution may return
to step 74 where additional information question(s) may be presented, or may return
to decision block 72 to determine whether any additional information should be
obtained graphically or not. When all non-graphical medical information has been
received, execution then proceeds to step 64 for any desired conversion of the non-
graphical medical information into a graphical format, whereupon the process may
continue as outlined above. Although the process has been illustrated as obtaining all
information prior to conversion into a graphical format, it should be understood that
conversion may occur in steps while the information is obtained, or may occur
simultaneously with receipt.
While information may be obtained in non-graphical ways similar to current
methods and then converted into a graphical format, the information may also be
obtained graphically. Thus, if it is determined at decision block 72 to obtain
information graphically, execution may proceed to step 80, where questions designed
to obtain information graphically are presented. As set forth above, the graphical
information questions need not necessarily be questions per se, but may include any
format designed to obtain medical information. Additionally, the graphical
information questions may be presented by medical professionals to patients, may be
presented to medical professionals after observing a patient, may be obtained as part
of test results, may be presented directly to a patient, such as part of a medical intake
process or online, or may be presented and/or obtained in any other fashion.
Furthermore, the graphical information questions may also require the user to provide
information that corresponds to more than one category and/or subcategory of
information.
The graphical information questions are designed to receive responses either
in a graphical format or in a format easily and automatically converted to a graphical
format. A format easily converted into a graphical format includes formats such as
letter and number grades/scores within a known range or scale. Graphical responses
may be received by any graphical selection method, system, or format, including
graphical sliders, receipt of a graphical click or other selection on a graphically-
displayed range by way of a mouse or other input device, selection of a radio button
or option button, receipt of a color or intensity selection, or receipt of any other
graphical signal or cue or representation thereof. However the graphical information
is received, it is stored at step 84, and then a determination is made at decision block
86 whether all information has been received. If not all information has been
received, execution returns to step 80 for more presentation of graphical information
questions, or to decision block 72 for a determination whether the additional
information is to be obtained graphically or otherwise. Once all information has been
obtained, execution may proceed to step 66 for displaying of the information. As will
be understood, no conversion of the graphically-received information to a graphical
format need occur.
It should also be understood that receipt of graphical information and receipt
of information otherwise are not exclusive of each other, and information may be
received both graphically and otherwise together, whether serially or simultaneously,
and may be stored both graphically and/or otherwise, together or separately. It should
also be understood that information may be received, converted, obtained, etc. into a
graphical format by any other method or process.
In some embodiments, a medical information graphical representation (e.g., a
bar graph, tree structure, physical representation, etc.) that provides a review of
systems of an individual’s body (e.g., Figures 4-6) can be drilled up to a level that is
even broader than the particular systems of the individual’s body. Examples of a
broader graphical view of the individual includes information relating to the
individual’s medical status, dietary status, financial status, education, genetic
information, family traits, genetic information, family conditions, other background
information, and/or other data or information that relates to the individual. Thus, the
graphical representation can be drilled up to levels that provide broader categorical
information relating to the individual, wherein each level drilled up is increasingly
broader. Similarly, each graphical representation can allow for drilling down or into
subcategories to provide more information relating to the particular subcategory,
wherein each level drilled down is increasingly more focused, narrow or specific.
In addition to the aforementioned features, the described systems and methods
can include any other suitable feature or characteristic that allows them to function as
intended. In one example, the described systems and methods include a search
feature that allows a user, such as a physician, to search a patient’s medical
information based on one or more criteria (e.g., category labels, search terms, score
levels, etc.) (see Figure 18). Indeed, in some embodiments, the search feature allows
the user to search the patient’s medical information for scores or rating information
that hits a minimum, maximum, or desired threshold. In this manner, the user can
quickly determine the various aspects of a patient’s health that have problems or that
are doing well.
In other embodiments, the search feature allows the user to locate a specific
word or term in the patient’s medical information. Indeed, in some instances, the
search feature is configured to open a tree structure, a medical progress form, a
representation of the patient, or another graphical representation to indicate where the
search criteria is found in the patient’s medical information. Once the user finds the
searched criteria (e.g., rating information, search term, etc.), the user can then drill
down and/or up through the patient’s medical information as desired.
[0093] In another example of a suitable feature, in some embodiments, all or a
portion of a patient’s medical information (e.g., a medical chart) is made available to
the patient. In such embodiments, the patient’s chart can be made available to the
patient in any suitable location (e.g., at home, in a care facility, etc.) and in any
suitable manner (e.g., via the Internet, a local area network, paper, etc.). In such
embodiments, the patient (or another user) can update some or all of the patient’s
medical information in such a manner that a user, such as a physician, can monitor
the patient’s progress and/or deterioration without actually seeing the patient. In one
example, where a patient has received knee replacement surgery, the patient or a
caretaker (e.g., a therapist) can upload or otherwise provide information (e.g., rating
information) relating to the patient’s pain, knee function, knee alignment, knee
flexibility, etc. Accordingly, one or more users (e.g., physicians) can remotely
monitor, direct, and/or encourage the patient’s progress remotely.
In still another example of a suitable feature, in some embodiments, the
described systems and methods are configured to collect, compile, and otherwise use
billing information for services rendered, equipment used (e.g., medical equipment),
and/or other charges that are incurred by the patient. In such embodiments, the
described systems and methods can be modified in any suitable way that allows them
to collect and use billing information. In one example, the system provides the user
with forms (e.g., reimbursement forms, prescription sheets, etc.) that are relevant to
the information entered.
In another example, as the user (e.g., a physician, caretaker, etc.) enters
information into the described systems, the systems can force or otherwise allow the
user to provide information about the specific treatment and/or diagnosis of the
patient. As this occurs, the systems can prompt the user to enter enough information
so that the system can match any medical equipment, material, medicine, procedure,
product, etc. to a specific code (e.g., an ICD-10 code) relating to a fee. In this regard,
the described systems can generate patient billing records in near real-time or at any
other suitable time. Accordingly, the described systems can provide an easy way to
generate bills during the diagnosis and/or treatment process. Additionally, because
some embodiments save diagnosis and ICD code information, such information can
automatically become part of the patient’s medical history and can be reviewed on
demand.
As yet another example of a suitable feature, some embodiments of the
described systems and methods include a cache that allows the user to quickly
navigate to specific categories and subcategories of a patients’ medical information
without being required to drill up or down through each of the various levels of the
patient’s information. In this regard, the cache may be organized in any suitable
manner, including by retaining a link to information that: was most-recently visited, is
related to a key indicator of the patient’s health, is related to the highest and/or lowest
rating information for a particular category/subcategory, the user deems important, is
related to a particular diagnosis or treatment, etc. Accordingly, while the user may
need to drill down through various levels during an initial diagnosis or review, the
cache can allow the user to skip such steps later on.
As another example of a suitable feature, in some embodiments, the described
systems and methods for graphically conveying patient medical information display
one or more graphical representations of the potential improvement, progress, and/or
deterioration a patient may see (also called potential status), based upon one or more
specific treatments, procedures, weight loss techniques, medications, counseling,
and/or other actions or inactions. In this regard, the systems can display any suitable
representation that illustrates potential improvement, progress, deterioration, etc. By
way of example, the graphical representation can include a line graph including a line
that indicates the patient’s potential improvement (e.g., lung capacity after stopping
smoking), an illustration showing how the patient’s body may improve (e.g., a
rendering of the patient as the patient loses weight), a depiction of how a joint’s range
of motion may improve, or any other graphical representation showing the patient’s
potential status. In this manner, the described systems can help the patient see
potential improvement and can otherwise motivate the patient to improve one or more
aspects of his or her health.
In some embodiments in which the described systems and methods display
one or more graphical representations showing the patient’s potential status (e.g.,
improvement, progress, deterioration, etc.), the systems and methods also illustrate,
compare, and/or contrast the patient’s actual status. In such embodiments, the
systems and methods may illustrate, compare, and/or contrast the patient’s actual
status with the patient’s potential status in any suitable manner. For instance, the
systems and methods can include a line graph, bar graph, pie chart, etc. that illustrates
one or more aspects of the patient’s potential health status and the patient’s actual
health status; a depiction that indicates the patient’s potential range of limb movement
(e.g., where one of the patient’s joints has been replaced) and the patient’s actual
range of limb movement; and/or any other suitable depiction showing the patient’s
actual status compared to the patient’s potential status. By way of illustration, Figure
16 shows a line graph 300 depicting a first line 302, representing the patient’s actual
lung capacity after smoking, compared with a second line 304, representing the
proposed lung capacity.
As still another example of a suitable feature, some embodiments of the
described systems and methods allow a user to upload and/or update patient medical
information in near real-time. Accordingly, such embodiments can provide the user
with a near real-time analysis of the patient’s information. Additionally, in some
embodiments, as the user enters information, the system asks the user additional
questions to help diagnose the patient, determine the best method for treatment, or
otherwise help improve the patient’s medical experience. In other embodiments, as
information is entered into the system, the system provides the user (e.g., physician)
with relevant information, which may include, without limitation, a suggestion to
conduct a certain test or procedure, a suggestion to use a certain medicine or
treatment, a warning of potential drug interactions, a warning of possible
complications, a list of equipment that can be used or ordered for a particular
treatment, a list of medical professionals who specialize in a relevant treatment, and
other forms of suitable information.
Because (as discussed above) some embodiments of the described systems
and methods are implemented with a network (e.g., via cloud computing, a local area
network, a wide area network, etc.), a patient’s medical information may be available
to more than one user at a time and may be accessed from many different physical
locations. Accordingly, the described systems and methods can allow for
collaborative efforts between users (e.g., physicians) and can easily allow a wide
range of users to provide and/or access a cumulative perspective of the patient’s
health.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention relate to graphically
representing aspects of an individual for rapidly conveying information about that
individual, wherein the information can be anywhere from a macro level of the
individual to a micro level of the individual, and wherein the various levels can be
drilled up to convey broader information and drilled down to convey more focused,
narrow, or specific information.
Thus, as discussed herein, embodiments of the present invention relate to
systems and methods for graphically displaying and navigating through information,
and more particularly to graphical methods and systems for rapidly conveying
information, such as medical information.
While the systems and methods of the present invention have proven to be
particularly useful in the area of medical care, those skilled in the art can appreciate
that the described systems and methods can be used in a variety of different
applications, including in the area of providing dietary decisions, fitness evaluation,
weight loss counseling, exercise coaching, automotive repair, educational counseling,
inventory/sales reporting, and other types of care, diagnosis, treatment, and/or
analysis to an individual, group, or entity.
In one example, the described systems are used to graphically convey
maintenance information about a vehicle. As used herein, the term maintenance
information may be used broadly to refer to error codes, damaged parts, vehicle
make, vehicle model, year, miles, and any other information relevant to the repair or
maintenance of a vehicle. In this example, the system can provide one or more
graphical representations (e.g., bar graphs, pie charts, tree structures, progress forms,
etc. of various categories and subcategories of the maintenance information) in a
manner similar to that described above to help diagnose problems, fix the vehicle,
charge for parts and services, and to otherwise help improve the maintenance/repair
process.
In another example, the described systems are used to graphically convey
educational information relating to one or more students’ education. In this regard,
the term educational information may be used broadly herein to refer to one or more
students’ grades, levels of education, transcripts, majors, and any other information
relevant to the students’ education. In this example, the system can provide one or
more graphical representations (e.g., bar graphs, pie charts, tree structures, progress
forms, etc. of various categories and subcategories of the student’s educational
information) in a manner similar to that described above, to help diagnose problems
in the student’s education, direct the student towards graduation, charge for classes,
and to otherwise help improve the student’s educational process.
In still another non-limiting example, the described systems are used to
graphically convey inventory/sales information. In this regard, the term
inventory/sales information may be used broadly herein to refer to one or more
inventory levels, prices, sale reports, and any other information relevant to inventory
and sales. In this example, the system can provide one or more graphical
representations (e.g., bar graphs, pie charts, tree structures, progress forms, etc. of
various categories and subcategories of the maintenance information) in a manner
similar to that described above, to help diagnose shortages or overages in inventory,
ways to improve sales, reasons for deficiencies in sales, and to otherwise help
improve the process of selling or controlling inventory.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments and
examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than
by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of
equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims (56)
1. A non-transitory computer readable media storing computer executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors of a computer system perform a method for 5 displaying a patient’s medical information such that a user can view a graphical display of a wellness of the patient, the graphical display being configured to show scoring for a first category of the patient’s medical information and for a first subcategory set comprising multiple subcategories of the patient’s medical information that correspond to the first category, the method comprising: 10 using the computer system to receive scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, wherein the scores each relate to at least one of a scorable feature, attribute, and component of the patient’s medical information; storing, on the computer system, the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set and a hierarchical relationship between the subcategories of the first 15 subcategory set and the first category; generating, by the computer system, the graphical display of the wellness of the patient based on the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, the graphical display comprising a score for the first category, the score for the first category being generated by combining the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, wherein 20 the graphical display comprises a depiction of at least one of a body, a portion of the body, and a tree structure; displaying, on a display connected to the computer system, the graphical display of the wellness of the patient; receiving user input that selects at least one of the first category and the score for the 25 first category; and in response to the user input, displaying the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set from which the score for the first category was generated.
2. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the first category of the patient’s medical information relates to a first system of the patient’s body, and wherein 5 the subcategories of the first subcategory set relate to various components of the first system.
3. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the graphical display of the wellness of the patient comprises a depiction of at least one of the body and the portion of the body.
4. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the graphical display 10 of the wellness of the patient comprises a depiction of the tree structure.
5. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises storing data indicating which layers of the hierarchical relationship between the subcategories of the first subcategory set and the first category have been accessed by the user. 15
6. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 2, wherein the method further comprises caching layers viewed by the user.
7. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing a search feature that allows the user to search for specific portions of the patient’s medical information based on at least one of the score of the first category and the 20 scores for one or more of the subcategories of the first subcategory set associated information.
8. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 4, wherein the tree structure comprises multiple primary branches that are associated with a trunk, and wherein multiple secondary branches are associated with a first of the primary branches.
9. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the first category 5 relates to a first system of the patient’s body, and wherein the subcategories of the first subcategory set each relate to a function performed by the first system.
10. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein a first subcategory of the first subcategory set comprises a first subcomponent score and a second component score, and wherein when a score of the first subcategory is selected, the first and second 10 subcomponent scores are displayed.
11. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, the method further comprising: generating, by the computer system, the graphical display of the wellness of the patient, the graphical display comprising a score for a first supra-category, the score for the first supra-category being generated by combining the score for the first category with a 15 score for a second category.
12. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: generating an average score comprising an average of the score of the first category and a score of a second category relating to second system of the patient’s body; and 20 displaying the average.
13. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: displaying to the user a question that comprises a graphically-displayed range that the user is able to select to provide at least one of the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set.
14. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the method further 5 comprises: displaying a selectable component in conjunction with any of the score of the first category and the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set, the selectable component providing a link to information relating to at least one of the score of the first category and the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set. 10
15. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein at least one of the score of the first category and the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set comprises a bar of a bar graph.
16. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein at least one of the score of the first category and the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set are 15 displayed using one or more of: a color, a shape, a shading, an intensity, and a pattern.
17. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: storing the score for the first category at a first time period; generating the score for the first category at a second time period; and 20 displaying a comparison of the first category score from the first and second time periods.
18. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: generating a graphical display depicting a potential health status for the patient.
19. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises: generating a graphical display depicting a current health status for the patient; and displaying the graphical display depicting the potential status for the patient along 5 with the graphical display depicting the current health status for the patient.
20. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: identifying scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set that are at least one of (i) below and (ii) above a threshold; and 10 displaying a potential diagnosis based on the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set that are at least one of (i) below and (ii) above the threshold.
21. A method, performed by a computer system having a display, for displaying a patient’s medical information such that a user can view a graphical display of a wellness of the patient, the graphical display being configured to show scoring for a first category that 15 relates to a first system of the patient’s body and for multiple subcategories from a first subcategory set, wherein the subcategories of the first subcategory set each relate to at least one of a scorable feature, attribute, and component of the first system, the method comprising: receiving scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set; 20 storing, on the computer system, the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set and a hierarchical relationship between the subcategories of the first subcategory set and the first category; generating, by the computer system, the graphical display of the wellness of the patient based on the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, the graphical display comprising a score for the first category relating to the first system of the patient’s body, the score for the first category being generated by combining the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, wherein the graphical display comprises a depiction of at least one of a human body, a portion of the human body, a progress form, and 5 a tree structure; displaying, on a display connected to the computer system, the graphical display of the wellness of the patient, wherein the score for the first category is selectable via user input; receiving user input that selects the score for the first category; and 10 in response to the user input, displaying the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set from which the score of the first category was generated.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: displaying an average of the score for the first category and a score for a second category that relates to a second system of the patient’s body. 15
23. A graphical user interface for displaying a patient’s medical information such that a user can readily view a graphical display of a wellness of the patient, the graphical display showing a score for a first category that relates to a first system of the patient’s body and scores for multiple subcategories from a first subcategory set, wherein the subcategories of the first subcategory set each relate to at least one of a scorable feature, attribute, and 20 component of the first system, the graphical user interface comprising: a dynamic display comprising: a first graphical representation depicting at least one of the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, wherein the first graphical representation comprises a graphical depiction of at least one of a human body, a portion of the human body, and a tree structure; and a second graphical representation depicting the score for the first category relating to the first system of the patient’s body, the score for the first category being 5 hierarchically related to the subcategories of the first subcategory set in that the score for the first category is generated by combining the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, wherein the score for the first category is selectable on the graphical user interface via user input such that selection of the score for the first category causes the graphical user interface to display at least one of the first 10 graphical representation and the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set from which the score of the first category was generated.
24. The graphical user interface of claim 23, wherein the dynamic display further comprises a third graphical representation depicting a score based on a combination of the score of the first category and a score of a second category that relates to a second system of 15 the patient’s body.
25. The graphical user interface of claim 23, wherein at least some of the subcategories of the first subcategory set relate to body parts classified in the first system.
26. The graphical user interface of claim 23, wherein the dynamic display shows that first and second graphical representations at separate times. 20
27. The graphical user interface of claim 23, wherein at least some of the subcategories of the first subcategory set relate to functions performed by the first system.
28. The graphical user interface of claim 23, wherein combining the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set comprises averaging the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set.
29. The graphical user interface of claim 23, wherein the first category relates to a first system of the patient’s body, and wherein the subcategories of the first subcategory set relate to individual components of the first system.
30. The graphical user interface of claim 23, wherein the graphical display comprises a 5 depiction of at least one of the body and the portion of the body.
31. The graphical user interface of claim 23, wherein the graphical display comprises a depiction of the tree structure.
32. The graphical user interface of claim 23, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to store data indicating which portions of the first category and the first category 10 set have been accessed by the user.
33. The graphical user interface of claim 23, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to cache data from the portions of the first category and the first category set that have been accessed by the user.
34. The graphical user interface of claim 31, wherein the tree structure comprises multiple 15 primary branches that are associated with a trunk, and wherein multiple secondary branches are associated with a first of the primary branches.
35. A non-transitory computer readable media storing computer executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors of a computer system perform a method for displaying a patient’s medical information such that a user can readily view a graphical 20 display of a wellness of the patient, the graphical display being configured to show scoring for a first category of the patient’s medical information and for a first subcategory set comprising multiple subcategories of the patient’s medical information that correspond to the first category, the method comprising: receiving scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, wherein the scores each relate to at least one of a scorable feature, attribute, and component of the 5 patient’s medical information; storing, on the computer system, the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set and a hierarchical relationship between the subcategories of the first subcategory set and the first category; generating, by the computer system, the graphical display of the wellness of the 10 patient based on the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set, the graphical display comprising a score for the first category, the score for the first category being generated by combining the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set; displaying, on a display connected to the computer system, the graphical display of the wellness of the patient; 15 receiving user input that selects at least one of the first category and the score for the first category; in response to the user input, displaying the scores for the subcategories of the first subcategory set from which the score for the first category was generated; and automatically recording billing information as treatment information is entered into 20 the system.
36. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the first category of the patient’s medical information relates to a first system of a body of the patient, and wherein the subcategories of the first subcategory set relate to various components of the first system.
37. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the graphical display of the wellness of the patient comprises a depiction of at least one of the body and the portion of the body.
38. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the graphical display 5 of the wellness of the patient comprises a depiction of the tree structure.
39. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises storing data indicating which layers of the hierarchical relationship between the subcategories of the first subcategory set and the first category have been accessed by the user. 10
40. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 39, wherein the method further comprises caching layers accessed by the user.
41. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises providing a search feature that allows the user to search for specific portions of the patient’s medical information based on at least one of the score of the first category and one 15 of the scores for the subcategories associated with such specific portions.
42. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the first category relates to a first system of the patient’s body, and wherein the subcategories of the first subcategory set each relate to a function performed by the first system.
43. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein a first subcategory 20 of the first subcategory set comprises a first subcomponent score and a second component score, and wherein when a score of the first subcategory is selected, the first and second subcomponent scores are displayed.
44. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, the method further comprising: generating, by the computer system, the graphical display of the wellness of the patient, the graphical display comprising a score for a first supra-category, the score for the 5 first supra-category being generated by combining the score for the first category with a score for a second category.
45. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises: generating an average score comprising an average of the score of the first category 10 and a score of a second category relating to second system of the patient’s body; and displaying the average.
46. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises: displaying to the user a question that comprises a graphically-displayed range that the 15 user is able to select to provide at least one of the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set.
47. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises: displaying a selectable component in conjunction with any of the score of the first 20 category and the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set, the selectable component providing a link to information relating to at least one of the score of the first category and the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set.
48. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein at least one of the score of the first category and the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set comprises a bar of a bar graph.
49. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein at least one of the 5 score of the first category and the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set are displayed using one or more of: a color, a shape, a shading, an intensity, and a pattern.
50. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises: storing the score for the first category at a first time period; 10 generating the score for the first category at a second time period; and displaying a comparison of the first category score from the first and second time periods.
51. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises: 15 generating a graphical display depicting a potential health status for the patient.
52. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises: generating a graphical display depicting a current health status for the patient; and displaying the graphical display depicting the potential status for the patient along 20 with the graphical display depicting the current health status for the patient.
53. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises: identifying scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set that are at least one of (i) below and (ii) above a threshold; and 5 displaying a potential diagnosis based on the scores of the subcategories of the first subcategory set that are at least one of (i) below and (ii) above a threshold.
54. A non-transitory computer readable media storing computer executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors of a computer system perform a method for displaying a patient's medical information such that a user can view a graphical display of a 10 wellness of the patient, the non-transitory computer readable media substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings 2-18.
55. A method, performed by a computer system having a display, for displaying a patient’s medical information such that a user can view a graphical display of a wellness of the patient, the method substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment 15 shown in the accompanying drawings 2-18.
56. A graphical user interface for displaying a patient’s medical information such that a user can readily view a graphical display of a wellness of the patient, the graphical user interface substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings 2-18.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/161,490 | 2011-06-15 | ||
US13/161,490 US20110298806A1 (en) | 2008-07-15 | 2011-06-15 | Systems and methods for graphically conveying information |
PCT/US2012/042776 WO2012174450A2 (en) | 2011-06-15 | 2012-06-15 | Systems and methods for graphically conveying information |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ619780A NZ619780A (en) | 2016-01-29 |
NZ619780B2 true NZ619780B2 (en) | 2016-05-03 |
Family
ID=
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