Requirements analysis of a multimedia patient information system in telemedicine applications

Dunphy, Gerard Michael (1999) Requirements analysis of a multimedia patient information system in telemedicine applications. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (16MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

The medical patient record still consists for the most part of paper and film based records. Diagnostic information obtained from a variety of imaging modalities, text records, laboratory results, and transcripts of audio dictations make up a typical patient record. These records are then collected and stored in a central record database, filed by the patient's name or medical identification number. -- This method of access leaves much to be desired. The record has a considerable chance of being lost or mislaid as it is handled by medical personnel. Requests for the record from a practitioner with an interest in the patient can mean that the record is inaccessible for a period of days. Considerable time and expense is expended in an effort to store and organize patient records, particularly at a large institution such as a hospital. In the meantime, records generated at a different institution may not be accessible at all. This is particularly significant when dealing with applications in telemedicine, when the practitioner with a requirement to access the patient record may be geographically remote from the institution in which the record is stored. -- Several computerized systems have been developed to store some or all of this record in a digital format. In particular, much emphasis has been placed on the storage of text information and on the storage of images. In most cases, these databases exist alone and without the capability of communicating with each other. -- The ubiquitous presence of the World Wide Web as a medium for the dissemination of information is a recent occurrence, but it is also a growing phenomenon. Web access is commonplace, especially in a professional setting. -- Given these factors, it was decided to investigate the feasibility of addressing the shortcomings of traditional medical record storage systems through the use of a Web based multimedia patient information system in a client-server network topology. A prototype system was developed and used to perform testing. User testing with medical personnel was conducted to assist in establishing the parameters of the design of a system of this nature. The system was also used to measure delay in downloading information from a central database. -- It was found that a high degree of acceptance exists for a system of this nature. In order for a solution of this type to be practical, low download time, multimedia file access (audio, image, and video as well as text), and conferencing would be requirements. Access using a high speed access technology such as ADSL or possibly ISDN would be required in order to provide reasonable access time to the central database.

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