A PROPOSED TELEMEDICINE SYSTEM
TELEMEDICINE SCIENTIFIC Corp.
By Nick Panagiotacopulos
INTRODUCTION
During the last decade, the technological progress has been phenomenal. This is especially impressive in the field of digital communications.
Now days, it is possible for people to have a highly efficient and practically cost free real time audio-video and information file (text, and/or image) sharing capability between any two (or more) people around the world.
Tele Learning/Teleconference (TL/TC), and Telemedicine (TM) are two examples which use such technological advances.
At times, the occurrence of some conditions such as:
The occurrence of transmittable diseases such as the Corona viruse-19, flu viruses, and others ,
Environmental disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, severe flooding, extreme environmental temperature changes, earthquakes, wars, and
Cases of physically handicapped people who cannot travel or live in rural areas that make it difficult to attend any universities for enhancing their professional skills
Gives us no other choice and force us to participate in TL/TC, or TM activities.
In what follows, we describe some of the advantages of both TL/TC, and TM activities, and more specifically explore the creation of an effective and practically useful TM system, which we believe is going to be how medicine is going to be conducted in the future for convenience, and economic reasons. for patients and medical practitioners.
TL/TC ACTIVITIES
Now days, universities, research organizations and businesses meetings are routinely conducted using such systems. Courses and even degrees (including graduate degrees) are already offered by almost every university in the world. A well-known highly regarded organization that offers high quality lectures is coursera. com. Using coursera.com, people from anywhere in the world can attend high quality lectures on any subject they wish, offered worldwide by distinguished lecturers at low or no cost. In addition to the standard lectures, students could also participate in virtual laboratory experiments and laboratory work remotely. In the past, such activities were prohibitively expensive.
The benefits of distance learning (DL/TC) are:
Offer a large number of choices of high quality courses, subjects, and instructors that can satisfy any desire are available. The cost of attending such courses may be high or low depending on the reputation of the organization involved and quality and level of the presented material.
Offer economic advantages for the student, and the instructors. The fact that more students (from all over the world) can attend lectures will probably decrease the tuition cost while increase the income of the instructor and the organization that manages the activity. In addition, for the student who has chosen the TL option, it could be considerable financial benefit, because is going to minimize or completely eliminate his/her living, transportation, and rental expenses.
Of course, although the benefit of remotely conducting such activities is great, it will be done at the cost of the important real life social contact.
Unfortunately or fortunately, now days and even more strongly in the future, we will be forced to operate in a totally different world, the world of digital electronic age. However, such as a change in our modus operandi, could be very beneficial, if huddled, as a combination of DL/TC and limited real physical interaction.
An additional economic benefit will be the elimination of rental and maintenance costs of the physical facility needed for conducting the lectures and the laboratory activities,
Pollution reduction by minimizing the daily transportation of the millions of the students and instructors involved.
Stress reduction for students and instructors, by reducing traveling time.
TELEMEDICINE (TM)
The area where Space Age Technology (SAT) can be applied and serve individualized medical needs in a worldwide scale is TM. Presently, there are TM activities going on worldwide. However, the level of sophistication of such activities is rather basic and they usually consist of only few minutes’ telephone and/or video communications between the doctor and the patient. Then, on the basis of such communication, the doctor makes a diagnosis and provides some guidance to the patient. It does not take much common sense to conclude that such interaction could be incomplete, inaccurate and therefore risky. Basically, it is a little bit better than nothing and provides, more or less a psychological help than an accurate diagnosis. In this proposition, we discuss a considerably more complete information exchange between the patient and the doctor, and therefore more scientifically based diagnosis. We may even claim, that the proposed scheme will be even better than the actual visitation to the doctor’s office where the patient is usually first interviewed by a nurse (or doctor’s assistant), and then by the doctor who spends about 10 minutes and asks some additional questions which, usually, the patient answers in a harry, and which may be not so accurate. On the other hand, our proposed approach will assist the patient to answer these questions while he is at ease. We believe that TM may be needed in the future because the conditions created by serious diseases and factors that may require isolation such as the corona -19 or other unforeseen hard conditions that may appear in the future.
Benefits of using TM.
The economic benefit for the patient, the medical practitioner, and the organization which coordinates the activity between a patient and the medical doctor he chooses could be significant (much the same as in the case TL). This is obvious because the greater the number of patients for the participating doctor, the greater the financial benefit for him will be and cost of the service to the patient may be lower. Furthermore, if the communication between the patient and the doctor is properly organized the doctor’s response time required to make the diagnosis will be fast, the diagnosis more accurate (since the diagnosis is going to be based on a better organized information data sheet that the patient will provide to the doctor), less stressful for the doctor, and more formal,
For the patient the benefits will be:
Economic A yearly low cost membership (this membership will include a number of medical equipment with very clear and professionally done audio-video instructions of how to use the equipment to obtain the necessary medical Measurements, and a software package to simplify the patient – doctor communication) can be created that will be afforded by anyone in the world), convenient since he will have a greater number of medical provider choices, faster, more accurate, and better controlled services since the patient will provide to the doctor a more carefully organized set of data (measurable and not measurable) which more surely, will help the doctor make a faster more rigorous diagnosis and make recommendations.
The level of telemedicine that we are talking about here is restricted only to the services of the internist and may be of few other specialists. However, the proposed TM system will be a level higher than the existing ones and will be continuously evolved as technology is improved. If needed, specialized medical services and laboratory examinations will be recommended.
Patient Information collected by a patient, organized in an easy to understand and interpret format and transmitted to the doctor, with some basic analysis of the data could be provided and will assist the doctor to do a more accurate first level of diagnosis and proper recommendations..
MEDICAL DATA PREPARED BY THE PATIENT
FORMAT OF THE PATIENT’S MEDICAL INFORMATION SHEET
GENERAL Data: Age, weight, height, gender, race, parents and grandparents medical history, stress level, eating habits, sleeping habits, physical activity, mental activity, patients existing health condition, where you live, social activity, marital status, other, economic stress, smoking, obesity level, drinking alcohol, use drugs ).
MEDICAL INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM SPECIALIZED MEDICAL IMAGES: x-rays, ct scans, mri, images, ultra sound data, cardiolight test s)
Photos of Skin problems, Swollen legs , moles, AP or Lateral pics of spine, fingers, nails, etc)
MEASURABLE DATA: high Blood pressure pulses, Blood profile, EKG (with some analysis), oxygen level, sugar-A1C).
BLOOD PROFIE:
https://www.darkdaily.com/new-at-home-cbc-device-enables-complete-blood-testing-for-cancer-treatments-and-biological-viral-monitoring/
EKG: https://store.alivecor.com/products/kardiamobile6l?variant=28007532101697¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6575BRCQARIsAMp-ksOdJVA9Z9qm7UvQRTUWYIeneFUQk3H_3tmcjjViL_4yLBuQytAsoMgaAhouEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Photos: of skin problems, photos of swollen legs, photos of spine deformities curvatures indicating kyphosis or scoliosis
LIST OF SYMPTOMS:
1 Use A HUMAN BODY PICTURE OR SKETCH AND MOUSE INTERACTION
Click on the location in the body where may BE A PROBLEM IS PRESENT (x, y)
A list of organs existing in the neighborhood of that point N(x, y)
List of ORGANS at (x,y)
Click on each organ
A list of symptom should be displayed
Select the symptoms that are present with a YES or NO option and the LEVEL of SEVERRITY of the symptom (i.e. 1 to 10). CREATE STATISTICS ON THE SYMPTOMS SEVERITY
Get a quick diagnosis
A QUESTION – ANSWER ALGORITHM to do a quick DIAGNOSIS with information about the probable problem and recommendations of how to handle it. This QUESTIONNAIRE will HELP THE PATIENT HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT HIS/HER PROBLEM BEFORE CONTACTIGN THE DOCTOR
NETWORK OF HIGHLY REPUTABLE MEDICAL DOCTORS WITH CONTACT INFORMATION FOR EVERY MAJOR CITY AND FOR EACH COUNTRY.
PACKAGE
Package that includes everything
This package will include a professionally done video/YouTube material of how to use and how to do correctly medical measurements
RECORD patient’s data and transmit them to the doctor of your choice
Statistical analysis and correlations of data
ALALYSIS OF DATA
Information available in major languages
Legal matters
Advertising
Yearly or 5 year Membership or other ways
DIAGNOSTIC QUESTIONNAIRE
FEVER
Is your fever1000 F (38o C) or more: (yes, no)→(1.1, 2)
1.1 For ages from 14 and higher: (yes,no)→(1.1.2,1.1.3)
1.1.2 Are you short of breath when resting: (yes, no) → (1.1.2.,1.1.3)
1.1.2 Possible pneumonia, Call the Doctor and for more information go to Pneumonia label.
1.1.3 Cough grayish-yellow phlegm and/or wheezing: (yes. No) →(1.1.3.1, 1.1.3.2)
1.1.3.1, Possibly (acute) bronchitis. For more info go to Acute bronchitis label
Do you have headache and/or schigm joints or bones: (yes, no) →(
1.1.3.2 You may have Influenz. For more information go to Influenza label
Do you suddenly feel unusually tired, and/or have discomfort in chest or arms: (yes, no)→(3, 4)
Probably you have impending heart trouble (especially if you belong to a high risk group), access info about heart attack (go to X1) and call your doctor.
Do you feel continuously on the edge with a sensation of butterflies in your stomach: (yes, no)→(5, 6)
Probably you suffer from anxiety, access info about anxiety (go to X2).
Do you lack of energy for some time: (yes, no)→(7, 29)
Did you overworked for several weeks: (yes, no)→(8, 9)
Probably you need time off, access info about keep mentally fit (go to X3)
Have you recently recovered from an infectious disease (flu): (yes, no)→(10, 11)
Probably you need to eat, drink, and rest sensibly, access info about eating, drinking, and resting sensibly (go to X4)
Do you have one or more of the following symptoms
Difficulty in sleeping
Unable to concentrate and make decisions
Lack of interest for sex
Recurrent headaches
Feeling in low spirits
(yes, no)→(12, 13)
12. Probably you suffer from anemia or depression, access info
about anemia and depression (go to X5)
13. Are you overweight: (yes, no)→(14, 15)
14. Lose weight, access info about obesity (go to X6)
15. Do you exercise regularly: (yes, no)→(16, 17)
16. Probably you are physically fit (go to X7)
17. Are you currently taking any medicines: (yes, no)→(18, 19)
18. Probably you are overmedicated or have side effects from
the medicines, access info about medicines (go to X8) and
talk to your doctor.
19. Lost significant weight without trying: (yes, no)→(20, 28)
20. Is your appetite good: (yes, no)→(21, 28)
21. Have you been recently been unusually physically
overactive: (yes, no)→(22, 23)
22. If no other symptoms and you feel well, you are probably
ok, access info about weight loss-physically fit (go to X7).
However, if you continue lose weight talk to your doctor.
23. Do you have one or more of the following symptoms
Excessive sweating
Weakness or trembling
Unexplained tiredness
Bulging eyes
(yes, no)→(24, 25)
24. You may have an overactive thyroid gland, access info about
hyperthyroidism (go to X9)
25. Do you have one or more of the following symptoms
Unusual frequency and ambutant urination
Increased thirst
Unexplained tiredness
Itching around genitals
(yes, no)→(26, 27)
26. You may have diabetes mellitus, access info about diabetes
mellitus (go to X10)
27. If you feel well, may be you are okay. But, talk to your doctor
Because there is a slight chance to have an infection or cancer.
Go to EXIT.
28. ……………..
29. Are you currently taking any medicines: (yes, no)→(30, 19)
30. Some drugs may make you feel ill (go to EXIT) and talk to your
doctor.
X1. Info about impending heart troubles, go to EXIT
X2. Info about anxiety, go to EXIT
X3. Info about keep mentally fit, go to EXIT
X4. Info about eating, drinking, and resting, go to EXIT
X5. Info about anemia or depression, go to EXIT
X6. Info about obesity, go to EXIT
X7. Info about physically fit, go to EXIT
X8. Info about medicines, go to EXIT
X9. Info about Hyperthyroidism, go to EXIT
X10. Info about diabetes mellitus, go to EXIT
Pneumonia: Information about pneumonia, Go to Exit
Acute Bronchitis: Information about Acute bronchitis. Go to Exit
Acute Bronchitis: Information aboutInfluenza. Go to Exit
EXIT.
Do you cough: (yes, no)→(3, )
When resting, are you short of breath: (yes, no)→(4, 5)
Probably you have pneumonia, access info about pneumonia (go to X1) and call your doctor.
Do you have headache: (yes, no)→(6, )
Do you have one or more of the following symptoms?
Pain when bending your head forward
You have nausea or vomiting
You dislike bright light
You feel drowsiness or confusion
(yes, no)→(7, 8)
7. You may have meningitis, access info about meningitis (go to X2)
and call your doctor.
8. Are you vomiting or have diarrhea: (yes, no)→(9,10)
9. You may have infection of the digestive tract, access info about
gastroenteritis (go to X3) and call your doctor.
10. Do you have aching joints or bones: (yes, no)→(11, )
11. You may have influenza, access info about influenza (go to X4) and
call your doctor.
12. Do you have rash (especially on your face or trunk): (yes, no)→(13, )
13. Do you have any red spots or blotches: (yes, no)→(14, )
14. Do you have one or more of the following symptoms?
Runny nose
Sore red eyes
Dry cough
(yes, no)→(15, 16)
15. You may have measles, access info about influenza (go to X5)
and call your doctor.
16. Is there any abnormal swelling down the sides of your neck or
the base of your skull: (yes, no)→(17, 18)
17. You may have German measles, access info about German
measles (go to X6) and call your doctor.
18. Do you have raised red itchy spots that turn into blisters:
(yes, no)→(19, 20)
19. You may have chickenpox, access info about chickenpox (go to
X7) and call your doctor.
20. Do you have a rash of purple spots: (yes, no)→(21, )
21. Do you have two or more of the following symptoms?
vomiting
headache
avoid strong light
pain when trying to bend your head forward
(yes, no)→(22, )
22. You may have meningitis, access info about meningitis (go to
X2) and call your doctor.
X1. Info about pneumonia, go to EXIT
X2. Info about meningitis, go to EXIT
X3. Info about gastroenteritis, go to EXIT
X4. Info about influenza, go to EXIT
X5. Info about measles, go to EXIT
X6. Info about German measles, go to EXIT
X7. Info about chickenpox, go to EXIT
EXIT.
