Here’s my Wish-List. How about you? What would you like to see happen in self-diagnosis and treatment? Feel free to comment and/or add your wishes to this Wish-List.
1. A free computer-based one-stop Medical Advisor that would check more than just symptoms. I’d like to see Symptom Checkers have the capability for the user to input Vital Signs, Diagnostic Test Results, and Health History. Based on these inputs, the computer would give the user most probable Diagnoses. The user then picks a diagnosis. The computer would then give a personalized printed “prescription” for Over-The-Counter Medicines, Exercise, Diet, Treatments, etc. that might help the user’s condition. Think of this as a “Super Symptom Checker”. Examples of existing Symptom Checkers are WebMD, Medical Symptoms Database , Online Medical Symptom Checker , MSO Online Medical Symptom Checker , or Diagnosaurus, etc.
2. More home health tests and tools available openly on pharmacy shelves. Examples – Home General Health Diagnostic Tests (e.g. Blood/Urine Panel Tests), Stethoscopes, etc. - plus how to use instructions.3. Self-Service Health Kiosks in pharmacies that would include a computer-based Medical Advisor, basic medical testing capabilities, and where the user could provide health history on a removable memory card.
4. Health care professionals make free pre-recorded training sessions on how to diagnose and treat ourselves for common sicknesses.
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If you're wondering how this might work - think of your local DIY home-improvement or automotive-repair stores....
* These stores have many items on the shelf and even more available by online ordering.
* All the items have good how-to-use instructions.
* There are helpful knowledgeable employees onsite. Many of the employees are retired people who did that kind of work before they retired.
* There are frequent "How-To" seminars.
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"Do It Yourself Doctoring" might be particularly helpful in the situations below:
* For those who just can't afford medical help, e.g. without insurance, particularly in this economy. Similarly, for whatever reason, for those who want to minimize health expenses.* For those where there is no doctor nearby, e.g. developing countries, rural areas, etc.
* For those who want to have more a part of their healthcare, working alongside with their Doctor on their own. Checking up on their doctor. Second opinion. Etc.
* For those who want to help the doctor of sick loved one.
* For those who just plain want to do it themselves, especially efficiently.
* For those whose doctor has given up on them and have no more answers.
This text plus diagram is at http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dswxq4k_19pz6xwk7x for your convenience.
Thanks!
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Wow, it's been nearly 5 years since I first posted this "Super Symptom Checker". Here's a few more additions for 2013....
- Since emotions affect physical symptoms, I'd also like to add Emotional Stress and Pain as Vital Signs. Here's an idea for a Medical Monitor that considers Emotional Stress and/or Pain.
- I'd also like to see "Lay Health Workers" available to guide a person in using the Super Symptom Checker, providing health information, helping the user find support resources, etc. These Lay Health Workers could be onsite or the user could connect via Internet (Tele-medicine)
- As long as I'm asking - I'd like to see Lay Health Workers be trained in finding consumer health information. Many times people just have questions on their health care - and end up going to the doctor, urgent care, emergency room, etc. - or worse yet, go without care. I think people want to know what they're taking and why now. Here's a start - Librarians with Borders.
- Oops, one more - I'd like to see Symptom Checkers access the knowledge base of Hesperian Health Guides - giving easy-to-understand health information in various languages worldwide.
- Of course, health professionals are available as needed or wanted, if available and affordable, either in person or via tele-medicine.
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