Computer-assisted medical history taking prior to patient consultation in the outpatient care setting: a prospective pilot project

Abstract Background Feeding patients’ self-reported medical history into the diagnostic care process may accelerate workflows in clinical routine. Methods We prospectively piloted a novel medical history documentation system in a German cardiological outpatient practice and evaluated its feasibility...

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Main Authors: Roman Hauber, Maximilian Schirm, Mirco Lukas, Clemens Reitelbach, Jonas Brenig, Margret Breunig, Susanne Brenner, Stefan Störk, Frank Puppe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12043-3
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author Roman Hauber
Maximilian Schirm
Mirco Lukas
Clemens Reitelbach
Jonas Brenig
Margret Breunig
Susanne Brenner
Stefan Störk
Frank Puppe
author_facet Roman Hauber
Maximilian Schirm
Mirco Lukas
Clemens Reitelbach
Jonas Brenig
Margret Breunig
Susanne Brenner
Stefan Störk
Frank Puppe
author_sort Roman Hauber
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Feeding patients’ self-reported medical history into the diagnostic care process may accelerate workflows in clinical routine. Methods We prospectively piloted a novel medical history documentation system in a German cardiological outpatient practice and evaluated its feasibility and perceived usefulness. Based on a generic software that allows to record structured information, a customized solution for the cooperating practice was developed and implemented. Prior to the consultation of the physician, the patient used a tablet that guided the user through a structured comprehensive workflow to document the medical history. The retrieved information was arranged by the software into a ready-to-use text format, presented to the physician in an editable form and added to her report. Three user-centered endpoints were explored: i) Appropriateness—measured by the duration of a patient interview; ii) Patient acceptance—assessed by three questions to patients; iii) Usefulness—operationalized by multiple ratings of the physician. Results A total of 2,513 patients were approached of which 2,415 provided complete histories. The system was assessed as appropriate for the practical workflow in terms of time and workflows. The patient-system interaction was rated favourably by patients including elderly ones. The system was regarded useful by the physician, reducing her daily workload by about one hour. Conclusions Automated history-taking tools deployed before consultation could support physicians in obtaining patients’ medical histories, thereby reducing professionals’ perceived workload. The technical and methodological limitations of our study should be respected, calling for additional future evaluations.
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spelling doaj-art-9f93b532861b4fe0b7bdf671581e79f02024-12-22T12:23:37ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632024-12-0124111210.1186/s12913-024-12043-3Computer-assisted medical history taking prior to patient consultation in the outpatient care setting: a prospective pilot projectRoman Hauber0Maximilian SchirmMirco LukasClemens Reitelbach1Jonas Brenig2Margret Breunig3Susanne Brenner4Stefan Störk5Frank Puppe6Department Clinical Research & Epidemiology, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital WürzburgHuman Computer Interaction, Faculty of Media, Bauhaus UniversityComputer Vision Laboratory, Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, University of WürzburgJoint Center for Nephrology & CardiologyFederal Police AcademyDepartment Clinical Research & Epidemiology, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital WürzburgChair for Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Systems, University of WürzburgAbstract Background Feeding patients’ self-reported medical history into the diagnostic care process may accelerate workflows in clinical routine. Methods We prospectively piloted a novel medical history documentation system in a German cardiological outpatient practice and evaluated its feasibility and perceived usefulness. Based on a generic software that allows to record structured information, a customized solution for the cooperating practice was developed and implemented. Prior to the consultation of the physician, the patient used a tablet that guided the user through a structured comprehensive workflow to document the medical history. The retrieved information was arranged by the software into a ready-to-use text format, presented to the physician in an editable form and added to her report. Three user-centered endpoints were explored: i) Appropriateness—measured by the duration of a patient interview; ii) Patient acceptance—assessed by three questions to patients; iii) Usefulness—operationalized by multiple ratings of the physician. Results A total of 2,513 patients were approached of which 2,415 provided complete histories. The system was assessed as appropriate for the practical workflow in terms of time and workflows. The patient-system interaction was rated favourably by patients including elderly ones. The system was regarded useful by the physician, reducing her daily workload by about one hour. Conclusions Automated history-taking tools deployed before consultation could support physicians in obtaining patients’ medical histories, thereby reducing professionals’ perceived workload. The technical and methodological limitations of our study should be respected, calling for additional future evaluations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12043-3Digital healthClinical documentationKnowledge-based systemTechnological anamnesis conceptInteroperabilityPilot project
spellingShingle Roman Hauber
Maximilian Schirm
Mirco Lukas
Clemens Reitelbach
Jonas Brenig
Margret Breunig
Susanne Brenner
Stefan Störk
Frank Puppe
Computer-assisted medical history taking prior to patient consultation in the outpatient care setting: a prospective pilot project
BMC Health Services Research
Digital health
Clinical documentation
Knowledge-based system
Technological anamnesis concept
Interoperability
Pilot project
title Computer-assisted medical history taking prior to patient consultation in the outpatient care setting: a prospective pilot project
title_full Computer-assisted medical history taking prior to patient consultation in the outpatient care setting: a prospective pilot project
title_fullStr Computer-assisted medical history taking prior to patient consultation in the outpatient care setting: a prospective pilot project
title_full_unstemmed Computer-assisted medical history taking prior to patient consultation in the outpatient care setting: a prospective pilot project
title_short Computer-assisted medical history taking prior to patient consultation in the outpatient care setting: a prospective pilot project
title_sort computer assisted medical history taking prior to patient consultation in the outpatient care setting a prospective pilot project
topic Digital health
Clinical documentation
Knowledge-based system
Technological anamnesis concept
Interoperability
Pilot project
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12043-3
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