Medical update

Medical update

I have been to see my doctor this morning – only for a check on my blood pressure. But it did set me thinking about the process of consultation with a general practitioner. This process has not changed in decades. Oh yes, most surgeries (now there's a legacy term) do now have computers to carry out basic administrative tasks but they seem to have zero impact on the medical process itself. Surely there must be both more effective and efficient ways of interacting with the medical profession. For example, couldn't we log symptoms and basic measurements (blood pressure, temperature, etc.) in advance –either from home (if we have the necessary equipment and Web access) or from a self-access station in the surgery (or even in a public library). It could both save time and give us patients a greater involvement in our own treatment. An empowered patient is more likely to be a recovering patient.