Abstract
Aim: In order to promote regional medical cooperation, we developed and have used a computer network-based support system. Here, we report the evaluation of this system.
Methods: The software programs for sharing clinical information and online clinic appointments were run on a web server for SSL–VPN–mediated communication on the Internet, and the software programs for writing a reply to referrals, finding a physician to refer patients, and printing out a summary of clinical information were run on a different web server on the hospital information system (HIS) for electronic medical records. All web applications were developed using open source software (such as Java SDK, Apache Tomcat, and MySQL). Data warehouse of HIS was also used for printing out a summary of clinical information.
Results: The system was developed in 2008. The software program for sharing clinical information was used for 64 cases of regional cooperation in the clinical pathway of apoplexy from November 2008 to the end of 2011. The software program for online clinic appointments was started in October 2010 and used for 53 appointments in total from nine clinic users out of all registered 25 users till the end of 2011.
Although we could not grasp how many times the in-hospital software programs for finding a physician to refer patients or printing out a summary of clinical information were used, the software program for writing a reply to referrals was used extensively in two clinical departments.
Discussion: The system was generally used as a trial except for regional cooperation in the clinical pathway of apoplexy. However, since no significant problem was found, the system was evaluated to be sufficient for extensive and practical use in the future.
