Online diagnosis e-health system for all, based on advanced web accessible database technologies

Abstract

Health literacy is the basic pre-requisite for a well and healthy life. More than 80% of the everyday ailments can be handled by the patients themselves. However, when symptoms appear, it is often difficult for them to make the right decision, whether a health professional has to be seen or self care is still safe. This paper's objectives are to describe and design a design for all (DFA) principles based web solution for a system that guides the user through a symptom-orientated process of medical history, taking in order to determine a diagnosis. The specific questions and answers are analysed applying a highly sophisticated medical rules-engine. After the analysis, the online medical system (OLMS) presents arguments to the user, which either indicate, that it is still appropriate to self care, or recommend to see a health professional within a defined timeframe. Moreover, OLMS suggests what would be best to do in the user's specific situation.