UK trial allows patients to book doctor visits via remote
By Darren Murph 
posted July 24th 2007 12:46AM
posted July 24th 2007 12:46AM
Amidst the recent boom in home healthcare gizmos that are enabling the elderly to better care for themselves, it's no surprise to see a trial hit the UK which allows patients to book GP appointments via their TV. The system was devised by EMIS, and was initially available "through the Looking Local portal on the interactive menus on Sky, cable, and Freeview boxes with a modem or broadband connection." Additionally, users could access the menu via WAP-enabled mobile phones, and customers in participating areas were able to "access information from the doctor's receptionist along with a password which allowed them to log in to the system." Results from the pilot program included fewer missed appointments and less time spent chatting with the ill over the phone, but we don't foresee any of these productivity savings being passed along to the consumer in the form of pounds and pence.
Diagnosis: Lazy
Nothing like setting the DVR to snatch late night The Office reruns while "rescheduling" your colonoscopy, is there?
Why would the savings be passed to the consumer? Unlike the US, in the UK healthcare with the NHS it isn't paid for directly, and is a public service (although there are separate private hospitals).
Yeah, you can't really save money on something that's free to start with (like health care in Britain). Unless you mean on their satellite TV bills, which doesn't really make any sense.
Can it make Tivo-style recommendations? "Based on your age and past examination history, we think you'd like a prostate exam!"