If Facebook DesignedMedical RecordsA Timeline Approach to Patient Care

A Facebook user’s timeline provides both a snapshot of who that user is and a historical record of the user’s activity on Facebook. My Facebook timeline is about me, and fittingly, I control it. It’s also one, single profile. Anyone I allow to view my timeline views my timeline—they don’t each create their own copies of it.

Intuitive, right? So why don’t medical records work that way?

There is no unified, single patient record—every doctor I’ve ever visited has his or her own separate copy of my records. And in an age where we can conduct banking transactions on our smartphones, many patients still can’t access or contribute to the medical records their doctors keep for them.

My proposal? Medical records should follow Facebook’s lead.

The Need for Patient-Centric Records

“About” for Patient Medical History

The “about” section of a Facebook profile contains basic information about a user. In medical records, it would summarize a patient’s health and background.

“Privacy Settings” and “Permissions” for Sharing Records

Facebook’s privacy settings let users control who sees their information. Patients could give “permission” for other doctors or caregivers to access their records.

“Status Updates” for Treatment and Plan Documentation

“Status updates” let Facebook users share what’s going on with them. Doctors could post “status updates” to document new diagnoses or treatments.

“Photos” for Delivery of Imaging and Test Results

Facebook users can upload photos to their Timeline profile. Doctors could upload scans, X-rays and other test results to a patient’s “Timeline” medical record.

“Tagging” for Enhanced Collaboration

Facebook lets users “tag” others to indicate their involvement with a post. Doctors could use tagging to alert other providers of pertinent patient updates.

“Notifications” for Results, Alerts and Reminders

Facebook users get “notifications” when another user interacts with them. Patients would receive “notifications” for test results or preventive care reminders.

“Places Check-Ins” for Office Visits

Facebook users can “check in” to locations. A patient checking in with a doctor would note the visit on the Timeline and notify the referring doctor, if applicable.

“Friendships” for Provider Relationships

Facebook users can establish electronic “friendships” with other users. In medical records, “friendships” would document relationships with medical providers.

“Events” for Upcoming Appointments

Facebook users can create online “events.” Medical record “events” would correspond with upcoming appointments, scheduled tests or procedures.

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