Automated health appraisal

As described in the May 1980 issue of GROUP PRACTICE JOURNAL, ("High Volume Diagnosis:High technology system successfully alters traditional approach"), the Health Appraisal System in use by the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program has provided rapid patient access, has proven itself technically reliable and has been well received by patients and staff. Although this process relies on a high technology system, its economic consequences are clear: in any high volume operation, labor costs predominate over equipment costs. So, to the degree that automated equipment will save money, the use of high technology equipment has proven to be least expensive in the long run. In its five years of operation, the Department of Health Appraisal has seen more than 100,000 adults in the San Diego area. Created as a means to perform large numbers of routine physicals for a rapidly growing prepaid membership, the system consists of two parts: an in-depth health appraisal information questionnaire, completed in advance by the patient, and on-site clinical testing and evaluation, performed on two separate clinic visits. As demonstrated by the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, the Health Appraisal System has achieved the ability to provide a full, well organized data base, a detailed physical examination and extensive laboratory studies--at a cost less than that of their average outpatient visit. Having covered the process of health appraisal, the author now turns to the product of his system.