Taking the problem oriented medical record forward

The problem oriented medical record (POMR) has proved to be very successful in providing a structure that helps doctors record their notes about patients, and view those notes subsequently in a manner that quickly gives them a good understanding of that patients history. This approach has been validated by the American Institute of Medicine. With the increased use of computer systems that implement the POMR by doctors, the limitations of this structure have become apparent, and there is clearly scope for developing the model further to improve the quality of the data recorded, and adding meaning to it. This paper describes some of the limitations of the POMR, and discusses a number of areas in which it may be extended. Crucially, this is done in a manner which is both implementable, and usable. The extensions explored include some types of entity including encounters, episodes and subproblems; and an alternative view-the Timeline. The terminology used for the extensions is clarified. Mechanisms by which these extensions have been implemented are described. Ways in which systems can manage these extensions automatically are suggested. Such implementations are constrained by the need not to allow the demands of the computer to intrude into the patient encounter. They are also constrained by the requirements for reporting by professional and governmental institutions, and by what is pragmatically feasible in software and hardware.