The American Medical Association has launched an interactive Web site for the public to evaluate the severity of influenza symptoms and share that information with their health care providers, who in turn can use the site to monitor their patients' symptoms, the AMA announced during a teleconference.
The Web site, AMAfluhelp.org
For example, a physician can use the site to determine whether a patient can return to school or work, and a patient can use the site to generate a note from the physician to that effect. Also, a patient can use the site to determine whether to seek medical care for themselves or a family member.
People can log in to the Web site or can participate anonymously and can “invite” family members and their physicians to connect with the system. The information they enter is private and secured, and personal data cannot be accessed without a user's consent, according to the AMA statement.
The AMA is promoting the Web site in collaboration with a coalition that includes Blue Cross NEPA, CVS Caremark, Merck, Microsoft, Minute Clinic, and the state of Colorado.