As I've been using v3.0.1 of the app more and more, I've noticed some potential enhancements that I believe will improve the user experience, improve data entry accuracy or simplify the use of the app. They are listed below.
Feature Suggestions
1. When adding a new units entry in the Test panel (and any other field where user-defined units are allowed), store the new unit so that when adding other metrics that use the same units, the user doesn't have to retype the same units again. This is not only a time-saver, but it will also decrease the chances of typos and inconsistent data entry.
2. On forms which allow you to associate the new record to a visit, for example, automatically include a link to that visit in the Relationships section. An example of this is on the Tests form when you fill in the During Visit field in both the Ordered and Administered sections, it would be convenient to automatically include links to both visits in the Relationships sections to make it easier to follow the flow of events (which doctor ordered what tests, ordered when, and when and what the results of the test were)
3. Consider making the Notes fields rich text fields so that they can be used to capture actual reports from doctors; for example, his notes on my physical exam. Currently I capture this by scanning and using OCR to create rich text that can be dumped into a Journal entry (e.g. Visit Notes (transcribed)), then relate that journal entry to the visit that where the doctor wrote the notes. I also attach a copy of the original in case of error as a backup, but the notes are readily readable within the app, which is quicker than opening an attachment. It's just a matter of convenience but important because it can save time when you're researching a discrepancy in your medical history (that is, differences between my description of the symptoms vs. the doctor's write up, what he ordered vs. what was done and whether there was a follow-up visit to review the results of any tests or consultations with other doctors).
4. Consider adding reminder functionality for upcoming events (visit, to-do items, etc.) so that you don't have to open the app to see that you have an upcoming event, and you don't have to do double entry (adding the appt. to the app and to your calendar). This might be accomplished by integrating with Outlook or Apple Reminders, etc.
5. The ability to 1) compare test results of the same test type and 2) graph related numerical data from the test panel entries. What I mean is this: Take the CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel) for example. It has about 16 variables it measures with reference ranges for "normal" for each variable. This capability would allow the 1) comparison of test results across selected CMP tests, flagging any variable that falls outside its reference range; this would help with spotting trends and controlling levels by changing diet or by taking vitamin supplements, etc. 2) The graphing capability would allow you to select the variables that you want to plot, and select the dates of the same test done as explained in 1) and plot them all in one graph with lines for the reference range and using color (or an icon) to flag results that fall outside the reference range. Benefit: trend spotting and planning activities, medications or treatments to change the results.
6. Either make the Description text boxes larger or put a button next to them that when clicked expands them so that not so much scrolling is required to read larger descriptions. With modern day screens, screen real estate is available to do this.
7. I use the Journals for entering information about routine exercise, health observations, medication changes and effects, sleep journal, and transcribed visit and test result notes (which I relate to the associated visit). I relate some journal entries to other items, and because the Relationships section is above the actual journal entries, I always have to scroll down to the journal entries to enter a new one. I suggest moving the Relationships section below the Journal Entry section. The primary reason I go to the Journals is to make a new entry, and not to review the relationships. Changing the order placing the Journal entries first is a convenience that will make entering journals a bit more intuitive and easier.
8. In Calendar view, understanding what events happened when would be much easier if there were a calendar view that was a simple list that contained events (visits, test results, notes, journal entries, etc.) that happened on each day in the range of dates selected. This would be easiest to read in list format with headers such as DATE, TYPE (of event), CONTACT, DESCRIPTION. As an enhancement to this feature, it would be nice to be able to filter the list by type of medical records (dental records vs. eye records vs. general medical records, etc.) so that if you are looking for something specific on the calendar dealing with dental visits, they are easily found without wading through a "mountain" of irrelevant calendar events.
9. Make the Expand All Fields button expand only fields that actually have data entered rather than the current functionality which expands all fields whether they have data or not. I don't often fill out every field possible on a page, so expanding all fields usually clutters the screen with many empty boxes that are of no interest to me, forcing me to close the empty ones so that I can focus on the ones that have the data that I need to see.
10. The ability to enter tables into the Journal field is great. However, it is very inflexible and not easy to work with. Navigating the table from cell to cell requires using the mouse (arrow keys, the return key and tab do not move you from cell to cell as you might expect). The arrow keys actually do nothing at all. If you provide an easy means of navigating tables, they would be much more useful (for example using some combination of arrow keys to provide forward, backward, up and down movement, key combinations like control+arrow key/shift+control arrow key or Alt+arrow/shift+alt+arrow key or control+tab/shift+control+tab) used them to allow movement from cell to cell, it would simplify using the table. As the feature is, I would seldom use it because it is too much work to get the data in, and if the table disappears, 9 months later when I'm looking at the record, I won't remember that there's an invisible table there and that I should click in the text box to see it.
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- TIA for your help!
David