We need to apply to the funding body for money to treat patients. They have a system – let’s call it “Pink” – which is a browser based form. I log in, add a patient via a unique identifier, fill in a form with information the system already has, and beg for money.
To do this I need to be able to check old letters. These are stored on the computer file system, so I need to look via Windows. I need to read them, using Word. I need to check newer letters on our dictation system (lets call it Dick). These open in Acrobat. If I need details of their family doctor I open the hospital patient administration system (PAS). To check previous bookings I have to check emails in Outlook. So: Pink; PAS; file browser; Word; Outlook; Dick; Acrobat. If we had an integrated imaging system I would look at that, but we don’t. Instead, if I need to I walk to the camera, log in, and look at the images on the camera system.
I was discussing with my manager the difficulty of working with the system “What we need,” says I, “is an integrated system, where I can see the information, make a decision, enter the data once, and all the parties that need to know get the information they need from the same underlying data. There is a system you can buy that does that. Instead,” I whine, “I need seven windows open at the same time just to make one application for funding!”
Two weeks later (nearly a year ago) I get an email with the solution.
I forgot about it – drowned in a sea of whines – until a few weeks ago when I entered my clinic room to see the solution had arrived: I am now the proud custodian of a computer with two monitors.
Beyond Parody 