Abstract:
Amongst other things, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, by one or more computers, data indicating that a first service provider is authorized to engage in a consultation with a second service provider; and receiving, by one or more computers, a request from the first service provider to consult with the second service provider having a second service provider profile that satisfies at least some attributes in a set of attributes that define a suitable service provider.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional U.S. Patent Application 61/179,328, filed on May 18, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is directed to connecting service providers with other service providers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In general, in one aspect, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, by one or more computers, data indicating that a first service provider is authorized to engage in a consultation with a second service provider; and receiving, by one or more computers, a request from the first service provider to consult with the second service provider having a second service provider profile that satisfies at least some attributes in a set of attributes that define a suitable service provider. In one aspect, the data indicating that the first service provider is authorized to engage in the consultation with the second service provider is received from a device being operated by a consumer of services, while the first service provider is engaged with the consumer of services. In another aspect, the data indicating that the first service provider is authorized to engage in the consultation with the second service provider is received from a device operated by the first service provider. 
         [0004]    In general, in one aspect, the method further comprises accessing a data repository that stores information pertaining to service providers, including present availability of the service providers for participating in a consultation; determining, by one or more computers, which of the service providers are presently available; identifying, by one or more computers, second service providers satisfying at least some of the attributes in the set of attributes that define suitable service providers; producing, by one or more computers, a set of presently available, second service providers that satisfy at least some of the attributes in the set of attributes; receiving a selection from the first service provider of one of the second service providers from the set of presently available, second service providers; and establishing a communication channel between the first service provider and the selected second service provider. 
         [0005]    In yet another aspect, the method further comprises sending, to the first service provider, data indicating that the consumer of services has authorized the first service provider to consult with the second service provider. The method also comprises determining, by one or more computers, a cost associated with the first service provider consulting with the second service provider; and generating, by one or more computers, a graphical user interface that when rendered on a display, displays for a consumer of services, the cost associated with the first service provider consulting with the second service provider. 
         [0006]    In general, in one aspect, the method further comprises generating, by one or more computers, a graphical user interface that when rendered on a display, displays for the first service provider a visual representation of the set of presently available, second service providers that satisfy at least some of the attributes in the set of attributes. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect, the method further comprises receiving, from the second service provider, data indicating that the second service provider is available to engage in a consultation with one or more other service providers. The method also comprises receiving, from the first service provider, at least one of first medical data and first service provider notes associated with the consultation between the first service provider and the second service provider; receiving, from the second service provider, at least one of second medical data and second service provider notes associated with the consultation between the first service provider and the second service provider; generating, by one or more computers, a consultation report from the first and second medical data and first and second service provider notes received from the first service provider and the second service provider; and sending, to a consumer of services, the consultation report. 
         [0008]    In general, in one aspect, the method further comprises receiving a request from a consumer of services to consult with a service provider having a service provider profile that satisfies at least some attributes in a set of attributes that define a suitable service provider; accessing a data repository that stores information pertaining to service providers, including present availability of the service providers for participating in a consultation; determining, in one or more computers, which of the service providers are presently available; identifying, in one or more computers, service providers satisfying at least some of the attributes in the set of attributes that define suitable service providers; producing a set of available service providers that satisfy at least some of the attributes in the set of attributes to send to the consumer of services; receiving a selection from the consumer of one of the service providers from the set of available service providers, wherein the selected service provider is the first service provider; and establishing a realtime communication channel between the consumer of services and the first service provider. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a flow chart of processes used for enabling provider-to-provider consultations. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 1B-1E ,  3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  7 A,  7 B,  8 A,  8 B,  9 A,  9 B are screen images of a user interface for a provider-to-provider consultation. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of processes used during a provider-to-provider consultation. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of processes used during selecting of a service provider for a provider-to-provider consultation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of processes used to extend the time for a provider-to-provider consultation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Through a brokerage system, a consumer of services engages in a consultation with a service provider, as described in my issued Patent as published in US-2008-0065726 on Mar. 13, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, through the brokerage system, a service provider (hereinafter “primary service provider”) engages in a consultation (hereinafter “provider-to-provider consultation”) with another service provider (hereinafter “consulting service provider”). In some examples, a primary service provider, such as a physician, engages in a consultation with a consulting service provider, such as a cardiologist, about a consumer&#39;s health, while the primary service provider is delivering care to the consumer, such as during an office visit. In other examples, the primary service provider engages in a consultation with the consulting service provider before or after the primary service provider engages in a consultation with the consumer of services. In yet another example, a service provider engages in a consultation, which is not on behalf of a consumer, with another service provider. In this example, a service provider chooses to engage in a provider-to-provider consultation for various reasons, including needing to learn more about a particular medical procedure or technique. 
         [0015]    Provider-to-provider consultations allow primary service providers, such as primary care and other physicians, to obtain advice from consulting service providers, such as specialists, at the point of care, thereby increasing the value of an office visit to consumers. Since federal regulations permit provider consultations across states, provider-to-provider consultations allow primary service providers to talk to consulting service providers in any physical location across the country or the word, granting the primary service provider access to a wide network of other service providers and extending the primary service provider&#39;s base of knowledge 
         [0016]    Service providers are presented with the option of enabling and supporting provider-to-provider consultations. For example, if a service provider chooses to engage in consultations with other service providers, then when the service provider logs into the brokerage system, the brokerage system makes the service provider available for consultations with other service providers. Referring to  FIG. 1A , various actions  100  are performed by a service provider in choosing whether to support provider-to-provider consultations. The service provider logs ( 102 ) into the brokerage system and accesses ( 104 ) the service provider&#39;s online profile. The brokerage system generates a graphical user interface that presents ( 106 ) the service provider with the option of engaging in provider-to-provider consultations. In some examples, a graphical user interface is displayed to the service provider that displays a link or button through which the service provider enables or disables ( 108 ) the option to engage in consultations with other service providers. By enabling this option, the service provider indicates that the service provider wants to receive requests for consultations from other service providers (i.e., primary service providers) and thereby activates provider-to-provider consultations. When the service provider activates provider-to-provider consultations, the brokerage system enables ( 110 ) provider-to-provider consultations. If the service provider does not activate provider-to-provider consultations, the brokerage system disables ( 112 ) provider-to-provider consultation for the service provider. Referring to  FIG. 1B , when the service provider enables provider-to-provider consultations, a graphical user interface  120  is generated that displays text  122  indicating that provider-to-provider consultations have been enabled and that the service provider accepts conversation requests from both patients and other service providers. Referring to  FIG. 1C , when the service provider disables provider-to-provider consultations, a graphical user interface  130  is generated that displays text  132  indicating that provider-to-provider consultations have been disabled and that the service provider accepts conversation requests from patients. 
         [0017]    When a primary service provider engages in a consultation with a consulting service provider, the consumer of services authorizes the consultation. In some examples, the consumer of services selects a service provider from a list of service providers. The consumer specifies, for example through a link or button on a graphical user interface, that the selected service provider is authorized to engage in consultations with other service providers. When the selected service provider has enabled the option of engaging in consultations with other service providers, the consumer receives a message indicating that the consumer has successfully enabled provider-to-provider consultations for the selected service provider. When the selected service provider has disabled the option of engaging in consultations with other service providers, the consumer receives a message indicating that the selected service provider does not support provider-to-provider consultations. The consumer of services is also presented with the option of removing a service provider&#39;s authorization to engage in consultations with other service providers, which removes the service provider&#39;s ability to conduct provider-to-provider consultations on the consumer&#39;s behalf. In some examples, the consumer authorizes the primary service provider to engage in provider-to-provider consultations. In other examples, the consumer authorizes the consulting service provider to engage in provider-to-provider consultation. In still other examples, the consumer authorizes both the primary service provider and the consulting service provider to engage in provider-to-provider consultations. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1D , a list  152  of consumers associated with a service provider is displayed for the service provider in a graphical user interface  150 . When a consumer authorizes provider-to-provider consultations for the service provider, the graphical user interface  150  provides a visual indication  154 , including a link or a button, that the service provider is authorized to engage in a consultation with another service provider. In some examples, a “P2P Consultation” link  154  is located next to the consumer&#39;s name, when the consumer authorizes the service provider to engage in consultations with other service providers. The service provider initiates a consultation with another service provider by clicking on the “P2P Consultation” link  154 . 
         [0019]    The brokerage system also enables the primary service provider to certify the primary service provider&#39;s authorization to discuss medical issues on the consumer&#39;s behalf. In some examples, the consumer is not enrolled with the brokerage system. In this example, the primary service provider certifies that the primary service provider is authorized to discuss medical issues on the consumer&#39;s behalf by electronically signing a digital statement certifying that the primary service provider has an established relationship with the consumer and is authorized by the consumer to view the consumer&#39;s medical information and conduct consultations on the consumer&#39;s behalf. Referring to  FIG. 1E , a graphical user interface  138  is generated that displays a prompt box  140  with a text box  142  in which the primary service provider enters his initials and thereby certifies his authorization to view the consumer&#39;s medical information and conduct consultations on the consumer&#39;s behalf. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the primary service provider, the consulting service provider and the consumer perform various actions  200  during a provider-to-provider consultation. The primary service provider initiates ( 202 ) a provider-to-provider consultation, for example by clicking on the “P2P Consultation” link  104  ( FIG. 1D ). The brokerage system evaluates ( 204 ) the primary service provider&#39;s role and credentials to determine whether the brokerage system needs to confirm ( 206 ) the relationship between the primary service provider and the consumer before allowing the primary service provider to search ( 208 ) for a consulting service provider. The brokerage system confirms the primary service provider&#39;s credentials to ensure that the primary service provider is authorized to engage in a provider-to-provider consultation on behalf of the consumer. 
         [0021]    In some examples, the brokerage system confirms ( 206 ) the relationship between the consumer and the primary service provider depending on the primary service provider&#39;s provider status, such as a treating service provider, in the brokerage system. When the primary service provider is the consumer&#39;s treating service provider, such as a primary care provider or treating physician  156  ( FIG. 1D ), the primary service provider&#39;s credentials are not additionally confirmed by the brokerage system prior to the primary service provider searching ( 208 ) for a consulting service provider. When the primary service provider&#39;s status is that of an online care physician  158  ( FIG. 1D ), the brokerage system confirms ( 206 ) the primary service provider&#39;s relationship with the consumer of services. The brokerage system confirms the relationship in various ways, including maintaining a record of the prior consultations between the online care service provider and a consumer. In another example, the primary service provider confirms the relationship with a consumer by electronically confirming his relationship with the consumer, as illustrated in  FIG. 1E . 
         [0022]    The primary service provider searches ( 208 ) for a consulting service provider by specifying various attributes of a consulting service provider. Referring to  FIG. 3 , a graphical user interface  300  is displayed for the primary service provider that allows the primary service provider to search for a consulting service provider based on various simple attributes  306 , including provider type  302  and gender  304 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , a graphical user interface  400  is displayed for the primary service provider that allows the primary service provider to search for a consulting service provider based on various advanced attributes  402 , including provider demographics  404 , such as zip code  406  and languages spoken  408 , and provider qualifications  410 , such as graduating institution  412 , years of experience  414 , board certification  416 , in-network status  418 , hospital affiliation  420  and a service provider&#39;s ability to make electronic prescriptions  422 . The graphical user interface  400  also allows the primary service provider to search for a consulting service provider by name  424 , such as the first name  426  or the last name  428  of a consulting service provider. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the brokerage system performs various actions  500  in determining available, consulting service providers matching the search criteria (“consulting service provider attributes”) entered by the primary service provider. The brokerage system determines ( 502 ) service providers with service provider attributes, such as “provider type” or “gender,” matching one or more of the consulting service provider attributes entered by the primary service provider. In some examples, a list of the service providers, and their associated attributes, are stored in a database. A rules engine receives a list of the consulting service provider attributes and compares the received list of consulting service provider attributes to the attributes of the service providers included in the database. Based on the comparison, the rules engine determines ( 502 ) service providers with attributes (“matching attributes”) matching one or more the consulting service provider attributes specified by the primary service provider. 
         [0024]    From the list of service providers with matching attributes, the brokerage system determines ( 504 ) which of those service providers are presently available to engage to a consultation with the primary service provider. The brokerage system tracks the availability of service providers in real-time, for example, by monitoring whether a service provider is currently engaged in a consultation with a consumer or another service provider or by monitoring whether the service provider is logged into the brokerage system. 
         [0025]    From the set of service providers with matching attributes and who are presently available for a consultation, the brokerage system determines ( 506 ) the service providers who have enabled provider-to-provider consultations. Based on this determination, the brokerage system generates ( 508 ) a list of consulting service providers (i.e., service providers with matching attributes, who are presently available for a consultation and who have enabled provider-to-provider consultations). 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a graphical user interface ( 600 ) is generated and displays a listing  601  of the consulting service providers  604   a,    604   b,    604   c.  For each of the consulting service providers, various information is displayed, such as gender  606 , location  608 , languages  610  and status  612 . When the status  612  of a consulting service provider is available, a “Connect Now” button or link  614  is displayed. When a consulting service provider is not available for provider-to-provider consultation, the status  612  of the consulting service provider is displayed as “Not Available.” By clicking on a link or button, such as the “More Information” link  616 , the primary service provider views a consulting service provider&#39;s profile. In some examples, the primary service provider sends a message to a consulting service provider asking a consulting service provider a question, such as whether the consulting service provider has experience with a particular issue. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , by clicking on the “Connect Now” button  614 , the primary service provider initiates ( 210 ) a communication with the consulting service provider and reviews ( 212 ) connection details. Referring to  FIG. 7A , a graphical user interface  700 , including the various connection details, is displayed for the primary service provider. The graphical user interface  700  displays a subset  702  of the consulting service provider&#39;s profile. Graphical user interface  700  displays a prompt box  704  in which the primary service provider enters additional topics to be discussed during the provider-to-provider consultation. The brokerage system also provides one or more suggested topics  706 ,  708 ,  710  for the provider-to-provider consultation. The selection of these topics  706 ,  708 ,  710  is based on various factors, including topics the primary service provider has previously used in a provider-to-provider consultation or topics that a rules engine in the brokerage system determines are relevant based on the consumer&#39;s health record. Additionally, a “Release Statements”  712  section of the graphical user interface  700  displays various release statements  714 ,  716 ,  718  and disclaimers for the primary service provider to accept. The primary service provider indicates his acceptance of the release statements  714 ,  716 ,  718  by entering his initials into an “initials” text box  720  displayed on the graphical user interface  700 . In some examples, a health plan, such as Aetna or Blue Cross and Blue Shield, specifies the release statements for a primary service provider to accept prior to a provider-to-provider consultation. In other examples, the brokerage system specifies the release statements for a primary service provider to accept prior to a provider-to-provider consultation. The graphical user interface  700  also includes a payment details section  740 , which includes the total cost  742  of the provider-to-provider consultation and the amount  744  a consumer&#39;s health plan is contributing to the provider-to-provider consultation. 
         [0028]    The primary service provider shares with the consulting service provider a consumer&#39;s relevant information, such as health information and other medical data, prior to the provider-to-provider consultation. The primary service provider accesses the consumer&#39;s electronic medical record (“EMR”) and selects files to be shared with the consulting service provider. These files are then shared with the consulting service provider by being emailed to the consulting service provider or by the primary service provider specifying that the consulting service provider has access to view the selected files through the brokerage system. When the primary service provider wants to share a file with a consulting service provider that has not already been loaded or read into the brokerage system, the primary service provider uploads the file into the brokerage system. Referring to  FIG. 7B , a dialogue box  721  is displayed in a graphical user interface  719  through which the primary service provider uploads files associated with the consumer during the connection process. Through a “browse” button  722 , the primary service provider navigates to the location of the file on a personal computer or other computing device and selects the file to be uploaded. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the consumer of services also reviews ( 214 ) the connection details, if the provider-to-provider consultation is being conducted on behalf of a consumer. In some examples, a graphical user interface is displayed for the consumer of services that displays the details of the provider-to-provider consultation for the consumer. This graphical user interface displays the profile of the selected, consulting service provider and the topics of conversation  706 ,  708 ,  710  selected by the primary service provider or the topics for discussion  704  entered by the primary service provider. This graphical user interface also displays a cost summary for the provider-to-provider consultation. The cost summary displays the total provider-to-provider consultation cost, the amount the consumer&#39;s health plan is contributing to the total provider-to-provider consultation cost, and the amount the consumer owes for the provider-to-provider consultation. If the consumer owes money for the provider-to-provider consultation, the consumer is prompted to enter a valid credit card number. 
         [0030]    Additionally, during the consumer&#39;s review ( 214 ) of the connection details, the consumer reviews his health summary and health information. The consumer electronically authorizes (either through entering his initials or full name into an authorization text box) the viewing and sharing of health information with the consulting service provider or the primary service provide. When the consumer selects health information for viewing and sharing with either the primary service provider or the consulting service provider, a disclaimer is displayed for the consumer of services. The disclaimer indicates that the consumer&#39;s health information is accessible to the primary service provider and/or the consulting service provider during the provider-to-provider consultation. 
         [0031]    In some examples, the disclaimer states that the consumer&#39;s health information and history are shareable with the consulting service provider during the provider-to-provider consultation, at the primary service provider&#39;s discretion. The consumer electronically signs (either through entering his initials or full name into an authorization text box) a disclaimer to authorize the primary service provider to act on behalf of the consumer during the provider-to-provider consultation and to authorize the primary service provider to share the consumer&#39;s health information with the consulting service provider. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the consulting service provider receives and reviews ( 216 ) the primary service provider&#39;s consultation request. Referring to  FIG. 8A , a graphical user interface  800  displays, for the consulting service provider, the consultation request and other details associated with the request, including the name of the primary service provider  802 , the name of the consumer  804 , and the length of time  806  of the requested provider-to-provider consultation. The graphical user interface  800  also visually indicates that the requested consultation is a provider-to-provider consultation  808 . 
         [0033]    The graphical user interface  800  also displays other information associated with the provider-to-provider consultation, including a payment summary  810 , profile information for the primary service provider including a photograph (not shown), provider rating information and provider location information (not shown), topics  812 ,  814 ,  816  for the provider-to-provider consultation, a history of the consulting service provider&#39;s prior interactions with the consumer of services (not shown), and a health summary  818  associated with the consumer of services. In some examples, the health summary  818  is displayed when the primary service provider has chosen to share the health summary with the consulting service provider. Referring to  FIG. 8B , the graphical user interface  800  also includes a section  830  for liability release statements  832  and other disclaimers that have been accepted by the consumer of services and/or the primary service provider. When the consulting service provider accepts the request for the provider-to-provider consultation, the consulting service provider is sent a copy of each of the accepted disclaimers and release statements. 
         [0034]    The graphical user interface  800  also displays a link or button  820  through which the consulting service provider declines the request for the provider-to-provider consultation. The graphical user interface  800  also displays a link or button  822  through which the consulting service provider accepts the request for the provider-to-provider consultation. When the consulting service provider declines a request for a provider-to-provider consultation, the consulting service provider is prompted to provide a reason for declining the request. The reason for the consulting service provider declining the provider-to-provider consultation is sent to the primary service provider, for example by email, secure message, or through a dialogue box that is displayed when rendered on a web browser of a computer. Referring to  FIG. 2 , if the request for the provider-to-provider consultation is declined ( 218 ), the primary service provider reviews ( 220 ) the reason that the consulting service provider declined the request. 
         [0035]    When the consulting service provider accepts the request, the primary service provider and the consulting service provider engage ( 222 ,  224 ) in a consultation. In some examples, the consultation is a real-time communication established over a real time communication channel, including voice, chat, text and/or video. Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the primary service provider is provided with a primary service provider consultation graphical user interface  900 . The consulting service provider is provided with a consulting service provider consultation graphical user interface  901 . The consulting service provider consultation graphical user interface  901  displays text  922  indicating that the consultation is a provider-to-provider consultation. Through the graphical user interfaces  900 ,  901 , the primary service provider and the consulting service provider engage in video  906 ,  908 , voice  914 ,  916  and text based  910 ,  912  real-time communications over the Internet or any other data network. 
         [0036]    A phone control  918 ,  920  allows the primary service provider or the consulting service provider to initiate a phone call with the other service provider. The telephone number of the primary service provider or the consulting service provider is displayed in a text box  922 ,  924 . 
         [0037]    Because the primary service provider and the consulting service provider have access to the other functionalities of the brokerage system, as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. US-2008-0065726, if the primary service provider or the consulting service provider adds notes, documents follow-up recommendations, assigns diagnoses or procedures, and/or recommends medications, this information and data are automatically stored and associated with the consumer of services in the brokerage system. Additionally, the primary service provider and/or the consulting service provider have access to online medical reference materials, which are provided through the brokerage system. 
         [0038]    In some examples, the service providers need additional time to complete the provider-to-provider consultation. Referring to  FIG. 10 , various actions  1000  are performed when more time is required. The consumer is notified ( 1002 ) that the provider-to-provider consultation requires additional time. The consumer is presented ( 1004 ) with a graphical user interface that displays the cost associated with extending the time allowed for the provider-to-provider consultation. The consumer decides ( 1106 ) whether to approve the additional consultation time. If the consumer approves the additional consultation time, then the provider-to-provider consultation continues ( 1008 ). However, if the consumer does not approve the additional consultation time, then the provider-to-provider consultation concludes ( 1010 ). 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , when the provider-to-provider consultation concludes, the primary service provider and the consulting service provider each wrap-up ( 226 ,  228 ) his/her portion of the provider-to-provider consultation by finalizing notes, diagnoses, recommendations and other entries. In some examples, the primary service provider is provided with a primary service provider wrap-up graphical user interface that displays conversation topics that were discussed during the provider-to-provider consultation, payment information, including the total cost of the provider-to-provider consultation, health information that was shared with the consulting service provider, a transcript of the consultation, and a copy of the profile associated with the consulting service provider. The primary service provider wrap-up graphical user interface also includes a notes field for the primary service provider to enter any additional notes for the consumer of services. Through a button or link displayed on the primary service provider wrap-up graphical user interface, the primary service provider exports health information and notes from the provider-to-provider consultation to an EMR system and also saves the health information and notes into the brokerage system. 
         [0040]    A consulting service provider wrap-up graphical user interface is displayed for the consulting service provider. Through the consulting service provider wrap-up graphical user interface, the consulting service provider wrap-ups the consultation after the consultation has ended by performing various actions, including waiving payments associated with the consultation and entering in any additional notes from the consultation. The consulting service provider wrap-up graphical user interface also displays various information, including conversation topics discussed during the provider-to-provider consultation, payment information, health history that was shared between the consumer and/or the primary service provider, a transcript of the consultation between the primary service provider and the consulting service provider notes, diagnoses and procedures, prescriptions, and follow-up suggestions. The consulting service provider wrap-up graphical user interface also includes information about the primary service provider, including the name of the primary service provider, the rating of the primary service provider, and a picture of the primary service provider. The consulting service provider wrap-up graphical user interface also provides the consulting service provider the option to rate his overall experience with the provider-to-provider consultation. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , after the primary service provider and the consulting service provider have completed the wrap-up ( 226 ,  228 ) portion of the provider-to-provider consultation, the brokerage system generates a consultation report. The primary service provider, the consulting service provider and the consumer receive ( 230 ,  232 ,  234 ) a copy of the report. The consultation report includes a transcript of the provider-to-provider consultation and a record of the entries made by the consulting service provider and the primary service provider, including provider notes and diagnoses. In some examples, the primary service provider prints a copy of the consultation report and gives it to the consumer of services. In other examples, a graphical user interface is generated and rendered, displaying the consultation report such that the consulting service provider, the primary service provider or the consumer are able export the consultation report, by printing the consultation report or emailing it. 
         [0042]    Embodiments can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations thereof. Apparatus of the invention can be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied or stored in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and method actions can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the invention by operating on input data and generating output. The invention can be implemented advantageously in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. 
         [0043]    Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Generally, a computer will include one or more mass storage devices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD_ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). 
         [0044]    Other embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the description claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described above can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.