Patent Publication Number: US-2019188813-A1

Title: Healthcare accountability and support platform

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation of and claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 120 to copending U.S. Continuation-in-Part patent application, Ser. No. 14/143,642, filed on Dec. 30, 2013 (Atty. Docket 1102-0008-1CIP), which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 120 to copending, U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/072,451, filed Nov. 5, 2013 (Atty. Docket 1102-0008-1), which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/722,253, filed Nov. 5, 2012. The disclosures of these US patent documents are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for capturing data and for providing information and services in the field of healthcare. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing selectively adaptable user interfaces that collect and present health related data and information from and to a plurality of stakeholders. The interfaces are selectively customizable by tools or controls within an administrative toolbox that enables real-time dynamic implementation of modifications to the interfaces without implementing underlying programming changes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally speaking, there is an on-going demand for reliable, affordable healthcare support tools. As with any product or service, knowledge and involvement in decision making are important factors in obtaining consumer satisfaction, health and cost outcomes. Within the area of healthcare, many resources are spent in the creation and exchange of information. For example, one need only perform a search on the Internet to uncover tens of thousands of pages of health related information. However, among the stakeholders within the healthcare community including, for example, patients, care providers, employers, payers, government institutions and the like, communication of information relevant to a particular consumer appears limited. As such, it can be burdensome to locate information, contribute data, manage action steps and obtain feedback in one end user location that enables the consumer to be a knowledgeable, fully involved participant of their own healthcare. 
     Accordingly, the inventor has recognized that there is a need for a system and method that captures data and provides information and services in the field of healthcare that employs selectively adaptable user interfaces such that content (e.g., data and information, tools and/or functions including, for example, dynamic assessments, action plans and progress reports) can be dynamically managed and presented to participants in real-time in a convenient, appealing and cost efficient venue to improved meaningful participation in healthcare. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Based on the foregoing, the present invention provides an interactive healthcare accountability and support system including a server computer, a plurality of client devices operatively coupled to the server computer over a communication connection and a content database operatively coupled to the server computer. The server computer includes a server processor and a server memory storing a plurality of instructions executable by the server processor. Each of the client devices includes a client processor, an input-output controller and input-output devices for inputting and for viewing health related data and information. The content database receives and stores the health related data and information. The server processor of the healthcare system is configured to provide a first plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) customizable to collect and present the health related data and information from and to a plurality of stakeholders, and a second plurality of GUIs including tools and functions to customize the first plurality of GUIs without modification to the instructions within the server memory. In one aspect of the invention, the ability to customize the first GUIs provides highly efficient adaptability down to the word level while avoiding the need for programming new or unique code for each use case instance, assessment, report or content display. 
     In one embodiment, the interactive healthcare accountability and support system further includes an administrative toolbox. The toolbox provides the tools and functions of the second plurality of GUIs to dynamically manage the health related data and information based on individual profiles of the plurality of stakeholders. In one embodiment, the health related data and information supports at least one of health, quality and performance improvements, cost and payment management, and for research purposes. In one embodiment, the health related data and information includes patient or organization data and information including a patient&#39;s, a provider&#39;s or an organization&#39;s profile having identification information, billing information, information and data defining the patient&#39;s age, gender, health and one or more conditions of the patient. The health related data and information also includes assessment data and information including assessments gauging a patient&#39;s progress along a predetermined action plan or treatment protocol, progress toward a relatively more healthy state or condition, and general preferences and/or recommendations on the action plan. The health related data and information further includes accumulation data and information including accumulations or tallies of general health trends within a predetermined population and/or one or more time periods. The health related data and information further includes preference data and information including values and parameters that are used by the administrative toolbox to customize the first plurality of GUIs. In one embodiment, the parameters of the preference data and information include dynamic url strings paired to one or more of an individual patient, provider and or organizational users by a unique user identification code, to one or more assessments by an assessment identification code and to one or more topics by a topic identification code. 
     In one embodiment, the administrative toolbox provides the tools and functions to dynamically modify, for example: specific text, ordering of text or other items presented on the first plurality of GUIs and to include branching logic between and among related questions or topics; assign a scoring dimension and/or sub-dimension to items within assessments of a stakeholder&#39;s health; assign a response type with response choice wording and whether or not that response on the rating scale represents a gap or opportunity for improvement; assign scores for each response choice on each rating scale within the assessments of the stakeholder&#39;s health; provide unique messaging to the stakeholder based on his/her responses falling into a predetermined score range; define next step actions embedded in messaging to guide stakeholders toward improved health and to include, but not be limited to, linking back to topics in a resource center; selectively present or inhibit presentation of previous answers on the assessment; and assign unique titles, branding and instructions based on stakeholder profiles. In one embodiment, the administrative toolbox provides the tools and functions to dynamically modify at least one of: specific images, titles as well as one of position, orientation and highlighting of text presented on the first plurality of GUIs; locations for retrieving content presented on the first plurality of GUIs; and interrelationship between items of content within a tree structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments given below is considered in conjunction with the following figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary system for providing and selectively controlling user interfaces that collect and present health related data and information from and to a plurality of stakeholders, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are schematic block diagrams of the system of  FIG. 1  employed within a continuum of healthcare. 
         FIGS. 4 to 6  depict exemplary graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for user creation and definition, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  depicts one embodiment of a content management system GUI, in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts one embodiment of an administrative control GUI for the content management system GUI of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIGS. 9 and 9A  depict embodiments of welcome GUIs that provide users access and visibility to tools and functions of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 10 and 10A  depict embodiments of user specific health topics GUIs invoked from the welcome GUIs of  FIGS. 9 and 9A , respectively. 
         FIG. 11  depicts one embodiment of a user specific health content GUI invoked from the health topic GUI of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrate fields of a content database of the system of  FIG. 1  that store data employed to present user specific content, tools and/or functions on the GUIs in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13A  depicts one embodiment of a consumer/provider resource center GUI that provides access to information, tools and functions of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13B  depicts one embodiment of an organization resource center GUI that provides access to information, tools and functions of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 14A to 14C  depict exemplary embodiments of navigational controls for providing access to content within the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 15 to 18  depict exemplary embodiments of administrative control GUIs for customizing the topics, information, tools and/or functions presented on the consumer/provider and organization resource center GUIs of  FIGS. 13A and 13B . 
         FIG. 19  depicts one embodiment of a user specific assessment GUI that provides access to previous and new assessments, surveys and/or questionnaires available within the system of  FIG. 1  to support any quality or performance improvement, cost or payment management or for research purposes. 
         FIG. 20  depicts one embodiment of an assessment GUI including questions and optional responses in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  depict portions of an assessment and action plan embedded within health topic GUIs in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 23 and 24  depict exemplary embodiments of administrative control GUIs for customizing the topics, question content, answer options, tools and/or functions presented on the assessment and action plans within the GUIs of  FIGS. 21 and 22 . 
         FIG. 25  depicts one embodiment of a summary progress report GUI that highlights a user&#39;s progress in categories including learning, areas for discussion, and completion of actions. 
         FIG. 26  depicts one embodiment of a detail progress report GUI that highlights a user&#39;s specific progress in a healthcare area of interest. 
         FIG. 27  depicts a healthcare professional&#39;s report generator GUI that provides access to one or more reports in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  depicts one embodiment of an improvement opportunities gap report GUI that provides visibility to one or more areas within assessments, surveys, questionnaires, or other input from users that highlight actual or perceived deficiencies, inadequacies and/or other areas for improvement in quality, efficiency or other issues in the delivery of healthcare services and/or resources. 
         FIGS. 29 to 31  depict exemplary embodiments of administrative control GUIs for defining and/or modifying reports invoked by the healthcare professional&#39;s report generator GUI of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 32  depicts one embodiment of a rewards and discounts that provides access and/or links to one or more rewards and/or discounts programs made available to users of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     In these figures like structures are assigned like reference numerals, but may not be referenced in the description of all figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed to web-based systems and methods for providing information and services in the field of healthcare utilizing one or more selectively customizable graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that collect and present health related data and information from and to a plurality of stakeholders. The stakeholders include, for example, patients including persons responsible for patients such as parents or guardians, or persons participating in making health decisions for the patients, healthcare providers including doctors, nurses, health institutions and like care givers, and insurance companies, employers or governmental institutions or any of their subcontractors delivering to a company health service offerings and/or administering health programs and benefits. As described herein, the GUIs are selectively customizable by tools or controls within an administrative toolbox that enable real-time implementation of modifications to the GUIs without implementing underlying programming changes. As such, content provided to and/or data collected by the system may be dynamically managed (e.g., added, changed, deleted or otherwise modified) in both a cost and a time efficient fashion to adapt to varying clinical needs and/or uses across a full spectrum of healthcare conditions from, from example, general health and wellness conditions, to chronic and acute care conditions, to end of life conditions. The customizable GUIs within the web-based healthcare systems and methods provide what is referred to herein as a HEALTHCAWS® Accountability and Support Platform. As described herein, the HEALTHCAWS® Platform provides patients and consumers, while not in the healthcare system, an ability to take responsibility for and to be an active participant in their health care by being a more informed consumer of such services, e.g., a more informed purchaser that can comparison shop based on value, quality and other factors. The platform provides healthcare providers with a mechanism to communicate with patients and address their expectations for services and accountability, identify outstanding issues or needs, participate in quality programs, and understand uses of healthcare resources including recognizing misuses such as overuse as well as underuse of resources. Similarly, the platform provides organizations with an ability to assess its healthcare offerings, promote further understanding of patient and provider needs, improve efficiencies and minimize, if not eliminate, waste and otherwise improve the value of the resources provided. The HEALTHCAWS® Platform includes the tools and controls within the administrative toolbox for implementing an improved content and user control and management system. HEALTHCAWS is a registered trademark of Rosemarie D. Maljanian, the inventor of the present invention, of Farmington, Conn. USA. 
     As described herein customizable GUIs can be accessed via an internet web site address (e.g., URL) hosted by a server computer to enter, review, update, or select data and information pertaining to healthcare. The terms “user,” “patient,” “healthcare provider,” “care provider,” and/or “administrator” as used herein are intended to broadly embody one or more persons acting individually, acting for another or acting for a group or department within a company or other organization that carries out activities including making healthcare decisions, providing and/or administering health programs and benefits. Each user can access healthcare data and information of an individual patient (with proper authorization from the patient or his/her guardian), or of an accumulation of patients within a predetermined population (e.g., normalized or de-sensitized to remove personally identifiable information and the like). The GUIs can be customized for the user by an administrator and, to a certain extent, by an authorized user. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the HEALTHCAWS® Platform, shown generally at  10 , configured and operating to implement instructions and algorithms for providing information and services in the field of healthcare utilizing one or more selectively customizable, graphical user interfaces (GUIs)  30  that collect and present health related data and information from and to a plurality of stakeholders, as described herein. The HealthCAWS platform  10  includes a server computer or server  16  having a server central processing unit (CPU)  18 , server memory  20  that can include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a hard drive (HD), and the like, input/output controller (I/O Control)  22  operatively coupled to input  24  and output  25  devices such as a keyboard, mouse, light pen or other pointing device, a document, card or other medium reader or scanner, a printer, a monitor, touch screen or other display device for facilitating input to and output from the platform  10  of data and information, and an electronic communication apparatus (COMMS)  26  for communicating, as indicated by reference numeral  27 , with a computerized communication network  14  such as, for example, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, or like distributed communication platform connecting computing devices over wired and/or wireless connections. The server CPU  18  executes computer-implemented algorithms and instructions residing in memory  20  to implement the HealthCAWS platform  10 , including an administrative toolbox  90  having GUIs  40  providing tools or controls as described herein for modifying the GUIs  30 . 
     The server  16  accesses a content database  80  directly or through the network  14 . The content database  80  receives and stores a patient&#39;s or an organization&#39;s data and information  82  including a patient&#39;s or organization&#39;s profile including identification information, billing information, information and data defining the patient&#39;s age, gender, health and one or more conditions of the patient, assessment data and information  84  including assessments aimed at gauging a patient&#39;s progress along a predetermined action plan or treatment protocol, or toward a relatively more healthy state or condition, general preferences and/or opinions on the action plan or treatment protocol or the like, accumulation data and information  86  including accumulations or tallies of general health trends and the like within a predetermined population and/or one or more time periods, and preference data and information  88  including values, parameters and the like that may be used by the administrative toolbox  90  to customize one or more GUIs  30  to a user&#39;s needs. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, patient data may not be stored in the content database  80  for security and/or regulatory compliance reasons. As described below, in one embodiment, the action plans and/or treatment protocols may be based upon recommended treatment for persons with similar conditions as set by an administrative and/or health industry standard or the like, and may address primary prevention, secondary prevention, demand and compliance management, patient and care provider self management, care management and futility avoidance across a full spectrum of healthcare conditions  200  from, from example, general health and wellness conditions, to chronic and acute care conditions, to end of life conditions as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the server  16  hosts a user interface such as a web site  28  having a plurality of GUIs  30  including, for example, a Welcome or home page GUI  32  (e.g., a Welcome GUI  320  of  FIG. 9 ), a My Health Topics page GUI  33  providing access to individual health topics detail pages (e.g., a My Health Topics GUI  330  of  FIG. 10 ), for example, driven by definitions within the user&#39;s individual profile, a Consumer/Provider Resource Center—All Topics page GUI  34  (e.g., a Consumer/Provider Resource Center GUI  350  of  FIG. 13A ) providing access to general health topics detail pages including, for example, healthcare quality assessment pages, an Organization Resources Center—All Topics page GUI  35  (e.g., an Organization Resource Center GUI  360  of  FIG. 13B ) providing access to general organizational health topics pages, and a My Assessments Display/Access page GUI  36  (e.g., a My Assessments GUI  390  of  FIG. 19 ). It should be appreciated that the web site  28  also includes a plurality of GUIs  40  invoked by the administrative toolbox  90  and including tools and/or controls as described herein for modifying the GUIs  30  and/or managing users (e.g., stakeholders). For example, the GUIs  40  include a User Definition GUI  42  (e.g., a Create User GUI  400  of  FIG. 4 ) for establishing a new user profile on the platform  10 , a User Profile Management GUI  44  (e.g., a User Profile Management GUI  420  of  FIG. 5 ), and a User Role Definition GUI  46  (e.g., a User Role GUI  440  of  FIG. 6 ). 
     In one embodiment, the User Profile Management GUI  44  allows the administrator user to search and/or edit users and create new users, the User Role Definition GUI  46  allows the administrator user to set or revoke privileges of all other user types down to the individual user. Users are created manually or dynamically populated in real-time through a variety of live web connections allowing the administrator to view and monitor new users instantly as they are added to the authenticated user population. Users that are not authenticated are blocked and do not pass through into the user management system therefore obtain no user privileges. 
     The web site  28  may be requested by users of the HealthCAWS platform  10  through designation of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) identifying the web site  28 , web page GUIs  30  (e.g., GUIs  32  to  36 ) and web page GUIs  40  (e.g., GUIs  42  to  46 ), and providing access to the server  16  from other computing devices on the network  14 . In one embodiment, access to the web site  28  and web page GUIs  30  and  40 , and/or selected portions thereof, and/or to selected services and functionality provided by the HealthCAWS platform  10 , is restricted to registered (e.g., “member”) users, as is described below, executing programs such as, for example, web browser software to request, receive and process the web site  28  and web page GUIs  30  and  40 . The web page GUIs  30  and  40  are generally written in a language that permits a graphical presentation of data and information (text, images, audio, video, and the like) to persons operating a computing device. Languages include for example, the Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML), Extensible Markup Language (XML) or another Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), as are generally known in the art. 
     As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the GUIs  30  can be customized by the administrative toolbox  90  invoking the GUIs  40  and the tools and/or controls therein for modifying the GUIs  30  and the health related data and information collect from and presented to the plurality of stakeholders operating the HealthCAWS platform  10 . As noted above, this data and information is stored in the content database  80 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the HealthCAWS platform  10  includes a plurality of user or client computers  50 ,  52  and  54  operable by users (e.g., one or more of the aforementioned stakeholders) to enter, view or retrieve data and information from the web site  28 . Each of the user computers  50 ,  52  and  54  includes a user computer central processing unit (CPU)  56 , an input-output controller (I/O Control)  58  operatively coupled to input  58 A and output  58 B devices such as a keyboard, mouse, light pen or other pointing device, a document, card or other medium reader or scanner, a printer, a monitor, touch screen or other display device for facilitating input to and output from the HealthCAWS platform  10  of data and information, user computer memory that can include RAM  60 , ROM  62 , and a hard drive  64 , and an electronic communication apparatus (COMMS)  66  for communicating with server computer  16  over the network  14 . The COMMS  66  can include a modem or a connection to a local area network (LAN), either of which can access an internet service provider (ISP)  74  through a wired or wireless communication line such as a telephone network, television cable lines, satellite links, DSL lines, or the like. The user computers  50 ,  52  and  54  may be an IBM-type or Apple Personal Computer (or compatible analogs thereof), a terminal computer, or other computing device suitable for running a browser program for accessing and communicating over the network  14  including, for example, a workstation or a portable computing device such as, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA), smart phone such as a BlackBerry, iPhone, or the like, an iPad, an Android device, a tablet or notebook computer, or any other known device that is capable of executing a browser program or other application for communicating over the network  14 . 
     As noted above, the computers  16 ,  50 ,  52 , and  54  can include the electronic communication apparatus  26  and  66 , respectively. The term “electronic communication apparatus,” as used herein, refers to an apparatus that facilitates electronic communication with another computer using a selected interconnection mechanism, such as a telephone network, a LAN, an intranet, or the Internet, and a selected communication protocol, such as V.90 or V.32, or in the case of the Internet, TCP/IP. The electronic communication apparatus can also include wireless or IR communication mechanisms. Electronic communication apparatus also includes circuitry that provides parallel, serial, Scsi, USB, Firewire, and other such ports known in the art, and protocols such as, but not limited to, Appletalk. The foregoing are merely examples of electronic communication apparatus, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , embodiments are shown of User Management and Role Definition GUIs  400 ,  420  and  440  (e.g., embodiments of the GUIs  40  for managing users and their roles in the platform  10 ), utilized in the HealthCAWS platform  10  by for example, an administrator or other authorized user. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a Create User GUI  400  is depicted. In one embodiment, the Create User GUI  400  includes fields  402  for establishing and/or identifying a new user on the platform  10 , his/her contact information, health provider information, and the like. The Create User GUI  400  also includes fields  404  for identifying one or more health conditions of the new user. In one embodiment, the HealthCAWS platform  10  directs features and functions (e.g., provides access to and/or customizes displays) based on identified health conditions of the new user. In one embodiment, the user may be granted or denied access to the HealthCAWS platform  10  or portions thereof based on the conditions and/or a flag or indication such as, for example, that the new user is or, is not, a registered user, shown generally at  406 . In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a User Profile Management GUI  420  includes fields  422  for locking (e.g., labeled “Locked”) or unlocking (e.g., labeled “Active”) the user&#39;s profile and access to the HealthCAWS platform  10  or portions thereof. The User Profile Management GUI  420  also includes fields for updating one or more of the user&#39;s credentials on the HealthCAWS platform  10 . In one embodiment, the HealthCAWS platform  10  includes one or more roles and/or privileges on the platform  10 . For example, in one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a User Role Definition GUI  440  includes fields  442  that define a role such as, for example, an administrator for the platform  10 , and permits appointing one or more users to the specified role by, for example, selection of field or flag  444  that authorizes the users within the specified role within the HealthCAWS platform  10 . As shown generally at  446 , in one embodiment, the entire or a subset of the population of users within the HealthCAWS platform  10  may be appointed by operation of the User Role Definition GUI  440  to cycle through all users of the platform and selectively make appointments. In one embodiment, the User Management Roles system allows for setting privileges via the administrative controls. For example, “standard” users have front end GUI access (e.g., access to the GUIs  30 ) to their own dynamically set screens, tools and reports, “administrator” user have access or privileges that uniquely includes a full battery of controls including, for example, an ability to set roles of other users, delete, manage access and passwords of all users, review all results/reports and ability to customize any tool or content down to the word level, and “provider” users (including, but not limited to, for example, doctors, nurses, care managers, case managers, health coaches, pharmacists and the like) have privileges that allow access to assessment and action plan status/results where there is an authorized one to one mapping between a patient and a provider or care manager. 
     In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 7 , new users may register themselves with the HealthCAWS platform  10  utilizing one of the GUIs  30 , for example, a Content Management System GUI  300 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the Content Management System GUI  300  includes fields  302  and  304  that are similar to the fields  402  and  404  of the administrator operated Create User GUI  400 . For example, the fields  302  permit a user to enter his/her age, gender, contact information, health provider information, and the like, and the fields  304  that permit the user to identify one or more of their health conditions. In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , it is within the scope of the present invention for the administrator or other authorized user to control (e.g., define) presentation of the fields  302  and  304  of the Content Management System GUI  300 , and/or portions thereof, through operation of an Administrative Control of Content Management System GUI  460 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , labels or descriptions  462  of the fields  304  are customizable on the Administrative Control of Content Management System GUI  460  which corresponds to the selectable descriptions on the fields  304 . In one embodiment, modification of the text of the labels or descriptions  462  results in presentation of the modified text on the corresponding fields  304  of the Content Management System GUI  300 . Similarly, an order or ranking of presentation of the fields  304  may be controlled by a weight field  464 , and/or presentation or non-presentation of the fields  304  may be set by a status field  466  on the Administrative Control of Content Management System GUI  460 . In one aspect of the invention, a location of content that may be presented to a user that specifies one of the conditions noted in the fields  304  is defined by a Content URL field  468  on the Administrative Control of Content Management System GUI  460 . In this manner, content may be dynamically changed in real-time by, for example, modifying a corresponding one of the Content URL fields  468  to point to a new location. 
       FIG. 9  depicts one embodiment of a Welcome GUI  320  of the HealthCAWS platform  10  (e.g., an embodiment of the Welcome or home page GUI  32 ) presented to, for example, an individual patient stakeholder. In accordance with the present invention, the Welcome GUI  320  is a “passport” providing the patient user access and visibility to tools that allow them to take responsibility for and to be an active participant in their health care by being a more informed consumer of such services, e.g., a more informed purchaser that can comparison shop based on value, quality and other factors. In one embodiment, the data and information  82  and  88  including the user&#39;s profile and preferences is retrieved from the content database  80  and used to create a unique, user specific presentation of topics  322  and tools and/or functions  324 . For example, the tools and/or functions  324  may include health topics function  325 , an assessments function  326 , a progress reports function  327  and a rewards, recognitions or discounts function  328  customized by the HealthCAWS platform  10  based on characteristics of the user&#39;s profile. It should be appreciated that the topics  322  and tools and/or functions  324  presented are not limited, and are dynamically modified as the user&#39;s profile and/or platform functionality changes. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the presented tools and/or functions  325 ,  326 ,  327  and  328  include one or more “Go” controls or buttons  325 A,  326 A,  327 A and  328 A that invoke additional more specific tools or functions that cascade to a more defined level of detail. For example, selecting the Go button  325 A on the My Health Topics function  325  of  FIG. 9  invokes a more specific My Health Topics GUI  330  of  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the tools and/or functions  324  of  FIG. 9  are replaced with a general All Key Topics function  332 , and with specific topics or conditions functions that are developed from the user&#39;s profile, for example, an Asthma function  333 , a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) function  334 , a Coronary Artery Disease—CAD function  335 , a Diabetes function  336  and a Heart Failure function  337 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the presented functions  332 ,  333 ,  334 ,  335 ,  336  and  337  each include Go buttons that invoke further detailed content. For example, a Go Button  335 A of the Coronary Artery Disease—CAD function  335  invokes specifically related health topic content such as an overview of Good Rhythm  338  presented in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 9A  depicts another embodiment of a Welcome GUI  320 A of the HealthCAWS platform  10  (e.g., an embodiment of the Welcome or home page GUI  32 ) presented to, for example, users of an organizational stakeholder to support any quality or performance improvements, cost or payment management, or for research purposes. In accordance with the present invention, the Welcome GUI  320 A is a “passport” providing the organizational user access and visibility to tools that allow them, for example, to be a more responsive provider of health care services to improve value, quality and other factors for patients. In one embodiment, the data and information  82  and  88  including the user&#39;s profile and preferences is retrieved from the content database  80  and used to create a unique, user specific presentation of topics  322 A and tools and/or functions  324 A for the organizational user. For example, the tools and/or functions  324 A may include a Resource Center function, an Assessments function, a Progress Reports function and a Rewards, Recognitions and Discounts function customized by the HealthCAWS platform  10  based on characteristics of the organizational user&#39;s profile. It should be appreciated that the topics  322 A and tools and/or functions  324 A presented are not limited, and are dynamically modified as the user&#39;s profile and/or platform functionality changes. As shown in  FIG. 9A , the presented tools and/or functions include one or more “Go” controls or buttons that invoke additional more specific tools or functions that cascade to a more defined level of detail. For example, selecting the Go button on the Progress Reports function of  FIG. 9A  invokes an Organizational Alignment Tool—Provider&#39;s GUI  330 A of  FIG. 10A . As shown in  FIG. 10A , the Organizational Alignment Tool—Provider&#39;s GUI  330 A provides access to, for example, a progress report detailing the organization&#39;s accomplishments toward reaching certain aims or goals for improving services. It should be appreciated that in accordance with the present invention the cascading to further levels of detailed content is not limited and may be customized for one or more users (e.g., individual patient users, individual organizations and/or individual organization users), and/or individual implementations of the HealthCAWS platform  10  at a healthcare provider and/or healthcare organization level. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 9 , as stated above it is within the scope of the present invention to control (e.g., define) presentation of the user specific presentation of topics  322  and  322 A and tools and/or functions  324  and  324 A of the Welcome GUIs  320  and  320 A, respectively, with the data and information  82  and  88  of the user&#39;s profile and preferences retrieved from the content database  80  to create a unique, user specific presentation of topics  322  and  322 A and tools and/or functions  324  and  324 A.  FIG. 12  illustrates one embodiment of fields  340  that allow such control. For example, an On/Off control  342 , driven by the individual&#39;s or organization&#39;s profile, determines whether the information should be presented as a function on the Welcome GUI  320  or one of the more specific GUIs presented by invoking Go button functions. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , in one embodiment, a Go button  332 A of the All Key Topics function  332  invokes a Consumer/Provider Resource Center GUI  350  of the HealthCAWS platform  10  (e.g., an embodiment of the Consumer/Provider Resource Center—All Topics page GUI  34 ), depicted at  FIG. 13A . The Consumer/Provider Resource Center GUI  350  provides access to information, tools and functions of general interest, and through corresponding Go buttons or other navigational tools, more detailed information, tools and functions including third party content. Similarly, an Organizational Resource Center GUI  360  of the HealthCAWS platform  10  (e.g., an embodiment of the Organization Resource Center—All Topics page GUI  35 ) is provided and depicted at  FIG. 13B . In one embodiment, the Consumer/Provider Resource Center GUI  350  is provided to individual patient/provider users and the Organizational Resource Center GUI  360  is provided to organizational users. It should be appreciated that the topics, information tools and/or functions presented on the respective Resource Center GUIs  350  and  360  are not limited, and are dynamically modified as the user&#39;s, provider&#39;s and/or organization&#39;s profile and/or platform functionality change. In one embodiment, the adaptability is controlled via backend administrative control tools including custom images, column titles, and topic displayed by activating “go” buttons and the like, which provides customization down to a word level. It should be appreciated that while use and/or activation of “go” buttons is discussed above, it is within the scope of the present invention to employ other navigational tools such as, for example, one or more graphical icons  354  as is shown in  FIGS. 14A to 14C , providing access to areas (e.g., chat rooms  354 A, Mobile application  354 B, a search string  354 C, technical note  354 D, download screen  354 E, and the like, where more information is provided to the user. As shown in  FIG. 14A to 14C , the icons  354  are customizable, for example, have a definable title or headline  356 , for example, a web page navigational tool  356 A is titled based on its content and role in providing more information regarding a knee replacement procedure  356 B (compare  FIGS. 14A and 14B ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 9A , the navigational tools may be presented in a menu format such as the go buttons within the tools and/or functions  324  and  324 A of the Welcome GUIs  320  and  320 A, or as the icons  354  within health related content  358  as depicted in  FIGS. 14B and 14C . As can be appreciated the design of adaptable content, including custom images, column titles, and topics displayed and accessed by activating “go” buttons and like navigational tools, e.g., the graphical icons  354 , allows for dozens of topics organized in an accessible format amenable to display on any computing or mobile device. Moreover, topics within the resource centers are also dynamically integrated with assessments and progress reports with gaps, recommendations and next steps actions, as described in detail below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18 , the topics, information tools and/or functions presented on the respective Resource Center GUIs  350  and  360  including, for example, health and quality/performance improvements topics and text of content are fully customizable by operation of GUIs  380 ,  382 ,  384 , and  386 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 15  the Control GUI  380  permits modification, generally at  381 A and  381 B, of images presented on the Resource Center GUIs  350  and  360 , titles or position of display  381 C, and the like. As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , Control GUIs  382  and  384 , permit modification of the locations for retrieving content  382 A and  384 A, weights  382 B for position or order within the presentation on the GUIs  30 , and bolding or otherwise highlighting of header information or topic bars  384 B of the GUIs  30 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , in one embodiment, the user oriented plurality of GUIs  30  are represented as “panels” in a tree structure  388  on the Control GUI  386  and selecting a panel or portion thereof, e.g., an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury description  389 A, invokes a text editor tool that permits modification of the text (e.g., word by word editing) of the content  389 B within the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury description  389 A. In one embodiment, content may be located within the HealthCAWS platform  10  or within a source that is linked to and accessible by the platform  10  by means of, for example, content URLs. In one embodiment, a tool or crawler executes periodically, for example, nightly, and detects whether one or more of the content URLs is inactive or otherwise inaccessible. Any problems uncovered by the tool or crawler may be output or otherwise reported to the administrator for repair of replacement of the content URL link. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 9 , selecting the Go button  326 A of the My Assessments function  326  invokes a more specific My Assessments GUI  390  of  FIG. 19 . In one embodiment the My Assessments GUI  390  includes a list or history of links  392  to previous assessments or surveys taken as well as one or more links  394  to new assessments or surveys that are available to be taken by the user.  FIG. 20  illustrates one embodiment of an Assessment GUI  396  utilized in the HealthCAWS platform  10 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , the Assessment GUI  396  may include a series of questions  396 A and optional responses  396 B from which an answer may be chosen. The backend administrative controls allow for instantaneous customization of displays driven by adaptation of any assessment, response scale, scoring weighting, and recommendation and next steps messaging and links down to the word level. 
     In one embodiment, assessments and/or actions plans may be embedded within health related content including one or more of the GUIs  30 . For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 22 , portions of an assessment and action plan are embedded within Diabetes Health Topic GUIs  500  and  510  such that a user may record his/her progress and/or actions taken, as shown generally at  502  and  512 , respectively. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment the imbedding may be automatic or predetermined based on, for example, characteristics of the user&#39;s profile, or in an other embodiment, the imbedding may be invoked by the user, for example, by activation of a Record My Progress control  504  as shown in  FIG. 21 . As shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , in one embodiment Administrative Control GUIs  600  and  610  permit definition/creation of new and/or modification of existing, shown generally at  602  and  612 , question content, response scale (e.g., “yes”/“no”, “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”, or the like), scores (e.g., 0 to 10, 0 to 25, 0 to 100, or the like), whether an answer to a question is mandatory or permissive, when the question and/or answer should be included in reports (e.g., providing an ability to keep information confidential), whether previous answers should be displayed to provide visibility to past assessments when the user returns to review the content again, and the like. In one embodiment, questions may be nested or branched  604 A and  604 B such that related, more detailed questions may be posed when a user indicates a particular answer. In one embodiment, the customizations are stored in the preference data and information  88  in the content data base  80 . 
     In one embodiment, the Administrative Control GUIs  600  and  610  of  FIGS. 23 and 24  allow each assessment and/or action plan to be loaded/presented and customized to characteristics of a user&#39;s profile, without re-programming or re-coding GUIs  30  to include, for example: 
     1) Specific text, ordering of text or other items presented on the GUIs  30 , and/or to include branching logic between and among related questions or topics; 
     2) Assignment of each item to a scoring dimension and/or sub-dimension, for example, in a health risk assessment an item asking about number of servings of fruits or vegetables per day may be assigned to a dimension “lifestyles” and the sub-dimension “weight management.” The ability to see various levels of granularity in reporting is important for individual and organization level prioritization for improvement efforts; 
     3) Response type (e.g., multiple choice, rating scale, etc.) with response choice wording and whether or not that response on the rating scale represents a gap or opportunity for improvement; 
     4) Assignment of scores for each response choice on each rating scale; 
     5) Unique messaging back to the user based on their responses falling into a score range set by the controls, for example, when considering an organization&#39;s outcome evaluation plan if they are scoring in the lowest range, the message and link support them to introductory resources (e.g., GUI  350 ) to begin defining their plan, while those scoring in the higher range receive messages/links (e.g., GUI  360 ) related to submitting their data for quality bonuses, where eligible; 
     6) “Next step” actions embedded in the messaging to include the capability to take users to another web location offered by the client or back to another HealthCAWS tool or content, or display of any message set by the controls such as, for example, “Please call care manager Ms. Susan Smith at 1-800.123.4567”, or the like; 
     7) Display previous answers or not depending on whether an updatable assessment or action plan is desired or a new assessment is desired to be displayed each time. In one embodiment, in both cases a date stamp is displayed under user assessment history; and 
     8) Unique title, branding, welcome and instructions set by administrator control. 
     In one embodiment, the HealthCAWS platform  10  and the administrative tool box  90  include a Progress Reports tool and/or feature that process the assessment data and information  84  and/or the accumulations data and information  86  and provides real-time progress reports to present to users. In one embodiment, the progress reports may include detailed summary reports generated in a system format or in a user defined format, and in another embodiment, the progress reports may include notification messages such as, for example electronic mail messages, text messages and the like directed to one or more specific users and/or predefined recipients (e.g., at their client devices  50 ,  52  and  54 ). In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 25  an exemplary Summary Progress Report GUI  650  is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 25 , the Summary Progress Report GUI  650  may include categories that highlight areas of learning  652 , recommendations or areas of encouragement for discussions and the like  654 , and recognitions of completion of actions taken  656 , and the like. In one embodiment, the Summary Progress Report GUI  650  presents scores that track user progress, for example, numerically at  652 A,  654 A,  656 A and  658 A, and graphically such as on a bar chart or the like, at  652 B,  654 B, and  656 B, for each of the aforementioned categories of learning  652 , recommendations  654 , and actions  656 , as well as a total across these categories  658 . In one embodiment, the Progress Reports tool of the HealthCAWS platform  10  includes an ability to match or pair a survey (e.g., by a unique Survey ID or identification code) to an individual user (e.g., by a unique user ID or identification code) within a single content URL string. In this manner, the Progress Reports tool provides customized progress report results. 
     In addition to providing the Summary Progress Report feature in, for example, real-time to users, the Progress Reports tool also provides access reports in the summary view or in an item-by-item Survey Results Detail GUI  660  as shown in  FIG. 26 . For example, in the item-by-item Survey Results Detail GUI  660  specific questions and answers are presented, generally at  662 , with corresponding scores, generally at  664 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the Go button  327 A on the My Progress Reports function  327  of the Welcome GUI  320  may be used to invoke the item-by-item Survey Results Detail GUI  660 . In one embodiment, described in more detail below, the HealthCAWS platform  10  may include access and/or links to a Reward and Discount program that encourages and rewards user participation in various aspects of healthcare and decision making surrounding the same. In this embodiment, the scoring and/or points available and points earned (e.g., the scores  652 A,  654 A,  656 A,  658 A, and  664 ) within the HealthCAWS platform  10  correspond to the branding and/or methodology employed by the specific Reward and Discount program, and the brand&#39;s and/or methodology&#39;s labels and other narratives may be incorporated in custom messages within the HealthCAWS platform  10 . 
     In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 27  the HealthCAWS platform  10  includes a Healthcare Professionals Report Generator GUI  670  that provides access to one or more reports  672 . In one embodiment, the reports  672  may be auto-generated, e.g., preformatted, such that programming is not needed to extract and review details of the reports  672 . As shown in  FIG. 27 , one or more of the reports  672  may be invoked by selection of a corresponding control  672 A,  672 B,  672 C and  672 D. In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 28 , the HealthCAWS platform  10  includes an Improvement Opportunities Gap Detail Report GUI  680 , which may be invoked from the Healthcare Professionals Report Generator GUI  670 . As shown in  FIG. 28 , the Improvement Opportunities Gap Detail Report GUI  680  provides visibility to one or more areas  682  within assessments, surveys, questionnaires, or other input from users (e.g., patients, care providers or others) that provides non-specific feedback such as, for example, an answer of “unsure”  686  or the like, on one or more surveys or questionnaires  684 . It should be appreciated that this opportunity or gap reporting, may identify specific items (e.g., the areas  682 ) within the one or more surveys or questionnaires, as well as may highlight general trends (e.g., positive or negative) in care from the accumulation data and information  86 . By reviewing the Improvement Opportunities Gap Detail Report GUI  680 , care providers, managers, administrators or other authorized users can address what may be perceived deficiencies, inadequacies and/or other areas for improvement in care or the like, to better improve quality, efficiency or other areas of actual or perceived problems in the delivery of healthcare services and/or resources in specific and/or general areas of care. 
     As shown in  FIG. 29  an Administrative Control GUI  700  permits definition and/or modification, shown generally at  702 , of the reports including selection of question content, response scale, scores, and report messaging and comments that are extracted from one or more surveys or questionnaires  684  and/or generated to provide feedback to the care providers, managers, administrators or others that are working to address the perceived deficiencies, inadequacies and/or other areas for improvement in care or the like, identified by the reporting. As shown in  FIGS. 30 and 31 , Administrative Control GUIs  710  and  720 , allow care providers, managers, administrators or other authorized users to view enrollment, results, scores and questions of the one or more surveys, questionnaires or assessments, in the aggregate (across a plurality or population of users), for individual users, and/or at a session level. In one embodiment, this data may be exported out of the HealthCAWS platform  10  in formats compatible with commonly used software applications such as, for example, Excel™, Word™ or the like of Microsoft Corporation or other software providers, for analytical or integration purposes. As such, the Administrative Control GUIs  700 ,  710  and  720  provide for robust reporting features that support a continuous commitment to quality improvement. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the Go button  328 A on the My Rewards and Discounts function  328  of the Welcome GUI  320  may be used to invoke a My Rewards and Discounts GUI  760  of  FIG. 32 . In one embodiment, the My Rewards and Discounts GUI  760  provides access and/or links to one or more Rewards  762  and/or Discounts  764  that encourage and reward user participation in various aspects of healthcare and decision making surrounding the same, such as, for example, discounts for weight management programs, fitness facilities, at pharmacy, and the like, shown generally at  764 A. Additionally, a user may track points earned towards such rewards and discounts, as shown generally at  762 A. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , it is within the scope of the present invention to link the web site  28  of the HealthCAWS platform  10  to one or more third party web sites  110 , for example, web site 1 to web site N, to provide access to, for example, social media/networking tools and features, blogs, community message boards and the like, for one or more of the GUIs  30 . In one embodiment, the Welcome or home page GUI  32  (e.g., the Welcome GUI  320  of  FIG. 9 ) includes a link, via a Go button  329 A of a My Community function  329  of the Welcome GUI  320 , to for example, a Health related website or a healthcare facility&#39;s page on Facebook™ or like social media network. In one embodiment, the administrative tool box  90  provides contact and interaction with such third party web sites  110  while also allowing for setting and limiting various levels of access to content on the HealthCAWS platform  10  to authorized users. 
     It should be appreciated that the HealthCAWS platform  10  may be integrated within a client web site or portal, and may be the integrator of other client functions. Additionally, while specific tools and/or features have been described above, there is no limit to the number or type of “Go” button functionality that may be displayed on the Welcome GUI  320  or other GUIs  30  in the platform  10 . As such, traditional health plan or delivery system administrative functions including, but not limited to, billing and payment functions, access to explanation of benefits, benefit cards, refilling a prescription, and making appointments can be linked seamlessly and supported by the HealthCAWS platform  10  and adaptable administrator controls. This capability provides significant convenience for the end user and cost efficiency to the client. 
     As described herein, the HealthCAWS platform  10  provides integrated features and functionality driven, in substantial part, by intricate administrator controls available in the GUIs  40  that allow for substantial adaptability of features, functions and presentation of healthcare data and information on the GUIs  30 , without costly and barrier-ridden re-programming time. Accordingly, the HealthCAWS platform  10  assists consumers, providers and organizations to meet the demands of an accountability environment while providing the necessary information and tools support in a convenient actionable format. A summary of some features of the HealthCAWS platform  10  include:
         Highly adaptable and interoperable a platform that affords customization for consumer, provider, and organizational end users with real-time interactive displays driven from the administrator controls without additional coding/programming;   Spans full continuum of health and healthcare quality and cost issues;   Integrates a convenient electronic (web and mobile) user interface with a database infrastructure to create an individualized, interactive, action oriented experience;   Provides convenient access to all data driven content and tools from easy to use “Go” buttons on the Welcome Panel display driven by the administrator controls;   Health content seamlessly cascades through easy to use controls, icons and/or buttons to meet individual level and scope of interest and need;   Drives Action with Assessments, Action Plans and Reward Programs through real-time feedback and next steps links embedded in individualized progress reports customized from the administrator controls;   Includes an administrative and professional login with automated individual detailed reports and aggregate reports on an administrators/providers total population; and   Includes an integrated custom built backend Content Management System, and Assessment and Reporting Application that allows for customizing all content and tools down to the word level from the administrator controls without additional programming to efficiently meet client needs.       

     In one embodiment, the HealthCAWS platform  10  is implemented as a cloud-based, interoperable software as service (SaaS) solution to health care payers and provides delivery systems designed to align accountability models and managed consumerism. Due to the cloud-based nature of the solutions, no installation need be performed on client server computers as system server computers host the features and functions of the platform  10 . Updates are also distributed, for example, in real-time, so there is no version control and management issues for clients. All solutions are built for customization and integration with other client solutions for cost efficient and effect impact on health care quality and affordability. 
     In one embodiment, content within the HealthCAWS platform  10  is managed in relational database, e.g., the content data base  80 , and organized by, for example, topic name, date reviewed, date scheduled and date published. For content that is to be published at intervals other than at initiation of the client instance (e.g., at implementation at a client site), the platform  10  query rules prompt publication on predetermined, scheduled dates. In one embodiment, the platform  10  is designed so that revised content is loaded and republished based on review date. 
     In one embodiment, security within the HealthCAWS platform  10  includes, as all client implementation instances, a security certificate employed within a “https” site. The HealthCAWS platform  10  supports industry standards for secure data exchange and protection of personal health information (e.g., is HIPAA compliant). In a SaaS, cloud-based implementation the features and functions of the HealthCAWS platform  10  are hosted by reputable hosting service with extensive data security, redundancy systems, disaster recovery plans and strict facility access limits. 
     In one embodiment, validation and content editing includes content and metadata validation built into the HealthCAWS platform  10 . In one embodiment, scalability is obtained by employing a cloud-based, SaaS model for the HealthCAWS Platform  10 . A reputable hosting service offers a state-of-the-art network and datacenter located within secure and reliable facilities, offering the utmost in service, speed, and network availability. Service includes the latest technology and equipment, advanced levels of security, and a 24/7 team of on-site dedicated professionals. In one embodiment, the technology infrastructure of the HealthCAWS platform  10  includes, for example, a database engine created using Microsoft SQL, or other proven, reliable data management and reporting platforms developed to enable highly intelligent and scalable business solutions. Service level performance includes uptimes in excess of ninety-nine and one half percent (99.5%). Uptimes are consistently achieved due to power, 24/7 on site staff and multiple redundancies. Page load times per page for the HealthCAWS platform  10  is preferably nearly always less than one second, and in many instances as low as 0.10 of a second (or 100 milliseconds). 
     In one embodiment, the HealthCAWS platform  10  utilizes maintenance schedules and staging from development to production established for a disruption free user environment. Should scheduled maintenance require disruption, notification is made one week in advance, occurs for no more than two (2) hours and is done between the hours of midnight and five am central standard time. Any notifications regarding disruption originating from the web hosting service is provided to the client. 
     Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above-detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.