advertisement
Facebook
X
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit

LogBox, the app that wants to get rid of medical paperwork

Paperwork sucks, but there is something worse than filling out a novel’s worth of forms: filling them out while you’re sick.

New startup LogBox wants to rid patients and doctors of paperwork by making the whole process of filling in forms electronic.

As LogBox explained, often patients have to fill in multiple forms containing the same information for different practitioners, sometimes in the same day.

LogBox is available on iOS and Android platforms and users need only fill their medical information once.

“The process of filling out the electronic form is tedious at first but once it’s done you never have to do it again,” Dr. Neil Goldstein explained while demoing the app to htxt.africa at a media event.

Each user is able to add different members of their family to the app along with their medical information which can be shared via the cloud with medical professionals when needed. This process is rather simple and requires users scan a QR code or input a seven-digit practice number to share the information with their doctor.

[su_box title=”Security” box_color=”#f37021″]Because LogBox does use some pretty sensitive medical information we feel it important to address security. The information you share with the medical professional is not stored on your smartphone.

Scanning the QR code simply initiates a handshake between the doctor’s and LogBox’s database so the information can be shared. According to LogBox, the hand-off of information is entirely secure and testing on the security is constantly being tested. The app will also never share information with parties other than those which the user has explicitly chosen to share information with. Users are also able to secure the app using a fingerprint scanner or a pass code.[/su_box]

Once the information is shared with the medical practice, the doctor or specialist is able to respond to the patient with any additional questions or forms they may require.

Sounds great right? As always though, there are problems.

The app is still being rolled out and is only currently being used by doctors and practices at the WITS Donald Gordon Medical Centre.

Doctors also need to pay R119 per month to use the app, go through a vetting process and have the infrastructure in place to use the app. This makes the implementation of LogBox at government and rural hospitals and doctor’s rooms a tricky one.

There’s also the problem that you have to have a smartphone to use the app which automatically excludes South Africans who still use feature phones. To its credit, LogBox has said that they are considering building a version of LogBox that is feature phone friendly.

So, the question is should you use 20MB of your precious mobile data to download LogBox and install it on your smartphone? Well, yes because it doesn’t cost you anything and should you find yourself at a doctor’s office and they support the app, its a win.

Until its ubiquitous though, those moments might be few and far between but LogBox is working hard to bring private medical practitioners on board and we really can’t fault an app that might just put an end to use having to fill out paperwork, again.

advertisement

About Author

advertisement

Related News

advertisement