Thesis - Chapter 1

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CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
In today’s modern age where computer has become a way of life, it is evident
that a majority of the country’s institutions still do not adapt the high technology.
Particularly in most medical clinic facilities, daily clinic transactions are still done on
paper. We all know that modern clinics are now operating at great pace striving to
serve as many patients as possible with the best of their abilities. But as the years
rolled by, the number of patients has grown and various medical cases arise that the
manual method of managing patients’ records, prescriptions, billing and appointment
schedule, is no longer practical.
In this study, we hope to develop a web-based application that will minimize all
paper works and manual records keeping, therefore allowing doctors and staff ease in
keeping track of patients, reducing patients’ waiting time and increasing the number of
patients served – a system that is fully automated, user-friendly, time effective and
efficient.
Background of the Study
Now more than ever, people have become more health conscious and are taking
necessary steps to ensure that they have a sound body and mind – that is why
everyday many people come to clinics or health facility for check-ups and treatments. A
medical clinic is primarily devoted to the diagnosis and care of patients. Basically,
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patients spend a substantial amount of time in clinics waiting for services to be delivered
by the doctor or health professional. The degree to which the patients are satisfied with
the care received is relative not only to the doctors’ expertise in their field, but also to
the quality of the clinic management. And we all know that as the number of patients
continually increase, managing a clinic can also become increasingly difficult, especially
if everything is done manually.
Objectives of the Study
General Objective:
The general objective of this study is to design and develop an online clinic
management solution that will serve as proposal to help doctors save time and
resources with the automation of its daily clinic operations.
Specific Objective:
1.) To computerize records keeping of patients;
2.) To allow doctors to retrieve complete patient history instantly;
3.) To automate billing statement and official receipt;
4.) To automate medical prescriptions and medical certificate.
Assumptions
This study is conducted based on the following assumptions:
1.) That the doctors and staff will use the proposed system;
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2.) That the current clinic management is done manually and now requires
automation.
Hypothesis of the Study
The proposed online clinic management system will greatly improve the
efficiency and quality of care in clinical practice. Primarily, this study has the following
hypothesis:
The profiles of the respondents taken are their age, gender, occupation and civil
status. The manual system is very time consuming, inconvenient and strenuous when it
comes to recording, updating, storing, organizing, and retrieving patient’s records in the
cabinet. The proposed online system is the best solution to do away with the old
method of data keeping such as folders and file cabinets, which do not allow easy
retrieval. Not only will records be more accurate, the clinic can also accommodate
more patients than ever before
Statement of the Problem
Specifically, this study aims to answer the following:
1.) What are the profiles of the respondents in terms of:
1.1 Occupation;
1.2 Age;
1.3 Gender;
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1.4 Civil Status?
2.) What are the common problems encountered with the existing manual
system of managing a clinic?
3.) What are the possible solutions to the problems encountered with the
current system?
4.) What is the difference between the manual system and the proposed
system?
Scope and Delimitation
In general, the focus of this study is directed towards the design and
development of an online clinic management system. About five small to medium sized
medical clinics with its doctors, staff and patients are randomly selected within Cebu
area only from December 2007 to January 2008. The study is largely dependent on the
honesty, sincerity and integrity of the respondents.
In this proposed system, records and files are computerized and stored online for
accessibility and portability. However, the proponents limit the online feature of the
system to doctors and staff only. Web-access of the patients is not included. The
system has a secure log-in for doctors and staff. Managing appointments is also
integrated and billing statements and official receipts are automated as well as medical
prescriptions and medical certificates.

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Significance of the Study
Socio-economic significance. In this study, the proposed system will inspire
other students to develop an effective and efficient system.
Technological significance. The proposed system will introduce technology to
the medical clinics that are until now adapting the manual method of clinic management.
The result of this study is beneficial to the following:
Clinic. The proposed system will simplify and automate everyday clinic tasks
and can help maximize time spent with clients thereby providing better service making it
more profitable.
Doctors. The proposed system will make it easier for the doctors to manage the
clinic and convenient when it comes to retrieving patient records.
Doctor’s staff. Doctor’s secretary and staff can benefit a lot from this study, as
they are an integral part of the whole clinic management.
Patients. Patients are the doctor’s principal assets. And the reason why this
study is conducted is to provide a solution to doctors’ need to better serve their patients.
Researchers. The researchers have developed their writing, analysis, and
interpretation skills needed to make a good thesis.

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Future Researchers. This will benefit other researchers who wish to have similar
studies as they can get background information from the result of this study which will
serve as template to modify their research.

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1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

manual method of managing patients’ records, prescriptions, billing and appointment

schedule, is no longer practical.

Background of the Study

if everything is done manually.

Objectives of the Study

resources with the automation of its daily clinic operations.

1.) To computerize records keeping of patients;

2.) To allow doctors to retrieve complete patient history instantly;

3.) To automate billing statement and official receipt;

4.) To automate medical prescriptions and medical certificate.

This study is conducted based on the following assumptions:

Hypothesis of the Study

more patients than ever before

Statement of the Problem

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following:

1.) What are the profiles of the respondents in terms of:

1.4 Civil Status?

system of managing a clinic?

Scope and Delimitation

honesty, sincerity and integrity of the respondents.

prescriptions and medical certificates.

Significance of the Study

Socio-economic significance. In this study, the proposed system will inspire

other students to develop an effective and efficient system.

Technological significance. The proposed system will introduce technology to

The result of this study is beneficial to the following:

clinic and convenient when it comes to retrieving patient records.

they are an integral part of the whole clinic management.

Researchers. The researchers have developed their writing, analysis, and

interpretation skills needed to make a good thesis.

serve as template to modify their research.

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