Delivering Significant Benefits to Both Clinicians and Patients
LONDON - SchlumbergerSema, a business segment of Schlumberger Limited, today announced that it is rolling out its Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) system across the UK, following a successful three-month trial last summer by doctors conducting medical disability assessments on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The system, the largest computer led evidence-based medicine project undertaken in the UK, demonstrates the SchlumbergerSema expertise in delivering complex systems integration and consulting projects to the healthcare sector.
The PC-based EBM system developed by SchlumbergerSema is designed to be easy-to-use, guiding doctors through the medical assessment, prompting questions and helping facilitate a thorough assessment by the doctor, before producing a printed report. The system, called Logic Integrated Medical Assessment, continually checks responses and only presents the doctor with logical evidence-based choices. Doctors at seven medical centers in Yorkshire and the South East are now fully trained on the system and SchlumbergerSema aims to have almost 1,000 doctors using the system across the UK by the end of 2004.
"The feedback we have received from both the doctors and the DWP following the pilot has truly exceeded our expectations," commented Simon Chipperfield, managing director, Medical Services, SchlumbergerSema. "One of the critical factors contributing to the successful development of the system was bringing together clinicians and IT programmers to deliver effective and usable tools that provide clinicians with decision support using pre-defined medical research protocols. We believe that the EBM solution is just one example of how technology can be applied to the healthcare sector to deliver improved service to patients while reducing the administrative tasks of clinicians."
Working closely with doctors to develop the system, SchlumbergerSema identified the key factors, vital for a successful evidence-based medicine, to create a system that utilizes the latest clinical research and embraces the principles and practice of clinical governance. To support the launch of the system, SchlumbergerSema developed modern training courses for doctors with a wide range of backgrounds and information technology skills using both on-site and computer-based training.
Feedback from the trial has shown that doctors found the system easy to use and subsequently produced a higher standard of reports. The Jobcentre Plus decision makers, who make the decision on entitlement to state benefits, also reported that assessment reports were much clearer and easier to read.
Version 2 of the system is currently being developed to produce an entirely mouse driven application and ultimately enable the forms to be sent electronically from the doctors to the decision makers.
The Department for Work and Pensions, which has been closely involved in the project, fully endorses the system as a significant contribution to the accuracy and reliability of medical assessment of people claiming Incapacity Benefit.
SchlumbergerSema was contracted in September 1998 to administer the provision of medical advice and medical examinations for the DWP, in respect of those people who are claiming incapacity or disability benefits. The contract originally valid for 5 years was extended by 2 years in May 2002 and is now valid until August 2005.
SchlumbergerSema has established a major presence as a provider of managed medical services and occupational health, currently providing occupational health services to over 425,000 employees in the public sector. SchlumbergerSema is rapidly expanding within the health sector and is already the largest employer of doctors outside the NHS.
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ccrouch@slb.com
© Press Release 2006
