How can we best coordinate health records over multiple consultations and by multiple providers? This essential and complex question is relevant the world over, whether in North America or Angola. In both locations, digital health information is priority – though the definitions are entirely different. Digital in Angola means the health record is literally created with one’s own fingers.
Above is a representative sample. I cared for a patient today suffering from new onset epilepsy associated with malaria infection. A small yellow notebook was given to her at registration, and here in each provider documents a brief record of each consult, including vital signs, history, examination, lab and imaging, diagnoses and treatments. And at the end of the consult, the patients themselves store their records digitally – guarding the notebook in their own fingers.