Data Visualization in a Personal Health Record using Rich Internet Application Graphic Components

Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes have to monitor complex sets of medical observations and behaviors. This includes blood glucose, weight, cholesterol, HbA1c, blood pressure, as well as diet, exercise and medication. We have developed a set of web-based, highly interactive graphic modules that are integrated in a personal health record to provide an easy and pleasant way for patients to browse through their historical data. By using a Web 2.0 framework with technologies such as AJAX and Flash/Flex, coupled with a mechanism of loading data on demand, we minimized the amount of data passed between the server and the browser and we were able to build a highly interactive and responsive graphic user interface that displays two-dimensional graphs for diabetic patients. As a result, the patients are using their personal health record on a daily basis, resulting in a more accurate, complete and useful application.