I am planning to make a localized directory of medical practitioners. This site would allow users/viewers to contact the doctors, book appointments, look for a particular doctor within their area and so on. I also wanted to include a rating system for each doctor along with a comment option.
This site would have numerous functions as well as the directory and it might have to be built up in phases depending on how a programmer sees to be able to complete this. I am not whatsoever knowledgable in webdesign nor programming, but i have a “dream” and would like the help of someone or a team of individuals that can help to make this come true.
Another portion of this site would include a symptom checker, i would like it to be as close to the checker found on the webmd.com site under the “symptoms” link. it doesnt have to be as pretty, but moreso functional and user friendly. although i would prefer it to be as close to theirs as possible. this would “diagnose” the user and refer them to the appropriate facility based on their location, doctor rating, etc. without redirecting them off from my site.
It would be nice to have an “ask advice” option where the user can actually chat live or via email with a doctor.
each doctor would have an option of upgrading their listing to a more detailed one where they can add pictures, information about their specialties, map of location, qualifications, etc.
Also i would like another section of this site to be dedicated to medicines, vitamins and medical supplies. although one cant just log onto a website and buy prescriptions drugs. they would only have access to vitamins and certain med supplies. although doctors might (depending on their rights) can buy medications and other medical supplies that arent offered to the users.
This would also require a 4-tier login system whereby there will be:
ADMIN – backend users such as website developers, myself, etc
DOCTOR – purchase power, access to exclusive doctor-to-doctor forum, confirming appointments, posting articles/editorials, creating/updating personal profile, etc
USER- person who registered can rate doctors, comment, book appointments, regulated purchase power, chat with doctor, personal profile, etc.
VIEWER/BROWSER – can just browse the site, use the directory, view ratings and comments, use the symptom checker, basically everything wiithout being able to actually modify the site at all
Also a news feed would be required of this site. latest news in medical discoveries, etc. also with comments, ratings, and option to share with social networking sites such as myspace, twitter, facebook, etc. Users should also be able to search for particular articles based on doctors that wrote them, symptoms, and basically by any keywords they plug in
And finally a portion dedicated to “lifestyles” whereby one can see information about different fitness programs, diets, nutritional information (“foodometer” on webMD website, but this is only a new addition to theirs and looks to be a HUGE collection of information and might not be able to be included it on our site for the first of couple phases, once again I leave that all up to whats possible by the developers). There coule be a household remedies portion there as well, where people can see various remedies suggested by people. this might also have to be monitored by a doctor or a group of doctors before posting, just to make sure someone doesnt post something that can truely be harmful and i dont want to even spell out worst case scenarios!
Well, this is my plan and am waiting to hear from someone as to what this can cost, in phases and/or as a whole. Thank you!
Rob