Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that facilitates the selection of a doctor for a user. The system provides a list of doctors to the user based on an observed experience level of the listed doctors with a condition or a procedure. During operation, the system receives from a user a selection criteria for selecting of a doctor. The system also receives from the user a medical profile for the user. Next, the system receives from a third-party a plurality of doctors' profiles. Then, the system ranks the plurality of doctors' profiles into a ranked list based on the selection criteria and conditions within the medical profile. Finally, the system sends the ranked list to the user.

Abstract: A federated system and methods and mechanisms of implementing and using such a system is disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more mappings are created between a taxonomy view at a node and one or more taxonomies of one or more data sources. The one or more data sources can then be accessed via the taxonomy view. In other embodiments, one or more mappings are created between content from different data sources and content from those data sources are merged using the one or more mappings.

Abstract: A federated system and methods and mechanisms of implementing and using such a system is disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more mappings are created between a taxonomy view at a node and one or more taxonomies of one or more data sources. The one or more data sources can then be accessed via the taxonomy view. In other embodiments, one or more mappings are created between content from different data sources and content from those data sources are merged using the one or more mappings.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that facilitates the selection of a doctor based on an observed experience level with a condition or a procedure. During operation, the system receives from a user a selection criteria for selecting of a doctor. The system also receives from the user a medical profile for the user. Next, the system receives from a third-party a plurality of doctors' profiles. Then, the system ranks the plurality of doctors' profiles into a ranked list based on the selection criteria and conditions within the medical profile. Finally, the system sends the ranked list to the user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a polling system. The system starts by receiving responses to a poll from one or more poll respondents. The system then uses information in a database to determine the reliability of the responses. Next, the system aggregates the poll responses.

Abstract: Database users can extend the database schema and associated taxonomy without requiring use of a database administration view. A system includes a server computer for communicating with users of the system, a taxonomy database for storing records having attributes and values forming the taxonomy, and a taxonomy engine for enabling the addition by users of attributes and values associated with nodes in the taxonomy database. A record is displayed to a user, for example as the result of a database search. The user indicates that she wishes to extend the database schema and add to the taxonomy, supplying the new attribute and value. The supplied attribute and value are received by the server and provided to the taxonomy engine. The taxonomy engine adds the new attribute to the schema and associates the supplied value with the attribute for the record in which the request originated.

Abstract: A clearinghouse receives medical-related financial data, including data describing payment claims for medical services from a provider and payment polices and explanations of benefits (EOBs) from a payer. The clearinghouse aggregates the data into logical units, such as family units. A translation module translates codes in the EOBs or other data into layperson descriptions. An end-user uses a client computer to download the aggregated medical-related financial data from the clearinghouse. An analytics module at the client computer analyzes the medical-related financial data to identify items of interest to the end-user, such as billing and payment errors, and available tax deductions. The end-user can input personal medical data and the analytics module will correlate the medical data with the medical services identified by the financial data.