Formosa Journal of Computer and Information Science (FJCIS)

Vol.2, No.1, 2023: 25-36

Ob-Gyn Clinic Online Scheduling System

Justine May T. Reguyal1, Ann Michelle S. Agno2, Mariel C. Martinez3, Jocelyn
T. Castro4, Bennydick VC. Cariazo5, Cris Norman P. Olipas6*, Rachel T.
Alegado7
College of Information and Communications Technology, Nueva Ecija
University of Science and Technology
Corresponding Author: Cris Norman P. Olipas [email protected]

ARTICLEINFO ABSTRACT
Keywords: Clinic This study aimed to design, develop, and assess
Management System,
an Ob-gyn Clinic Online Scheduling System
Developmental Research,
Ob-Gyn, Scheduling using the stages of the software development life
cycle. The respondents were IT experts and end-
Received : 05 February users who were purposively sampled from the
Revised : 20 February
Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
Accepted: 22 March
The system was evaluated using the
©2023 Fuente, Facunla, Guzman, International Organization for Standardization
Jacinto, Hilario, Olipas, Cunanan: (ISO) 25010 software standards. The results
This is an open-access article
indicated that the SDLC model was effective in
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Atribusi 4.0 designing and developing such a system. The IT
Internasional. experts and end-users assessed the technical
features and quality of using the system and gave
favorable and acceptable ratings. The developed
system was intended to help hospitals in
accommodating their outpatients, particularly
pregnant women or people with uterus
problems, by making it easier for them to
schedule their available time, date, or days and
reducing their time spent waiting for their turn.
Based on the assessment, the researchers
recommended that this study could serve as a
first step for gynecologists in developing the
easiest way to schedule. Future researchers were
encouraged to investigate the benefits and
drawbacks of the system and its effects on
patients and gynecologists. Understanding this
research could assist future researchers in
developing better systems

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjcis.v2i1.4076 25
( ISSN-E: 2830-3040
https://journal.formosapublisher.org/index.php/fjcis
Fuente, Facunla, Guzman, Jacinto, Hilario, Olipas, Cunanan

INTRODUCTION
The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic made women fearful of
socializing, particularly pregnant women who were at greater risk of acquiring
diseases (Schwartz and Graham, 2020). These women had difficulty accessing
medical care, including visits to their Ob-Gyn, who specialized in female
reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth, as well as some general health
care services. As a result, hospitals needed to find new ways to manage
outpatient appointments to ensure that patients received the necessary care,
including monitoring their health and medication.
To address these challenges, researchers proposed an online reservation
application that would allow pregnant women to book appointments and
minimize their exposure to COVID-19, while also enabling doctors to manage
patient flow and reduce the risk of infection. This system is particularly
important for pregnant women, whose unborn babies could be at risk if the virus
spread. By implementing such a system, clinics could minimize patient numbers,
locate COVID-19-positive individuals easily, thereby protecting the health and
well-being of all patients and staff.
In summary, the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult for pregnant
women to access medical care, including visits to their clinics. Clinics and
hospitals needed to find new ways to manage outpatient appointments and
ensure that patients received the necessary care while minimizing their exposure
to the virus. An online reservation application could be a helpful tool for both
patients and doctors, enabling them to manage patient flow and reduce the risk
of infection while protecting the health and well-being of all involved.

LITERATURE REVIEW
An online system, also known as a web-based system, is accessible over
the internet and runs on a web server that provides access to a group of related
web pages. The internet helps link millions of computer networks worldwide,
allowing users to access information stored on other computers from a distance
(Gillis, 2020). The healthcare industry is moving towards the use of an online
appointment booking system due to public demand for a better healthcare
system (Idowu, Adeosun, & Williams, 2014). This advancement can also be
attributed to some alarming number of missed appointments.
The patient appointment system has been in place for a long time, with
appointments being scheduled via fax, phone, or email. However, with the
increase in internet penetration, the healthcare industry has been moving
towards an online appointment booking system. The system is complex,
representing the patient appointment time in the healthcare center and
controlling the patient waiting time based on the type and duration of the patient
appointment. This kind of platforms aimed to manage the doctor's time, reduce
the patient's waiting time, reduce the doctor's idle time, reduce the nurse's idle
time, and improve the quality of service in the healthcare industry.
The appointment system had always been set up so that the doctor's time
can be maximized. However, it has been crucial to value everyone's time equally,
as not everyone had the same amount of time to spend on something. Thus, the
appointment system should be more productive and sensitive to ensure that no
26
 Formosa Journal of Computer and Information Science (FJCIS)
Vol.2, No.1, 2023: 25-36

one can be adversely affected. With advancements in the field of information

technology, the appointment booking system had the potential to provide
efficient, dependable, and timely access to health services.
According to Kwadwo, Kusi, and Rutherfold (2019), appointment systems
are particularly challenging to manage in the medical field, but online systems
can help reduce patient waiting times. The researchers in this related project
created a dashboard for patients to make appointments and designed a flowchart
for the appointment process (Akinode & Oloruntoba, 2017). Zhang, Yu, Yan, Hu,
and Goureia’s (2012) reservation system is also discussed, which includes
categories for system monitoring, customer form submission, and approval. In
this study, the researchers proposed a diagram for user information and booking
management for online appointment creation (Badawi & Alshabanah, 2018).
In the proposed facility reservation system conducted by previous
authors, users had to register first before performing reservation activities
(Alkhaldi, Aldossary, Alsmadi, Al-Marashdeh, Badawi, Alshabanah, & Alrajhi,
2018). Users could then log in to the system or create a new account by filling out
a registration form. Technology played a significant role in this study as the
researchers aimed to assess how much the online reservation system could help
individuals. The appointment system has been crucial in facilitating a patient's
visit to a medical clinic. These reviewed materials contributed to understanding
the present project even better.
In summary, online appointment and reservation systems offer numerous
benefits, including reducing wait times and increasing productivity for medical
professionals. The studies discussed in this passage highlighted the importance
of designing effective systems and the challenges associated with doing so.
Statement of the Problem
In general, this study aimed to design, develop, and assess an Ob-gyn
Clinic Online Scheduling System.
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:
1. How may the Ob-gyn Clinic Online Scheduling System may be design and
develop based on the stages of Software Development Life Cycle model
which include
1.1. Planning;
1.2. Analysis;
1.3. Design and prototyping;
1.4. Coding and testing;
1.5. Operations and maintenance; and
1.6. Feedback?
2. How may the IT experts assess the technical aspects of the developed
system based on the ISO 25010 standards which include
2.1. Functional suitability;
2.2. Reliability;
2.3. Usability;
2.4. Performance efficiency;
2.5. Compatibility;
2.6. Security;

27
Fuente, Facunla, Guzman, Jacinto, Hilario, Olipas, Cunanan

2.7. Maintainability; and

2.8. Portability?
3. How may the system be assessed by the end-users based on the quality of
use in consideration of the selected ISO 25010 criteria which include
3.1. Functional suitability;
3.2. Reliability; and
3.3. Usability?

METHODOLOGY
The study utilized the developmental research design (Richey, 1994) to
create the Online Ob-Gyn Clinic Online Scheduling System. This approach is
commonly used in the instructional design and technology field to develop new
products and processes, validate existing practices, and generate knowledge.
Because the research aimed to construct and assess a system, using this design
was the most suitable approach, particularly for assessing changes over a
prolonged period of time.
The researchers conducted the study in Science City of Munoz, Nueva
Ecija, Philippines, and used purposive sampling to select the respondents. The
study involved pregnant women and IT experts as respondents, and Table 1
provides the frequency and percentage distribution of these respondents.

Table 1. Distribution of the Respondents

Type of Respondents Frequency Percentage
IT Experts 10 33.33%
End Users 20 66.67%
Total 30 100.00%

The researchers modified two existing sets of instruments to suit the

context of the study in order to assess the technical features and quality of the
system. Prior to collecting any data, they sought informed consent from the
respondents and provided them with all relevant details about the system. The
instrument was administered through Google Forms. The researchers ensured
that the collected data were treated with utmost care, confidentiality, and
anonymity. The information gathered was exclusively used for this study.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The Design and Development of Ob-Gyn Clinic Online Scheduling System Based on the
Stages of Software Development Life Cycle.
A. Planning Stage
In the planning stage of a software development project, the leader works
together with the team to develop the technical design, task list, resource plan,
communications plan, budget, and initial project schedule. They also assign roles
and responsibilities to the project team and stakeholders. This stage is an iterative
process that may occur again during the project's duration. In the software
development life cycle, the researchers estimated the project duration before
deciding whether or not to proceed. Figure 1 depicts the Gantt chart of the created
system, which was used to develop an online timetable for pregnant women. The
28
 Formosa Journal of Computer and Information Science (FJCIS)
Vol.2, No.1, 2023: 25-36

researchers aimed to create a study paper by brainstorming and hard work to

devise a simpler method.

Figure 1. Gantt Chart of Activities

B. Analysis Stage
In order to build the system, the researchers collected the necessary
information during a three-month period from April to June 2022. To fully
comprehend and analyse the crucial activities and processes involved in the
system, the researchers created various process diagrams. These diagrams
included data flow diagrams (DFD) and use-case scenario diagrams, which
demonstrated how information was transferred between external entities and the
system's processes and data stores, as well as how activities related to each
external entity. A process diagram is a visual representation of the processes that
handle information exchange between a system and its environment. The DFD
illustrated the movement of information between external entities and the
system's processes and data stores, while the use-case scenario diagram provided
insight into how activities corresponded to each external entity within the
system. By creating these diagrams, the researchers gained a comprehensive
understanding of the system's key activities and were able to gather the necessary
information to successfully build the proposed system. Figure 2 shows the use-
case diagram of the developed system, while Figure 3 presents the Context
Diagram.

Figure 2. Use-Case Diagram

29
Fuente, Facunla, Guzman, Jacinto, Hilario, Olipas, Cunanan

Figure 3. Data Flow Diagram – Context Level

C. Design Stage
In software development, two major areas of focus are front-end and back-
end. The former pertains to designing and creating the visual elements and
features that users interact with on a website, while the latter deals with data
storage and organization behind the scenes. As described, this stage of
development involved the creation of an entity relationship diagram and the use
of MySQL, PHP, and JAVA as back-end databases to facilitate data storage and
organization. On the other hand, front-end development is primarily concerned
with designing and implementing website features that are visible and accessible
to users. This involves creating user interfaces, navigation menus, and other
interactive elements that facilitate user engagement. With the growth of online
businesses and e-commerce, front-end development has become a crucial part of
web development, as it enables companies to create visually appealing and easy-
to-use websites that attract and retain customers.

Figure 4. Entity-Relationship Diagram

30
 Formosa Journal of Computer and Information Science (FJCIS)
Vol.2, No.1, 2023: 25-36

D. Coding and Testing Stage

During the coding and testing stage of software development, researchers
evaluated whether the code and programming met the client's requirements.
While it was impossible to eliminate all errors, the testing stage could reduce the
number of failures. The Ob-Gyn Clinic Scheduling System underwent non-
functional testing, including performance, reliability, and usability. For example,
researchers tested how many people could log into the system simultaneously.
Through usability testing, users were able to interact with the system and prepare
inputs and outputs with ease. Additionally, reusability testing determined
whether the system could be adapted for use in other applications, which was a
component of functional testing.
Reliability testing was an essential part of the software development
process and continued throughout the system's lifespan without failure.
Usability testing ensured that the user could learn and operate the system with
simple interactions. Reusability testing helped determine the system's versatility
and whether it could be used in different applications. Together, these non-
functional testing methods helped ensure that the software met the necessary
requirements and operated correctly. While some errors might still have
occurred during the testing stage, addressing them before release could reduce
the likelihood of significant issues in the future.
The following figures present the sample user interfaces of the developed
system.

Figure 5. Sample Landing Page

31
Fuente, Facunla, Guzman, Jacinto, Hilario, Olipas, Cunanan

Figure 6. Sample Appointment Page

E. Operation and Maintenance Stage
The researchers in this stage focused on various types of maintenance,
including corrective, adaptive, perfective, and preventive maintenance.
Corrective maintenance aimed to restore the system when a problem was
identified by a user or an IT expert. On the other hand, adaptive maintenance
was utilized to ensure the system's longevity and compatibility with other
websites. Preventive maintenance involved applying updates and adding new
features that enhanced the system's performance and user experience. The
primary objective of preventive maintenance was to keep the system updated
and prevent equipment failure, ultimately ensuring the system's security.
To summarize, the researchers' focus in this stage was to carry out
different types of maintenance, such as corrective, adaptive, perfective, and
preventive maintenance. Corrective maintenance addressed issues by restoring
the system, while adaptive maintenance was implemented to ensure the system's
longevity and compatibility with other websites. Preventive maintenance aimed
to keep the system updated and prevent equipment failure, ultimately ensuring
the system's security. Additionally, the researchers also added new features that
enhanced the system's performance and user experience during preventive
maintenance.
Assessment on the Technical Quality of the Developed System Made by IT Experts
Table 1 presents the evaluation of the developed system’s technical quality
by IT experts. The assessment outcomes were significant in providing the
researchers with valuable insights into the experts' opinions on the system’s
technical aspects.

32
 Formosa Journal of Computer and Information Science (FJCIS)
Vol.2, No.1, 2023: 25-36

Table 2. Assessment on Technical Qualities of Online Ob-Gyn Clinic Scheduling

by IT Experts
Criteria Mean Rating Verbal Interpretation
Functional Suitability 3.63 Strongly Agree
Reliability 3.50 Strongly Agree
Usability 3.59 Strongly Agree
Performance Efficiency 3.57 Strongly Agree
Compatibility 3.66 Strongly Agree
Security 3.61 Strongly Agree
Maintainability 3.62 Strongly Agree
Portability 3.60 Strongly Agree
Overall Mean 3.60 Strongly Agree

The table presents the assessment results of the technical qualities of an

online obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn) clinic scheduling system by IT
experts. The system was evaluated based on eight criteria, namely functional
suitability, reliability, usability, performance efficiency, compatibility, security,
maintainability, and portability. The mean rating for each criterion ranges from
3.50 to 3.66, with an overall mean rating of 3.60. All criteria received a "Strongly
Agree" verbal interpretation, indicating that the IT experts highly agreed that the
system met the technical standards.
From the assessment results, the researchers gained valuable insights into
the IT experts' perspectives on the technical qualities of the online Ob-Gyn clinic
scheduling system. The high mean ratings and verbal interpretation of "Strongly
Agree" for all criteria suggest that the system performed well in meeting the
technical requirements. The results imply that the system's technical qualities are
highly satisfactory and align with the IT experts' expectations.
The assessment results have significant implications for the online Ob-
Gyn clinic scheduling system's development and implementation. The system's
high technical quality ratings suggest that it is well-designed, reliable, efficient,
and secure. These qualities can contribute to a positive user experience and
enhance the overall quality of healthcare service delivery. The results also
suggest that the system is highly compatible, maintainable, and portable, which
can facilitate its integration with other healthcare systems and ensure its long-
term sustainability.
Assessment on the Quality of Using the Ob-Gyn Clinic Scheduling System Made by
End-Users
Table 2 presents the findings of the assessment conducted by end-users on
the quality of using Ob-Gyn Clinic Scheduling System. These results provided
valuable insight into how the end-users perceived the quality of the project
developed by the researchers.

33
Fuente, Facunla, Guzman, Jacinto, Hilario, Olipas, Cunanan

Table 3. Assessment on Quality of Using the Ob-Gyn Clinic Scheduling System

by End-Users
Criteria Mean Rating Verbal Interpretation
Functional Suitability 3.30 Strongly Agree
Reliability 3.30 Strongly Agree
Usability 3.33 Strongly Agree
Overall Mean 3.31 Strongly Agree

Table 3 presents the assessment results on the quality of using the Ob-Gyn
Clinic Scheduling System by end-users. The mean rating for functional suitability,
reliability, and usability is 3.30, indicating a strongly agree rating. The overall
mean rating is 3.31, which also indicates a strongly agree rating. These results
suggest that the end-users perceive the Ob-Gyn Clinic Scheduling System as
highly suitable, reliable, and usable.
The high mean ratings in all three criteria, as well as the overall mean
rating, indicate that the end-users are highly satisfied with the Ob-Gyn Clinic
Scheduling System. The strong agreement on functional suitability, reliability,
and usability suggests that the system meets the end-users' needs and
expectations. These positive ratings also imply that the system is easy to use and
reliable, which can lead to increased efficiency in the clinic's operations.
The high satisfaction ratings of the end-users indicate that the Ob-Gyn Clinic
Scheduling System is meeting its intended purposes effectively. These positive
results can have significant implications for the clinic, including increased
productivity and efficiency in scheduling appointments. Furthermore, the
satisfaction of the end-users can also contribute to the system's sustainability and
continuous improvement, as they are more likely to provide feedback and
suggestions for further enhancements. Ultimately, the positive assessment
results can lead to improved patient satisfaction and overall clinic performance.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the study's findings, two conclusions were drawn. First, the Ob-
Gyn Clinic Online Scheduling System was developed using the software
development life cycle (SDLC), which involves seven stages, including planning,
analyzing, designing and prototyping, coding and testing, and operations and
maintenance. Second, the IT expert's assessment of the system's technical aspect
found that it meets the requirements specified in ISO 25010, which includes
functionality, suitability, reliability, usability, performance, efficiency, and
portability.
In terms of functionality, suitability, reliability, and usability, the Ob-Gyn
Clinic Online Scheduling System meets the end-user requirements established by
ISO 25010 software. These findings suggest that the system is effective and
efficient in meeting the end-users' needs and expectations. The utilization of
SDLC in developing the system also implies that the development process
followed a systematic and well-organized approach, which can lead to increased
efficiency and effectiveness. These conclusions have significant implications for

34
 Formosa Journal of Computer and Information Science (FJCIS)
Vol.2, No.1, 2023: 25-36

the clinic's operations and can contribute to improved patient satisfaction and
overall clinic performance.
The findings of this study provide the basis for the following
recommendations. Firstly, gynecologists can utilize the existing study as a
starting point in developing a simple and efficient way to schedule pregnant
women for checkups. However, it is important to consider the study's limitations,
such as the smaller sample size and the lack of information about the participants'
qualifications, when interpreting the results.
Secondly, future researchers are encouraged to conduct further
investigations to explore the benefits and drawbacks of the scheduling method
proposed in this study. They can also delve deeper into the effects of this method
on both patients and gynecologists. By gaining a better understanding of this
research, future researchers can improve upon the existing knowledge and
potentially develop more effective scheduling methods. Therefore, this study can
serve as a valuable reference for future researchers in this field.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researchers wish to express their gratitude to the respondents whose
participation was crucial to the completion of this study. Additionally, they
extend their sincerest appreciation to their college instructors and professors who
provided guidance and support throughout the system’s realization.

REFERENCES
Akinode, J. K., & Oloruntoba, S. A. (2017). Design and implementation of a
patient appointment and scheduling system. International Advanced
Research Journal in Science, Engineering, and Technology, 4(12), 16-23.
Alkhaldi, D., Aldossary, H., Alsmadi, M. K., Al-Marashdeh, I., Badawi, U. A.,
Alshabanah, M., & Alrajhi, D. (2018). Developing and implementing web-
based online university facilities reservation system. International Journal
of Applied Engineering Research, 13(9), 6700-6708.
Badawi, M. M., & Alshabanah, F. S. (2018). Online hotel reservation system:
Dependable online appointment booking system for NHIS outpatient in
Nigerian teaching hospitals. International Journal of Computer Science and
Information Technology, 10(5), 67-79. Retrieved from
https://airccse.org/journal/jcsit/6414ijcsit05.pdf
Gillis, A.S. (2020). Web Server.
https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/Web-server
Idowu, A.P., Adeosun, O.O., & Williams, K.O. (2014). Dependable online
appointment booking system for NHIS outpatient in Nigerian teaching
hospitals. International Journal of Computer Science & Information
Technology, 6(4), 59-73
Kwadwo, T. E., Kusi, K., & Rutherford, P. A. (2019). Design and implementation
of hospital reservation system on Android. International Journal of
Computer Science and Information Study, 17(10), 31-37.
Richey, R.C. (1994). Developmental research: The definition and scope. In:
Proceedings of Selected Research and Development Presentations at the

35
Fuente, Facunla, Guzman, Jacinto, Hilario, Olipas, Cunanan

1994 National Convention of the Association for Educational

Communications and Technology Sponsored by the Research and Theory
Division (16th, Nashville, TN, February 16-20, 1994), 714-720
Schwartz, D. A., & Graham, A. L. (2020). Potential maternal and infant outcomes
from (Wuhan) coronavirus 2019-nCoV infecting pregnant women: Lessons
from SARS, MERS, and other human coronavirus infections. Archives of
Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 144(5), 634-640.
https://doi.org/10.5858/arpa.2020-0094-SA
Zhang, X., Yu, R., Yan, J., Hu, H., & Goureia, N. (2012). Developing an online
patient appointment scheduling system based on web services architecture.
EET ALAPAMI 2012 Conference Proceedings.

36