[kmgrassi]

This is a great point. As a MD I don't think the process of asking a patient his/her past medical history will every go away. It clarifies how the patient thinks about their medical problems and develops a good rapport.

But as you allude to, having a summary of pertinent medical information, compiled from patient records located in various hospitals, would be enormously valuable for a doctor seeing a new patient. For example, your emergency room doctor having a one page summary of your medical information to be reviewed quickly in an emergency.