Management device and management method

Abstract

To provide a management device and a management method for simplifying a procedure for requesting a second opinion.SOLUTION: In a management system in which a management device is communicatively connected to a patient terminal device, a doctor-in-charge terminal device, and a plurality of request destination terminal devices via a network, the management device 10 includes: a patient information acquisition unit 32 that acquires patient information including a patient's psychological and physical states regarding treatment; and a determination unit 34 that calculates an attribute value that indicates a higher value when it is estimated from the patient information that the patient needs a second opinion, and determines that a second opinion is needed when the attribute value is equal to or greater than a first threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device and a management method. [Background technology]

[0002] A patient who has been examined or treated by a doctor at a medical institution may wish to get a second opinion from another doctor. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for requesting a second opinion based on a request from a patient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2001 / 097111 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 aims to reduce the burden on people who are able to decide for themselves whether or not they need a second opinion, and does not take into consideration people who are unable to decide for themselves whether or not they need a second opinion.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a management device and a management method that can simplify the procedure for requesting a second opinion, including for people who are unable to judge for themselves whether or not a second opinion is necessary. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The management device of the present invention comprises a patient information acquisition unit that acquires patient information including the patient's psychological and physical state regarding treatment, and a judgment unit that calculates an attribute value from the patient information and judges whether a second opinion is necessary based on the attribute value, wherein the attribute value is higher the more likely it is that the patient needs a second opinion, and the judgment unit judges that a second opinion is necessary when the attribute value is greater than or equal to a first threshold value.

[0007] The management method of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring patient information including the patient's psychological and physical state regarding treatment, calculating an attribute value from the patient information and determining whether or not a second opinion is necessary based on the attribute value, the attribute value being higher the more likely it is that the patient needs a second opinion, and determining that a second opinion is necessary when the attribute value is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the procedure for requesting a second opinion can be simplified. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the severity information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the difficulty level information according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a request process according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of a request process according to a modification of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and in the following embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0011] [First embodiment] (Management System) An example of the configuration of a management system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system according to the first embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the management system 1 includes a management device 10, a patient terminal device 12a, a doctor terminal device 12b, and a plurality of requested terminal devices 12c. The management device 10 is communicably connected to the patient terminal device 12a, the doctor terminal device 12b, and the plurality of requested terminal devices 12c via a network N. The management system 1 is a system that allows a patient who has been examined, diagnosed, or treated by a doctor to appropriately receive a second opinion. In the following, examination and diagnosis are collectively referred to as diagnosis.

[0013] The management device 10 is a server device disposed in a management center or the like that manages the management system 1. The patient terminal device 12a is a terminal device used by a patient. The doctor in charge terminal device 12b is a terminal device used by a doctor who diagnoses the patient. The request destination terminal device 12c is a terminal device used by a doctor who diagnoses the patient as a second opinion. The patient terminal device 12a, the doctor in charge terminal device 12b, and the request destination terminal device 12c are, for example, information processing devices such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and a computer, but are not limited to these. The patient terminal device 12a, the doctor in charge terminal device 12b, and the request destination terminal device 12c may be collectively referred to as the terminal device 12.

[0014] When a patient is diagnosed or treated by a doctor, the patient may wish to get a second opinion. However, it is assumed that the patient may not receive a second opinion even if the patient wishes to receive one because the patient feels reluctant to ask the doctor or the procedure is complicated. In this embodiment, when the patient is diagnosed or treated, the management device 10 acquires from the doctor terminal device 12b the diagnosis information including the name of the patient's disease input by the doctor in charge to the doctor in charge terminal device 12b, severity information indicating the severity, and difficulty information indicating the difficulty of the treatment, and patient information including the patient's understanding of the treatment. Then, the management device 10 automatically determines whether or not the patient needs a second opinion based on the diagnosis information and the patient information. This allows the patient to appropriately receive a second opinion.

[0015] (Management device) An example of the configuration of the management device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management device according to the first embodiment.

[0016] 2, the management device 10 includes a communication unit 20, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 24. The management device 10 can be realized by, for example, a computer such as a server device.

[0017] The communication unit 20 is a communication interface that communicates with external devices via the network N. The communication unit 20 communicates with, for example, the patient terminal device 12a via the network N. The communication unit 20 communicates with, for example, the attending doctor terminal device 12b via the network N. The communication unit 20 communicates with, for example, the request destination terminal device 12c via the network N.

[0018] The storage unit 22 stores various types of information. The storage unit 22 stores information such as the contents of calculations performed by the control unit 24 and programs. The storage unit 22 includes at least one of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a main storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an external storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0019] The storage unit 22 stores, for example, identifiers of multiple requesting doctors registered as second opinion requesting parties, and requesting doctor information including the requesting doctor's specialty, the diagnosis fee when the second opinion is received, and past performance, in association with each other. The storage unit 22 may further store, for example, information on the number of cases with similar symptoms for each hospital of the first opinion.

[0020] The control unit 24 controls each unit of the management device 10. The control unit 24 has, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The control unit 24 may be realized by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 24 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0021] The control unit 24 includes a diagnosis information acquisition unit 30, a patient information acquisition unit 32, and a determination unit .

[0022] The diagnostic information acquisition unit 30 acquires diagnostic information including the name of the patient's disease based on the doctor's diagnosis, severity information indicating the severity, and difficulty information indicating the difficulty of treatment. The diagnostic information acquisition unit 30 acquires the diagnostic information from the doctor terminal device 12b via the communication unit 20, for example.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining severity information according to the first embodiment. Severity information is information indicating the severity of a patient's illness. As shown in FIG. 3, table TB1 includes items such as "severity" and "disease name". "Severity" can be expressed as a five-level numerical value, for example, "5", "4", "3", "2", and "1". In this case, "5" indicates the worst condition, and "1" indicates the best condition. As shown in FIG. 3, a disease name is associated with each severity. For example, in one example shown in FIG. 3, the disease name included in "disease name information #5" indicates that the severity is "5". That is, in the first embodiment, the severity is determined according to the disease name diagnosed to the patient. Note that the "disease name" in FIG. 3 may be, for example, information on the patient's "condition" or the "progression" of the disease, and is not limited to these.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the difficulty level information according to the first embodiment. The difficulty level information is information indicating the difficulty of treating a patient's disease. As shown in FIG. 4, the table TB2 includes items such as "difficulty level" and "disease name". The "difficulty level" can be expressed by a five-level numerical value, for example, "5", "4", "3", "2", and "1". In this case, "5" indicates that the disease is the most difficult to treat, and "1" indicates that the disease is the easiest to treat. As shown in FIG. 4, a disease name is associated with each difficulty level. For example, in one example shown in FIG. 4, the disease name included in "disease name information #15" indicates that the disease level is "5". That is, in the first embodiment, the difficulty level is determined according to the disease name diagnosed to the patient. Note that the "disease name" in FIG. 4 may be information on the "age" of the patient or the "treatment policy" of the disease, and is not limited to these.

[0025] The patient information acquisition unit 32 acquires patient information including the patient's understanding of the treatment. The patient information acquisition unit 32 acquires, for example, the treatment plan explained to the patient by the doctor in charge, the results of a questionnaire for confirming the patient's understanding of the performed treatment, and the like, as the patient information. The questionnaire may include, for example, an item for confirming the degree of anxiety by having the patient select a numerical value for the degree of anxiety about the illness and the treatment. The questionnaire may include, for example, an item for confirming the degree of satisfaction by having the patient select a numerical value for the degree of satisfaction about the illness and the treatment. The patient information acquisition unit 32 may acquire, for example, vital information indicating the patient's heart rate when the doctor in charge explains the treatment plan, and the like, as the patient information. The patient information acquisition unit 32 may acquire, for example, information such as the patient's age, as the patient information. The patient information includes the patient's psychological state and physical state.

[0026] The judgment unit 34 judges whether or not the patient needs a second opinion. For example, the judgment unit 34 calculates a diagnosis value based on the diagnosis information acquired by the diagnosis information acquisition unit 30. For example, the higher the severity and the difficulty, the higher the diagnosis value calculated by the judgment unit 34. For example, the judgment unit 34 calculates an attribute value based on the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition unit 32. The attribute value is a value obtained by estimating and quantifying the degree to which the patient feels that a second opinion is necessary for treatment based on the patient's psychological state and physical state. For example, the higher the degree of anxiety about treatment and the lower the degree of understanding, the higher the judgment unit 34 calculates the attribute value. For example, the judgment unit 34 judges whether or not a second opinion is necessary based on the diagnosis value calculated from the diagnosis information and the attribute value calculated from the patient information. Details of the judgment unit 34 will be described later.

[0027] (Terminal Device) A configuration example of a terminal device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a terminal device according to the first embodiment.

[0028] 5, the terminal device 12 includes an input unit 50, a display unit 52, an audio output unit 54, a communication unit 56, a storage unit 58, and a control unit 60. The terminal device 12 may be, but is not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a computer, or the like.

[0029] The input unit 50 accepts various input operations to the terminal device 12. The input unit 50 is realized by various input devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, a button, a switch, and a touch panel.

[0030] The display unit 52 displays various images. The display unit 52 displays, for example, various information received from the management device 10. The display unit 52 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. When the input unit 50 is a touch panel, the input unit 50 and the display unit 52 are integrally configured.

[0031] The audio output unit 54 outputs various sounds. The audio output unit 54 is realized by a speaker, etc. The terminal device 12 may be configured without the audio output unit 54.

[0032] The communication unit 56 is a communication interface that communicates with an external device via the network N. The communication unit 56 communicates with the management device 10 via the network N, for example.

[0033] The storage unit 58 stores various types of information. The storage unit 58 stores information such as the contents of calculations performed by the control unit 60 and programs. The storage unit 58 includes at least one of a RAM, a main storage device such as a ROM, and an external storage device such as an HDD.

[0034] The control unit 60 controls each unit of the terminal device 12. The control unit 60 has, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU or an MPU, and a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The control unit 60 may be realized by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The control unit 60 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0035] (Decision making process) The determination process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process according to the first embodiment.

[0036] The diagnostic information acquiring unit 30 acquires diagnostic information including the name of the patient's disease based on the doctor's diagnosis, severity information indicating the severity, and difficulty information indicating the difficulty of treatment from the doctor terminal device 12b (step S10). Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0037] The patient information acquiring unit 32 acquires patient information including the patient's understanding of the treatment from the patient terminal device 12a or the doctor in charge terminal device 12b (step S12), and then proceeds to step S14.

[0038] The judgment unit 34 calculates a diagnostic value based on the diagnostic information acquired by the diagnostic information acquisition unit 30 (step S14). Specifically, the judgment unit 34 calculates the diagnostic value based on the severity indicated by the severity information and the difficulty indicated by the difficulty information. The judgment unit 34 calculates, for example, the sum of the numerical value indicating the severity and the numerical value indicating the difficulty as the diagnostic value. Then, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0039] The determination unit 34 calculates the attribute value based on the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition unit 32 (step S16). Specifically, the determination unit 34 calculates the attribute value higher as the anxiety level for the treatment increases and the understanding level decreases. For example, in the case of a patient who is assumed to have a relatively low understanding level for the treatment, such as an elderly patient, the determination unit 34 calculates the attribute value higher as the understanding level for the treatment decreases. For example, the determination unit 34 calculates the attribute value by assigning scores according to the anxiety level, the satisfaction level, and the vital information. For example, the determination unit 34 calculates the anxiety level and the satisfaction level based on the results of a questionnaire included in the patient information. For example, the determination unit 34 calculates the attribute value higher as the anxiety level increases. For example, the determination unit 34 calculates the attribute value higher as the satisfaction level decreases. For example, the determination unit 34 calculates the attribute value higher as the vital information indicates an abnormal value. Then, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0040] The judgment unit 34 judges whether the calculated attribute value is equal to or greater than a first threshold value (step S18). The first threshold value may be set arbitrarily. For example, the first threshold value may be set to a value at which understanding of treatment is considered to be insufficient. If it is judged that the attribute value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (step S18; Yes), the process proceeds to step S20. If it is not judged that the attribute value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (step S18; No), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0041] If it is determined as Yes in step S18, the determination unit 34 determines that a second opinion is necessary (step S20), and the process of FIG. 6 ends.

[0042] If it is determined as No in step S18, the determination unit 34 determines that a second opinion is not necessary (step S22), and the process of FIG. 6 is then terminated.

[0043] As described above, the first embodiment automatically determines whether or not a second opinion is necessary based on an attribute value calculated based on the patient information of a patient receiving treatment. As a result, the first embodiment determines that a second opinion is necessary if the patient feels anxious about the treatment, so that the patient can appropriately receive a second opinion.

[0044] [Second embodiment] (Decision making process) The determination process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process according to the second embodiment.

[0045] The configuration of the management device according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the management device 10 shown in FIG. 6, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] The processes from step S30 to step S38 are the same as the processes from step S10 to step S18 shown in FIG. 6, respectively, and therefore will not be described.

[0047] If the result of the determination in step S38 is Yes, the judgment unit 34 determines whether the calculated diagnostic value is equal to or greater than a second threshold value (step S40). The second threshold value may be set arbitrarily. For example, the second threshold value may be set to a value at which the symptoms of the disease are considered to be worse than a predetermined value. If the diagnostic value is determined to be equal to or greater than the second threshold value (step S40; Yes), the process proceeds to step S42. If the attribute value is not determined to be equal to or greater than the second threshold value (step S40; No), the process proceeds to step S44.

[0048] The processes in steps S42 and S44 are the same as those in steps S20 and S22 shown in FIG. 6, respectively, and therefore will not be described.

[0049] As described above, the second embodiment automatically determines whether or not a second opinion is necessary based on an attribute value calculated based on the patient information of a patient receiving treatment and a diagnosis value calculated based on the diagnosis information of the patient receiving treatment. As a result, the second embodiment determines that a second opinion is necessary when the patient feels anxious about the treatment and the treatment is difficult or the patient has a serious condition, so that the patient can appropriately receive a second opinion.

[0050] [Third embodiment] An example of the configuration of a management device according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management device according to the third embodiment.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8, a management device 10A differs from the management device 10 shown in FIG. 2 in that a control unit 24A includes a confirmation unit .

[0052] The confirmation unit 36 ​​confirms whether or not the patient desires a second opinion. For example, when the attribute value and the diagnosis value satisfy a predetermined condition, the confirmation unit 36 ​​confirms whether or not the patient desires a second opinion. Details of the confirmation unit 36 ​​will be described later.

[0053] (Decision making process) The determination process according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process according to the third embodiment.

[0054] The processes from step S50 to step S56 are the same as the processes from step S10 to step S16 shown in FIG. 6, respectively, and therefore will not be described.

[0055] The judgment unit 34 judges whether the attribute value is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S58). If it is judged that the attribute value is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S58; Yes), the process proceeds to step S60. If it is not judged that the attribute value is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S58; No), the process proceeds to step S62.

[0056] If it is determined as Yes in step S58, the determination unit 34 determines whether the diagnostic value is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S60). If it is determined that the diagnostic value is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S60; Yes), the process proceeds to step S66. If it is not determined that the diagnostic value is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S60; No), the process proceeds to step S62.

[0057] If it is determined as No in step S58 or if it is determined as No in step S60, the confirmation unit 36 ​​confirms with the patient whether or not a second opinion is desired (step S62). Specifically, the confirmation unit 36 ​​transmits confirmation information for confirming whether or not a second opinion is desired to the patient terminal device 12a via the communication unit 20. The patient can transmit information indicating whether or not a second opinion is desired to the management device 10 in response to the received confirmation information, using the patient terminal device 12a. Then, the process proceeds to step S64.

[0058] The confirmation unit 36 ​​determines whether or not the patient desires a second opinion (step S64). Specifically, when the confirmation unit 36 ​​acquires information indicating that the patient desires a second opinion from the patient terminal device 12a via the communication unit 20, the confirmation unit 36 ​​determines that the patient desires a second opinion. When it is determined that the patient desires a second opinion (step S64; Yes), the process proceeds to step S66. When it is not determined that the patient desires a second opinion (step S64; No), the process proceeds to step S68.

[0059] The processes in steps S66 and S68 are the same as those in steps S20 and S22 shown in FIG. 6, respectively, and therefore will not be described.

[0060] As described above, the third embodiment determines that a second opinion is necessary if the patient wishes, even if the attribute value or diagnostic value of the patient receiving treatment is below the threshold. As a result, the third embodiment provides a step of reflecting the patient's will in the determination of the management device, so that if the patient feels anxious, he or she can appropriately receive a second opinion.

[0061] [Fourth embodiment] An example of the configuration of a management device according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management device according to the fourth embodiment.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 10, the management device 10B differs from the management device 10A shown in FIG. 8 in that a control unit 24B includes a request unit .

[0063] The request unit 38 selects a doctor who will provide a second opinion for the patient. Specifically, when it is determined that the patient needs a second opinion, the request unit 38 selects at least one requesting doctor to provide a second opinion. The request unit 38 requests the requesting doctor to provide a second opinion based on the patient's request. The request unit 38 will be described in detail later.

[0064] (Request processing) The request process according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the request process according to the fourth embodiment.

[0065] The judgment unit 34 judges whether or not a second opinion is necessary (step S80). The judgment unit 34 may judge whether or not a second opinion is necessary by, for example, any of the methods of the first to third embodiments. If it is judged that a second opinion is necessary (step S80; Yes), the process proceeds to step S82. If it is not judged that a second opinion is necessary (step S80; No), the process of FIG. 10 is terminated.

[0066] If the result of the determination in step S80 is Yes, the request unit 38 selects at least one requested doctor (step S82). Specifically, the request unit 38 selects at least one requested doctor based on the requested doctor information stored in the memory unit 22. The request unit 38 ranks the requested doctors based on, for example, the specialty of the requested doctor, the diagnostic fee when a second opinion is received, and the past performance of second opinions, and selects the requested doctors up to a predetermined rank. The request unit 38 assigns points to the requested doctors based on, for example, the specialty of the requested doctor, the diagnostic fee when a second opinion is received, and the past performance of second opinions, and selects the requested doctors with a predetermined score or more. Then, the process proceeds to step S84.

[0067] The request unit 38 inquires of the selected requested doctor whether or not the diagnosis is acceptable (step S84). Specifically, the request unit 38 transmits information inquiring whether or not the diagnosis is acceptable to the requested terminal device 12c of the selected requested doctor via the communication unit 20. Then, the process proceeds to step S86.

[0068] The request unit 38 judges whether the requested doctor is able to accept the diagnosis (step S86). Specifically, when the request unit 38 acquires information indicating that the requested doctor is able to accept the diagnosis from the requested doctor's terminal device 12c via the communication unit 20, the request unit 38 judges that the requested doctor is able to accept the diagnosis. When it is judged that the requested doctor is able to accept the diagnosis (step S86; Yes), the process proceeds to step S88. When it is not judged that the requested doctor is able to accept the diagnosis (step S86; No), the process of FIG. 11 is terminated. Note that, when it is judged that a second opinion is necessary but there is no requested doctor who is able to accept the diagnosis in step S86, the requested doctor who is higher in the selection order may accept the diagnosis.

[0069] If the result of the determination in step S86 is Yes, the request unit 38 requests a second opinion from a requested doctor who is able to accept the diagnosis (step S88). Specifically, the request unit 38 transmits information indicating a request for a second opinion to the requested terminal device 12c of the requested doctor who is able to accept the diagnosis via the communication unit 20. In addition, if there are multiple requested doctors who are able to accept the diagnosis, the request unit 38 may request a second opinion from, for example, the requested doctor with the highest rank or score among the multiple requested doctors. Then, the processing of FIG. 11 ends.

[0070] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when it is determined that a second opinion is necessary for a patient, a request for a second opinion can be automatically made to a requesting doctor. In this way, the fourth embodiment allows a patient who is determined to need a second opinion to receive the second opinion appropriately.

[0071] [Modification of the fourth embodiment] A modified example of the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the selection of the requested doctor to provide a second opinion and the request for the second opinion to the requested doctor are automatically performed. In the modified example of the fourth embodiment, the patient may select the requested doctor to provide a second opinion.

[0072] (Request processing) The request process according to the modified example of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the request process according to the modified example of the fourth embodiment. The management device according to the modified example of the fourth embodiment is the same as the management device 10B shown in Fig. 10, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0073] The processes from step S100 to step S106 are the same as the processes from step S80 to step S86 shown in FIG. 11, respectively, and therefore will not be described.

[0074] If the answer to step S106 is Yes, the request unit 38 transmits information on candidates for request destination doctors who are available to the patient terminal device 12a via the communication unit 20 (step S108). The patient can use the patient terminal device 12a to transmit, in response to the request destination doctor information, information on the request destination doctor the patient desires to diagnose, or information indicating that the patient does not desire a diagnosis, to the management device 10B. Then, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0075] The request unit 38 determines whether or not a requested doctor has been selected by the patient (step S110). If it is determined that a requested doctor has been selected by the patient (step S110; Yes), the process proceeds to step S112. If it is determined that a requested doctor has not been selected by the patient (step S110; No), the process of FIG. 12 ends. Note that if step S110; No in FIG. 12 is selected, it can be considered that the patient has expressed an intention not to require a second opinion, in response to the management device's determination that a second opinion is necessary. However, it can also be considered that the patient is undecided and unable to decide which doctor to request, so if step S110; No, the management device may select a requested doctor and proceed to step S112.

[0076] The process of step S112 is the same as the process of step S88 shown in FIG. 11, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] As described above, in the modification of the fourth embodiment, when it is determined that a patient needs a second opinion, the patient can select a requesting doctor to provide the second opinion, and the patient can request the second opinion from the requesting doctor selected by the patient. In this way, the modification of the fourth embodiment allows a patient who is determined to need a second opinion to receive the second opinion appropriately.

[0078] In the management device, the requesting doctor selected based on the requesting doctor information in steps S102 to S104 is targeted, but the management device may transmit the diagnosis information and the patient information to the requesting terminal device 12c of unspecified requesting doctors to openly solicit second opinions. In this case, in step S106, if there is no requesting doctor who applied for the open solicitation (step S106; No), the process of FIG. 12 is terminated, and if there is a requesting doctor who applied for the open solicitation (step S106; Yes), the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, information on the requesting doctor candidates who applied for the open solicitation is transmitted to the patient terminal device 12a.

[0079] Each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various additions and usage conditions. This distribution and integration configuration may be performed dynamically.

[0080] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents of these embodiments. The above-described components include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the above-described embodiments.

[0081] This disclosure includes matters that contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of "Good health and well-being for all," and contribute to value creation through healthcare products and services. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 Management System 10,10A,10B management device 12 Terminal Equipment 12a Patient terminal equipment 12b Doctor's terminal device 12c Requested terminal device 20 Communications Department 22 Memory section 24, 24A, 24B Control section 30 Diagnostic information acquisition unit 32 Patient information acquisition department 34 Judgment Department 36 Verification Department 38 Request Department

Claims

1. a patient information acquisition unit that acquires patient information including a patient's psychological state and physical state regarding treatment; a determination unit that calculates an attribute value from the patient information and determines whether or not a second opinion is necessary based on the attribute value; The attribute value is higher when the patient is estimated to need a second opinion, The determination unit determines that a second opinion is necessary when the attribute value is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. Management device.

2. A diagnostic information acquisition unit is further provided for acquiring diagnostic information including severity information representing a patient's severity based on a diagnosis result by a doctor and difficulty information representing a difficulty of treatment, 2. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the judgment unit calculates a diagnostic value from the diagnostic information, and the diagnostic value is higher as the patient's severity and the difficulty level are higher, and determines that a second opinion is necessary when the attribute value is equal to or greater than a first threshold and the diagnostic value is equal to or greater than a second threshold.

3. A confirmation unit for confirming whether the patient desires a second opinion, The confirmation unit confirms whether or not the patient desires a second opinion when the attribute value is less than a first threshold value or the diagnosis value is less than a second threshold value; The determination unit determines that a second opinion is necessary when the patient desires to receive a second opinion in response to the confirmation by the confirmation unit. The management device according to claim 2 .

4. A storage unit that stores identifiers of multiple requesting doctors registered as second opinion request destinations in association with requesting doctor information including the specialty of the requesting doctor, the diagnostic fee when the second opinion is received, and the past performance of the second opinion; A request unit that selects the requesting doctor and requests a second opinion, When the determination unit determines that a second opinion is necessary, the request unit selects at least one of the requesting physicians based on the requesting physician information, and inquires of the selected requesting physician whether or not the patient can be accepted. The management device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. acquiring patient information including a patient's psychological and physical state in response to treatment; calculating an attribute value from the patient information, and determining whether a second opinion is necessary based on the attribute value; The attribute value is a higher value when it is estimated that the patient needs a second opinion, and when the attribute value is equal to or greater than a first threshold, determining that a second opinion is necessary; (c) a method of administration;

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