Server device, program and method

Abstract

To effectively assist an online medical care.SOLUTION: A server device includes: a medical care application receiving unit that accepts, from a patient, an application for an online medical care at a predetermined medical institution; an allocation request receiving unit that accepts, from the predetermined medical institution, the allocation request for external registered doctor of the predetermined medical institution; a matching request receiving unit that accepts a matching request from the registered doctor; and a matching unit that matches the registered doctor with the patient in accordance with the acceptance of the matching request by the matching request receiving unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server device, a program, and a method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an online medical examination system has been proposed that allows a doctor to examine a patient online (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-027351 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in conventional systems. The present disclosure has been made in light of the above-mentioned background, and aims to provide a server device, a program, and a method that can effectively support online medical consultations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The server device according to the present disclosure includes an application acceptance unit that accepts applications from patients to receive online medical treatment at a designated medical institution, an allocation application acceptance unit that accepts, from the designated medical institution, an allocation application for a registered doctor outside the designated medical institution, a matching application acceptance unit that accepts matching applications from registered doctors, and a matching unit that matches registered doctors with patients in response to the matching application acceptance unit's acceptance of the matching application.

[0006] The program disclosed herein causes a computer to perform the following operations: accept an application from a patient to receive online medical treatment at a designated medical institution; accept an application from the designated medical institution to be assigned a registered doctor outside the designated medical institution; accept a matching application from the registered doctor; and match the registered doctor with the patient in response to the acceptance of the matching application.

[0007] The method disclosed herein includes accepting an application from a patient to receive online medical treatment at a designated medical institution, accepting an application from the designated medical institution to be assigned a registered doctor external to the designated medical institution, accepting a matching application from the registered doctor, and matching the registered doctor with the patient in response to accepting the matching application. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, online medical care can be effectively supported. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of online medical consultations. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functions of a server device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image of a patient who has applied for online medical consultation waiting in line. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the number of priority arrangement slots indicated by priority arrangement slot information. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of matching that is performed when a priority arrangement slot receiving unit receives priority arrangement slot information. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing executed by the system. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing executed by the system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing executed by the system. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing executed by the system. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functions of a server device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be assigned the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of these components may be omitted. In the following description, "XX unit" does not simply mean a physical means for realizing the function "XX," but may also mean that the function performed by the "XX unit" is realized by software. Furthermore, the function performed by one "XX unit" may be realized by two or more physical means or two or more pieces of software. Furthermore, the functions of two or more "XX units" may be realized by one physical means or one piece of software.

[0011] In the following description, "based on YY" means "based on at least YY." In other words, "based on YY" includes cases where it is based on not only YY but also other elements. Furthermore, "based on YY" is not limited to cases where YY is used directly, but also includes cases where it is based on YY that has been calculated or processed. "YY" is any element (for example, any data).

[0012] The server device of the present disclosure is a device capable of realizing online medical care. Online medical care is when a doctor provides medical care to a patient online without the doctor and patient meeting physically. That is, the doctor provides medical care to the patient by connecting a terminal device used by the doctor and a terminal device used by the patient via a network. Online medical care is performed by exchanging at least one of image, audio, and text information in real time between the doctor and the patient, for example, as in a video conference system.

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of online medical care. Before an online medical care session is conducted, the patient registers their information in a system managed by a system administrator. The patient information may include, for example, at least one of the patient's name, date of birth, address, gender, email address, insurer number, and personal identification number.

[0014] Furthermore, medical institutions register information about doctors who belong to the medical institution. The doctor information may include, for example, information indicating at least one of the doctor's name, date of birth, name of the medical institution to which the doctor belongs, the doctor's email address, medical specialties that the doctor can treat, years of experience as a doctor, and the doctor's job title.

[0015] In addition, information about doctors who do not belong to the above-mentioned medical institutions, i.e., doctors who are external to the medical institutions (hereinafter referred to as "registered doctors"), is also registered in the system managed by the administrator. Similar to the information about the doctors described above, the information about registered doctors may include information indicating at least one of the registered doctor's name, date of birth, name of the medical institution to which the registered doctor belongs, the registered doctor's email address, medical specialties in which the registered doctor can treat patients, years of experience as a doctor, and the registered doctor's job title.

[0016] Once the information on the patient, doctor, and registered doctor has been registered in the system, the patient can, for example, apply to the system to receive medical treatment at a medical institution, which will allow the patient to receive online medical treatment at the medical institution.

[0017] As the number of patients seeking medical treatment at medical institutions increases, patients may have to wait long periods of time before an online consultation can actually be provided. In this case, the medical institution applies to the system administrator for the allocation of a registered doctor. In other words, the medical institution requests the system administrator to dispatch a registered doctor to participate in the medical institution's online consultation. This allows the registered doctor to participate in the medical institution's online consultation and provide medical care to patients.

[0018] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the system of the present disclosure. System 1 includes, for example, a server device 2, a medical institution terminal 3, a patient terminal 4, a doctor terminal 5, and a registered doctor terminal 6. Server device 2, medical institution terminal 3, patient terminal 4, doctor terminal 5, and registered doctor terminal 6 are connected to each other via a network N by wire or wirelessly. Network N is, for example, the Internet.

[0019] The server device 2 is a device managed by a system administrator. The medical institution terminal 3 is a terminal device managed by the medical institution. The terminal device is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The patient terminal 4 is a terminal device used by patients. The doctor terminal 5 is a terminal device used by doctors. The registered doctor terminal 6 is a terminal device used by registered doctors.

[0020] Although FIG. 2 shows one each of the server device 2, medical institution terminal 3, patient terminal 4, doctor terminal 5, and registered doctor terminal 6, the server device 2, medical institution terminal 3, patient terminal 4, doctor terminal 5, and registered doctor terminal 6 may each include multiple devices. That is, the server device 2 may be composed of multiple devices. Furthermore, when multiple medical institutions use the system 1, the system 1 may include multiple medical institution terminals 3. Furthermore, when multiple patients use the system 1, the system 1 may include multiple patient terminals 4. Furthermore, when multiple doctors use the system 1, the system 1 may include multiple doctor terminals 5. Furthermore, when multiple registered doctors use the system 1, the system 1 may include multiple registered doctor terminals 6.

[0021] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device 2. The server device 2 includes, for example, a hardware processor 201, a bus 202, a memory 203, a communication device 204, and an input / output interface 205.

[0022] The hardware processor 201 is, for example, a processor that uses a system program to control the entire server device 2. The hardware processor 201 reads, for example, a system program stored in the memory 203. The hardware processor 201 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an electronic circuit, or the like.

[0023] The bus 202 is a communication path that connects the various pieces of hardware within the server device 2. The various pieces of hardware within the server device 2 exchange data via the bus 202.

[0024] The memory 203 is a storage device that stores system programs, various programs, various data, etc. The memory 203 is a computer-readable storage medium. The memory 203 includes, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a solid-state drive (SSD).

[0025] The communication device 204 is a device for communicating between the server device 2 and other devices included in the system 1 via the network N. The communication device 204 includes, for example, a communication control circuit and an antenna.

[0026] The input / output interface 205 is an interface for connecting an external device to the server device 2. The external device is, for example, an input / output device, which includes, for example, a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

[0027] The hardware configuration of the medical institution terminal 3, the patient terminal 4, the doctor terminal 5, and the registered doctor terminal 6 may be the same as the hardware configuration of the server device 2. That is, the medical institution terminal 3, the patient terminal 4, the doctor terminal 5, and the registered doctor terminal 6 may each include a hardware processor 201, a bus 202, a memory 203, a communication device 204, and an input / output interface 205.

[0028] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the server device 2. The server device 2 enables online medical consultations by including the following units. The server device 2 includes, for example, a registration application reception unit 211, a memory unit 212, a consultation application reception unit 213, a matching application reception unit 214, a matching unit 215, a connection unit 216, an allocation application reception unit 217, and a priority placement slot reception unit 218. The registration application reception unit 211, the memory unit 212, the consultation application reception unit 213, the matching application reception unit 214, the matching unit 215, the connection unit 216, the allocation application reception unit 217, and the priority placement slot reception unit 218 are realized, for example, by the hardware processor 201 performing arithmetic processing using the system program, various programs, and various data stored in the memory 203.

[0029] The registration application receiving unit 211 receives registration applications from one or more patients. That is, the registration application receiving unit 211 receives, from a patient terminal 4 used by the patient, a registration application regarding the patient's use of the system 1. The registration application from the patient terminal 4 includes, for example, patient information.

[0030] The registration application receiving unit 211 also receives registration applications from one or more predetermined medical institutions or one or more doctors. The registration application receiving unit 211 receives a registration application for a doctor's use of the system 1, for example, from a medical institution terminal 3 managed by a predetermined medical institution or a doctor terminal 5 used by a doctor. The registration application from the medical institution terminal 3 or the doctor terminal 5 includes, for example, information about the doctor.

[0031] Furthermore, the registration application receiving unit 211 receives registration applications from one or more registered doctors outside the specified medical institution. The registration application receiving unit 211 receives registration applications for the registered doctors' use of the system 1. A registration application from the registered doctor terminal 6 includes, for example, information about the registered doctor. A registered doctor is a doctor different from a doctor belonging to the specified medical institution. In other words, a registered doctor is a doctor who belongs to a medical institution different from the specified medical institution.

[0032] When the registration application receiving unit 211 receives a registration application from at least one of the patient terminal 4, the medical institution terminal 3, the doctor terminal 5, and the registered doctor terminal 6, the storage unit 212 stores the patient information, doctor information, and registered doctor information included in the registration application. The storage unit 212 may store the patient information in association with identification information assigned to the patient. The storage unit 212 may store the doctor information in association with identification information assigned to the doctor. The storage unit 212 may store the registered doctor information in association with identification information assigned to the registered doctor.

[0033] The consultation application receiving unit 213 receives an application for online medical consultation at a specified medical institution from a patient. That is, the consultation application receiving unit 213 receives information related to the application for online medical consultation from the patient terminal 4. The information related to the application for online medical consultation includes, for example, the patient's desired consultation date and time, information indicating the patient's symptoms, and information on the medical department the patient wishes to visit. For example, the patient operates the patient terminal 4 to access a website related to online medical consultation at the specified medical institution, which is provided by the server device 2, and apply for online medical consultation at the specified medical institution.

[0034] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an image of patients who have applied for online medical consultations waiting in line. Patients will wait their turn for online medical consultations in the order in which they applied. The letters in parentheses following the word "patient" in Figure 5 indicate which medical institution the patient wishes to receive online medical consultation at. In other words, "Patient (A)" is a patient who wishes to receive online medical consultation at medical institution A. "Patient (B)" is a patient who wishes to receive online medical consultation at medical institution B. "Patient (C)" is a patient who wishes to receive online medical consultation at medical institution C. We will now return to the explanation of Figure 4.

[0035] The matching application receiving unit 214 receives matching applications from doctor terminals 5 used by doctors belonging to a predetermined medical institution. The matching application receiving unit 214 also receives matching applications from registered doctor terminals 6 used by registered doctors. Matching applications from registered doctors will be explained in detail later.

[0036] A matching application is an application made by a doctor when starting online medical consultations. Starting online medical consultations also includes cases where an online consultation for one patient ends and an online consultation for another patient begins.

[0037] The matching unit 215 matches patients who have applied for online medical care with doctors who belong to a specified medical institution. Matching means assigning patients to doctors. The matching unit 215 assigns patients to doctors who can treat the medical department desired by the patient.

[0038] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, when the matching application receiving unit 214 receives a matching application from a doctor terminal 5 used by a doctor belonging to a predetermined medical institution A, the matching unit 215 matches the first waiting patient (A) with the doctor belonging to the predetermined medical institution A. Also, when the matching application receiving unit 214 receives a matching application from a doctor terminal 5 used by a doctor belonging to a predetermined medical institution B, the matching unit 215 matches the third waiting patient (B) with the doctor belonging to the predetermined medical institution B. Also, when the matching application receiving unit 214 receives a matching application from a doctor terminal 5 used by a doctor belonging to a predetermined medical institution C, the matching unit 215 matches the fourth waiting patient (C) with the doctor belonging to the predetermined medical institution C. Now, we return to the description of FIG. 4.

[0039] The connection unit 216 connects the doctor terminal 5 used by the doctor matched by the matching unit 215 online with the patient terminal 4 used by the patient assigned to that doctor. This allows the doctor to provide online medical care to the patient.

[0040] The allocation request receiving unit 217 receives an allocation request for a registered doctor external to a specified medical institution from a specified medical institution. In other words, the allocation request receiving unit 217 receives an allocation request from a medical institution terminal 3 belonging to the specified medical institution or a doctor terminal 5 used by a doctor affiliated with the specified medical institution. An allocation request is a request made by a specified medical institution to the server device 2 to have a registered doctor dispatched for online medical consultation at the specified medical institution. A specified medical institution makes a registered doctor allocation request, for example, when a large number of patients have applied for online medical consultation and the waiting time of patients becomes long. In other words, a specified medical institution requests that a registered doctor participate in online medical consultations conducted by the specified medical institution.

[0041] The matching application receiving unit 214 receives a matching application from a registered doctor outside a predetermined medical institution. That is, the matching application receiving unit 214 receives a matching application from the registered doctor terminal 6 used by the registered doctor. A matching application is an application made when a registered doctor starts online medical consultation.

[0042] The matching unit 215 matches registered doctors with patients in response to the matching application receiving unit 214 receiving a matching application. For example, when patients are waiting in line for online medical consultations in the order shown in FIG. 5 and a predetermined medical institution A has already submitted an allocation application, if the matching application receiving unit 214 receives a matching application from a registered doctor, the matching unit 215 matches the first waiting patient (A) with the registered doctor who submitted the matching application. In other words, the matching unit 215 assigns the first waiting patient (A) to the registered doctor who submitted the matching application. Furthermore, when the matching application receiving unit 214 receives a matching application from another registered doctor, the matching unit 215 matches the second waiting patient (A) with the other registered doctor.

[0043] The matching unit 215 matches patients with doctors or registered doctors in the order in which the matching application receiving unit 214 received the matching applications. For example, if patients are waiting in line for online medical consultations in the order shown in Fig. 5 and predetermined medical institutions A to C have already submitted allocation applications, and the matching application receiving unit 214 receives a matching application from a doctor belonging to predetermined medical institution A, the matching unit 215 matches the first waiting patient (A) with the doctor belonging to predetermined medical institution A.

[0044] Next, when the matching application receiving unit 214 receives a matching application from a registered doctor, the matching unit 215 matches the second waiting patient (A) with the registered doctor. In this case, the registered doctor may provide online medical care to the patient (A) as if he or she were a doctor belonging to a specified medical institution A. Furthermore, the matching may trigger an employment contract between the specified medical institution A and the registered doctor. The employment contract may be concluded using an electronic contract system.

[0045] Next, when the matching application unit receives a matching application from a doctor belonging to a predetermined medical institution C, the matching unit 215 matches the fourth waiting patient (C) with the doctor belonging to the predetermined medical institution C. In other words, the doctor belonging to the predetermined medical institution will treat only patients who wish to receive online medical treatment from that medical institution.

[0046] Next, when the matching application receiving unit 214 receives a matching application from a registered doctor, the matching unit 215 matches the third waiting patient (B) with the registered doctor. In this case, the registered doctor may provide online medical care to the patient (B) as if he / she were a doctor belonging to a predetermined medical institution B. Now, we return to the explanation of Figure 4.

[0047] The priority arrangement slot receiving unit 218 receives priority arrangement slot information from a predetermined medical institution, which indicates a priority arrangement slot for providing priority medical treatment to patients. The priority arrangement slot is a slot set so that patients who are waiting for online medical treatment can receive online medical treatment preferentially.

[0048] The priority dispatch slot information is sent from the medical institution terminal 3 or the doctor terminal 5 together with the allocation application of the registered doctor. That is, the priority dispatch slot receiving unit 218 receives the priority dispatch slot information together with the allocation application from the medical institution terminal 3 belonging to a specified medical institution or the doctor terminal 5 used by a doctor belonging to a specified medical institution. The priority dispatch slot information is, for example, information indicating the number of priority dispatch slots.

[0049] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the number of priority placement slots indicated by priority placement slot information received by the priority placement slot reception unit 218. Fig. 6 shows that the priority placement slot reception unit 218 has received priority placement slot information indicating that the number of priority placement slots is 0 from medical institution A, or that the priority placement slot reception unit 218 has not received priority placement slot information from medical institution A. Fig. 6 also shows that the priority placement slot reception unit 218 has received priority placement slot information indicating that the number of priority placement slots is 3 from medical institution B. Fig. 6 also shows that the priority placement slot reception unit 218 has received priority placement slot information indicating that the number of priority placement slots is 2 from medical institution C.

[0050] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of matching performed when the priority placement slot reception unit 218 receives priority placement slot information. Specifically, Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating matching performed when the priority placement slot reception unit 218 receives the priority placement slot information shown in Fig. 6. When patients are waiting in line for online medical consultations in the order shown on the left side of Fig. 7, in response to the priority placement slot reception unit 218 receiving the priority placement slot information shown in Fig. 6, the matching unit 215 allocates the patients to a priority placement slot and preferentially matches the patients with doctors belonging to a specified medical institution or registered doctors.

[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the number of priority placement slots for the specified medical institution B is three, and the number of priority placement slots for the specified medical institution C is two. Therefore, the matching unit 215 first reserves five priority placement slots at the head of the waiting list, and assigns three patients to medical institution B and two patients to medical institution C to these five slots. At this time, the order of patients assigned to the priority placement slots is maintained. Furthermore, the matching unit 215 matches patients assigned to the priority placement slots with doctors or registered doctors. As a result, the specified medical institution that has applied for a priority placement slot can provide online medical care to patients on a priority basis, up to the number of priority placement slots.

[0052] The allocation of patients to priority placement slots may be performed, for example, at predetermined time intervals. For example, the server device 2 may refer to the requested priority placement slots every minute and allocate patients to the priority placement slots.

[0053] 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing executed by the system 1. In particular, FIG. 8 shows an example of the flow of processing in which a patient, a doctor, and a registered doctor apply for registration with the system 1.

[0054] First, the patient terminal 4 makes a registration application for the patient to use the system 1 in response to an operation of the patient on the patient terminal 4 (step S101). At this time, the patient terminal 4 transmits patient information to the server device 2. When the registration application is made from the patient terminal 4, the server device 2 accepts the patient's registration application (step S102). When the server device 2 accepts the registration application from the patient, the patient information is stored in the memory 203 (step S103).

[0055] Furthermore, the medical institution terminal 3 or the doctor terminal 5 makes a registration application for the medical institution and the doctor to use the system 1 based on an operation on the medical institution terminal 3 or the doctor terminal 5 by the doctor or the like (step S104). At this time, the medical institution terminal 3 or the doctor terminal 5 transmits information about the medical institution and information about the doctor to the server device 2. When the registration application is made from the medical institution terminal 3 or the doctor terminal 5, the server device 2 accepts the registration application of the medical institution and the doctor (step S105). When the server device 2 accepts the registration application of the medical institution and the doctor, the information of the medical institution and the doctor is stored in memory 203 (step S106).

[0056] Furthermore, the registered doctor terminal 6 makes a registration application for the registered doctor to use the system 1 based on an operation on the registered doctor terminal 6 by the registered doctor or the like (step S107). At this time, the registered doctor terminal 6 transmits information about the registered doctor to the server device 2. When the registration application is made from the registered doctor terminal 6, the server device 2 accepts the registration application of the registered doctor (step S108). When the server device 2 accepts the registration application of the registered doctor, the information about the registered doctor is stored in the memory 203 (step S109).

[0057] Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing executed by the system 1. In particular, Fig. 9 shows an example of the flow of processing for matching patients with doctors who belong to a predetermined medical institution.

[0058] The patient terminal 4 transmits an application for online medical consultation based on an operation by the patient on the patient terminal 4 (step S201). The application for consultation includes information indicating at which medical institution the patient wishes to receive online medical consultation. When the application for consultation is transmitted from the patient terminal 4, the server device 2 accepts the application for consultation (step S202).

[0059] Furthermore, the doctor terminal 5 belonging to a predetermined medical institution transmits a matching application to the server device 2 based on an operation on the doctor terminal 5 by a doctor or the like (step S203). When the matching application is transmitted from the doctor terminal 5, the server device 2 accepts the matching application (step S204).

[0060] When the server device 2 accepts the matching application, the server device 2 matches the patient with the doctor (step S205). Once the patient and doctor are matched, the server device 2 connects the patient terminal 4 with the doctor terminal 5 (step S206). This allows a doctor belonging to a specified medical institution to provide online medical care to a patient who wishes to receive online medical care at that medical institution.

[0061] Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing executed by the system 1. In particular, Fig. 10 shows an example of the flow of processing for matching a patient with a registered doctor outside a predetermined medical institution. The processing shown in Fig. 10 may be executed following the processing shown in Fig. 9.

[0062] For example, when a patient's waiting time becomes long, a predetermined medical institution requests allocation of a registered doctor. That is, the medical institution terminal 3 or the doctor terminal 5 transmits the allocation request to the server device 2 (step S207). When the medical institution terminal 3 or the doctor terminal 5 transmits the allocation request, the server device 2 accepts the allocation request (step S208).

[0063] Furthermore, a registered doctor submits a matching application when he or she desires online medical care. That is, the registered doctor terminal 6 transmits a matching application to the server device 2 based on the registered doctor's operation on the registered doctor terminal 6 (step S209). When the registered doctor terminal 6 transmits the matching application, the server device 2 accepts the matching application (step S210). When the server device 2 accepts the matching application, it matches the patient who desires online medical care at a specified medical institution with the registered doctor who submitted the matching application (step S211). Thereafter, the server device 2 establishes an online connection between the patient terminal 4 of the matched patient and the registered doctor terminal 6 of the registered doctor (step S212). This allows the registered doctor to provide online medical care to the patient who desires online medical care at a specified medical institution.

[0064] Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing executed by the system 1. In particular, Fig. 11 shows an example of the flow of processing when a predetermined medical institution applies for a priority placement slot. The processing shown in Fig. 11 may be executed following the processing shown in Fig. 9.

[0065] For example, when a patient's waiting time becomes long, a predetermined medical institution applies for a registered doctor's allocation and also applies for a priority allocation slot (step S217). That is, the medical institution terminal 3 or the doctor terminal 5 transmits the allocation request and priority allocation slot information to the server device 2. In response, the server device 2 accepts the allocation request and priority allocation slot information (step S218).

[0066] Furthermore, if a registered doctor wishes to participate in online medical consultation, the registered doctor submits a matching application (step S219). That is, the registered doctor terminal 6 transmits a matching application to the server device 2 based on the registered doctor's operation on the registered doctor terminal 6. As a result, the server device 2 accepts the matching application from the registered doctor terminal 6 (step S220).

[0067] The matching unit 215 allocates the patient to a priority arrangement slot and preferentially matches the patient with a doctor belonging to a specified medical institution or a registered doctor (step S221). When the matching unit 215 matches the doctor or registered doctor with the patient, the connection unit 216 connects the patient terminal 4 online with the doctor terminal 5 or registered doctor terminal 6 (step S222). This allows the doctor belonging to the specified medical institution or the registered doctor to provide online medical care to patients who visit the specified medical institution.

[0068] Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the server device 2. The server device 2 shown in Fig. 12 includes a measurement unit 219, a first value assigning unit 220, an evaluation information receiving unit 221, and a second value assigning unit 222, in addition to the units of the server device 2 shown in Fig. 4. The measurement unit 219, the first value assigning unit 220, the evaluation information receiving unit 221, and the second value assigning unit 222 are realized, for example, by the hardware processor 201 performing arithmetic processing using the system program, various programs, and various data stored in the memory 203.

[0069] The measurement unit 219 measures the time it takes from when the consultation application receiving unit 213 receives an application for online medical consultation from a patient until the online medical consultation of the patient starts. In other words, the measurement unit 219 measures the waiting time of the patient.

[0070] The first value assigning unit 220 assigns a first value to the registered doctor when the value indicating the time measured by the measuring unit 219 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The threshold may be, for example, 10 minutes. The first value may be, for example, a monetary benefit. The threshold may include multiple values. For example, the first threshold may be 10 minutes, the second threshold may be 20 minutes, and the third threshold may be 30 minutes. In this case, if the time measured by the measuring unit 219 is less than 10 minutes, the first value assigning unit 220 does not assign monetary value to the registered doctor. If the time measured by the measuring unit 219 is equal to or greater than 10 minutes but less than 20 minutes, the first value assigning unit 220 assigns 50 yen to the registered doctor. If the time measured by the measuring unit 219 is equal to or greater than 20 minutes but less than 30 minutes, the first value assigning unit 220 assigns 100 yen to the registered doctor. Furthermore, if the time measured by the measuring unit 219 is 30 minutes or more, the first value assigning unit 220 assigns 150 yen to the registered doctor. By having such a function, the server device 2 can encourage the registered doctor to participate in online medical consultations.

[0071] The evaluation information receiving unit 221 receives evaluation information indicating an evaluation of at least one registered doctor from at least one patient out of multiple patients. The evaluation information receiving unit 221 receives evaluation information, for example, each time a patient receives online medical care. The evaluation information is, for example, a comment on a registered doctor. The evaluation information is, for example, a value obtained by evaluating a registered doctor on a five-point scale. For example, after the online medical care is completed, the server device 2 may send a questionnaire link to the patient to receive evaluation information from the patient. If the patient does not evaluate the registered doctor, the evaluation information receiving unit 221 does not receive the evaluation information.

[0072] The second value assigning unit 222 assigns a second value to at least one registered doctor based on the evaluation information received by the evaluation information receiving unit 221. The second value is, for example, a monetary value. For example, if the evaluation information indicates a value of 4 or higher based on a five-point scale, the second value assigning unit 222 may assign a predetermined positive monetary value to the registered doctor. That is, the second value assigning unit 222 may assign a predetermined amount of money to the registered doctor. Furthermore, for example, if the evaluation information indicates a value of 2 or lower based on a five-point scale, the second value assigning unit 222 may assign a predetermined negative monetary value to the registered doctor. That is, the second value assigning unit 222 may deduct a predetermined amount from the money to be assigned to the registered doctor before assigning the money. In this way, the server device 2 can encourage the registered doctor to provide online medical consultation services that will earn a high evaluation from patients. It should be noted that if the evaluation information receiving unit 221 does not receive the evaluation information, that is, if the patient does not evaluate the registered doctor, the second value assigning unit does not assign the second value to the registered doctor.

[0073] As described above, the server device 2 includes the consultation application receiving unit 213 that receives applications from patients to receive online medical care at a specified medical institution, the allocation application receiving unit 217 that receives, from the specified medical institution, an allocation application for a registered doctor external to the specified medical institution, the matching application receiving unit 214 that receives a matching application from a registered doctor, and the matching unit 215 that matches a registered doctor with a patient in response to the matching application received by the matching application receiving unit 214. Therefore, the server device 2 can effectively support online medical care. In particular, the server device 2 can allocate a registered doctor to online medical care at a specified medical institution. This allows the specified medical institution to reduce the waiting time for patients during online medical care.

[0074] The server device 2 further includes a priority placement slot receiving unit 218 that receives, from a predetermined medical institution, priority placement slot information indicating a priority placement slot for providing preferential medical care to a patient. In response to the priority placement slot receiving unit 218 receiving the priority placement slot information, the matching unit 215 assigns the patient to the priority placement slot and preferentially matches the patient with a doctor affiliated with the predetermined medical institution or a registered doctor. As a result, the server device 2 can shorten the waiting time for patients who visit a predetermined medical institution that has applied for a priority placement slot. The server device 2 can also effectively support the predetermined medical institution in providing online medical care to many patients.

[0075] The server device 2 further includes a measurement unit 219 that measures the time required from when the consultation application acceptance unit 213 accepts the application for online medical consultation until the online medical consultation starts, and a first value assigning unit 220 that assigns a first value to the registered doctor when the value indicating the time measured by the measurement unit 219 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. Therefore, the server device 2 can effectively encourage the registered doctor to participate in online medical consultation.

[0076] The server device 2 further includes an evaluation information receiving unit 221 that receives evaluation information indicating evaluations of registered doctors from patients, and a second value assigning unit 222 that assigns a second value to the registered doctor based on the evaluation information received by the evaluation information receiving unit 221. Therefore, the server device 2 can assign a predetermined value to the registered doctor depending on the satisfaction level of patients treated by the registered doctor, etc. As a result, the server device 2 can encourage the registered doctor to provide online medical consultation services appropriately.

[0077] Furthermore, the matching unit 215 matches patients with registered doctors according to the medical specialties that the registered doctors can treat, so that the server device 2 can assign patients to appropriate registered doctors.

[0078] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible to these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the gist of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, these embodiments can also be implemented in combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 System 2. Server device 201 Hardware Processor 202 Bus 203 memory 204 Communication equipment 205 Input / Output Interface 211 Registration Application Reception Department 212 Storage section 213 Medical Application Reception Department 214 Matching Application Reception Department 215 Matching Department 216 Connection 217 Allocation Application Reception Department 218 Priority Arrangement Reception Department 219 Measurement Department 220 First Value Addition Section 221 Evaluation Information Reception Department 222 Second Value Addition Section 3 Medical institution terminals 4. Patient terminal 5 Doctor terminal 6 Registered doctor terminal

Claims

1. an application acceptance unit that accepts an application from a patient to receive online medical treatment at a predetermined medical institution; an allocation application receiving unit that receives an allocation application for a registered doctor outside the specified medical institution from the specified medical institution; a matching application receiving unit that receives a matching application from the registered doctor; a matching unit that matches the registered doctor with the patient in response to the matching application acceptance unit accepting the matching application; A server device comprising:

2. a priority arrangement slot receiving unit that receives, from the predetermined medical institution, priority arrangement slot information indicating a priority arrangement slot for providing medical treatment to the patient on a priority basis; The server device according to claim 1, wherein, in response to the priority arrangement slot receiving unit receiving the priority arrangement slot information, the matching unit assigns the patient to the priority arrangement slot and preferentially matches the patient with a doctor belonging to the specified medical institution or the registered doctor.

3. a measurement unit that measures the time required from when the consultation application acceptance unit accepts the application for the online medical consultation to when the online medical consultation starts; a first value assigning unit that assigns a first value to the registered doctor when the value indicating the time measured by the measuring unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value; The server device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

4. an evaluation information receiving unit that receives evaluation information indicating an evaluation of the registered doctor from the patient; a second value assigning unit that assigns a second value to the registered doctor based on the evaluation information received by the evaluation information receiving unit; The server device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. The server device according to claim 1 , wherein the matching unit matches the patient with the registered doctor according to the medical specialties that the registered doctor can treat.

6. Accepting applications from patients for online medical consultations at designated medical institutions; Accepting an application for allocation of a registered doctor outside the specified medical institution from the specified medical institution; Accepting matching applications from the registered doctors; In response to receiving the matching application, matching the registered doctor with the patient; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

7. Accepting applications from patients for online medical consultations at designated medical institutions; Accepting an application for allocation of a registered doctor outside the specified medical institution from the specified medical institution; Accepting matching applications from the registered doctors; In response to receiving the matching application, matching the registered doctor with the patient; A method comprising:

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