Medical information providing apparatus, medical information providing method, and program

Abstract

To enable a patient himself / herself to collect medical information which is related to his / her own symptoms and worries, is made strict and has high reliability without anxiety.SOLUTION: A medical information providing device 30 is mutually connected to a plurality of patient terminals 10 related to a specific disease and a manager terminal 20 operated by a manager of a patient group, and includes a reception part 311 for receiving information related to a request to provide medical information from the patient terminals, and a transmission part 120 for transmitting a request to determine whether the medical information requested to be provided is specific medical information related to the specific disease to the manager terminal. The medical information providing system includes a determination part 312 for acquiring information indicating a determination result from an administrator terminal, a request part 313 for transmitting information related to a medical information provision request to a related external organization 41 related to medical information selected from a plurality of external organizations 40 when the medical information requested to be provided is specific medical information, an acquisition part 314 for acquiring the medical information from the related external organization, and a sharing part 315 for permitting a plurality of patient terminals to access the medical information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a medical information providing device for patients to collect necessary medical information using a terminal, and more particularly to a medical information providing system for patients to collect medical information and share it among multiple patients. [Background technology]

[0002] In the medical field, patients have generally obtained medical information about the drugs and medical devices they use through their doctors, such as explanations and opinions from their doctors. In recent years, however, medical institutions and other organizations have begun to hold patient social gatherings where patients with the same disease and their families can gather and interact to share their concerns and medical information. By participating in these social gatherings, patients and their families can obtain new medical information from the staff and participants of the social gatherings (e.g., Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] Furthermore, a medical information exchange system has been proposed that increases intimacy and stimulates the exchange of opinions between medical professionals such as doctors and other medical professionals (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Kansai Medical University Hospital, Medical Information, Patient Exchange and Regional Medical Collaboration, [online], [Retrieved July 12, 2024], Internet <URL: https: / / hp.kmu.ac.jp / treatment / departments / kidney_center / exchange / > [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-228978 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, conventional patient exchange meetings are inconvenient for patients because patients live far away from each other, or they are unable to attend due to poor health caused by their illness, making it difficult for patients to participate in the exchange meetings and gather sufficient information.In response to this, it is conceivable to build a system that utilizes communication networks to hold patient exchange meetings online or via SNS (Social Networking Service) and share medical information between distant locations.

[0007] However, medical information is generally highly specialized, and patients may obtain incorrect information when searching the Internet for information on a wide variety of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. It is therefore not easy for patients to find information that is relevant to them from the vast amount of information available. It is also necessary to ensure the quality of members of patient groups using communication networks and the reliability of the medical information they provide.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a medical information providing device, a medical information providing method, and a program that allow patients to safely collect medical information that is relevant to their own symptoms and concerns and that is rigorously reviewed and highly reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a medical information providing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is configured to be able to exchange information with multiple external institutions, and is interconnected via a communication network with multiple patient terminals operated by multiple patients or their families associated with a specific disease, and an administrator terminal operated by an administrator of a patient group consisting of multiple patients or their families, and provides medical information to the patient terminals, and is characterized by comprising: a reception unit that receives information related to a request for provision of medical information based on operation input from the patient terminal; a determination unit that sends to the administrator terminal a request to determine whether the medical information requested to be provided is specific medical information associated with the specific disease, and obtains information indicating the determination result from the administrator terminal; a request unit that, when the medical information requested to be provided is specific medical information, transmits information related to the request for provision of medical information to a related external institution associated with the medical information selected from the multiple external institutions; an acquisition unit that acquires the medical information from the related external institution; and a sharing unit that allows the multiple patient terminals to access the medical information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, patients are given more opportunities to come into contact with useful information for patients with symptoms and concerns similar to their own, allowing them to safely collect medical information that is relevant to their own symptoms and concerns and that has been carefully reviewed and is highly reliable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a medical information providing system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic diagrams showing the hardware configurations of the patient terminal 10 and the administrator terminal 20. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware configuration of a medical information providing device 30. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the medical information providing device 30. [Figure 5]3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of providing medical information in the medical information providing system 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 1A is a schematic diagram showing the content of information related to a request for medical information, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing the content of medical information. [Figure 7] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of joining a patient group in the medical information providing system 1. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of application information for a request to join a patient group. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a medical information providing system 1A according to a first modification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a medical information providing device 30B according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) are schematic diagrams showing examples of images displayed on the patient terminal 10 by the medical information providing device 30B according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <<Outline of the mode for carrying out the present invention>> A medical information providing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to be able to exchange information with multiple external institutions, and is interconnected via a communication network with multiple patient terminals operated by multiple patients or their families associated with a specific disease, and an administrator terminal operated by an administrator of a patient group consisting of multiple patients or their families, and provides medical information to the patient terminals. The medical information providing device is characterized by comprising: a reception unit that receives information related to a request for provision of medical information based on operation input from the patient terminal; a determination unit that sends to the administrator terminal a request to determine whether the medical information requested to be provided is specific medical information associated with the specific disease, and acquires information indicating the determination result from the administrator terminal; a request unit that, when the medical information requested to be provided is specific medical information, sends information related to the request for provision of medical information to a related external institution associated with the medical information selected from the multiple external institutions; an acquisition unit that acquires the medical information from the related external institution; and a sharing unit that allows the multiple patient terminals to access the medical information.

[0013] This configuration increases the opportunities for patients to come into contact with useful information for patients with symptoms and concerns similar to their own, and makes it possible to realize a medical information providing device that allows patients to safely collect medical information that is relevant to their own symptoms and concerns and that is rigorously reviewed and highly reliable.

[0014] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the request unit may be configured to acquire identification information of the related external institution that sends the request for provision of medical information from the administrator terminal, and to send information related to the request for provision of medical information to the related external institution based on the identification information.

[0015] With this configuration, it is possible to select relevant external institutions related to medical information requested by multiple external institutions, and patients can safely collect rigorously verified and highly reliable medical information.

[0016] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the sharing unit may be configured to permit a plurality of the patient terminals to access the request for provision of medical information.

[0017] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the reception unit may be configured to transmit information indicating the determination result to the patient terminal that received the request to provide the medical information when the medical information related to the request to provide the medical information is not the specific medical information.

[0018] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the medical information may include information regarding measures to improve symptoms or solutions to worries and anxieties, and the information related to the request for medical information may include information indicating the patient's symptoms to be improved, the medications currently being prescribed, and their effects.

[0019] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the plurality of patients may be patients who have been permitted to belong to the patient group by the administrator terminal based on an operation input.

[0020] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the reception unit may be configured to receive application information for a request to join the patient group based on operation input from a new terminal operated by a new patient that is not included in the plurality of patient terminals, the determination unit may send to the administrator terminal a determination request as to whether the application information related to the joining request is specific application information related to the specific disease, obtain information indicating the determination result for the determination request from the administrator terminal, and if the application information is the specific application information, add the new terminal to the plurality of patient terminals, and the sharing unit may be configured to allow the terminal operated by the new patient to access the medical information.

[0021] This configuration ensures the quality of members of a patient group using a communication network, and allows symptoms and concerns related to a specific disease to be shared safely via the communication network.

[0022] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, when the specific disease is a first disease, the patient is a first patient, the patient terminal is a first patient terminal, the patient group is a first patient group, and the administrator terminal is a first administrator terminal, the system is further connected via a communication network to a plurality of second patient terminals operated by a plurality of second patients associated with a second disease different from the first disease, and a second administrator terminal operated by an administrator of the second patient group consisting of the plurality of second patients, and the reception unit receives information related to a request for provision of medical information based on an operation input from the second patient terminal. The determination unit may be configured to send a determination request to the second administrator terminal as to whether the medical information requested to be provided is specific medical information related to the second disease, and obtain information indicating the determination result in response to the determination request from the second administrator terminal, and when the medical information requested to be provided is the specific medical information, the request unit may send information related to the request to provide the medical information to a related external institution related to the medical information selected from the plurality of external institutions, the acquisition unit acquires the medical information from the related external institution, and the sharing unit may be configured to allow the plurality of second patient terminals to access the medical information.

[0023] With this configuration, multiple patients belonging to a first patient group or a second patient group related to a specific disease can obtain medical information provided by relevant external institutions related to the specific disease corresponding to the first patient group or the second patient group, respectively.

[0024] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the request unit may be configured to transmit billing information regarding advertising fees for the advertising information to the related external institution when the medical information provided by the related external institution includes advertising information.

[0025] With this configuration, advertising fees can be received from external organizations such as companies, and used for, for example, maintenance costs for the medical information providing device.

[0026] In another aspect, any of the above aspects may further include a virtual space sharing unit that manages a virtual space in which the medical information can be viewed by multiple patient terminals entering the virtual space, and the virtual space sharing unit may be configured to allow other patient terminals entering the virtual space to access the same selected medical information when any of the multiple patient terminals entering the virtual space selects the medical information to be viewed based on operational input.

[0027] With this configuration, the same image of medical information can be displayed simultaneously on multiple patient terminals that have requested entry into the virtual space. In this state, comments from multiple patient terminals can also be displayed, allowing each patient to exchange comments and information while viewing the same image of medical information. This allows for the sharing of information about the various know-how possessed by each patient.

[0028] In another aspect, a medical information providing system may include the medical information providing device according to any one of the above aspects, a plurality of the patient terminals, and the administrator terminal.

[0029] Furthermore, a medical information provision method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a medical information provision method that provides medical information to a plurality of patient terminals that are operated by a plurality of patients or their families associated with a specific disease and that are interconnected via a communication network, and that receives information related to a request for provision of medical information based on an operation input from the patient terminal, transmits a determination request as to whether the requested medical information is specific medical information associated with the specific disease to an administrator terminal that is operated by an administrator of a patient group consisting of the plurality of patients or their families and that is interconnected via a communication network, obtains information indicating the determination result in response to the determination request from the administrator terminal, and, if the requested medical information is specific medical information, transmits a request for provision of the medical information to a related external institution associated with the medical information selected from a plurality of external institutions that are configured to be able to exchange information with each other, obtains the medical information from the related external institution, and permits the plurality of patient terminals to access the medical information.

[0030] This method of providing medical information increases the opportunities for patients to come into contact with useful information for patients with symptoms and concerns similar to their own, and allows patients to safely collect medical information that is relevant to their own symptoms and concerns and that has been carefully reviewed and is highly reliable.

[0031] Furthermore, a program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer to execute a medical information provision process that provides medical information to a plurality of patient terminals that are operated by a plurality of patients or their families associated with a specific disease and that are interconnected via a communication network. The medical information provision process may be configured to receive information related to a request for provision of medical information based on an operation input from the patient terminal, transmit a determination request as to whether the requested medical information is specific medical information associated with the specific disease to an administrator terminal that is operated by an administrator of a patient group consisting of a plurality of the patients or their families and that is interconnected via a communication network, obtain information indicating the determination result in response to the determination request from the administrator terminal, and, if the requested medical information is specific medical information, transmit information related to the request for provision of medical information to a related external institution related to the medical information selected from a plurality of external institutions that are configured to be able to exchange information with each other, obtain the medical information from the related external institution, and permit the plurality of patient terminals to access the medical information.

[0032] This program increases the opportunities for patients to come into contact with useful information for patients with symptoms and concerns similar to their own, and enables a computer-implemented medical information provision process that allows patients to safely collect rigorously reviewed and highly reliable medical information related to their own symptoms and concerns.

[0033] First Embodiment The medical information providing device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic diagrams, and the scale may differ from the actual scale. Furthermore, the following description is an example for explaining the configuration and operation and effect according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and the essential parts of the present disclosure are not limited to the following embodiment. Furthermore, including the following description, the terms "up" and "down" in this specification and claims indicate relative positional relationships, with the upper direction on the paper in the drawings being the "up" direction and the lower direction on the paper being the "down" direction. However, this does not necessarily correspond to an absolute (vertical) positional relationship between the upper and lower directions. Furthermore, in this specification and claims, the symbol "~" used to indicate a numerical range includes the numerical values ​​at both ends.

[0034] <Overall configuration of medical information provision system 1> The medical information providing system 1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "system 1") is an information system that provides medical information related to a specific disease to multiple patient terminals operated by multiple patients or their families who belong to a patient group, and is used by patients to collect the medical information they need using the patient terminals. Below, the system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0035] In this specification, the multiple "patients" using system 1 refer to patients associated with a particular disease, including, for example, patients suffering from a particular disease and patients with a history of suffering from a particular disease in the past.

[0036] Furthermore, the "family" of a patient refers to the patient's guardian, and may be, for example, family members, relatives, etc.

[0037] A "patient group" is a place where patients with the same or similar specific disease gather, and is a group made up of patients or their families who share medical information about the specific disease. For example, it may be a so-called patient social gathering where patients with the same disease interact online to share their concerns and medical information.

[0038] One example of a patient group is a hemophilia patient association, made up of hemophilia patients and their families. Hemophilia is a disease that causes bleeding easily due to a lack of blood clotting factors. The risk of bleeding and the pain associated with bleeding limit community participation from an early age. Another characteristic of hemophilia is that it is a hereditary disease, which places a heavy mental burden not only on patients but also on their families. As it is a rare disease with only approximately 6,000 people nationwide, it is not well known in society, and these burdens are difficult to understand. In order to prevent social isolation and loneliness for hemophilia patients and their families, who face many problems, connections between patients and families who understand the disease are important, and hemophilia patient associations can help achieve this.

[0039] Furthermore, an "administrator" is an administrator who manages the operation of a patient group, and may be, for example, a medical professional such as a doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, physical therapist, or clinical psychologist who is involved in a specific disease, or an employee of a medical institution that is involved in a specific disease.

[0040] Furthermore, "external organizations" refer to computers or computer systems of corporations or organizations that carry out medical-related business, such as pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers.

[0041] Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a medical information providing system 1 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the system 1 is composed of a plurality of patient terminals 10, an administrator terminal 20, and a medical information providing device 30 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "device 30") connected to a communication network N. The device 30 is also configured to be able to exchange information with computers of a plurality of external institutions 40 such as pharmaceutical companies.

[0042] The communication network N is, for example, the Internet, and the patient terminal 10, the administrator terminal 20, and the device 30 are connected via wired or wireless base stations or the like so as to be able to exchange information with each other.

[0043] <Each part configuration> The configuration of the system 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) and 3 are schematic diagrams showing the hardware configurations of the patient terminal 10, the administrator terminal 20, and the medical information providing device 30, respectively.

[0044] (Patient terminal 10) The patient terminal 10 is a terminal device used by the patient or his / her family member (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "patient, etc.") who is the operator, to collect necessary medical information. The patient, etc. issues a request for medical information from the patient terminal 10 to the device 30, and accesses the device 30 using the patient terminal 10 to obtain the provided medical information. The patient terminal 10 is a computer that can be connected to the Internet, and can be, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, or a tablet terminal.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the patient terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication circuit 12, a storage device 13, a display unit 14, and an operation input unit 15.

[0046] The communication circuit 12 is an internet communication circuit such as a network adapter that transmits and receives information to and from the device 30 via the communication network N.

[0047] The storage device 13 is a semiconductor memory that functions as a temporary storage area for temporarily storing medical information and the like output from the device 30, and may also store programs necessary for realizing the functions of the patient terminal 10, such as browser software. For example, it is configured to include non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or a hard disk.

[0048] The display unit 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL display, and displays images generated by the control unit 11, such as information related to a request for medical information provision and provided medical information.

[0049] The operation input unit 15 is an input means for inputting information related to a request for provision to the patient terminal 10 when an operator such as a patient requests the provision of medical information, and may be, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel integrated with the display unit 14.

[0050] The control unit 11 is connected to the communication network N via the communication circuit 12 and is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory). The CPU executes a program (not shown) stored in the ROM, thereby realizing the functions of the patient terminal 10 as a client computer.

[0051] The main functions of the control unit 11 are to send a request for medical information to the device 30 based on operation input to the operation input unit 15 by a patient or the like, and to access medical information provided to the device 30 from an external institution 40 based on operation input to the operation input unit 15, and to display the necessary medical information on the display unit 14.

[0052] (Administrator terminal 20) The administrator terminal 20 is a terminal device used by an administrator who is an operator. Like the patient terminal 10, the patient terminal 10 is a computer that can be connected to the Internet, and can be, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, or a tablet terminal. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the administrator terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a communication circuit 22, a storage device 23, a display unit 24, and an operation input unit 25.

[0053] The communication circuit 22 is an internet communication circuit that transmits and receives information to and from the device 30 via the communication network N, similar to the communication circuit 12 .

[0054] The storage device 23 is a semiconductor memory similar to the storage device 13, and functions as a temporary storage area for temporarily storing requests for medical information output from the device 30, and may also store programs such as browser software required to realize the functions of the administrator terminal 20. For example, the storage device 23 includes a non-volatile memory such as an SSD or a hard disk.

[0055] The display unit 24 is a display device similar to the display unit 14, and displays images generated by the control unit 11, such as information related to a request for judgment to the administrator.

[0056] The operation input unit 25 is an input means for the administrator, who is an operator, to input the judgment result in response to the judgment request to the administrator terminal 20, and similarly to the operation input unit 15, various input devices may be used.

[0057] The control unit 21 is connected to the communication network N via the communication circuit 12 and is composed of a CPU, RAM, and ROM, and the CPU executes a program (not shown) stored in the ROM to realize the functions of the administrator terminal 20 as a client computer. As a main function, the control unit 21 allows the administrator to operate the operation input unit 25 to transmit to the device 30 the determination result regarding a request for provision of medical information or a request for joining a patient group Gr.

[0058] (Medical information providing device 30) The medical information providing device 30 is a server device that provides medical information to the patient terminal 10. The device 30 can be, for example, a computer connectable to the Internet, such as a personal computer, and is connected to a plurality of patient terminals 10 and an administrator terminal 20 via a network N, and is configured to be able to exchange information with computers of a plurality of external organizations 40, such as pharmaceutical companies, and functions as a server computer that realizes the functions of the medical information providing device by executing a program as a server device connected to the communication network N.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, the device 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication circuit 32, and a storage device 33.

[0060] The communication circuit 32 is realized by an interface circuit such as a network adapter that transmits and receives information between the patient terminal 10 and the administrator terminal 20 via the communication network N, and also between the computers of multiple external institutions 40 that are configured to be able to exchange information with each other.

[0061] The storage device 33 functions as a database DB that records information necessary to realize the functions of the medical information providing device, and also functions as a working memory for the CPU.

[0062] 3, the database DB includes, for example, a patient information storage unit 331, a provision request information storage unit 332, an external organization information storage unit 333, and a medical information storage unit 334. Of these, the patient information storage unit 331 is a database that stores information about the attributes of a patient, such as basic information such as a patient's identification number, name, date of birth, and email address that is necessary for a patient to apply to join a patient group Gr, as well as information about the disease, such as the disease's symptoms and medical history.

[0063] The provision request information storage unit 332 is a database that stores information regarding a request for the provision of medical information, such as the patient's identification number, the patient's symptoms to be improved, the medication currently being prescribed, and information indicating its effects.

[0064] The external organization information storage unit 333 is a database that stores information relating to the attributes of the external organization 40, such as the name of the external organization, the diseases and treatments that can be provided, and the fields in which the organization can provide services.

[0065] The medical information storage unit 334 is a database that stores medical information provided by external institutions, such as the identification number of the medical information, the name of the external institution that can provide the information, measures to improve symptoms or solutions to worries and anxieties, and information on medications and their effects and efficacy.

[0066] The database DB may also include a billing information storage unit 335 that stores information regarding advertising fees for advertising information provided together with medical information, in association with the identification number of the medical information. Advertising fees can be received from companies that are external organizations 40 and used to cover the costs of upgrading the medical information providing device and maintaining the server device, and the medical information providing device 30 can be provided to patients free of charge. A program 336 required to realize the functions of the device 30 may also be stored in the database DB.

[0067] The storage device 33 includes a volatile memory such as a DRAM, and a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk.

[0068] The control unit 31 is connected to the communication network N via the communication circuit 32 and is composed of a CPU, RAM, and ROM, and the CPU executes a program (not shown) stored in the ROM to realize the functions of the medical information providing device 30 as a server computer.

[0069] [Functions of the medical information providing device 30] Next, the functions of the device 30 realized by the control unit 31 will be described. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the medical information providing device 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 31 is configured to include processing units, such as a receiving unit 311, a determining unit 312, a requesting unit 313, an acquiring unit 314, and a sharing unit 315.

[0070] First, in providing medical information based on a request for provision, each processing unit functions as follows.

[0071] The reception unit 311 receives requests for medical information from the patient terminal 10 via the communication network N based on operational input from the patient or the like, received from the communication circuit 32, and stores the requests in the request information storage unit 332. The requests for medical information include information indicating the patient's symptoms to be improved, the medications currently prescribed, and their effects. The requested medical information also includes information on how to improve symptoms or solutions to worries and anxieties, medications, and their effects and efficacy. If the requested medical information is not specific medical information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "specific medical information") related to a specific disease in the patient group Gr to which the patient belongs, the reception unit 311 transmits a determination result to the patient terminal 10 that issued the request.

[0072] The determination unit 312 determines whether or not the requested medical information is specific medical information related to a specific disease in the device 30. Specifically, the determination unit 312 has a function of transmitting a determination request to the administrator terminal 20 as to whether or not the requested medical information stored in the request information storage unit 332 is specific medical information, and acquiring information indicating the determination result information in response to the determination request from the administrator terminal 20.

[0073] When the requested medical information is specific medical information, the request unit 313 transmits a request to provide the medical information to an associated external institution 41 related to the medical information selected from the plurality of external institutions 40. At this time, the request unit 313 acquires, from the administrator terminal 20, identification information of the associated external institution 41 that transmits the request to provide the medical information, and transmits the request to provide the medical information to the associated external institution 41 based on the identification information. The administrator terminal 20 may determine the identification information of the associated external institution 41 based on information related to the attributes of the external institution 40 stored in the external institution information storage unit 333 of the storage device 33.

[0074] The acquisition unit 314 is a processing unit that acquires medical information from the related external institution 41 that has received a request to provide the medical information, and stores the medical information in the medical information storage unit 334 of the storage device 33 .

[0075] The sharing unit 315 permits multiple patient terminals 10 to access medical information acquired from the related external institution 41 and stored in the medical information storage unit 334 of the storage device 33, and permits the viewing and acquisition of the medical information. The sharing unit 315 may also permit multiple patient terminals 10 to access a request for provision of medical information, and permits the viewing and acquisition of the medical information.

[0076] Next, in the case of a new patient's application to join the patient group Gr, each processing unit functions as follows.

[0077] The reception unit 311 has a function of receiving application information for a request to join a patient group Gr based on an operation input from a terminal operated by a new patient.

[0078] Furthermore, the determination unit 312 functions as a processing unit that determines whether or not the application information related to the joining request is specific application information related to a specific disease in the device 30. Specifically, the determination unit 312 transmits a determination request to the administrator terminal 20 as to whether or not the application information related to the joining request is specific application information related to a specific disease, and acquires a determination result in response to the determination request from the administrator terminal 20. Then, when the determination result is that the application information is specific application information, the determination unit 312 adds the new terminal requested to join to the multiple patient terminals 10.

[0079] In addition, when the judgment result indicates that the application information is specific application information, the sharing unit 315 allows the terminal operated by the new patient to access the medical information stored in the medical information storage unit 234 of the storage device 33, and allows the medical information to be viewed and obtained.

[0080] <Operation of medical information provision system 1> (Regarding the provision of medical information) Next, a description will be given of the operation of providing medical information in the system 1. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of this operation.

[0081] First, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 11 of the patient terminal 10 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "patient terminal 10") accepts an operation input of a request for medical information from a patient or the like via the operation input unit 15, and transmits information related to the request for medical information to the medical information providing device 30 (step S101). FIG. 6(a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the information related to the request for medical information. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the information related to the request for medical information may include (1) the patient's identification number, (2) the patient's symptoms to be improved, and (3) the medication currently being prescribed and information indicating its effects.

[0082] The control unit 31 of the device 30 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "device 30") accepts information related to a request for provision of medical information, stores it in the provision request information storage unit 332 (step S102), and transmits information indicating a request to determine whether the requested medical information is specific medical information to the administrator terminal 20 (step S103).

[0083] The control unit 21 of the administrator terminal 20 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "administrator terminal 20") accepts an operational input from the operation input unit 25 indicating the determination result as to whether the medical information requested by the administrator to be provided is specific medical information, and transmits information indicating the determination result to the device 30 (step S104).

[0084] The device 30 acquires information indicating the determination result, and if the determination result indicates that the requested medical information is not specific medical information, it transmits the determination result to the patient terminal 10 that issued the request (step S105: No).

[0085] On the other hand, if the determination result indicates that the requested medical information is specific medical information (step S105: Yes), the device 30 provides information regarding the attributes of the external institution 40 stored in the external institution information storage unit 333 to the administrator terminal 20 (step S106), and the administrator terminal 20 obtains information regarding the attributes of the external institution 40 from the device 30 by operating the operation input unit 25 and displays it on the display unit 24 (step S107).

[0086] Then, the administrator terminal 20 accepts an operation input by the administrator to the operation input unit 25 to select the related external institution 41 to which the request for provision of medical information should be sent, and transmits the identification information of the related external institution 41 to the device 30 (step S108).

[0087] When the requested medical information is specific medical information, the device 30 transmits a request to provide the medical information to the related external organization 41 indicated by the identification information (step S109).

[0088] The related external institution 41 that has received the request to provide medical information transmits the requested medical information to the device 30. The device 30 acquires the medical information and stores it in the medical information storage unit 234 of the storage device 33 (step S110). FIG. 6(b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the medical information. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the medical information may include (1) an identification number of the medical information, (2) the name of the external institution that can provide the information, (3) ways to improve symptoms or solutions to worries and anxieties, and (4) advertising information.

[0089] The device 30 allows multiple patient terminals 10 belonging to the patient group Gr, including the patient terminal 10 that issued the request to access the medical information stored in the medical information storage unit 234 and the information related to the request for medical information stored in the request information storage unit 332, and discloses the information (step S111), and the patient terminal 10 that issued the request obtains the medical information from the device 30 by operating the operation input unit 15 and displays it on the display unit 14 (step S112).

[0090] In addition, other patient terminals 10 belonging to the patient group Gr acquire medical information and / or information related to a request for medical information from the device 30 through operation input to the operation input unit 15, and display it on the display unit 14 (step S113).

[0091] When the medical information provided by the related external organization 41 includes advertising information, the device 30 stores billing information relating to the advertising fee for the advertising information in the billing information storage unit 335, and transmits the billing information in association with the medical information to the related external organization 41 that provided the medical information (step S114). In this way, advertising fees are collected from the external organization, that is, the company, and used to cover the cost of upgrading the medical information providing device and the maintenance cost of the server device, and the medical information providing device 30 can be provided at no cost to the patient.

[0092] Through the above processing, multiple patients belonging to a patient group Gr related to a specific disease can obtain and view information related to a request for medical information related to the specific disease and medical information provided by a related external institution 41 on multiple patient terminals 10. This completes the medical information providing operation in the system 1.

[0093] With this configuration, patients belonging to a patient group Gr associated with a specific disease can easily collect information related to their own symptoms and concerns using the communication network N, and by determining whether the medical information requested to be provided by the administrator of the patient group Gr is information associated with a specific disease, patients belonging to the patient group Gr can safely collect highly reliable medical information that has been rigorously reviewed.

[0094] (Regarding joining a patient group) Next, a description will be given of the operation of joining a patient group Gr in the system 1. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of this operation.

[0095] First, as shown in Fig. 7, the terminal operated by the new patient receives, from the operation input unit 15, operation input of application information for a request by the new patient to join the patient group Gr, and transmits the application information for the request to join to the device 30 (step S201). Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the application information for a request to join the patient group Gr. As shown in Fig. 8, the application information for a request to join the doctor-patient group Gr may include basic information such as (1) the patient's identification number, (2) name, (3) date of birth, and (4) email address, as well as (5) information about the disease, such as the disease, its symptoms, and medical history.

[0096] The device 30 accepts the application information for the request to join and stores it in the patient information storage unit 331 (step S202), and sends a request to the administrator terminal 20 to determine whether the application information for the request to join is specific application information from a patient or the like associated with a specific disease (step S203).

[0097] The administrator terminal 20 receives an operation input from the operation input unit 25 by the administrator indicating the determination result as to whether or not the application information of the joining request is specific application information, and transmits information indicating the determination result to the device 30 (step S204).

[0098] If the determination result indicates that the application information is not specific application information, the device 30 transmits the determination result to the terminal that issued the subscription request (step S205: No.).

[0099] On the other hand, if the determination result is that the application information is specific application information (step S205: Yes), the device 30 allows the terminal of the new patient who has applied to join to access the medical information stored in the medical information storage unit 234 and the information related to the request for provision of medical information stored in the provision request information storage unit 332, and discloses the information (step S206).

[0100] The patient terminal 10 of the new patient acquires the medical information and / or information related to the request for medical information from the device 30 through an operation input to the operation input unit 15, and displays it on the display unit 14 (step S207).

[0101] Through the above processing, new patients who are certified as belonging to the patient group Gr can obtain and view information related to requests for medical information related to specific diseases and medical information provided by related external institutions 41 via the patient terminal 10. This completes the operation of joining the patient group Gr in the system 1.

[0102] With this configuration, only patients with a specific disease can be gathered in the patient group Gr, and the quality of the members of the patient group Gr using the communication network N can be guaranteed.

[0103] <Variation 1> 1, the system 1 according to the first embodiment is configured to include multiple patient terminals 10 operated by patients belonging to a single patient group Gr, and an administrator terminal 20 operated by an administrator of the patient group Gr. However, the medical information provision system may also be configured to include multiple n (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) types of patient terminals 10(1) to (n) corresponding to multiple different patient groups Gr, and multiple (n) administrator terminals 20(1) to (n) operated by the administrators of the respective patient groups Gr.

[0104] Fig. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a medical information provision system 1A (hereinafter, may be referred to as "system 1A") according to Modification 1. As shown in Fig. 9, system 1A is configured from a plurality of n types of patient terminals 10(1) to (n) corresponding to a plurality of n different patient groups Gr(1) to (n), which are connected to a communication network N, a plurality of n administrator terminals 20(1) to (n) operated by administrators of the respective patient groups Gr, and a medical information provision device 30.

[0105] In system 1A, multiple n different patient groups Gr(1) to (n) belong to patients associated with different specific diseases, and medical information is shared within each of the patient groups Gr(1) to (n) based on a request from a patient terminal 10. Therefore, medical information is not generally shared between multiple patient groups Gr(1) to (n). Therefore, system 1A differs from system 1 according to embodiment 1 in that it includes multiple (n) different patient groups Gr(1) to (n). However, the other configurations, i.e., the configurations of the patient terminal 10, administrator terminal 20, and device 30, which are system components, and the operation of providing medical information performed within each patient group Gr and the operation of joining a patient group Gr, are the same as those in system 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0106] Here, the specific diseases corresponding to each of the patient groups Gr(1) to (n) are classified by, for example, the type of disease, the level of classification in disease classification, the severity of the disease, the age and sex of the patient, and the like.

[0107] This allows multiple patients belonging to any of the patient groups Gr(1) to (n) related to a specific disease to obtain and view information related to requests for medical information related to the specific disease corresponding to each patient group Gr(1) to (n), as well as medical information provided by related external institutions 41.

[0108] <Summary> Conventional patient exchange meetings are inconvenient for patients, making it difficult for them to gather sufficient information by attending them. In such cases, it may be possible to use networks to share medical information between remote locations.

[0109] However, medical information is highly specialized, and patients may find incorrect information when searching the Internet for information on a vast range of drugs and medical devices. Therefore, it is not easy for patients to find information that is relevant to them from the vast range of information on drugs and medical devices. It is also necessary to ensure the quality of the members of patient groups using communication network N and the reliability of the medical information provided. Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers must be cautious about providing medical information directly to patients due to legal and ethical considerations.

[0110] In contrast, the medical information providing device 30 according to the first embodiment is configured to be able to exchange information with a plurality of external institutions 40 as described above, and is connected to a plurality of patient terminals 10 operated by a plurality of patients or their families associated with a specific disease, and an administrator terminal 20 operated by an administrator of a patient group Gr consisting of a plurality of patients or their families, via a communication network N, and provides medical information to the patient terminals 10. The medical information providing device 30 includes a reception unit 311 that receives information related to a request for provision of medical information based on an operation input from the patient terminal 10, and a reception unit 312 that receives information related to a request for provision of medical information based on an operation input from the administrator terminal 20. The medical information providing system is characterized by comprising a determination unit 312 that transmits a determination request as to whether the requested medical information is specific medical information related to a specific disease or not and acquires information indicating the determination result in response to the determination request from the administrator terminal 20, a request unit 313 that, when the requested medical information is specific medical information, transmits information related to the request to provide the medical information to a related external institution 41 related to the requested medical information selected from a plurality of external institutions 40, an acquisition unit 314 that acquires the medical information from the related external institution 41, and a sharing unit 315 that allows a plurality of patient terminals 10 to access the medical information and the information related to the request to provide the medical information.

[0111] In other words, the device 30 of embodiment 1 is configured to receive a request for medical information from a patient terminal 10 operated by a patient, etc., who belongs to a patient group Gr and who is made up of multiple patients, etc., associated with a specific disease, and to receive a determination result from an administrator terminal 20 operated by an administrator of the patient group Gr as to whether the requested medical information is specific medical information associated with the specific disease, and if the requested medical information is specific medical information, to obtain the medical information from a related external institution 41 associated with the requested medical information and to permit the multiple patient terminals 10 belonging to the patient group Gr to access the medical information.

[0112] With this configuration, patients belonging to a patient group Gr associated with a specific disease can use the communication network N to share symptoms, concerns, and related medical information, increasing the opportunities for patients to come into contact with useful information for patients with similar symptoms and concerns, and enabling patients themselves to collect information related to their own symptoms and concerns.

[0113] In addition, by determining whether medical information requested by an administrator of a patient group Gr related to a specific disease is specific medical information related to a specific disease, patients belonging to the patient group Gr can safely collect highly reliable medical information that has been rigorously reviewed.

[0114] At this time, the request unit 313 may be configured to obtain identification information of the related external institution 41 that sends the request for provision of medical information from the administrator terminal 20, and send information related to the request for provision of medical information to the related external institution 41 based on the identification information.

[0115] This allows the administrator of a patient group Gr related to a specific disease to select a related external institution 41 related to medical information requested by multiple external institutions 40, allowing for the safe collection of rigorously reviewed and highly reliable medical information.

[0116] In other words, specialists who manage patient group groups will provide carefully selected, accurate medical information related to diseases, and aim to share this information in the patient group groups of device 30, where patients with specific diseases gather. This allows patients to obtain accurate medical information related to their own diseases by joining the patient group groups of device 30, without having to search the Internet. In addition, companies that are related external organizations 41 will be able to provide information directly on the specific diseases they wish to provide information on.

[0117] Therefore, with the device 30, patients can obtain information from related external institutions 41 related to their disease, and the related external institutions 41 can make their existence known to target patients, thereby achieving good matching between patients in patient group Gr and related external institutions 41, and building a system that contributes to promoting BtoC and CtoB information exchange in the medical field.

[0118] In addition, the reception unit 311 may be configured to receive application information for a request to join a patient group Gr based on operation input from a new terminal operated by a new patient that is not included in the multiple patient terminals 10, and the determination unit 312 may send a determination request to the administrator terminal 20 as to whether the application information related to the joining request is specific application information related to a specific disease, obtain information indicating the determination result in response to the determination request from the administrator terminal 20, and if the application information is specific application information, add the new terminal to the multiple patient terminals, and the sharing unit 315 may be configured to allow the terminal operated by the new patient to access medical information and information related to the request to provide medical information.

[0119] This allows the administrator of the patient group Gr related to a specific disease to determine whether the application information related to the membership request is specific application information related to a specific disease, thereby ensuring the quality of the members of the patient group Gr using the communication network N and allowing symptoms and concerns related to a specific disease to be shared safely via the communication network N.

[0120] Furthermore, in the medical information providing device according to the first modification, when a specific disease is defined as a first disease, a patient is defined as a first patient, a patient terminal 10 is defined as a first patient terminal, a patient group Gr is defined as a first patient group Gr(1), and an administrator terminal 20 is defined as a first administrator terminal 20(1), the device 30 according to the first embodiment is further connected to a plurality of second patient terminals 10(2) operated by a plurality of second patients associated with a second disease different from the first disease, and a second administrator terminal 20(2) operated by an administrator of a second patient group Gr(2) consisting of a plurality of second patients, via a communication network N, and the reception unit 311 receives operation input from the second patient terminal 10(2). The terminal 312 receives information related to a request for provision of medical information based on the input of a medical information provider, and the determination unit 312 transmits a determination request to the second administrator terminal 20(2) as to whether the requested medical information is specific medical information related to a second disease, and acquires information indicating the determination result in response to the determination request from the second administrator terminal 20(2). When the requested medical information is specific medical information, the request unit 313 transmits information related to the request for provision of the medical information to a related external institution 41 related to the medical information selected from a plurality of external institutions 40. The acquisition unit 314 acquires the medical information from the related external institution 41. The sharing unit 315 is configured to permit a plurality of second patient terminals 10(2) to access the medical information.

[0121] With this configuration, multiple patients belonging to patient group Gr(1) or Gr(2) related to a specific disease can obtain and view medical information provided by related external institutions 41 related to the specific disease corresponding to each patient group Gr(1) or Gr(2).

[0122] Second Embodiment In the system 1 according to embodiment 1, multiple patients belonging to a patient group Gr related to a specific disease can individually obtain and view medical information provided by a related external institution 41 related to the specific disease by accessing the medical information storage unit 234 of the device 30 on multiple patient terminals 10.

[0123] However, the configuration may also be such that when any of multiple patients belonging to a patient group Gr related to a specific disease accesses the medical information storage unit 234 of the device 30, the multiple patients belonging to the patient group Gr who are accessing the device 30 can simultaneously view medical information provided by a related external institution 41 related to the specific disease and exchange comments and information with each other.

[0124] 10 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a medical information providing device 30B in a medical information providing system according to embodiment 2 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "a system according to embodiment 2"). As shown in FIG. 10, in the system according to embodiment 2, a control unit 31B of the medical information providing device 30B is configured to include a virtual space sharing unit 316, and the same medical information is simultaneously displayed on a plurality of patient terminals 10 entering a virtual space simulating a conference room provided by the virtual space sharing unit 316, and the medical information is shared over time among a plurality of patient terminals 10 belonging to a patient group Gr.

[0125] Therefore, the system according to the second embodiment differs from the system 1 according to the first embodiment in that medical information is shared over time, but other configurations, that is, other configurations of the system components, that is, the patient terminal 10, the administrator terminal 20, and the device 30, are the same as those in the system 1, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the contents of the operation of providing medical information performed within the patient group Gr and the operation of joining the patient group Gr are also the same as those in the system 1, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0126] The functions realized by the virtual space sharing unit 316 of the control unit 31 will be described below. The virtual space sharing unit 316 has a function to generate a virtual space and avatars, and a function to manage the movement of the virtual space and avatars, etc. The virtual space sharing unit 316 generates, for example, a virtual space that resembles a three-dimensional conference room and a plurality of selectable avatars, and provides a state in which a plurality of patient terminals 10 can simultaneously enter the virtual space.

[0127] When a request to enter the virtual space is made from the patient terminal 10 based on operational input from a patient or the like, the patient terminal 10 selects an avatar and places the avatar at a predetermined position in the virtual space. By using an avatar, it is possible to protect the patient's personal information and create an environment that makes it easy for the patient to participate. At this time, the patient terminal 10 may transmit location information of the avatar based on operational input. By allowing the patient to operate the avatar and move freely in the virtual space, it becomes possible to have closer conversations with specific patients about personal matters such as their symptoms and concerns, and it is possible to promote interaction between patients.

[0128] 11(a), (b), and (c) are schematic diagrams showing examples of images displayed on the patient terminal 10 by the medical information providing device 30B according to the second embodiment. 11(a), the virtual space sharing unit 316 generates an image of the virtual space VS in which the avatar AV(1) is placed and outputs it as a two-dimensional image to the patient terminal 10 that has requested admission. Then, the patient terminal 10 that has requested admission displays the image on the display unit 14.

[0129] Furthermore, when a request for admission to the virtual space VS is received from a plurality of n patient terminals 10, the virtual space sharing unit 316 causes all of the patient terminals 10 that have received the admission request to select an avatar, places the avatars AV(1) to AV(n) at predetermined positions in the virtual space VS, generates an image in which the plurality of avatars AV(1) to AV(n) corresponding to all of the patient terminals 10 are arranged at predetermined positions in the virtual space, and outputs the image as a two-dimensional image. Then, all of the patient terminals 10 that have received the admission request display the image on their display units 14.

[0130] 11(a), the virtual space sharing unit 316 generates an image of the virtual space in which a medical information item image MI1 is arranged at a predetermined position in the virtual space, in which the item names of multiple medical information provided by the external organization 40 are arranged, for example, in list format on a wall of the virtual space simulating a conference room, etc. Then, the virtual space sharing unit 316 outputs the image to the patient terminal 10 that has requested admission, and causes the image to be displayed on the display unit 14 of the patient terminal 10 that has requested admission.

[0131] In addition, when the patient terminal 10 selects one piece of medical information from the medical information item image MI1 based on operational input from a patient or the like, the virtual space sharing unit 316 generates and outputs an image of the virtual space in which a detailed image MI2 of the selected medical information is arranged, as shown in Figure 11(b), and displays the image of the virtual space including the detailed image MI2 of the medical information on the display unit 14 of the patient terminal 10 that has requested admission.

[0132] With this configuration, the same medical information image can be displayed simultaneously on multiple patient terminals 10 that have requested admission, allowing each patient to simultaneously view the same medical information images MI1 and MI2.

[0133] In addition, comments sent from the patient terminal 10 based on operational input from the patient or the like are accepted, and an image of a virtual space is generated and output in which speech bubbles CM(1) ​​to CM(n) containing comments are displayed next to the avatars AV(1) to AV(n) corresponding to the patient terminal 10, and this is displayed on the display unit 14 of the patient terminal 10 that has requested admission.

[0134] This allows the same medical information images MI1 and MI2 to be displayed simultaneously on multiple patient terminals 10 that have requested entry, and in this state, comments CM(1) ​​to CM(n) issued from the multiple patient terminals 10 are displayed, allowing each patient to exchange comments and information while looking at the same medical information image, making it possible to share information about various know-how possessed by individual patients, for example. This further promotes interaction between patients through the sharing of medical information in real time and the exchange of opinions.

[0135] As described above, the medical information providing device 30B according to embodiment 2 is the device 30 according to embodiment 1, and further includes a virtual space sharing unit 316 that manages a virtual space VS in which multiple patient terminals can enter and view medical information. The virtual space sharing unit 316 is configured so that when any of multiple patient terminals 10 that have entered the virtual space VS selects medical information MI to be viewed based on operational input, the virtual space sharing unit 316 allows other patient terminals 10 that have entered the virtual space VS to access the same selected medical information MI.

[0136] With this configuration, images MI1 and MI2 of the same medical information can be displayed simultaneously on a plurality of patient terminals 10 that have requested admission.

[0137] According to the medical information providing system according to the second embodiment, which includes the medical information providing device 30B having such a configuration, external organizations 40 such as pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers can set up electronic advertisements and bulletin boards in the virtual space VS to introduce information about their own pharmaceuticals and medical devices, providing an environment where patients with the same specific disease can talk and consult with each other while viewing the bulletin boards. As a result, it becomes possible to share information about the various know-how that individual patients possess.

[0138] Furthermore, within the virtual space VS, there may be installed electronic bulletin boards, suggestion boxes, and questionnaires where patients can freely post their needs and opinions about products, and patients may post their needs. External organizations40, such as pharmaceutical companies, can view these to understand the needs of patients and use them in product development and improvement.

[0139] Other variations While the specific configuration of the present disclosure has been described above using the embodiments as examples, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments except for the essential characteristic components thereof. For example, the present disclosure also includes forms obtained by various modifications to the embodiments and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. Below, a modified example will be described as an example of such a configuration.

[0140] (1) The present disclosure has been described based on the above-described embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following cases are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the medical information providing method according to each embodiment may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program. For example, the present invention may be a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory, the memory storing the computer program, and the microprocessor operating in accordance with the computer program (or instructing each connected component to operate).

[0141] The present invention also includes cases where all or part of the processing in the above-mentioned systems or their components is implemented by a computer system comprising a microprocessor, recording media such as ROM and RAM, a hard disk unit, etc. Furthermore, all or part of the components that make up each of the above-mentioned devices may be implemented by a single system LSI (Large Scale Integration).

[0142] The program may be a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium on which a program for executing the medical information provision method is recorded. The program may be executed by another independent computer system by recording the program or a signal on the recording medium and transferring it. Needless to say, the program may also be distributed via a transmission medium such as the Internet.

[0143] Furthermore, although the medical information provision device according to the above embodiment is configured to include a storage device, the storage device is not limited to this, and a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a magnetic storage device, etc. may be configured to be connected externally to the ultrasonic flaw detection device.

[0144] (2) The division of functional blocks is an example, and multiple functional blocks may be realized as a single functional block, one functional block may be divided into multiple blocks, or some functions may be moved to another functional block. Furthermore, the functions of multiple functional blocks with similar functions may be processed in parallel or time-shared by a single piece of hardware or software. The order in which the steps are performed is merely an example for specifically explaining the present invention, and other orders may be used. Some of the steps may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps.

[0145] <<Additional Information>> The embodiments described above each illustrate a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step sequences shown in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the embodiments, those not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional components that constitute more preferred embodiments. The order in which the above methods are performed is merely an example for specifically explaining the present invention, and other orders may be used. Also, some of the above methods may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other methods. In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the scale of the components in the drawings of the above embodiments may differ from the actual scale. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the embodiments and their modifications may be combined. Furthermore, all the numbers used above are merely examples to specifically explain the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the numbers exemplified. [Industrial Applicability]

[0146] A medical information providing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure can be widely used as a medical information providing system for patients and their families related to a specific disease to collect medical information and share it among multiple patients. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 1. 1A Medical Information Provision System 10, 10(1), 10(2), patient terminal (client device) 11 Control section 12 Communication Circuits 13 Storage device 14 Display section 15 Operation input section 20, 20(1), 20(2) Administrator terminal (client device) 21 Control Unit 22 Communication Circuit 23 Storage device 24 Display section 25 Operation input section 30, 30B Medical information providing device (server device) 31, 31B Control section 311 Reception 312 Judgment section 313 Request Department 314 Acquisition Department 315 Common area 316B Virtual space sharing part 32 Communication Circuit 33 Storage device 331 Patient information storage unit 332 Provision request information storage unit 333 External Agency Information Storage Unit 334 Medical Information Storage Unit 335 Charging information storage unit 336 Programs 40 External Organizations 41 Related external organizations

Claims

1. A medical information providing device configured to be able to exchange information with a plurality of external institutions, and connected to a plurality of patient terminals operated by a plurality of patients or their families associated with a specific disease, and an administrator terminal operated by an administrator of a patient group consisting of a plurality of the patients or their families, via a communication network, and providing medical information to the patient terminals, a reception unit that receives information related to a request for provision of medical information based on an operation input from the patient terminal; a determination unit that transmits to the administrator terminal a determination request as to whether the requested medical information is specific medical information related to the specific disease, and acquires from the administrator terminal information indicating a determination result in response to the determination request; a request unit that, when the requested medical information is the specific medical information, transmits information related to the request to provide the medical information to a related external institution that is related to the medical information and is selected from the plurality of external institutions; an acquisition unit that acquires the medical information from the related external organization; a sharing unit that allows a plurality of the patient terminals to access the medical information; Medical information providing device.

2. The request unit acquires, from the administrator terminal, identification information of the related external institution that will transmit the request for provision of the medical information, and transmits information related to the request for provision of the medical information to the related external institution based on the identification information. The medical information providing device according to claim 1 .

3. The sharing unit allows the plurality of patient terminals to access the request for provision of medical information. The medical information providing device according to claim 1 .

4. When the medical information related to the request for provision is not the specific medical information, the reception unit transmits information indicating the determination result to the patient terminal that has received the request for provision of the medical information. The medical information providing device according to claim 1 .

5. The medical information includes information on how to deal with symptoms or solutions to worries and anxieties, The information related to the request for medical information includes information indicating the patient's symptoms to be improved, the medications currently being prescribed, and their effects. The medical information providing device according to claim 1 .

6. The plurality of patients are patients who are permitted to belong to the patient group by the administrator terminal based on an operation input. The medical information providing device according to claim 1 .

7. the reception unit receives application information of a request to join the patient group based on an operation input from a new terminal operated by a new patient, the new terminal not being included in the plurality of patient terminals; the determination unit transmits to the administrator terminal a determination request as to whether the application information related to the enrollment request is specific application information related to the specific disease, acquires from the administrator terminal information indicating a determination result in response to the determination request, and when the application information is the specific application information, adds the new terminal to a plurality of patient terminals; The sharing unit allows the terminal operated by the new patient to access the medical information. The medical information providing device according to claim 1 .

8. When the specific disease is a first disease, the patient is a first patient, the patient terminal is a first patient terminal, the patient group is a first patient group, and the administrator terminal is a first administrator terminal, Furthermore, the system is connected to a plurality of second patient terminals operated by a plurality of second patients associated with a second disease different from the first disease, and a second administrator terminal operated by an administrator of a second patient group consisting of the plurality of second patients, via a communication network; the receiving unit receives information related to a request for provision of medical information based on an operation input from the second patient terminal, the determination unit transmits to the second administrator terminal a determination request as to whether the requested medical information is specific medical information related to the second disease, and acquires from the second administrator terminal information indicating a determination result in response to the determination request; When the requested medical information is the specific medical information, the request unit transmits information related to the request to provide the medical information to a related external institution related to the medical information selected from the plurality of external institutions; The acquisition unit acquires the medical information from the related external institution, The sharing unit permits the second patient terminals to access the medical information. The medical information providing device according to claim 1 .

9. When the medical information provided by the related external organization includes advertising information, the request unit transmits billing information regarding advertising fees for the advertising information to the related external organization. The medical information providing device according to claim 1 .

10. Further, a virtual space sharing unit that manages a virtual space in which the plurality of patient terminals can enter and view the medical information is provided, When any one of a plurality of patient terminals entering the virtual space selects the medical information to be viewed based on an operation input, the virtual space sharing unit permits other patient terminals entering the virtual space to access the same selected medical information. The medical information providing device according to claim 1 .

11. A medical information providing system including the medical information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a plurality of the patient terminals, and the administrator terminal. Medical information provision system.

12. A medical information providing method for providing medical information to a plurality of patient terminals that are operated by a plurality of patients or their families associated with a specific disease and are interconnected via a communication network, comprising: receiving information related to a request for provision of medical information based on an operation input from the patient terminal; a request for determining whether the requested medical information is specific medical information related to the specific disease to an administrator terminal operated by an administrator of a patient group consisting of a plurality of the patients or their families and interconnected via a communication network; acquires information indicating a determination result in response to the determination request from the administrator terminal; When the requested medical information is the specific medical information, a request for provision of the medical information is sent to a related external institution related to the medical information selected from a plurality of external institutions configured to be able to exchange information with each other; Obtaining the medical information from the relevant external organization; Allowing a plurality of the patient terminals to access the medical information How medical information is provided.

13. A program that causes a computer to execute a medical information provision process that provides medical information to a plurality of patient terminals that are operated by a plurality of patients or their families associated with a specific disease and that are interconnected via a communication network, Medical information provision processing is receiving information related to a request for provision of medical information based on an operation input from the patient terminal; a request for determining whether the requested medical information is specific medical information related to the specific disease to an administrator terminal operated by an administrator of a patient group consisting of a plurality of the patients or their families and interconnected via a communication network; acquires information indicating a determination result in response to the determination request from the administrator terminal; When the requested medical information is the specific medical information, information related to the request for provision of the medical information is transmitted to a related external institution related to the medical information selected from a plurality of external institutions configured to be able to exchange information with each other; Obtaining the medical information from the relevant external organization; Allowing a plurality of the patient terminals to access the medical information program.

Images