Medical information processing device, medical information processing system, medical information processing method, and program

Abstract

This involves monitoring changes in the biometric information of individuals under surveillance, conducting interviews with those whose biometric information shows changes, and determining which individuals require a hospital visit. [Solution] The medical information processing device of the embodiment comprises an information acquisition unit, a reliability / consistency calculation unit, and an information presentation unit. The information acquisition unit acquires the responses of a person under surveillance to a questionnaire presented to the person under surveillance. The reliability / consistency calculation unit calculates the reliability and consistency of the responses to the questions in the questionnaire and generates reliability / consistency information that represents the relationship between the calculated reliability and consistency. The information presentation unit presents the reliability / consistency information to the person conducting the monitoring of the person under surveillance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to a medical information processing apparatus, a medical information processing system, a medical information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various types of small sensors that can acquire the biometric information of the owner, such as wristwatch-type wearable devices, have become widespread. For this reason, for example, proposals have been made regarding the technology of an inquiry system that acquires the biometric information of a subject (monitoring subject) to be monitored for health status at a remote location and conducts an inquiry on the monitoring subject in whom a change is observed in the biometric information. However, for example, when the monitoring subject does not correctly answer the inquiry, it is conceivable that the abnormality in the health status of the monitoring subject cannot be correctly determined. And if the abnormality of the monitoring subject cannot be correctly determined, for example, a monitoring subject who needs to visit the hospital may be determined as not needing to visit the hospital, thus missing the abnormality in the health status, or a monitoring subject with a healthy status who does not need to visit the hospital may be determined as needing to visit the hospital, thus burdening the monitoring subject and the doctor.

[0003] Regarding this, for example, there is an inquiry system that calculates the reliability of the answer to the inquiry based on the degree of change in the biometric information of the monitoring subject when answering the inquiry. However, in this inquiry system, for example, even if the monitoring subject gives an intentionally incorrect answer (false answer), the degree of change in the biometric information is small, or even if the monitoring subject gives a correct answer, the degree of change in the biometric information becomes large. In such cases, it is conceivable that the determination of the reliability of the monitoring subject's answer will be incorrect, and the determination of whether the monitoring subject needs to visit the hospital will be incorrect.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5550015 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-005632 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The problem that the embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings aim to solve is to monitor changes in the biological information of a person under surveillance, conduct interviews with those under surveillance who show changes in their biological information, and determine which under surveillance individuals require a visit to a hospital. However, the problem that the embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings aim to solve is not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The medical information processing device of the embodiment includes an information acquisition unit, a reliability / consistency calculation unit, and an information presentation unit. The information acquisition unit acquires the responses of a person under surveillance to a questionnaire presented to the person under surveillance. The reliability / consistency calculation unit calculates the reliability and consistency of the responses to the questions in the questionnaire and generates reliability / consistency information that represents the relationship between the calculated reliability and consistency. The information presentation unit presents the reliability / consistency information to the person conducting the monitoring of the person under surveillance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the functional configuration of a medical information processing device according to an embodiment, and an example of the configuration and operating environment of a medical information processing system equipped with the medical information processing device. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of a medical interview generated by the medical interview generation function of the medical information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of consistency calculated by the reliability and consistency calculation function of the medical information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]This figure shows an example of a medical information processing device according to an embodiment that presents a medical questionnaire transmitted to a patient via a portable terminal device. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a medical information processing device according to an embodiment that allows a computer device to present information about changes in a patient's health status to a physician. [Figure 6] This figure shows another example (part 1) in which a medical information processing device according to the embodiment transmits information about changes in a patient's health status to a physician via a computer device. [Figure 7] This figure shows another example (part 2) in which a medical information processing device according to the embodiment transmits information about changes in a patient's health status to a physician via a computer device. [Figure 8] This figure shows another example (part 3) in which a medical information processing device according to the embodiment transmits information about changes in a patient's health status to a physician via a computer device. [Figure 9] This figure shows another example (part 4) in which a medical information processing device according to the embodiment transmits information about changes in a patient's health status to a physician via a computer device. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of how information prompting a patient to visit a hospital, transmitted by a medical information processing device according to the embodiment, is presented to the patient via a mobile terminal device. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a medical information processing device according to an embodiment that presents additional medical questions transmitted to a patient via a mobile terminal device. [Figure 12] This figure (part 5) shows another example in which a medical information processing device according to the embodiment transmits information about changes in a patient's health status to a physician via a computer device. [Figure 13] This figure shows another example (6) in which a medical information processing device according to the embodiment transmits information about changes in a patient's health status to a physician via a computer device. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of how the medical information processing device according to the embodiment generates additional medical questionnaires using its questionnaire generation function. [Figure 15] A flowchart showing an example of the processing flow in a medical information processing device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes the embodiment of the medical information processing device, medical information processing system, medical information processing method, and program with reference to the drawings.

[0009] A medical information processing device is used to identify individuals who need to be brought to a hospital for examinations or other tests if their health condition changes, such as patients with chronic diseases or lifestyle-related illnesses, patients preparing for surgery, or individuals who have received warnings during health checkups. A medical information processing system consists of a medical information processing device and terminal devices used by medical professionals and individuals who need to be monitored for their health condition. Medical professionals include, for example, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists belonging to medical institutions who monitor the health condition of individuals under surveillance (monitoring implementers). Medical professionals may also include, for example, caregivers belonging to nursing care facilities. There may be multiple medical professionals (monitoring implementers) who monitor the health condition of individuals under surveillance. In the following explanation, it will be assumed that medical professionals use the medical information processing system to monitor the health condition of individuals under surveillance.

[0010] [Configuration of the medical information processing system] Figure 1 shows an example of the functional configuration of a medical information processing device according to an embodiment, and the configuration and usage environment of a medical information processing system equipped with the medical information processing device. The medical information processing system 1 is realized by a medical information processing device 100, which is implemented by, for example, a server device on a network NW, a terminal device used by a medical professional (hereinafter referred to as "doctor D") in a medical institution 10 who is in charge of monitoring the health status of a person under surveillance (hereinafter referred to as "patient P"), and a terminal device worn or used by the person under surveillance (patient P). In the medical information processing system 1, the medical information processing device 100 and each terminal device communicate via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), provider equipment, wireless base station, etc.

[0011] In the medical information processing system 1, the medical information processing device 100 may be implemented by, for example, a server device on a network (which may be a network NW or a different network from the network NW within the hospital or pharmacy) installed in a hospital or pharmacy, or by a computer device such as a personal computer (PC). In this case, the computer device may be a terminal device used by physician D. In other words, in the medical information processing system 1, the medical information processing device 100 may be implemented by a computer device used by physician D.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows, as an example of a terminal device used by a doctor D to monitor the health condition of a patient P in a medical institution 10, a computer device 12 such as a personal computer (PC). The computer device 12 presents information regarding the health condition of the patient P, which is output (transmitted) via a network NW by a medical information processing device 100, to the doctor D. Thereby, the doctor D can confirm information regarding changes (abnormalities) in the health condition of the patient P determined by the medical information processing device 100. When an instruction for an action to be taken with respect to the medical information processing device 100 or the patient P is input by an operation of the doctor D (more specifically, an operation using an input interface not shown), the computer device 12 outputs (transmits) the information of the input instruction to the medical information processing device 100 via the network NW. The input interface not shown is realized, for example, by a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a microphone, or the like. When the input interface is a touch panel, the input interface may be formed integrally with a display device such as a display connected to the medical information processing device 100. The input interface may be realized by a display device (for example, a tablet terminal) capable of wireless communication with the medical information processing device 100. In this specification, the input interface is not limited to only those having physical operation components such as the above-described mouse and keyboard. For example, a circuit that receives an electrical signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the medical information processing device 100 and outputs this electrical signal to the medical information processing device 100 is also included in the examples of the input interface. The function of presenting information regarding the health condition of the patient P transmitted by the medical information processing device 100 and the function of transmitting an instruction for the patient P input by the doctor D to the medical information processing device 100 in the computer device 12 may be performed by an application executed in the computer device 12.

[0013] Figure 1 shows, for example, a wristwatch-type wearable device 22 worn by patient P at the patient's home 20, and, as an example of a terminal device used by patient P, a portable mobile terminal device 24 such as a smartphone or tablet, which combines the functions of a mobile phone using an existing mobile communication network with the functions of a personal digital assistant (PDA). When worn by patient P, the wearable device 22 measures one or more vital signs (life signs) of patient P, such as body temperature, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic blood pressure), heart rate, and pulse rate, and outputs (transmits) the measured vital sign data as biometric information to the medical information processing device 100 via the network NW. The mobile terminal device 24 presents the patient P with the contents of the medical questionnaire (questionnaire content) output (transmitted) via the network NW by the medical information processing device 100, and outputs (transmits) the patient P's answers to the questionnaire (hereinafter referred to as "questionnaire answers") to the medical information processing device 100 via the network NW. The mobile terminal device 24 displays the questionnaire content transmitted by the medical information processing device 100, and runs an application for transmitting the patient P's answers to the questionnaire as questionnaire answers to the medical information processing device 100. Furthermore, the mobile terminal device 24, when carried by the patient P, may measure activity data including the amount of physical activity such as walking and exercise in the patient P's daily life, and output (transmit) the measured activity data as biometric information to the medical information processing device 100 via the network NW. In this case, the measurement of activity data and the transmission of the measured activity data in the mobile terminal device 24 may also be performed by an application running in the mobile terminal device 24. The biometric information is not limited to the measurement items described above. For example, the biometric information may include data from patient P's electroencephalogram (EEG).

[0014] In FIG. 1, one medical information processing device 100 is shown as being connected to one computer device 12, one wearable device 22, and one portable terminal device 24 via a network NW. However, each of the computer device 12, the wearable device 22, and the portable terminal device 24 connected to the medical information processing device 100 via the network NW may be plural. Furthermore, in the medical information processing system 1, the medical information processing device 100 may be realized by a plurality of server devices. In this case, the plurality of server devices realizing the medical information processing device 100 may be connected to each other via the network NW.

[0015] The patient P is an example of a "person to be monitored", and the doctor D is an example of a "monitor". The computer device 12 is an example of a "first terminal device", and the portable terminal device 24 is an example of a "second terminal device".

[0016] [Functional Configuration of Medical Information Processing Device] The medical information processing device 100 includes, for example, a processing circuit 110. The processing circuit 110 executes processes such as, for example, an information acquisition function 120, an abnormality degree calculation function 130, an interview generation function 140, a reliability / consistency calculation function 150, and an information presentation function 160. The information acquisition function 120 executes processes such as, for example, a medical data acquisition function 122, a biological information acquisition function 124, and an interview answer acquisition function 126.

[0017] The processing circuit 110, for example, by having a hardware processor execute a program (software) stored in memory (storage unit) not shown, realizes the following functions: information acquisition function 120 (including medical data acquisition function 122, biological information acquisition function 124, and medical interview response acquisition function 126), abnormality degree calculation function 130, medical interview generation function 140, reliability / consistency calculation function 150, and information presentation function 160. The memory not shown is realized by semiconductor memory elements such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and flash memory, as well as hard disk drives (HDDs) and optical discs.

[0018] A hardware processor refers to circuits such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), LSIs (Large Scale Integrations), SOCs (System on Chips), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and programmable logic devices (e.g., Simple Programmable Logic Devices (SPLDs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)). Instead of storing programs in memory (not shown), the hardware processor may be configured to directly embed programs within its circuitry. In this case, the hardware processor implements its functions by reading and executing the programs embedded within the circuitry. A hardware processor is not limited to being configured as a single circuit; it may also be composed of multiple independent circuits combined to implement various functions. Multiple components may be integrated into a single hardware processor to implement various functions. Multiple components may also be incorporated into a single dedicated LSI to implement various functions. Here, the program (software) may be stored in advance in a storage device (a storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium) such as a ROM, RAM, flash memory, or hard disk drive (HDD), or it may be stored in a removable storage medium (a non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in a storage device (not shown) provided in the medical information processing device 100 when the storage medium is mounted in a drive device provided in the medical information processing device 100.The program (software) may be pre-downloaded from another computer device via a network NW or an unillustrated network and installed in the storage device provided in the medical information processing device 100. The program (software) installed in the storage device provided in the medical information processing device 100 may be transferred to the processing circuit 110 provided in the medical information processing device 100 and executed.

[0019] The information acquisition function 120 acquires information and data to determine abnormalities in the health status of patient P. The information acquisition function 120 outputs the acquired information and data to the abnormality degree calculation function 130 and the reliability / consistency calculation function 150.

[0020] The medical data acquisition function 122 acquires, for example, patient P's medical data from a medical database (DB) 200 connected to the medical information processing device 100. The medical database 200 is a database that stores medical data such as medical record data, test data, and patient names, ages, and genders from when multiple patients, including patient P, have been treated. The medical database 200 may also store past data (previous or predetermined period) such as biometric information and questionnaire responses acquired when the medical information processing device 100 previously monitored patient P's health status. The medical data acquisition function 122 outputs the acquired patient P's medical data to the abnormality calculation function 130.

[0021] The biometric information acquisition function 124 acquires biometric information output (transmitted) via a network NW from, for example, a wearable device 22 (which may include a mobile terminal device 24). The biometric information is associated with time information acquired from the patient P. The association of time information with biometric information is performed, for example, by associating the time when the wearable device 22 measured vital signs and the time when the mobile terminal device 24 measured activity data. The biometric information acquisition function 124 outputs the acquired biometric information to the abnormality calculation function 130 and the reliability / consistency calculation function 150, respectively. The biometric information acquisition function 124 may also output the acquired biometric information to the information presentation function 160.

[0022] The medical questionnaire response acquisition function 126 acquires medical questionnaire responses, for example, output (transmitted) from a mobile terminal device 24 via a network NW. Each medical questionnaire response is linked to the content of the medical questionnaire (question content) for patient P and the content of the patient's response to the questionnaire. Furthermore, each medical questionnaire response is linked to information about the time when patient P answered the questionnaire. The linking of time information to the medical questionnaire response is done, for example, by linking it to the time when the mobile terminal device 24 received input of patient P's response to the questionnaire. The medical questionnaire response acquisition function 126 outputs the acquired medical questionnaire responses to the reliability and consistency calculation function 150.

[0023] The information acquisition function 120 (which may also be a biometric information acquisition function 124 and a medical questionnaire response acquisition function 126) is an example of an "information acquisition unit".

[0024] The abnormality calculation function 130 detects abnormal changes in patient P's biological information based on the medical data output by the medical data acquisition function 122 and the biological information output by the biological information acquisition function 124, and calculates the degree of abnormality in patient P's health condition by estimating the cause of the abnormal change in the biological information.

[0025] The abnormality calculation function 130 detects abnormal changes in biological information using a pre-trained model that has learned correlations between various values, such as blood pressure, weight, and body fat percentage. This pre-trained model is one that has learned the correlations between different pieces of information (vital measurements), such as that heavier weight is associated with higher blood pressure, higher heart rate is associated with higher blood pressure, and heavier weight is associated with higher body fat percentage. The pre-trained model is generated, for example, by a computing device (not shown) using the machine learning function in AI (Artificial Intelligence). The pre-trained model may also be a model that has been trained to output correlations between input vital measurements using techniques such as CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) or DNN (Deep Neural Network). A CNN is a neural network in which several layers, such as convolutional layers and pooling layers, are connected. A DNN is a neural network in which layers of any configuration are connected in multiple layers. As a result, the abnormality calculation function 130 detects, for example, that there is an abnormal change in patient P's biological information because the correlation is not maintained when the patient is overweight and has a low body fat percentage. The method for detecting abnormal changes in biological information in the abnormality calculation function 130 is not limited to the method described above. For example, the abnormality calculation function 130 may detect abnormal changes in biological information based on the difference between patient P's past biological information included in the medical data output by the medical data acquisition function 122 and the patient P's current biological information.

[0026] The abnormality calculation function 130 estimates the cause of abnormal changes in biological information by adding the biological information of patient P, which has abnormal changes, to, for example, medical guidelines or a large language model (LLM). The abnormality calculation function 130 estimates the cause of abnormal biological information, such as "occurrence of edema," "worsening of left heart failure," or "worsening of right heart failure." In the case of a patient with high body weight and low body fat percentage, the abnormality calculation function 130 estimates "edema," for example, where weight increases and body fat percentage decreases, and estimates "decreased cardiac output" as the cause of the edema. The method for estimating the cause of abnormal changes in biological information in the abnormality calculation function 130 is not limited to the method described above.

[0027] The abnormality calculation function 130 calculates the degree of abnormality in patient P's health condition by quantifying, for example, the amount of change in the abnormal biological information of the detected patient P and the likelihood of the estimated cause, and judging the quantified values ​​based on a predetermined threshold. The abnormality calculation function 130 outputs information including the amount of change in the abnormal biological information, information representing the likelihood of the estimated cause, and the calculated degree of abnormality in patient P's health condition (hereinafter referred to as "abnormality information") to the interview generation function 140 and the reliability / consistency calculation function 150, respectively.

[0028] The abnormality calculation function 130 is an example of an "abnormality calculation unit".

[0029] The questionnaire generation function 140 generates a questionnaire to confirm the cause of the abnormal change in the biological information estimated by the abnormality calculation function 130, based on the abnormality information output by the abnormality calculation function 130. The questionnaire generation function 140 selects a set of questionnaire information corresponding to the estimated cause included in the abnormality information from among several sets of questionnaire information that have been generated in advance based on medical guidelines, for example. The questionnaire information sets include questions to confirm the cause for various causes of abnormal biological information, such as "for edema," "for hypertension," "for left heart failure," and "for right heart failure." For example, the questionnaire information set for "edema" includes questions such as "water intake" as a question item to be taken when edema occurs, and includes multiple sets of questionnaire information to confirm this question item. The questionnaire generation function 140 generates the current questionnaire by selecting a predetermined number (for example, three) of questionnaire information to confirm the same question item from the questionnaire information included in the selected questionnaire information set. The method for generating a medical history questionnaire in the medical history questionnaire generation function 140 is not limited to the method described above. For example, if a physician D gives an instruction to generate a medical history questionnaire by operating the computer device 12 (hereinafter referred to as the "medical history questionnaire generation instruction"), the medical history questionnaire generation function 140 may generate the questionnaire in response to this instruction. More specifically, if a medical history questionnaire generation instruction is given by physician D, the medical history questionnaire generation function 140 may generate the instructed questionnaire by adding the contents of this instruction to, for example, a large-scale language model (LLM). For example, if a medical history questionnaire generation instruction is input by physician D, such as "Please create a medical history questionnaire for patients prone to edema," the medical history questionnaire generation function 140 may add the contents of this instruction to the large-scale language model (LLM) and generate a predetermined number of questionnaires (for example, three) equivalent to the medical history questionnaire information described above.

[0030] Furthermore, if the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines that patient P's responses to the questionnaire lack reliability or consistency, and instructs the generation of an additional questionnaire, the questionnaire generation function 140 will, in response to this instruction, generate a questionnaire (an additional questionnaire) that asks the same questions as the basic questionnaire from a different perspective, in addition to the previously generated questionnaire (a questionnaire selected from the questionnaire information group or a questionnaire generated in accordance with instructions from physician D). The method for generating the additional questionnaire in the questionnaire generation function 140 may, for example, involve adding the previously generated basic questionnaire (questionnaire information) to a large-scale language model (LLM) to generate an additional questionnaire that asks the same questions as the basic questionnaire from a different perspective. The large-scale language model (LLM) used by the questionnaire generation function 140 to generate the basic questionnaire in accordance with instructions from physician D and the large-scale language model (LLM) used to generate the additional questionnaire may be different large-scale language models (LLM) or the same large-scale language model (LLM). The medical questionnaire generation function 140 may also generate additional medical questionnaires, in accordance with instructions from physician D.

[0031] Here, we will explain an example of a basic medical interview generated first by the medical interview generation function 140 and an additional medical interview generated by it. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a medical interview generated by the medical interview generation function 140 provided in the medical information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 shows an example of a medical interview (i.e., a medical interview to confirm the same question item) when a patient P has developed edema and the question item = "amount of fluid intake" is asked. Figure 2(a) shows an example of a basic medical interview generated first by the medical interview generation function 140, and Figure 2(b) shows an example of an additional medical interview generated by the medical interview generation function 140.

[0032] The questionnaire generation function 140 generates an additional questionnaire, such as "After pressing firmly on your shin, how many seconds does it take for the indentation to disappear?" shown in Figure 2(b), based on the questionnaire "Do you have swelling?" shown in Figure 2(a). Similarly, the questionnaire generation function 140 generates an additional questionnaire, such as "Please tell me your daily fluid intake," shown in Figure 2(b), based on the questionnaire "Are you drinking too much water?" shown in Figure 2(a). Similarly, the questionnaire generation function 140 generates an additional questionnaire, such as "Please tell me the time you ate dinner," shown in Figure 2(b), based on the questionnaire "Please tell me the time you last ate," shown in Figure 2(a). In the example shown in Figure 2, one additional questionnaire is generated for each of the previously generated basic questionnaires, but the questionnaire generation function 140 may generate multiple additional questionnaires for each of the previously generated basic questionnaires. In this case, the medical questionnaire generation function 140 may select one additional questionnaire from among the multiple additional questionnaires generated for each questionnaire and use them as additional questionnaires.

[0033] Thus, if the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines that patient P's responses to the previously generated basic questionnaire lack reliability or consistency, the questionnaire generation function 140 generates an additional questionnaire corresponding to the basic questionnaire. This allows the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 to determine the reliability and consistency of the questionnaire responses, including patient P's responses to the additional questionnaire.

[0034] Returning to Figure 1, the questionnaire generation function 140 outputs the generated questionnaire information (questionnaire information) to the information presentation function 160.

[0035] The medical interview generation function 140 is an example of a "medical interview generation unit".

[0036] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 calculates the reliability and consistency of patient P's responses to each questionnaire generated by the questionnaire generation function 140, which is output by the questionnaire response acquisition function 126. Reliability is an indicator used to measure whether patient P's psychological state is stable while answering the questionnaire. For example, if patient P is trying to answer the questionnaire correctly but is asked an unexpected question, or if patient P is intentionally trying to give a wrong answer (false answer), it is thought that there will be a large change in patient P's psychological state, and the degree of change in psychological state during the answering process is calculated as reliability. Consistency is an indicator used to measure whether patient P is answering the questionnaire with a correct understanding of their own health condition. For example, if patient P does not have a correct understanding of their own health condition, it is thought that there will be inconsistencies in their answers to the questionnaire if the same question items (questions with the same meaning) are expressed in different words, and the degree of inconsistency in the answers is calculated as consistency.

[0037] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 calculates the reliability of patient P's responses to a medical interview based on the biometric information output by the biometric information acquisition function 124. At this time, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 calculates the reliability of patient P's responses to the medical interview based on the magnitude of the degree of change between patient P's biometric information before answering the interview, patient P's biometric information while answering the interview, and patient P's biometric information after answering the interview. Examples of biometric information that the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 uses to calculate reliability include heart rate and blood pressure.

[0038] Here, we will explain the case where the biometric information used to calculate the reliability of patient P's questionnaire responses is, for example, heart rate. When the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 starts calculating reliability, it sets the reliability of the questionnaire responses to "100" and uses patient P's heart rate measured before answering the questionnaire as the baseline. Then, for every change in patient P's heart rate measured while answering each of the multiple questionnaires, for example by 5 [bpm] from the heart rate measured during the answering of the previous questionnaire, the reliability is subtracted by "-5". The heart rate of patient P while answering the questionnaire can be associated with the time information of when patient P answered the questionnaire, which is linked to the questionnaire answer, and the time information linked to the biometric information (in this case, the time when the vital sign of heart rate was measured). The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 repeats this calculation until patient P has completed answering all questionnaires, and the final calculated reliability value is taken as the reliability of patient P's questionnaire responses.

[0039] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 calculates the consistency of patient P's responses to the medical questionnaire based on the medical questionnaire responses output by the medical questionnaire response acquisition function 126. At this time, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 calculates the consistency of patient P's medical questionnaire responses based on the degree of agreement of patient P's responses to each of multiple medical questionnaires with the same meaning (i.e., multiple medical questionnaires to confirm the same question item). More specifically, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines whether patient P's responses to each of multiple medical questionnaires to confirm the same question item match, and defines the consistency as the percentage of medical questionnaires in which the responses match for the entire questionnaire.

[0040] Here, an example of consistency calculation in the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 will be explained. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of consistency calculated by the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 provided in the medical information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 shows an example of calculating the consistency of answers to a medical interview when a patient P has edema and is asked three questions: "swelling," "water intake," and "meal times." Figure 3(a) shows an example of high consistency, and Figure 3(b) shows an example of low consistency.

[0041] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines whether patient P's answers are consistent by examining whether it can be confirmed that patient P is experiencing swelling, based on their responses to the same "swelling" questions, such as Question 1, "Do you have swelling?", and Question 2, "After pressing firmly on your shin, how many seconds does it take for the indentation to disappear?", as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b). Similarly, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines whether patient P's answers are consistent by examining whether it can be confirmed that patient P's fluid intake is the same, based on their responses to the same "fluid intake" questions, such as Question 3, "Are you drinking too much water?", and Question 4, "Please tell me your daily fluid intake," as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b). Similarly, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines whether patient P's answers match by examining whether it can be confirmed that patient P's last meal time is similar to that of patient P, based on patient P's answers to the same "meal time" questions, such as question 5, "Please tell me the time you last ate," and question 6, "Please tell me the time you ate dinner," as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b). The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 then calculates the percentage of questions with matching answers out of the total number of questions (6 questions in Figure 3), and uses this calculated percentage as the consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses. The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 may also calculate the percentage of questions with matching answers out of the total number of question items (3 items in Figure 3), and use that value as the consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses. In the example shown in Figure 3(a), all 6 questions (3 out of 3 items) match. Therefore, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 sets the consistency to "100" because the percentage of questions with matching answers is 100%. On the other hand, in the example shown in Figure 3(b), 2 out of 6 questions (1 out of 3 items) match, and 4 out of 6 questions (2 out of 3 items) do not match (are inconsistent). Therefore, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 sets the consistency to "33" because the percentage of questions with matching answers is 33%.

[0042] In the example shown in Figure 3, there are two questionnaires for each of the same question items. However, if additional questionnaires are generated by the questionnaire generation function 140, for example, the number of questionnaires for the same question item will increase. In this case, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines that patient P's answers to questionnaires for the same question item are consistent if, for example, a large number of questionnaires for the same question item have matching answers (e.g., more than half), and inconsistent if a small number of questionnaires have matching answers (e.g., less than half). The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 then calculates the ratio of the number of questionnaire items for which the answers are determined to be consistent to the total number of questionnaire items, and uses this calculated ratio as the consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses. The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 may, for example, calculate the consistency of questionnaire responses (the percentage of questionnaires with matching answers) for each identical question item, and then calculate the consistency of questionnaire responses for all question items.

[0043] In this way, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 calculates the consistency of patient P's responses to the medical interview.

[0044] Returning to Figure 1, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 represents the relationship between the reliability and consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses based on the calculated reliability and consistency. More specifically, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 represents the relationship between the reliability and consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses by representing the respective levels of the calculated reliability and consistency on a four-quadrant matrix. For example, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 uses reliability as the vertical axis and consistency as the horizontal axis, and displays a single mark (hereinafter referred to as the "reliability and consistency mark") representing the respective levels of the calculated reliability and consistency on a four-quadrant matrix where the axes intersect at a reliability level of "50" and a consistency level of "50," thereby showing the relationship between the reliability and consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses for this questionnaire. For example, if the reliability and consistency of the patient's responses are both high, the reliability and consistency mark is shown in the first quadrant; if the reliability is high but the consistency is low, the reliability and consistency mark is shown in the second quadrant; if both the reliability and consistency are low, the reliability and consistency mark is shown in the third quadrant; and if the reliability is low but the consistency is high, the reliability and consistency mark is shown in the fourth quadrant. This allows physician D to visually confirm the relationship between the reliability and consistency of patient P's responses to the patient's responses.

[0045] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 outputs information representing the relationship between the reliability and consistency of patient P's interview responses (hereinafter referred to as "reliability and consistency information"), that is, information in a four-quadrant matrix showing the relationship between calculated reliability and consistency, to the information presentation function 160.

[0046] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines whether additional questioning is necessary for patient P and whether patient P needs to visit medical institution 10, based on the relationship between reliability and consistency represented on a four-quadrant matrix. These determinations are made based on which quadrant the reliability and consistency mark is placed in on the four-quadrant matrix. The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 outputs instructions for taking action according to the determination result to the corresponding component.

[0047] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines, for example, that if the reliability and consistency of patient P's responses to the medical interview are both high (i.e., the reliability and consistency mark is shown in the first quadrant), and the abnormality information output by the abnormality calculation function 130 indicates a high degree of abnormality in patient P's health condition, then patient P needs to come to the medical institution 10. The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 also determines, for example, that patient P needs to come to the medical institution 10 if the reliability and consistency of patient P's responses to the medical interview are both low (i.e., the reliability and consistency mark is shown in the third quadrant). In these cases, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 outputs an instruction to the information presentation function 160 to output (transmit) information prompting patient P to come to the medical institution to the mobile terminal device 24 used by patient P (hereinafter referred to as "come-to-medical institution instruction").

[0048] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines, for example, that an additional interview is necessary for patient P if either the reliability or consistency of patient P's interview responses is low (i.e., if the reliability and consistency mark is shown in the second or fourth quadrant). In this case, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 outputs an instruction to generate an additional interview (hereinafter referred to as "additional interview instruction") to the interview generation function 140. As a result, the interview generation function 140 generates an additional interview in accordance with the additional interview instruction output by the reliability and consistency calculation function 150.

[0049] Furthermore, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines the interview results for patient P based on the calculated reliability and consistency, the interview responses output by the interview response acquisition function 126, and the abnormality information output by the abnormality calculation function 130. This determination method may be performed by adding the calculated reliability and consistency, the interview responses, and the abnormality information to, for example, a large-scale language model (LLM). The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 outputs information representing the determined interview results (hereinafter referred to as "interview result information") to the information presentation function 160.

[0050] The output of the visit instruction or additional consultation instruction in the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 may be performed automatically based on the position of the reliability and consistency mark shown on the four-quadrant matrix, or it may be performed when physician D operates the computer device 12 to give an instruction for a visit or to generate an additional consultation, that is, when physician D inputs an action instruction to the medical information processing device 100.

[0051] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 is an example of the "reliability and consistency calculation unit." The instruction to visit a medical facility is an example of an instruction to "instruct the monitored person to go to a medical institution," and the instruction to take additional medical interviews is an example of an instruction to "instruct the monitored person to take additional medical interviews."

[0052] The information presentation function 160 causes various information to be displayed on the mobile terminal device 24 used by patient P and the computer device 12 used by doctor D.

[0053] The information presentation function 160 outputs (transmits) the medical questionnaire information output by the medical questionnaire generation function 140 to the mobile terminal device 24 (more specifically, the application running on the mobile terminal device 24) via the network NW, thereby presenting the medical questionnaire (questions) to the patient P. As a result, the patient P operates the mobile terminal device 24 to input their answers to the presented medical questionnaire.

[0054] Here, we will describe an example in which the information presentation function 160 outputs (transmits) medical questionnaire information to the mobile terminal device 24 and presents the questionnaire to the patient P. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the medical information processing device 100 (more specifically, the information presentation function 160) according to the embodiment presents the questionnaire to the patient P via the mobile terminal device 24. Figure 4 shows an example in which the six questionnaires (questionnaire 1 to questionnaire 6) shown in Figure 3 (Figure 3(a) and Figure 3(b)) are transmitted to the mobile terminal device 24. The information presentation function 160 transmits the medical questionnaire information output by the medical questionnaire generation function 140 to the mobile terminal device 24 in a random order and displays it on the mobile terminal device 24. Figure 4(a) shows an example where Questionnaire 3 shown in Figure 3 is sent first and displayed on the mobile terminal device 24 as the first questionnaire; Figure 4(b) shows an example where Questionnaire 5 shown in Figure 3 is sent third and displayed on the mobile terminal device 24 as the third questionnaire; and Figure 4(c) shows an example where Questionnaire 1 shown in Figure 3 is sent last and displayed on the mobile terminal device 24 as the sixth questionnaire. In the example shown in Figure 4, patient P can input answers to the presented questionnaires by operating the mobile terminal device 24 and selecting either "yes" or "no" for each displayed questionnaire or by entering answers in the input fields. As a result, the mobile terminal device 24 transmits the questionnaire answers entered by patient P to the medical information processing device 100 via the network NW, and the questionnaire answer acquisition function 126 acquires the questionnaire answers transmitted by the mobile terminal device 24.

[0055] The information presentation function 160 outputs (transmits) the reliability and consistency information output by the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 to the computer device 12 via the network NW, thereby causing physician D to be presented with information regarding changes (abnormalities) in patient P's health status. At this time, the information presentation function 160 generates a display image for displaying the information regarding changes (abnormalities) in patient P's health status on the display device provided by the computer device 12, and transmits this display image to the computer device 12, thereby presenting it to physician D. As a result, physician D can confirm the information regarding changes (abnormalities) in patient P's health status from the presented reliability and consistency information. Based on the confirmed changes (abnormalities) in patient P's health status, physician D can operate the computer device 12 and output (transmit) instructions representing actions to be taken towards patient P to the medical information processing device 100, such as instructions to generate a medical interview, instructions to generate additional medical interviews, or instructions to urge patient P to come to the hospital. As a result, in the medical information processing device 100, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 outputs a medical interview generation instruction or an additional medical interview instruction to the medical interview generation function 140, the medical interview generation function 140 generates a medical interview, and in response to an instruction to come to the hospital, the information presentation function 160 outputs (transmits) information prompting patient P to come to the hospital (hereinafter referred to as "come-to-hospital information") to the mobile terminal device 24.

[0056] Here, we will describe an example in which the information presentation function 160 outputs (transmits) reliability and consistency information to the computer device 12, causing physician D to be presented with information regarding changes (abnormalities) in patient P's health condition. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the medical information processing device 100 (more specifically, the information presentation function 160) according to the embodiment transmits information regarding changes (abnormalities) in patient P's health condition to physician D via the computer device 12. Figure 5 shows an example of a display image IM representing information regarding changes (abnormalities) in patient P's health condition, which is generated and transmitted by the information presentation function 160 and displayed on the display device provided by the computer device 12.

[0057] In the display image IM shown in Figure 5, the respective information presented to physician D is shown in the patient information display area PA, the abnormality level information display area AA, and the medical history information display area QA. The patient information display area PA is the area that displays information about patient P, such as name, age, and gender. The abnormality level information display area AA is the area that displays information included in the abnormality level information, such as the abnormality level calculated by the abnormality level calculation function 130 for each piece of biological information acquired by the biological information acquisition function 124. The medical history information display area QA is the area that displays information related to the medical history interview with patient P, such as the content of the medical history interview (questionnaire content) generated by the medical history generation function 140 for patient P, the medical history answers acquired by the biological information acquisition function 124, and the reliability and consistency calculated by the reliability and consistency calculation function 150. The medical history information display area QA includes the medical history answer display area QAA, the reliability and consistency information display area RCA, and the medical history result display area QRA.

[0058] The Questionnaire Response Display Area QAA is the area that displays the questionnaire responses acquired by the Biometric Information Acquisition Function 124 (including the content of the questions for patient P generated by the Questionnaire Generation Function 140). The Reliability and Consistency Information Display Area RCA is the area that displays reliability and consistency information, which represents the reliability and consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses calculated by the Reliability and Consistency Calculation Function 150. In the display image IM, the four-quadrant matrix shown in the Reliability and Consistency Information Display Area RCA is an example where a reliability and consistency mark is shown in the first quadrant Q1, meaning that both the reliability and consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses are high. The Questionnaire Result Display Area QRA is the area that displays questionnaire result information, which represents the questionnaire results determined by the Reliability and Consistency Calculation Function 150. In the display image IM, the questionnaire results shown in the Questionnaire Result Display Area QRA are an example where, although patient P's health condition is highly abnormal, there are no problems (abnormalities) in the questionnaire results, and patient P has not yet been brought to the hospital (observation is sufficient). When the display image IM shown in Figure 5 is presented to physician D, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines that no further questioning of patient P is necessary, nor is it necessary to encourage patient P to visit medical institution 10. In this case, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 does not perform any additional processing and, for example, acts according to instructions from physician D.

[0059] Figures 6 to 9 show another example of how the medical information processing device 100 (more specifically, the information presentation function 160) according to the embodiment presents information about changes (abnormalities) in the health status of patient P to physician D via a computer device 12. Figures 6 to 9 show another example of the medical interview information display area QA presented to physician D by the display image IM shown in Figure 5.

[0060] The example (1) of the medical history information display area QA shown in Figure 6 is an example of a case where patient P's health condition is highly abnormal and there are abnormalities in the medical history results, and therefore both the reliability and consistency of patient P's medical history responses are high, making it necessary for patient P to come to the hospital immediately. In other words, it is an example of a case where the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines that patient P needs to come to the medical institution 10. In this case, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 outputs a visit instruction to the information presentation function 160. At this time, the information presentation function 160 may generate a display image in which the reliability and consistency marks in the four-quadrant matrix shown in the reliability and consistency information display area RCA are easier for physician D to confirm. For example, the color and / or shape of the reliability and consistency marks may be different from the example shown in Figure 5. Doctor D can operate the computer device 12 to send information prompting patient P to come to the hospital to the medical information processing device 100, for example, by selecting a reliability / consistency mark on the four-quadrant matrix shown in the reliability / consistency information display area RCA, or by selecting a button (not shown) for instructing a patient to come to the hospital.

[0061] The example (2) of the medical history information display area QA shown in Figure 7 is an example where, although patient P's health status is highly abnormal, there are no problems (abnormalities) in the medical history results, and the reliability / consistency mark is located in the fourth quadrant Q4 of the four-quadrant matrix shown in the reliability / consistency information display area RCA. In other words, the reliability of patient P's medical history answers is low (consistency is high), and therefore, patient P's visit should be reconsidered. In other words, this is an example where the reliability / consistency calculation function 150 determines that additional medical history is needed for patient P. In this case, the reliability / consistency calculation function 150 outputs an instruction for additional medical history to the medical history generation function 140. At this time as well, the information presentation function 160 may generate a display image in which the reliability / consistency mark in the four-quadrant matrix is ​​in a color or shape that is easier for physician D to see. Doctor D can operate the computer device 12 to send an additional interview instruction to the medical information processing device 100, which generates an additional interview to confirm reliability for patient P, by, for example, selecting a reliability / consistency mark on a four-quadrant matrix or selecting a button (not shown) for issuing an additional interview instruction.

[0062] The third example of the medical history information display area QA shown in Figure 8 illustrates a case where, although patient P's health status is highly abnormal, the medical history results are unclear, and the reliability / consistency mark is located in the second quadrant Q2 of the four-quadrant matrix shown in the reliability / consistency information display area RCA. In other words, patient P's responses to the medical history are inconsistent (but highly reliable), and therefore, patient P's visit should be reconsidered. In other words, this is an example where the reliability / consistency calculation function 150 determines that additional medical history is needed for patient P. In this case, the reliability / consistency calculation function 150 outputs an instruction for additional medical history to the medical history generation function 140. At this time as well, the information presentation function 160 may generate a display image in which the reliability / consistency mark in the four-quadrant matrix is ​​in a color and shape that is easier for physician D to see. Doctor D can operate the computer device 12 to send an additional questioning instruction to the medical information processing device 100, which generates an additional questioning instruction to confirm consistency with patient P, for example, by selecting a reliability / consistency mark on a four-quadrant matrix or selecting a button (not shown) for issuing an additional questioning instruction.

[0063] The example of the medical history information display area QA (part 4) shown in Figure 9 is an example where patient P's health status is highly abnormal, there are problems (abnormalities) in the medical history results, and the reliability / consistency mark is located in the third quadrant Q3 of the four-quadrant matrix shown in the reliability / consistency information display area RCA. In other words, both the reliability and consistency of patient P's medical history answers are low, making it necessary to have patient P come to the hospital immediately. In this case, the reliability / consistency calculation function 150 outputs a request to come to the hospital to the information presentation function 160. In this case as well, the information presentation function 160 may generate a display image in which the reliability / consistency mark in the four-quadrant matrix is ​​colored and shaped in a way that makes it easier for physician D to see. In this case as well, physician D can operate the computer device 12 to send information prompting patient P to come to the hospital to the medical information processing device 100 by, for example, selecting the reliability / consistency mark on the four-quadrant matrix or selecting a button (not shown) to give a request to come to the hospital.

[0064] Figures 5 to 9 illustrate an example of a display image IM generated by the medical information processing device 100 for presenting information about changes (abnormalities) in patient P's health status to physician D. This example shows the display image IM being configured to show information about patient P in the patient information display area PA, information included in the abnormality level information display area AA, and information related to the medical interview with patient P in the medical interview information display area QA. The IM is then output (transmitted) to the computer device 12. However, this is merely an example, and the configuration of the display image IM used by the medical information processing device 100 to present information about changes (abnormalities) in patient P's health status to physician D may be modified as appropriate.

[0065] The RCA (Reliability and Consistency) information display shown in Figures 5 to 9 is an example of "information that represents the respective levels of reliability and consistency in a four-quadrant matrix."

[0066] Here, we will describe an example in which, when it is determined that patient P needs to come to the medical institution 10, the information presentation function 160 outputs (transmits) information encouraging the patient to come to the medical institution to the mobile terminal device 24, and presents the patient P with the information to come to the medical institution. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example in which information encouraging the patient to come to the medical institution (visit information) transmitted by the medical information processing device 100 (more specifically, the information presentation function 160) according to the embodiment is presented to patient P by the mobile terminal device 24. Figure 10(a) shows an example of visit information when a reservation system for visits has been introduced at the medical institution 10, and Figure 10(b) shows an example of visit information when a reservation system for visits has not been introduced at the medical institution 10. In the example shown in Figure 10(a), patient P can make a reservation for a medical visit from the information transmitted by the information presentation function 160 by operating the mobile terminal device 24 and selecting the displayed reservation date and reservation time. In the example shown in Figure 10(b), patient P can check the medical institution 10's consultation days and hours and confirm that it is necessary to go to the medical institution 10 (visit the clinic) by the specified date.

[0067] Furthermore, if it is determined that additional questions are necessary for patient P, an example will be described in which the information presentation function 160 outputs (transmits) additional questions to the mobile terminal device 24, presenting the additional questions to patient P. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example in which the additional questions transmitted by the medical information processing device 100 (more specifically, the information presentation function 160) according to the embodiment are presented to patient P by the mobile terminal device 24. Figure 11 shows an example in which six additional questions (questions a to f) for confirming reliability are transmitted to patient P by the mobile terminal device 24. Figure 11(a) shows an example in which, before the additional questions output by the question generation function 140 are transmitted (in a random order) to the mobile terminal device 24, information prompting patient P to take deep breaths to relax is displayed in the instruction display area IA. This is because the purpose of these additional questions is to confirm the reliability of patient P's answers to the questions, and deep breathing is intended to stabilize biological information such as heart rate and blood pressure, that is, to stabilize patient P's psychological state. In this case, the information presentation function 160 instructs patient P to repeat the action of "slowly inhaling" as shown in Figure 11(a) and the action of "slowly exhaling" (not shown) several times (this may be repeated until the heart rate, blood pressure, etc. measured by the wearable device 22 stabilizes), and transmits this information to the mobile terminal device 24 for display. The output (transmission) of information to relax patient P as shown in Figure 11(a) is not limited to the purpose of confirming the reliability of patient P's answers to the medical questionnaire, but may also be done to confirm the consistency of patient P's answers to the medical questionnaire, or when the initial medical questionnaire is administered (see Figure 4). Subsequently, the information presentation function 160 transmits additional medical questionnaire information output by the medical questionnaire generation function 140 to the mobile terminal device 24 for display. Figure 11(b) shows an example where the additional first questionnaire a is displayed on the mobile terminal device 24, and Figure 11(c) shows an example where the additional last questionnaire f is displayed on the mobile terminal device 24.In the example shown in Figures 11(b) and 11(c), patient P can input answers to the presented additional questions by operating the mobile terminal device 24 and selecting either "yes" or "no" for each additional question displayed (or entering the answer in the input field if it is a question requiring an answer). The mobile terminal device 24 then transmits the questions entered by patient P to the medical information processing device 100 via the network NW, and the questions answer acquisition function 126 acquires the questions for the additional questions transmitted by the mobile terminal device 24.

[0068] The information presentation function 160 is an example of an "information presentation unit." The visit information shown in Figure 10(a) is an example of "information for making an appointment for medical treatment at a medical institution" and "information on the medical institution's operating hours," while the visit information shown in Figure 10(b) is an example of "information on the medical institution's operating hours." Displaying information in the instruction display area IA is an example of "instructing the monitored person to perform actions that stabilize their psychological state."

[0069] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 similarly calculates reliability and consistency for the responses to additional questionnaires (hereinafter referred to as "additional questionnaire responses") and represents the reliability and consistency relationship of the additional questionnaire responses by patient P by displaying reliability and consistency marks on a four-quadrant matrix.

[0070] Figures 12 and 13 show another example of how the medical information processing device 100 (more specifically, the information presentation function 160) according to the embodiment presents information about changes (abnormalities) in the health status of patient P to physician D via a computer device 12. Figures 12 and 13 also show another example of the medical interview information display area QA presented to physician D by a display image IM, similar to the example shown in Figures 6 to 9.

[0071] The example of the QA in the medical history information display area (part 5) shown in Figure 12 is an example of what happens when an additional medical history is conducted because the initial basic medical history generated earlier has low consistency (but high reliability) (see Figure 8). In the example of the QA in the medical history information display area (part 5) shown in Figure 12, as a result of the additional medical history, consistency improved, and both reliability and consistency became high. Therefore, in the four-quadrant matrix shown in the reliability and consistency information display area RCA, the reliability and consistency mark, which was located in the second quadrant Q2 in the basic medical history, is now located in the first quadrant Q1. More specifically, in the example of the QA in the medical history information display area (part 5) shown in Figure 12, the reliability and consistency marks in each of the four quadrants of the matrix are connected by arrows so that the change in the position of the reliability and consistency mark in the initial basic medical history and the additional medical history can be seen. Doctor D can check the changes in the position of the reliability and consistency marks within the four-quadrant matrix and operate the computer device 12 to send necessary instructions (e.g., an instruction to come to the hospital) to patient P to the medical information processing device 100.

[0072] The example of the QA in the medical history information display area (No. 6) shown in Figure 13 is an example of a case where additional questions were asked because the reliability (consistency) of the previously generated basic medical history was low (consistency was high) (see Figure 7). In the example of the QA in the medical history information display area (No. 6) shown in Figure 13, the reliability improved as a result of the additional questions, and both reliability and consistency became high. Therefore, in the four-quadrant matrix shown in the reliability and consistency information display area RCA, the reliability and consistency mark, which was located in the fourth quadrant Q4 in the basic medical history, is now located in the first quadrant Q1. In the example of the QA in the medical history information display area (No. 6) shown in Figure 13, the reliability and consistency marks in each of the four quadrants of the matrix are connected by arrows so that you can see the change in the position of the reliability and consistency mark in the previously generated basic medical history and the reliability and consistency mark in the additional questions. In this case as well, physician D can check the changes in the position of the reliability and consistency marks within the four-quadrant matrix and operate the computer device 12 to send necessary instructions (for example, an instruction to come to the hospital) to patient P to the medical information processing device 100.

[0073] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate an example where the reliability and consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses improved due to additional questioning. This example shows how the reliability and consistency marks in the basic questionnaire and the additional questionnaire are connected by arrows within a four-quadrant matrix. However, this is merely one example. For instance, to indicate the improvement in reliability and consistency due to additional questioning, the color or shape of each reliability and consistency mark could be changed, or numbers could be added to each mark.

[0074] Figures 12 and 13 show an example where the reliability and consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses improved with a single additional interview. However, it is also possible that the reliability and consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses may not improve with a single additional interview. In this case, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines that further additional interviews are necessary for patient P and outputs an instruction for additional interviews (including instructions for additional interviews from physician D) to the questionnaire generation function 140. As a result, the questionnaire generation function 140 generates further additional interviews to ask the same questions as the additional interview from a different perspective.

[0075] The RCA (Reliability and Consistency Information) display shown in Figures 12 and 13 is an example of "reliability and consistency information that represents the change in the relationship between reliability and consistency before and after additional interviews in a four-quadrant matrix."

[0076] Here, we will describe an example of when the medical questionnaire generation function 140 generates additional medical questionnaires. Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of when the medical questionnaire generation function 140, provided in the medical information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, generates additional medical questionnaires. As shown in Figure 14(a), Figure 14 shows an example of additional medical questionnaires generated by the medical questionnaire generation function 140 for medical questionnaires with low consistency in the question items that are inconsistent in Figure 3(b). More specifically, for the medical questionnaires regarding "swelling" shown in Figure 14(b-1) for questionnaires 1 and 2, Figure 14(c-1) shows an example in which the following additional medical questionnaires were generated: Question 7, "Do you feel lethargic (tired)?", Question 8, "Are there marks left by socks, etc.", Question 9, "Is it difficult to put on socks?". Furthermore, Figure 14 (c-2) shows an example in which additional questions are generated for the "meal times" questions in questionnaires 5 and 6, as shown in (b-2) of Figure 14. These additional questions include question 10, "Was your last meal 1 hour ago or 5 hours ago?", and question 11, "Was your last meal at 2 PM or 6 PM?". When these additional questions are presented to patient P on the mobile terminal device 24, P can input their answers to the presented additional questions by operating the mobile terminal device 24 and selecting either "yes" or "no" for each displayed additional question (or entering the answer in the input field if it is a question requiring an input). As a result, the mobile terminal device 24 transmits the questionnaire answers for the additional questions entered by patient P to the medical information processing device 100 via the network NW, and the questionnaire answer acquisition function 126 acquires the questionnaire answers for the additional questions transmitted by the mobile terminal device 24. Furthermore, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 can determine the reliability and consistency of patient P's responses to additional questions, including their responses to further questions.

[0077] [Processing by medical information processing equipment] Next, the overall operation of the medical information processing device 100 will be described. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow in the medical information processing device 100 according to this embodiment. In the following description, the processing circuit 110 of the medical information processing device 100 acquires medical data of patient P, which is the subject of monitoring, from the medical database 200 using the medical data acquisition function 122 within the information acquisition function 120, and outputs the acquired medical data of patient P to the abnormality calculation function 130 to monitor changes (abnormalities) in the health status of patient P.

[0078] When the medical information processing device 100 begins monitoring for changes (abnormalities) in the health status of patient P, the processing circuit 110 uses the biometric information acquisition function 124 within the information acquisition function 120 to acquire biometric information transmitted via the network NW by the wearable device 22 that measures the vital signs of patient P (step S100). The biometric information acquisition function 124 outputs the acquired biometric information to the abnormality degree calculation function 130 and the reliability / consistency calculation function 150, respectively.

[0079] The abnormality calculation function 130 within the processing circuit 110 detects changes in patient P's biological information based on the medical data output by the medical data acquisition function 122 and the biological information output by the biological information acquisition function 124 (step S102). The abnormality calculation function 130 determines whether the detected change in patient P's biological information is abnormal or not (step S104). If, in step S104, it is determined that the detected change in patient P's biological information is not abnormal, the abnormality calculation function 130 returns to step S100. The processing circuit 110 then repeats the processes from step S100 to step S104, continuing to determine whether patient P's health condition is abnormal or not.

[0080] On the other hand, in step S104, if it is determined that the detected change in patient P's biological information is abnormal, the abnormality calculation function 130 estimates the cause of the abnormal change in biological information, calculates the degree of abnormality of patient P's health condition, and outputs the abnormality information to the medical interview generation function 140 and the reliability / consistency calculation function 150, respectively.

[0081] The medical history generation function 140 within the processing circuit 110 generates a medical history questionnaire (basic medical history questionnaire) corresponding to the estimated cause included in the abnormality level information, when the abnormality level calculation function 130 outputs abnormality level information indicating that patient P's health condition is abnormal. The medical history generation function 140 then outputs the generated medical history questionnaire information (medical history questionnaire information) to the information presentation function 160, which transmits it to the mobile terminal device 24 for presentation to patient P (step S110). As a result, patient P operates the mobile terminal device 24 and inputs answers to the presented medical history questionnaire.

[0082] Subsequently, the processing circuit 110, using the medical questionnaire response acquisition function 126 within the information acquisition function 120, acquires the medical questionnaire responses entered by patient P in response to the presented questionnaire, which were transmitted via the network NW by the mobile terminal device 24 (step S120). The medical questionnaire response acquisition function 126 outputs the acquired medical questionnaire responses to the reliability and consistency calculation function 150.

[0083] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 within the processing circuit 110 calculates the reliability and consistency of the medical history responses output by the medical history response acquisition function 126 (step S122). Based on the calculated reliability and consistency, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 displays reliability and consistency marks on a four-quadrant matrix to represent the reliability and consistency relationship of patient P's medical history responses. The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 may output the reliability and consistency information (information from the four-quadrant matrix) to the information presentation function 160, which then transmits it to the computer device 12 for presentation to physician D. This allows physician D to confirm the information regarding changes (abnormalities) in patient P's health status presented by the computer device 12.

[0084] The reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines whether an additional interview with patient P or a visit to the hospital is necessary based on the relationship between reliability and consistency represented on the four-quadrant matrix (step S124). In making this determination in step S124, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines that an additional interview with patient P and a visit to the hospital are not necessary if the abnormality information indicates a high degree of abnormality in patient P's health condition, but the reliability and consistency mark on the four-quadrant matrix is ​​shown in the first quadrant (no problem with observation). In other cases, it determines that an additional interview with patient P or a visit to the hospital is necessary. If, in step S124, it determines that an additional interview with patient P and a visit to the hospital are not necessary, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 returns to step S100. The processing circuit 110 then repeats the processes from steps S100 to S124, continuing to determine whether or not patient P's health condition is abnormal, and if patient P's health condition is abnormal, it repeatedly determines whether or not to conduct an additional medical interview with patient P or whether or not patient P needs to come to the hospital.

[0085] On the other hand, if in step S124 it is determined that an additional interview with patient P or a visit by patient P is necessary, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines whether there is a problem with either the calculated reliability or consistency (step S130). In other words, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 determines whether there is a problem with either the reliability or consistency (the reliability and consistency mark on the 4-quadrant matrix is ​​shown in the second or fourth quadrant), whether there is no problem with either the reliability or consistency (the reliability and consistency mark on the 4-quadrant matrix is ​​shown in the first quadrant), or whether there is a problem with either the reliability or consistency (the reliability and consistency mark on the 4-quadrant matrix is ​​shown in the third quadrant).

[0086] In step S130, if the reliability / consistency calculation function 150 determines that there is a problem with either reliability or consistency, it outputs an additional questionnaire instruction to the questionnaire generation function 140. The questionnaire generation function 140 then generates an additional questionnaire in accordance with the additional questionnaire instruction output by the reliability / consistency calculation function 150. The questionnaire generation function 140 then outputs the generated additional questionnaire information (questionnaire information) to the information presentation function 160, which sends it to the mobile terminal device 24 for presentation to patient P (step S132). Patient P then operates the mobile terminal device 24 and inputs answers to the presented additional questionnaire. The reliability / consistency calculation function 150 then returns the process to step S120. As a result, the processing circuit 110, using the questionnaire response acquisition function 126, acquires the patient P's questionnaire responses to additional questionnaires transmitted via the network NW by the mobile terminal device 24 (step S120), and repeats the processing in steps S122 to S130 to determine in step S130 whether there is a problem with either the calculated reliability or consistency.

[0087] On the other hand, in step S130, if it is determined that there are no problems with both reliability and consistency, or that there are problems (the reliability / consistency mark is shown in the first or third quadrant of the four-quadrant matrix), the reliability / consistency calculation function 150 outputs a visit instruction to the information presentation function 160. As a result, the information presentation function 160 transmits visit information prompting patient P to come to the hospital to the mobile terminal device 24, in response to the visit instruction output by the reliability / consistency calculation function 150, and presents it to patient P (step S140). Then, the processing circuit 110 completes the processing of this flowchart, that is, the monitoring of patient P in this case.

[0088] As described above, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 may, in accordance with instructions from physician D, conduct additional interviews with patient P or take actions to encourage patient P to come to the hospital. In other words, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 may, in accordance with instructions from physician D, output additional interview instructions to the interview generation function 140 (processing in step S132) or output instructions to come to the hospital to the information presentation function 160 (processing in step S140). In this case, the reliability and consistency calculation function 150 presents physician D with reliability and consistency information (information in a four-quadrant matrix) representing the reliability and consistency relationship of patient P's interview answers calculated in the processing of step S122, and takes action for patient P in accordance with instructions entered by physician D by operating the computer device 12. In this case, the processing of the medical information processing device 100 includes a process to confirm instructions from physician D before the processing of step S130. In this case, the processing of the medical information processing device 100 may include a process to confirm instructions from physician D instead of the processing of step S130.

[0089] With this configuration and processing, the medical information processing device 100 detects changes in patient P's biological information (vital signs) from the patient P's biological information. If the detected changes in patient P's biological information are abnormal, the device presents a medical questionnaire to patient P and calculates the reliability and consistency of patient P's responses to the questionnaire. If either the calculated reliability or consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses is low (the reliability / consistency mark is shown in the second quadrant Q2 or the fourth quadrant Q4 of the four-quadrant matrix), the medical information processing device 100 determines that additional questions are needed for patient P, generates additional questions (including further additional questions), and presents the additional questions to patient P. On the other hand, if the medical information processing device 100 determines that patient P needs to visit medical institution 10, even if the calculated patient P's questionnaire responses are both highly reliable and consistent (a reliability / consistency mark is shown in the first quadrant Q1 of the four-quadrant matrix), or if the calculated patient P's questionnaire responses are both highly reliable and consistent (a reliability / consistency mark is shown in the third quadrant Q3 of the four-quadrant matrix), it will determine that patient P needs to visit medical institution 10 and will present patient P with information encouraging them to come to the medical institution (visit information). In this way, the medical information processing device 100 can more accurately determine changes (abnormalities) in the health status of the monitored patient P and whether a visit is necessary, based on the reliability and consistency of patient P's questionnaire responses, and can ensure that patients P who need to visit medical institution 10 do so. In other words, the medical information processing device 100 can avoid situations where it mistakenly determines that a patient P who needs to come to the hospital does not need to come (i.e., overlooking changes (abnormalities) in their health condition) and fails to perform necessary treatment, or where it mistakenly determines that a patient P who does not need to come to the hospital does need to come and performs unnecessary treatment, thereby burdening both the patient P and the doctor D.

[0090] As described above, the medical information processing device of the embodiment detects abnormal changes in a patient's biological information based on acquired biological information and calculates the degree of abnormality in the patient's health condition by estimating the cause of the abnormal change in biological information. The medical information processing device of the embodiment then presents the calculated degree of abnormality in the patient's health condition to the doctor (via a computer device), and if the calculated degree of abnormality in the patient's health condition is high, it generates a medical questionnaire for the patient (automatically or according to instructions from the doctor) and presents it to the patient (via a mobile terminal device). Subsequently, the medical information processing device of the embodiment obtains the patient's answers to the medical questionnaire and calculates the reliability and consistency of the answers. The medical information processing device of the embodiment then presents the calculated reliability and consistency of the answers to the doctor (via a computer device), and based on the calculated reliability and consistency of the answers, it takes actions for patient P, such as conducting additional medical questions or instructing the patient to come to the hospital (automatically or according to instructions from the doctor). In this way, the medical information processing device of the embodiment can reduce the chances of overlooking changes (abnormalities) in the health condition of the patient being monitored. Furthermore, the medical information processing device of this embodiment allows only patients who need to visit the hospital to come in, thereby reducing the burden on both the patients and the doctors who treat them. In other words, the medical information processing device of this embodiment can support doctors in monitoring the health status of patients.

[0091] In the embodiments described above, the medical information processing device was explained using the example of a system implemented on a single computer device or a server device on a network. However, this is merely an example, and the medical information processing device, or the functions it implements, may be implemented by a combination of multiple server devices or computer devices. Furthermore, the medical information processing device, or the functions it implements, may be implemented, for example, as a medical management system installed in a hospital, or as a device or function installed in an operating company that manages and operates a medical information processing system. In these cases, the functional configuration, operation, and processing of the medical information processing device should be equivalent to those of the medical information processing device in the embodiments described above. Therefore, a detailed explanation of the functional configuration, operation, and processing of the medical information processing device or its functions in these cases will be omitted.

[0092] The embodiments described above can be expressed as follows. Equipped with processing circuitry, The aforementioned processing circuit is Obtain the responses of the monitored individuals to the questionnaire presented to them. The reliability and consistency of the answers to the questions in the aforementioned medical interview are calculated, Reliability and consistency information is generated that represents the relationship between the calculated reliability and consistency. The aforementioned reliability and consistency information is presented to the monitoring implementer who is conducting the monitoring of the person being monitored. Medical information processing device.

[0093] According to at least one embodiment described above, a medical information processing device can be realized that includes an information acquisition unit (120) that acquires the responses of a person under surveillance (patient) to a questionnaire presented to the person under surveillance (patient), a reliability and consistency calculation unit (150) that calculates the reliability and consistency of the responses to the questions in the questionnaire and generates reliability and consistency information (a four-quadrant matrix) that represents the relationship between the calculated reliability and consistency, and an information presentation unit (160) that presents the reliability and consistency information to the person performing the monitoring (physician) who is monitoring the person under surveillance. This device can monitor changes in the biological information of a person under surveillance, conduct a questionnaire for a person under surveillance who shows changes in their biological information, and determine which people under surveillance need to come to the hospital.

[0094] While several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 1...Medical information processing system, 10...Medical institution, 12...Computer device, 20...Patient's home, 22...Wearable device, 24...Mobile terminal device, 100...Medical information processing device, 110...Processing circuit, 120...Information acquisition function, 122...Medical data acquisition function, 124...Biometric information acquisition function, 126...Medical questionnaire response acquisition function, 130...Abnormality calculation function, 140...Medical questionnaire generation function, 150...Reliability / consistency calculation function, 160...Information presentation function, 200...Medical database, NW...Network

Claims

1. An information acquisition unit that acquires the responses of the person being monitored to a questionnaire presented to the person being monitored, A reliability and consistency calculation unit calculates the reliability and consistency of the answers to the questions in the aforementioned medical questionnaire, and generates reliability and consistency information that represents the relationship between the calculated reliability and consistency. An information presentation unit that presents the aforementioned reliability and consistency information to the monitoring implementer who is conducting the monitoring of the person being monitored, A medical information processing device equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The information acquisition unit further acquires the biometric information of the person being monitored. An abnormality calculation unit that detects abnormal changes in the aforementioned biological information, estimates the cause of the abnormal change in the biological information, and calculates the degree of abnormality of the monitored person, A medical questionnaire generation unit generates the medical questionnaire items for confirming the estimated cause, Furthermore, The information display unit presents the medical questionnaire to the person being monitored. The medical information processing device according to claim 1.

3. The reliability and consistency calculation unit calculates the reliability based on the changes in the biological information obtained while the monitored person is answering the questionnaire. The medical information processing device according to claim 2.

4. The reliability and consistency calculation unit calculates consistency based on the degree of agreement between the answers to multiple questionnaires corresponding to the same questionnaire item. The medical information processing device according to claim 3.

5. The reliability and consistency calculation unit determines the action to be performed by the monitored person based on the relationship between the calculated reliability and consistency. The medical information processing device according to claim 4.

6. The actions to be performed by the person under surveillance include the actions of having the person under surveillance answer additional questions and the actions of having the person under surveillance go to a medical institution. The medical information processing device according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned additional questionnaire is a questionnaire that confirms the same question item as the one for which the answers to multiple of the aforementioned questionnaires do not match. The medical information processing device according to claim 6.

8. The information presentation unit, before presenting the additional questionnaire to the person being monitored, has the person being monitored perform actions that stabilize their psychological state. The medical information processing device according to claim 7.

9. The information display unit presents the information about the medical institution's operating hours to the monitored person when the monitored person is instructed to go to the medical institution. The medical information processing device according to claim 8.

10. The information presentation unit presents the monitored person with information to schedule a medical appointment at the medical institution when the monitored person takes the action of going to the medical institution. The medical information processing device according to claim 9.

11. The aforementioned reliability and consistency information is information that represents the respective levels of reliability and consistency in a four-quadrant matrix. The medical information processing device according to claim 10.

12. The reliability and consistency calculation unit calculates the reliability and consistency of the answers to the additional questionnaire items, and generates reliability and consistency information that represents the change in the relationship between reliability and consistency before and after the additional questionnaire in the four-quadrant matrix. The medical information processing device according to claim 11.

13. A medical information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The first terminal device used by the monitoring person, A second terminal device used by the person being monitored, A medical information processing system equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

14. Computers Obtain the responses of the monitored individuals to the questionnaire presented to them. The reliability and consistency of the answers to the questions in the aforementioned medical interview are calculated, Reliability and consistency information is generated that represents the relationship between the calculated reliability and consistency. The aforementioned reliability and consistency information is presented to the monitoring implementer who is conducting the monitoring of the person being monitored. Medical information processing method.

15. On the computer, Obtain the responses of the monitored individuals to the questionnaire presented to them. The reliability and consistency of the answers to the questions in the aforementioned medical questionnaire are calculated. Reliability and consistency information representing the relationship between the calculated reliability and consistency is generated. The reliability and consistency information is provided to the monitoring implementer who is conducting the monitoring of the person being monitored. program.

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