Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and computer program

Abstract

An information processing device according to the present invention comprises a control unit which determines, on the basis of background information indicating the bodily condition and / or living environment of a patient, a symptom management regimen including items to manage and / or a method for providing information to the patient when managing symptoms of the patient, configures a terminal device to implement symptom management according to the symptom management regimen, acquires information indicating the implementation state of the symptom management by the configured terminal device, updates, on the basis of the implementation state of the symptom management by the terminal device, the symptom management regimen that the terminal device is to follow, and, when the symptom management regiment has been updated, configures the terminal device to implement symptom management according to the updated symptom management regimen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding self-care for heart failure, there are various management indicators such as body weight, blood pressure, salt, lower leg edema, orthopnea, exercise, appetite, diet, water, and medication. It is known to use a heart failure notebook with a unified format for each hospital or region as a record notebook for recording patient information regarding these management indicators, or as an educational material for providing medical information to patients.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method for identifying possible personal interventions for patients experiencing at least one side effect related to a current intervention.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a dietary guidance support device for supporting dietary guidance by a guide for a person subject to dietary guidance.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes a system that selects a suitable list of monitoring parameters based on user information related to a user's psychological profile and uses the list to monitor the user.

[0006] Patent Document 4 describes a treatment support device for supporting the treatment of a disease based on data obtained by a user sequentially using a system related to information processing technology.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0008] The management indicators for heart failure are diverse, and the disease states and patient populations of heart failure patients are various, and the items to be managed or the control ranges vary from patient to patient. Therefore, it is very time-consuming to manage and record all items using a heart failure notebook. Furthermore, comorbidities, cognitive function, regional characteristics, family environment, and depressive tendencies also affect the educational effect and the level to be achieved. Therefore, it is difficult for a heart failure notebook with a unified format to correspond to individual patients with different backgrounds. For example, the follow-up observation of jugular vein distension, which is a very sensitive symptom indicator, can be performed by patients or their families with high educational effects and no problem with cognitive function, but it is difficult for patients with a decline in cognitive function (cognitive aging) to perform it by themselves. Even with the configurations of Patent Documents 1 to 4, these problems cannot be solved.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to support symptom management according to the physical condition or living environment of an individual patient. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0010] An information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure determines a symptom management method including at least one of management items for managing the symptoms of a patient and a method of providing information to the patient based on background information indicating at least one of the physical condition and living environment of the patient, sets the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the symptom management method, acquires information indicating the implementation status of the symptom management in the set terminal device, updates the symptom management method to be followed by the terminal device based on the implementation status of the symptom management in the terminal device, and when the symptom management method is updated, comprises a control unit that sets the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the updated symptom management method.

[0011] In one embodiment, the control unit sets the terminal device to execute symptom management according to the symptom management method by sending information indicating the symptom management method to the terminal device.

[0012] In one embodiment, when an operation for updating the symptom management method is performed by the user, the control unit sets the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the updated symptom management method.

[0013] In one embodiment, the control unit determines the symptom management method based on the background information according to a rule indicating the correspondence between at least one of the physical condition and living environment of the patient and at least one of management items for managing the symptoms of the patient and a method of providing information to the patient.

[0014] As one embodiment, the control unit obtains a prediction model learned by machine learning, using, as teacher data, at least any one of background information of a sample patient including at least either the target patient who is the patient or at least one other patient, a symptom management method in symptom management previously performed on the sample patient, and an implementation status of the previously performed symptom management, and the health state of the sample patient after the previously performed symptom management. When determining a symptom management method for the target patient based on the background information of the target patient, the control unit uses the prediction model to predict the health state of the target patient from at least any one of the background information of the target patient, the symptom management method for the target patient, and the implementation status of the symptom management for the target patient, and determines the symptom management method for the target patient based on the predicted health state of the target patient.

[0015] As one embodiment, the background information includes information indicating at least any one of the patient's pathological condition, coexisting diseases, cognitive function, and tendency to depression.

[0016] As one embodiment, the symptom management method includes at least any one of a symptom management item, a method of inputting symptoms into the terminal device, a method of providing information from the terminal device, and an intervention method for the patient.

[0017] An information processing system as one aspect of the present disclosure includes the information processing device and the terminal device.

[0018] An information processing method as one aspect of the present disclosure is such that a control unit determines a symptom management method including at least any one of a management item when managing the patient's symptoms and a method of providing information to the patient based on background information indicating at least any one of the patient's physical condition and living environment, and sets the terminal device to execute symptom management according to the symptom management method.

[0019] As one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program causes a computer to execute a process of determining a symptom management method including at least one of management items for managing symptoms of a patient and a method of providing information to the patient based on background information indicating at least one of the physical condition and living environment of the patient, and a process of setting the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the symptom management method.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to support symptom management tailored to the physical condition or living environment of an individual patient.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

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Figure 10B

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Figure 10D

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0023] (System Configuration) With reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0024] The system 10 according to the present embodiment is an information processing system including a plurality of symptom recording devices 20 and at least one symptom management device 30.

[0025] Each of the plurality of symptom recording devices 20 is an information processing device (terminal device) used by a user such as a patient, a family member of the patient, or a caregiver. The patient is, for example, a patient with heart failure. The number of symptom recording devices 20 is not limited to a plurality, and may be only one. The symptom recording device 20 is held by the user. Alternatively, the symptom recording device 20 is installed in the user's home. The symptom recording device 20 is, for example, a dedicated terminal such as a gadget, or a general-purpose terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, or a PC. "PC" is an abbreviation for Personal Computer. The symptom recording device 20 can communicate with the symptom management device 30 via the network 40.

[0026] The symptom management device 30 is an information processing device installed in a facility such as a medical institution or a data center. The symptom management device 30 is realized by a computer such as a PC, or a server computer belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system. In the present embodiment, an example in which the symptom management device 30 is installed in a medical institution such as a hospital and directly operated by a medical professional such as a doctor or a nurse will be described. However, the symptom management device 30 may be installed in a data center or the like, and a medical professional may remotely operate it via a network 40 using an information processing device such as another PC.

[0027] The network 40 includes the Internet, an intranet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or a combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for Wide Area Network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for Metropolitan Area Network. The network 40 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. The wireless network is, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for Local Area Network.

[0028] (Configuration of the symptom recording device) With reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the symptom recording device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. The symptom recording device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, and an output unit 25.

[0029] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. "CPU" is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for Graphics Processing Unit. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for Field-Programmable Gate Array. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. The control unit 21 controls each part of the symptom recording device 20 and executes processing related to the operation of the symptom recording device 20.

[0030] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. "RAM" is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory (writable memory). "ROM" is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory (read-only memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for Static Random Access Memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for Dynamic Random Access Memory. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. The storage unit 22 functions as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. Data used for the operation of the symptom recording device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the symptom recording device 20 are stored in the storage unit 22.

[0031] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G, an interface compatible with short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a LAN interface. "LTE" is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. "4G" is an abbreviation for 4th Generation. "5G" is an abbreviation for 5th Generation. The communication unit 23 receives data used for the operation of the symptom recording device 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the symptom recording device 20.

[0032] The input unit 24 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen provided integrally with a display, a camera, or a microphone. The input unit 24 accepts an operation for inputting data used for the operation of the symptom recording device 20. Instead of being provided in the symptom recording device 20, the input unit 24 may be connected to the symptom recording device 20 as an external input device. As the connection method, for example, any method such as USB, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used. "USB" is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. "HDMI (registered trademark)" is an abbreviation for High-Definition Multimedia Interface.

[0033] The output unit 25 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. "LCD" is an abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display. "EL" is an abbreviation for Electro Luminescence. The output unit 25 outputs the data obtained by the operation of the symptom recording device 20. Instead of being provided in the symptom recording device 20, the output unit 25 may be connected to the symptom recording device 20 as an external output device. As the connection method, for example, any method such as USB, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0034] Each function of the symptom recording device 20 is realized by executing a program (computer program) for the symptom recording device 20 according to this embodiment by a processor as the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the symptom recording device 20 are realized by software. The program causes the computer to execute the operation of the symptom recording device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the symptom recording device 20. That is, the computer functions as the symptom recording device 20 by executing the operation of the symptom recording device 20 according to the program.

[0035] The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium is, for example, a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The distribution of the program is carried out, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as an SD card, a DVD, a CD, or a USB memory storing the program. "SD" is an abbreviation of Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation of Digital Versatile Disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation of Compact Disc Read only memory. The program may be distributed by storing the program in the server's storage and transferring the program from the server to other computers. The program may be provided as a program product.

[0036] The computer stores, for example, a program stored in a portable medium or a program transferred from a server, once, in the main memory device. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main memory device with a processor and executes the processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may directly read the program from the portable medium and execute the processing according to the program. The computer may sequentially execute the processing according to the received program each time the program is transferred from the server to the computer. The processing may be executed by a so-called ASP-type service that realizes the function only by execution instructions and result acquisition without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation of Application Service Provider. The program includes information for use in the processing by an electronic computer that conforms to the program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has a property of defining the processing of the computer corresponds to "what conforms to the program".

[0037] Some or all of the functions of the symptom recording device 20 may be realized by a dedicated circuit as the control unit 21. That is, some or all of the functions of the symptom recording device 20 may be realized by hardware. Further, the symptom recording device 20 may be realized by a single information processing device, or may be realized by the cooperation of a plurality of information processing devices.

[0038] (Configuration of the symptom management device) With reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the symptom management device 30 according to the present embodiment will be described. The symptom management device 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, an input unit 34, and an output unit 35. The control unit 31, the storage unit 32, the communication unit 33, the input unit 34, and the output unit 35 are realized by the same configuration as the control unit 21, the storage unit 22, the communication unit 23, the input unit 24, and the output unit 25 of the symptom recording device 20, and perform the same functions. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the symptom management device 30 refers to the description of the configuration of the symptom recording device 20, and the details are omitted.

[0039] Each function of the symptom management device 30 is realized by executing a program (computer program) for the symptom management device 30 according to the present embodiment by a processor as the control unit 31. That is, the functions of the symptom management device 30 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the symptom management device 30, thereby causing the computer to function as the symptom management device 30. That is, the computer functions as the symptom management device 30 by executing the operations of the symptom management device 30 according to the program. Since the method of providing the program and the method of executing the program are the same as those of the symptom recording device 20, the description of the symptom recording device 20 is referred to, and the details are omitted.

[0040] Some or all of the functions of the symptom management device 30 may be realized by a dedicated circuit as the control unit 31. That is, some or all of the functions of the symptom management device 30 may be realized by hardware. Further, the symptom management device 30 may be realized by a single information processing device, or may be realized by the cooperation of a plurality of information processing devices.

[0041] (Overview of the System) In the symptom management device 30, based on background information indicating at least one of the patient's physical condition and living environment, the control unit 31 determines a symptom management method including at least one of management items for managing the patient's symptoms and a method of providing information to the patient. Further, the control unit 31 sets the symptom recording device 20 so that the symptom recording device 20 executes symptom management according to the determined symptom management method. For example, the control unit 31 sets the symptom recording device 20 to execute symptom management according to the symptom management method by sending information indicating the symptom management method to the symptom recording device 20 via the network 40. According to such a configuration, it is possible to support symptom management tailored to the individual background of the patient (for example, at least one of the patient's disease state, co-existing diseases, cognitive function, and depressive tendency, etc., and the living environment such as regional characteristics and family environment).

[0042] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display as the output unit 35 of the symptom management device 30. FIG. 4 shows an example of background information 51 to 54 and symptom management items 55 determined based on the background information for a patient with the name "Hanako Teramoto", age "80 years old", and gender "female".

[0043] 51 represents information investigated and measured at a medical institution in a line graph, and 52 represents information investigated and measured by the patient side in a line graph. Details of these will be described later with reference to FIG. 6. 53 is an example of information investigated by means of a doctor's or nurse's interview, etc. In the example of 53, NYHA, the patient's care level, the patient's knowledge of heart failure, and the residence (whether there are cohabitants, living alone, etc.) are shown. NYHA is a heart function classification by the New York Heart Association. 54 is an example of text information indicating the findings of a doctor or nurse, etc. The background information is not limited to what is exemplified here and may include any information that is useful for determining a symptom management method, such as the patient's disease state, co-existing diseases, cognitive function, depressive tendency, regional characteristics, and family environment.

[0044] Based on the background information exemplified in 51 to 54 (which may include information such as the patient's age and gender), the control unit 31 of the symptom management device 30 determines a symptom management method including at least one of the management items for managing the patient's symptoms and the method of providing information to the patient. The symptom management method may include at least one of the management items of symptoms, the method of inputting symptoms into the symptom recording device 20, the method of providing information from the symptom recording device 20 to the user, and the intervention method for the patient. The symptom management method can be classified, for example, into maintenance items, monitoring items, management items, and expression methods. Examples of maintenance items include, for example, taking medicine, daily exercise volume (such as the number of steps), cardiac rehabilitation, resistance training, daily activities, vaccination, and alcohol consumption. Examples of monitoring items include, for example, vital signs such as weight, blood pressure, body water content, and heart rate, and symptoms such as lower leg edema, dyspnea, orthopnea, jugular vein distension, easy fatigue, depression, and cognitive function. Examples of management items include, for example, single-dose instructions, temporary rest, diet change, sending nutritional functional foods, instructions for additional checks, recommendations for medical consultations, family alerts, caregiver alerts, and healthcare worker alerts. Examples of expression methods include, for example, switching and content of still images / videos / text / audio, and languages (including dialects).

[0045] 55 is an example of a symptom management item determined based on the background information 51 to 55. In the example of 55, initially, each item of "weight", "blood pressure", "lower leg edema", "orthopnea", "dyspnea", "activity volume", and "salt" was determined as a management target by the control unit 31. However, "dyspnea" and "salt" shown in 56 were excluded from the management items by a user who is an expert such as a doctor, and "food intake volume" was added to the management items. Thus, when an operation for updating the symptom management method is performed by the user, instead of setting the determined symptom management method as it is in the symptom recording device 20, the symptom recording device 20 can be set to execute symptom management according to the updated symptom management method. Thereby, it becomes possible to reflect the judgment of a user such as a doctor in the selection of the symptom management method and execute more appropriate symptom management.

[0046] When a symptom management method including such symptom management items 55 is determined, the control unit 31 of the symptom management device 30 sends information indicating the symptom management method to the symptom recording device 20, thereby setting the symptom recording device 20 to execute symptom management according to the determined symptom management method. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to support symptom management according to the individual background of the patient.

[0047] Also, as will be described later, the control unit 31 of the symptom management device 30 may acquire information indicating the implementation status of symptom management in the set symptom recording device 20, and update the symptom management method to be followed by the symptom recording device 20 based on the implementation status of symptom management in the symptom recording device 20. When the symptom management method is updated, the symptom recording device 20 is set so that the symptom recording device 20 executes symptom management according to the updated symptom management method, so that the symptom management method can be automatically adjusted according to the actual implementation status of symptom management.

[0048] (Operation example) With reference to FIG. 5, an operation example of the system 10 including the symptom recording device 20 and the symptom management device 30 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operations of the symptom recording device 20 and the symptom management device 30. The operations of each step are executed under the control of the control unit 21 of the symptom recording device 20 or the control unit 31 of the symptom management device 30. These operations correspond to the information processing method according to the present embodiment.

[0049] In step S11, the symptom management device 30 acquires background information by inputting background information indicating at least one of the physical condition and living environment of the patient. The background information may include information indicating at least one of the patient's medical condition, co-existing diseases, cognitive function, depressive tendency, regional characteristics, and family environment. The input of the background information may be performed by receiving the background information from a medical device via a network within a medical institution, or may be performed by an operation by a user such as a doctor, a medical technician, or a nurse. Alternatively, information indicating the implementation status of symptom management may be received from the symptom recording device 20 and acquired as the background information.

[0050] Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of information including line graph 51, which is an example of background information included in the screen example of FIG. 4, and line graph 52, which is an example of the implementation status of background information or symptom management. Line graph 51 shows the assessment results investigated and measured in a medical institution. In the example of FIG. 6, line graph 51 shows medication adherence, calorie intake, salt intake, activity level, exercise tolerance, muscle strength, cognitive function, and depression. Line graph 52 shows the assessment results investigated and measured in a medical institution. Line graph 52 represents the information investigated and measured on the patient side in a line graph.

[0051] Line graph 52 shows the investigation and measurement results of body weight, blood pressure, lower leg edema, orthopnea, dyspnea, activity level, nutritional intake, and salt. In the example of line graph 52, although the investigation and measurement of all management items were carried out on May 1, the investigation and measurement of nutritional intake were not carried out on April 1. The control unit 31 can determine the symptom management method according to not only the values of the management items investigated and measured but also whether the investigation and measurement were actually carried out.

[0052] FIG. 7 is an example of a screen showing the change in the weight of a patient, which is an example of the implementation status of background information or symptom management. Reference numeral 61 is a line graph showing the change in the weight of the patient over a certain period (for example, one month). Reference numeral 62 is an example of the display of the weight at the time of discharge, the current weight, the maximum value within the period, the minimum value within the period, the increasing / decreasing trend, the measurement frequency, and the measurement time zone. In step S15 described later, when the frequency of measurements actually performed on the patient side is low and the deviation of the measurement time zone is large compared to the symptom management method determined by the symptom management device 30, the control unit 31 may change the measurement time zone displayed on the symptom recording device 20. For example, in 62 of FIG. 7, “60%” in “measurement frequency” indicates that the number of weight measurements actually performed on the patient side is only 60% of the number of weight measurements determined by the symptom management device 30. “Setting +1 h” in “measurement time zone” indicates that the time zone when the measurement was actually performed is shifted by one hour to a later time than the time zone determined by the symptom management device 30 and set in the symptom recording device 20. In such a case, the symptom management device 30 can change the measurement time zone to be delayed by one hour. In this way, by adjusting the presented measurement time to match the actual situation of the patient's measurements, an improvement in the measurement frequency can be expected.

[0053] In step S12, the symptom management device 30 determines a symptom management method to be set in the symptom recording device 20 based on the acquired background information. The determination of the symptom management method can be performed according to a predetermined rule. Such a rule shows the correspondence relationship between at least one of the patient's physical condition and living environment and at least one of the management items for managing the patient's symptoms and the method of providing information to the patient.

[0054] An example of the operation of determining a symptom management method according to a predetermined rule will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing an example of a rule for determining a symptom management method related to weight management.

[0055] In step S21, the symptom management device 30 determines whether there was in-hospital body fluid retention at the time of admission, which means that there is congestion in the patient's body. If it occurred (Yes in S21), the process proceeds to step S23. If it did not occur (No in S21), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0056] In step S22, the symptom management device 30 determines not to perform weight management and ends the process. In step S23, the symptom management device 30 determines whether the ejection fraction (EF) is 40% or less. If it is 40% or less (Yes in S23), the process proceeds to step S24. If it exceeds 40% (No in S23), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0057] In step S24, the symptom management device 30 determines whether the cognitive function MMSE-J score is equal to or greater than a predetermined value X. MMSE-J is an abbreviation for Mini Mental State Examination-Japanese (Mini Mental State Examination - Japanese version). X is a reference value indicating that the patient has the minimum cognitive function required to manage their own weight. If it is X or more, that is, if the patient has the minimum cognitive function required to manage their own weight (Yes in S24), the process proceeds to step S26. If it is less than X (No in S24), the process proceeds to step S25.

[0058] In step S25, the symptom management device 30 determines whether an assistant with no problem in cognitive function can measure the patient's weight. If it can be measured (Yes in S25), the process proceeds to step S27. If it cannot be measured (No in S25), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0059] In step S26, the symptom management device 30 determines whether the cognitive function MMSE-J score is less than or equal to a predetermined value Y. Y is a value greater than X. Patients with a cognitive function MMSE-J score of X or more and Y or less have the cognitive function to manage their weight by themselves, but require a detailed explanation by video. On the other hand, patients with a cognitive function MMSE-J score exceeding Y can manage their weight by themselves even with only an explanation by still images. If the cognitive function MMSE-J score is less than or equal to Y (Yes in S26), the process proceeds to step S28, and if it exceeds Y (No in S26), the process proceeds to step S27.

[0060] In step S27, the symptom management device 30 determines to display an explanation of weight management from the output unit 25 of the symptom recording device 20 by still images. In step S28, the symptom management device 30 determines to display an explanation of weight management from the output unit 25 of the symptom recording device 20 by video. Since video is easier to understand than still images, it is possible to explain weight management in an easy-to-understand manner even to patients with reduced cognitive function who can manage their weight by themselves. Note that, depending on the application, voice, vibration, or both of these may be output together as appropriate.

[0061] In step S29, the symptom management device 30 checks the reference weight. In steps S30 and subsequent, the symptom management device 30 performs a process for determining who to notify when the patient's weight has changed compared to the reference weight based on background information such as lifestyle, presence or absence of remote diagnosis, and hospitalization history. In step S30, the symptom management device 30 determines whether the patient's lifestyle is living alone, cohabiting, or receiving visiting care. If living alone (living alone in S30), the process proceeds to step S31. If cohabiting (cohabiting in S30), the process proceeds to step S36. If receiving visiting care (visiting care in S30), the process proceeds to step S39.

[0062] In step S31, the symptom management device 30 determines whether remote diagnosis is being performed on the patient. If remote diagnosis is being performed (yes in step S31), the process proceeds to step S32. If remote diagnosis is not being performed (no in step S31), the process proceeds to step S33.

[0063] In step S32, when the increase in weight is a minor variation compared to the reference weight, the symptom management device 30 determines to notify the patient of this fact. When the increase in weight is a moderate increase at a slow rate, the symptom management device 30 determines to perform remote diagnosis. When the increase in weight is a rapid increase, the symptom management device 30 determines to notify the hospital. Then, the symptom management device 30 ends the process.

[0064] In step S33, the symptom management device 30 determines whether the patient has been hospitalized due to heart failure two or more times in the past. If so (Yes in S33), the process proceeds to step S34. If not (No in S33), the process proceeds to step S35. In step S34, when the increase in weight is a minor variation compared to the reference weight, the symptom management device 30 determines to notify the patient of this fact. When the increase in weight is a moderate increase at a slow rate or a rapid increase, the symptom management device 30 determines to notify the hospital. Then, the symptom management device 30 ends the process. In step S35, when the increase in weight is a minor variation compared to the reference weight or a moderate increase at a slow rate, the symptom management device 30 determines to notify the patient. When the increase in weight is a rapid increase, the symptom management device 30 determines to notify the hospital. Then, the symptom management device 30 ends the process.

[0065] In step S36, the symptom management device 30 determines whether remote diagnosis is being performed on the patient. If remote diagnosis is being performed (yes in step S36), it proceeds to step S37; if remote diagnosis is not being performed (no in step S36), it proceeds to step S38. In step S37, when the increase in weight is a slight variation compared to the reference weight, the symptom management device 30 decides to notify the patient's family of this. When the increase in weight is a moderate and slow increase, the symptom management device 30 decides to perform remote diagnosis. When the increase in weight is a rapid increase, the symptom management device 30 decides to notify the hospital. Then, the symptom management device 30 ends the process. In step S38, when the increase in weight is a slight variation compared to the reference weight or a moderate and slow increase, the symptom management device 30 decides to notify the family of this. When the increase in weight is a rapid increase, the symptom management device 30 decides to notify the hospital. Then, the symptom management device 30 ends the process.

[0066] In step S39, the symptom management device 30 checks the caregiver's visit date. In step S40, the symptom management device 30 determines whether remote diagnosis is being performed on the patient. If remote diagnosis is not being performed (no in step S40), it proceeds to step S41; if remote diagnosis is being performed (yes in step S40), it proceeds to step S42. In step S41, when the increase in weight is a slight variation compared to the reference weight, the symptom management device 30 decides to notify the patient himself / herself of this. When the increase in weight is a moderate and slow increase, the symptom management device 30 decides to notify the nursing facility and check the situation. When the increase in weight is a rapid increase, the symptom management device 30 decides to notify the hospital. Then, the symptom management device 30 ends the process. In step S42, when the increase in weight is a slight variation compared to the reference weight, the symptom management device 30 decides to notify the patient himself / herself of this. When the increase in weight is a moderate and slow increase, the symptom management device 30 decides to perform remote diagnosis. When the increase in weight is a rapid increase, the symptom management device 30 decides to notify the hospital. Then, the symptom management device 30 ends the process.

[0067] As described above, after step S30, when the patient's weight fluctuates compared to the reference weight, the symptom management device 30 performs a process for determining who to notify based on background information such as lifestyle, presence or absence of remote diagnosis, and hospitalization history. Therefore, it can be optimized for each patient according to the patient's background information, and symptom management can be performed accurately without omission or waste.

[0068] In FIGS. 8A and 8B, an example of determining a symptom management method for weight management as a management item has been described. However, for other management items, it can also be determined based on the patient's background information. FIGS. 9A and 9B show examples of determining management items regarding interventions for patients based on background information. FIG. 9A shows an intervention according to weight fluctuation, and FIG. 9B shows an intervention according to lower leg edema.

[0069] In FIG. 9A, 71 indicates the basic weight (45 kg) of patient "Teramoto Hanako". 72 indicates an intervention to perform a predetermined message display when the maximum width of weight fluctuation in the past 7 days exceeds 1 kg. 73 indicates an intervention to give a recommendation for medical examination when the maximum width of weight fluctuation in the past 24 hours exceeds 1 kg. 74 indicates an intervention to alert the hospital when the weight increases by 2 kg or more from the basic weight and corresponds to lower leg edema, orthopnea, or dyspnea. 75 indicates that the weight is measured after getting up on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 71 to 75 are automatically determined based on background information, but a user such as a doctor can modify and update the content of each item by operation. For example, the measurement time zone may be changed for each day of the week. Also, the measurement time zone may be set as a specific time such as 8 o'clock. After the modification, when the user selects the "save" button 76, the modified content is determined as the symptom management method.

[0070] In FIG. 9B, 77 indicates that when lower leg edema occurs continuously for two days, an intervention for a medical consultation recommendation is to be made. Also, 77 indicates that when checking the symptoms, a patient image (without edema) and a patient image (with edema) are to be displayed. Also in FIG. 9B, it is shown that the measurement of lower leg edema is to be performed after getting up on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Each item in FIG. 9B is also automatically determined based on background information, but a user such as a doctor can modify and update the content of each item by operation. After the modification, when the user selects the "save" button, the modified content is determined as a symptom management method. In this way, after the symptom management method is determined by the symptom management device 30, when an operation for updating the symptom management method is performed by the user, the symptom management device 30 may set the symptom recording device 20 so as to execute symptom management according to the updated symptom management method. Thereby, it becomes possible to reflect the judgment of a user such as a doctor in the selection of the symptom management method and execute more appropriate symptom management.

[0071] Returning to the description of FIG. 5. When the symptom management method is determined in step S12, in step S13, the symptom management device 30 performs a process of setting the determined symptom management method in the symptom recording device 20 (also referred to as a device). In the present embodiment, the symptom management device 30 sets the symptom recording device 20 so as to execute symptom management according to the symptom management method by sending information indicating the symptom management method to the symptom recording device 20, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the information indicating the symptom management method may be recorded on a recording medium such as a USB memory, sent to the patient, and the patient side may read the information into the symptom recording device 20 to perform the setting.

[0072] In step S14, the symptom recording device 20 performs a display for performing symptom management according to the patient in accordance with the symptom management method set by the symptom management device 30, and records the implementation status including the measurement result and the like when implementing the symptom management.

[0073] FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, and FIG. 10D are diagrams showing example display screens of the symptom recording device 20. FIG. 10A is the initial screen in the symptom recording device 20. At the lower part of the screen, a message about taking medicine of a pharmaceutical product according to the patient's condition is displayed. FIG. 10B is an example screen for recording the symptom of orthopnea. FIG. 10C shows an example of the initial screen on which a notice to urgently contact a hospital is displayed according to the condition of Mr. "Taro Teramoto". FIG. 10 D shows an example screen for confirming appetite. The screen of the symptom recording device 20 is customized and displayed for each patient according to the symptom management method determined based on the background information. Depending on the patient's capabilities, etc., voice, vibration function, or both of these may be used in combination. Also, in FIG. 10C, an example screen on which a notice to urgently contact a hospital is displayed is shown, but for example, reservations such as online medical consultations may be made according to the environment. Also, in FIG. 10D, an image of Japanese cuisine is displayed, but an image of Western cuisine, etc. may be displayed according to the patient's diet.

[0074] According to the display as shown in FIG. 10, the patient, his / her family, caregiver, etc. measure the test items and input them into the symptom recording device 20. The symptom recording device 20 transmits information indicating the implementation status of the input symptom management to the symptom management device 30. The symptom management device 30 records the received implementation status of the symptom management in the storage unit 32.

[0075] Returning to the description of FIG. 5. In step S15, the symptom management device 30 determines the update content of the symptom management method based on the implementation status of the symptom management. The determination of the update content of the symptom management method in step S15 can be performed according to a predetermined rule in the same manner as in step S12. Such a rule shows the correspondence relationship between the implementation status of the symptom management and at least either the management items for managing the patient's symptoms and the method of providing information to the patient.

[0076] For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 7, when the measurement frequency actually performed on the patient side is low and the deviation of the measurement time zone is large compared to the symptom management method determined by the symptom management device 30, the control unit 31 may change the measurement time zone displayed on the symptom recording device 20. Specifically, for example, although the weight measurement is set to be performed at 8:00 every morning and the symptom recording device 20 is set to display that fact, the actual measurement was carried out less than half of the month, and in most of the days when the measurement was carried out, the measurement time zone was 9:00. In such a case, by changing the measurement time from 8:00 to 9:00, an improvement in the measurement frequency can be expected. Furthermore, it is also possible to analyze the measurement time zone separately for weekdays and holidays, or analyze the measurement time zone for each day of the week, and reflect the results in the update of the symptom management method.

[0077] Also, for example, when the symptom confirmation of lower leg edema was notified to the patient only by displaying text information, and most of the patient's responses were "don't understand". In such a case, the method of symptom confirmation of lower leg edema can be changed from text information display to output such as video display, voice, or both of these. Thereby, it is possible to notify the patient of the method of symptom confirmation in an easy-to-understand manner and expect the appropriate implementation of symptom confirmation.

[0078] Also, for example, regarding the salt intake, previously, the salt intake was set as a management item reflecting the assessment result of being slightly excessive in salt, but afterwards, although the salt intake decreased, a downward trend was observed in the weight. In such a case, the salt intake can be excluded from the management items and the food intake can be set as the management item. Thereby, symptom management can be performed in accordance with the changes in the patient's lifestyle.

[0079] In step S16, the symptom management device 30 sets the updated content of the symptom management method determined in step S15 in the symptom recording device 20. The setting can be performed, for example, by sending information indicating the updated content of the symptom management method to the symptom recording device 20. After the determination of the updated content in step S15, if an operation for further updating the symptom management method is performed by the user, the symptom management device 30 may set the symptom recording device 20 so as to execute symptom management according to the symptom management method reflecting the user operation. Thereby, it becomes possible to reflect the judgment of a user such as a doctor in the selection of the symptom management method and execute more appropriate symptom management. After finishing the process of step S16, the process returns to step S14.

[0080] As described above, according to the configuration according to the present embodiment, the self-care items can be optimized for each patient individual, and thereby it becomes possible to perform symptom management without omission, waste, and accurately.

[0081] In the above example, in step S12 of FIG. 1, according to a predetermined rule, a symptom management method is determined based on background information. This predetermined rule shows the correspondence relationship between at least one of the physical condition and living environment of the patient and at least one of the management items for managing the patient's symptoms and the method of providing information to the patient. The determination of the updated content of the symptom management method in step S15 is also performed according to a predetermined rule. However, the determination of these symptom management methods or their updated content may be performed using a prediction model that reflects the results of machine learning based on past performance instead of being performed according to a predetermined rule. That is, the symptom management device 30, for at least one sample patient including at least one of the target patient who is the patient to be symptom-managed and at least one other patient, ·Regarding the symptom management performed on the sample patient in the past, at least one of the background information of the sample patient, the symptom management method of the symptom management performed in the past, and the implementation status of the symptom management performed in the past ·The health state of the sample patient after performing the symptom management performed in the past Prepare and obtain in advance a prediction model that has been machine-learned using the teacher data. As such teacher data, data of a large number of patients (sample patients) aggregated for each certain range such as a region, a hospital, or a medical department can be used. The health status of the sample patients after symptom management is, for example, the probability of readmission within 30 days, the probability of readmission within one year, the three-year survival rate, the five-year survival rate, the continuation rate, cardiac function, muscle strength, or cognitive function, etc. Then, when the symptom management device 30 determines a symptom management method for the target patient based on the background information of the target patient, based on such a prediction model, the health status of the target patient is predicted from at least any one of the background information of the target patient, the symptom management method for the target patient, and the implementation status of the symptom management for the target patient. Furthermore, based on the predicted health status of the target patient, a symptom management method for the target patient or its updated content is determined. In this way, by determining the symptom management method or its updated content based on the prediction model created by machine learning, it becomes possible to perform settings specialized for the region or hospital based on the data accumulated in the region or hospital.

[0082] Here, the initial candidates for the symptom management method are set based on rules. At the stage when data regarding certain achievements has been collected, based on the prediction model, possible changes may be made to the initial candidates to create a plurality of candidates. Then, predictions may be made by inputting the implementation information and the background information, and the selection of the doctor may be assisted by presenting each score. Alternatively, for those whose total score or each score does not fall below a predetermined threshold, the ones with a higher total score may be ranked and presented in descending order. Also, by referring to how much the score has changed due to the doctor's correction and learning the amount of change and reflecting it in the determination of the symptom management method, it is possible to present a symptom management method that matches the individual doctor's diagnostic policy.

[0083] Note that the determination of the symptom management method or its updated content may be made based on predetermined rules for all the contents of the symptom management methods, or may be made based on a prediction model created by machine learning for all the contents of the symptom management methods. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on predetermined rules for the contents of some of the symptom management methods, and the determination for the contents of the remaining symptom management methods may be made based on a prediction model created by machine learning. For example, the selection of management items may be determined based on a prediction model created by machine learning, and the intervention may be determined based on predetermined rules. When the determination based on the prediction model created by machine learning is limited to some of the symptom management methods, a prediction model can be created as long as there is the content of some of the symptom management methods. Therefore, even if the accumulated data is small, it is possible to determine the symptom management method or its updated content based on the prediction model.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the symptom management device 30 determines both the symptom management method in step S12 of FIG. 1 and the updated content of the symptom management method in step S15, and the user can appropriately update the determined content. However, depending on the application or purpose, at least one of the processes in step S12 and step S15 may be performed by the user instead of the symptom management device 30.

[0085] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, a plurality of blocks described in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing a plurality of steps described in the flowchart in time series according to the description, each step may be executed in parallel or in a different order according to the processing ability of the device that executes the step, or as necessary. Other changes are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0086] 10 System 20 Symptom Recording Device 21, 31 Control Unit 22, 32 Storage Unit 23, 33 Communication Unit 24, 34 Input section 25, 35 Output section 30 Symptom management device 40 Network

Claims

1. Based on background information indicating at least one of the physical condition and living environment of a patient, determining a symptom management method that includes, as a management target item, at least one management item included in a plurality of predetermined management items and that is a management item for managing the symptoms of the patient, setting the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the symptom management method, acquiring information indicating the implementation status of the symptom management in the set terminal device, updating the management target item to be followed by the terminal device based on the implementation status of the symptom management in the terminal device, when the management target item is updated, setting the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the updated management target item An information processing apparatus including a control unit.

2. The control unit sets the terminal device to execute symptom management according to the symptom management method by sending information indicating the symptom management method to the terminal device, when an operation for updating the management target item is performed by the user, sets the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the updated management target item The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The control unit determines the symptom management method based on the background information according to a rule indicating a correspondence relationship between at least one of the physical condition and living environment of the patient and the management target item. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit For at least one sample patient including at least one of the target patient who is the patient and at least one other patient, for the symptom management that has been performed on the sample patient in the past, at least any one of the background information of the sample patient, the symptom management method of the past-performed symptom management, and the implementation status of the past-performed symptom management, and the health state of the sample patient after the past-performed symptom management are used as teacher data to obtain a prediction model learned by machine learning. When determining a symptom management method for the target patient based on the background information of the target patient, use the prediction model to predict the health state of the target patient from at least any one of the background information of the target patient, the symptom management method for the target patient, and the implementation status of the symptom management for the target patient, and determine the symptom management method for the target patient based on the predicted health state of the target patient. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The management target items include inspection items obtained by inspection. The control unit acquires information indicating the implementation status including the measurement results obtained by the inspection recorded in the terminal device. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the symptom management method further includes at least any one of a method of inputting symptoms to the terminal device, a method of providing information from the terminal device, and an intervention method for the patient.

7. An information processing system including the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the terminal device.

8. The control unit Based on background information indicating at least any one of the physical condition and living environment of the patient, determine a symptom management method including at least one management item included in a plurality of predetermined management items, which is a management item for managing the symptoms of the patient, as a management target item. Set the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the symptom management method. Obtain information indicating the implementation status of the symptom management in the set terminal device. Update the management target item to be followed by the terminal device based on the implementation status of the symptom management in the terminal device. When the management target item is updated, set the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the updated management target item. Information processing method.

9. Based on background information indicating at least one of the patient's physical condition and living environment, determine a symptom management method including at least one management item included in a plurality of predetermined management items, which is a management item for managing the patient's symptoms, as a management target item, and Set the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the symptom management method. Obtain information indicating the implementation status of the symptom management in the set terminal device. Update the management target item to be followed by the terminal device based on the implementation status of the symptom management in the terminal device. When the management target item is updated, set the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the updated management target item. A computer program that causes a computer to execute.

10. Based on background information indicating at least one of the patient's physical condition and living environment, determine a symptom management method including at least one of the management item and measurement date and time for managing the patient's symptoms, and Set the terminal device so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the symptom management method. Obtain information indicating the implementation status of the symptom management in the set terminal device. Update the measurement date and time to be followed by the terminal device based on the implementation status of the symptom management in the terminal device. When the measurement date and time are updated, the terminal device is set so that the terminal device executes symptom management according to the updated measurement date and time. An information processing apparatus including a control unit.

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