Support devices and programs for long-term care service providers

Abstract

Providing technical means to ensure that care service providers prepare all required care management documents in advance and without any omissions. [Solution] The support device 1 for care service providers of the present invention comprises a data management unit 111 that manages data related to care services, a generation unit 112 that automatically starts a document data generation process based on data at a timing based on the expiration date of a document related to care management related to care services, and a provision unit 113 that provides the document data generated by the generation process. The data management unit 111 starts managing the document data generated by the generation process described above, and the generation process described above includes one or more steps of the following: a step of giving instructions to a generation AI to generate at least a part of the document data based on the data described above, and a step of applying the data described above to a document template to generate at least a part of the document data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support device and a program for care service providers.

Background Art

[0002] Care services are provided under the Long-Term Care Insurance system. In such services, it is required to arrange multiple types of forms with their respective specific deadlines based on this insurance system.

[0003] As a technical means for arranging multiple types of forms in care services under the Long-Term Care Insurance system, Patent Document 1 discloses an accounting management method for care service providers that automatically calculates the burden amount of a care recipient and the claim amount against an insurance-related institution according to a calculation formula of insurance points from information on the care recipient and the performance record of care services, makes a payment claim, automatically calculates the remuneration of care workers, and performs other processes such as reporting to the care service provider.

[0004] The technology of Patent Document 1 can reduce the burden on care service providers of calculating the burden amount of care recipients and the claim amount against insurance-related institutions, making payment claims against care recipients and insurance-related institutions based on the calculation results, and further calculating the remuneration of care workers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Incidentally, among the documents required under the long-term care insurance system, examples include care plans, implementation records, monitoring reports, case conference information, assessment sheets, and other care management documents, which are created separately from the documents related to billing and payment. The preparation of these documents has specific deadlines that differ from the timing of billing to the person requiring care or insurance-related organizations, and the timing of payment to care workers.

[0007] The technology described in Patent Document 1 can only reduce the burden of paperwork related to financial transactions. Therefore, Patent Document 1 has room for further improvement in terms of ensuring that various documents required of care service providers, which have deadlines separate from those for financial transactions, are prepared in advance and without omission.

[0008] This invention was made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a technical means for care service providers to prepare care management documents that they are required to submit in advance and without any omissions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a result of diligent research to solve the above problems, the inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by a configuration and other technical means that automatically initiate the process of generating document data based on managed data at a timing based on the deadline for documents that care service providers are required to submit. The inventors have now completed the present invention. Specifically, the present invention provides the following:

[0010] The invention relating to the first feature of the present invention provides a support device for a care service provider, comprising: a data management unit for managing data related to care services; a generation unit for automatically starting a document data generation process based on data at a timing based on the expiration date of a document relating to care management related to the care services; and a provision unit for providing the document data generated by the generation process, wherein the data management unit starts managing the document data generated by the generation process, and the generation process has one or more steps selected from the group including at least a step of giving instructions to a generation AI to generate at least a part of the document data based on the data, and a step of applying the data to a document template to generate at least a part of the document data.

[0011] In the invention relating to this feature, the data management unit centrally manages the data necessary for arranging documents. The invention then automatically starts a generation process using a generation AI or document template based on the data stored in the data management unit, at a timing based on the deadline for care management documents (e.g., care plans, implementation records, monitoring, case conference information, assessment sheets) in the generation unit. The invention then causes the data management unit to start managing the automatically generated documents, making them available for use by the service provider.

[0012] When managing document deadlines and manually creating documents one by one according to those deadlines, businesses are required to expend considerable effort on ensuring accurate deadline management and creating appropriate documents. Furthermore, manual processes raise concerns about human errors regarding deadlines or content. On the other hand, this invention automatically generates various documents of a certain quality before the deadline, provided that data is managed in advance by a data management unit. Therefore, this invention can help care service providers prepare the care management documents they are required to submit before the deadline, with less effort and with greater reliability.

[0013] Therefore, the invention can provide a technical means for care service providers to ensure that all care management documents required by the deadline are prepared in order and without any omissions.

[0014] The invention relating to the second feature of the present invention provides a support device that is the invention relating to the first feature, further comprising a notification unit that provides a notification including information identifying the unmanaged data when, after the timing and before the expiration date of the document in the long-term care insurance system, the data necessary for the generation process relating to the document is not managed by the data management unit.

[0015] The invention relating to this feature provides a notification identifying the necessary data for automatic document generation if it is missing after the generation process has started, before the deadline related to the long-term care insurance system. This allows users to understand which data needs to be replenished to proceed with the document generation process, and to replenish the data and proceed with document preparation before the deadline for documents under the long-term care insurance system expires.

[0016] Therefore, the invention can provide a technical means for care service providers to ensure that all care management documents required by the deadline are prepared in order and without any omissions.

[0017] The invention relating to the third feature of the present invention provides a support device that is an invention relating to the first or second feature, further comprising a notification unit that provides a notification including information identifying the unmanaged document data when the document data relating to the document is not managed by the data management unit after the aforementioned timing and before the expiration date of the document under the long-term care insurance system.

[0018] The invention relating to this feature provides a notification to identify automatically generated document data before the deadline under the long-term care insurance system if the document data generated automatically after the generation process is not managed. This allows users to identify the document data that has not yet been prepared and to prepare it before the deadline under the long-term care insurance system expires.

[0019] Therefore, the invention can provide a technical means for care service providers to ensure that all care management documents required by the deadline are prepared in order and without any omissions.

[0020] The invention according to the fourth feature of the present invention is an invention according to any one of the first to third features, further comprising an approval unit that determines that the document data is approved when there is an input indicating approval by the user regarding the document data provided by the providing unit, and when it is determined by the approval unit that approval is obtained, the data management unit starts managing the document data, and provides a support device.

[0021] The invention according to this feature determines that the document data is approved by the approval unit when there is an input indicating approval by the user regarding the document data provided by the providing unit. Then, when it is determined by the approval unit that approval is obtained, the data management unit starts managing the document data.

[0022] Thereby, the present invention can manage only the document data that has been confirmed by the user among the document data generated by the generation process. Therefore, the present invention can support a business operator to proceed with the arrangement of documents based on the document data after content confirmation. Thus, the present invention contributes to arranging the appropriately described care management documents without shortage before the deadline.

[0023] Therefore, the present invention can provide a technical means for a care service business operator to arrange the care management documents required to be submitted without shortage before the deadline.

[0024] The invention according to the fifth feature of the present invention is an invention according to any one of the first to fourth features, further comprising an editing unit that provides means for editing the document data, and provides a support device.

[0025] The invention according to this feature further comprises an editing unit that provides means for editing the document data. Thereby, the present invention can support a business operator to proceed with the arrangement of documents after making corrections according to the operation in the long-term care insurance system or individual circumstances for the document data generated by the generation process. Thus, the present invention contributes to arranging the appropriately described care management documents without shortage before the deadline.

[0026] Therefore, the invention can provide a technical means for a care service provider to arrange, without shortage, the care management documents required to be submitted before the deadline.

[0027] An invention according to the sixth feature of the present invention is an invention according to any one of the first to fifth features, wherein the data management unit is configured to execute a data acquisition process of acquiring, from an external system, data necessary for the generation process related to the document before the deadline of the document in the long-term care insurance system, and provides a support device.

[0028] The invention according to this feature is configured such that the data management unit executes a data acquisition process of acquiring, from an external system, data necessary for the generation process related to the document before the deadline of the document in the long-term care insurance system. As a result, the data necessary for the generation process is replenished without manual input or arrangement by the operator. Therefore, the invention contributes to proceeding with the generation of document data before the deadline and the arrangement of documents while further reducing the labor of the operator.

[0029] Therefore, the invention can provide a technical means for a care service provider to arrange, without shortage, the care management documents required to be submitted before the deadline.

[0030] An invention according to the seventh feature of the present invention is an invention according to any one of the first to sixth features, wherein the document includes a plan, an implementation record, monitoring, staff meeting information, and an assessment sheet related to a long-term care service business under the long-term care insurance system, and provides a support device.

[0031] The invention according to this feature is such that the document includes a plan, an implementation record, monitoring, staff meeting information, and an assessment sheet related to a long-term care service business under the long-term care insurance system. As a result, the invention can apply the generation process and management for arranging, without shortage, these particularly important care management documents having deadlines different from those of the forms related to financial transactions before the deadline.

[0032] Therefore, the invention can provide a technical means for care service providers to ensure that all care management documents required by the deadline are prepared in order and without any omissions.

[0033] The invention relating to the eighth feature of this invention is a different category of the invention relating to the first feature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] This invention provides a technical means for care service providers to ensure that care management documents required for submission are prepared in advance and without any omissions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware and software configuration of system S. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the management database 131. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a main flowchart showing an example of a preferred flow of support processing performed by the support device 1 of this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a continuation of the previous figure. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a continuation of the previous figure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Firstly, although the following disclosures, figures, and / or claims are described either individually or in combination with one or more other aspects, the subject matter of the immediate disclosure is not intended to be limited in that way. That is, the immediate disclosures, figures, and claims are intended to encompass the various aspects described herein, either individually or in one or more combinations with each other. For example, even if the immediate disclosure describes and illustrates the first, second, and third embodiments in such a way that the first embodiment is described and illustrated particularly in relation to the second embodiment, or the second embodiment is described and illustrated only in relation to the third embodiment, the immediate disclosures and illustrations are not limited in that way and may include only the first embodiment, only the second embodiment, only the third embodiment, or one or more combinations of the first, second, and / or third embodiments, such as the first and second embodiments, the first and third embodiments, the second and third embodiments, or the first, second, and third embodiments.

[0037] In this text, the phrase "or" is used to mean a "non-exclusive" arrangement unless explicitly specified otherwise. For example, "item x is A or B" means either (1) item x is either A or B, or (2) item x is both A and B. In other words, the word "or" is not used to define an "exclusive" arrangement.

[0038] Furthermore, when the phrases "contain at least one" or "contain at least one of the following" are used in the text, they mean that the system or element contains one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, if there are three types of elements, from element 1 to element 3, the phrases "contain at least one" or "contain at least one of the following" are interpreted as any of the following structural arrangements: a device containing element 1, a device containing element 2, a device containing element 3, a device containing element 1 and element 2, a device containing element 1 and element 3, a device containing element 2 and element 3, or a device containing element 1, element 2, and element 3.

[0039] The same interpretation is intended when the phrase "used in at least one of the following" is used in the text. Furthermore, "and / or" as used in the text is used as a linguistic conjunction to indicate that one or more of the listed elements or conditions are included or occur. For example, a device containing the first element, the second element, and / or the third element is interpreted as any of the following structural arrangements: a device containing the first element, a device containing the second element, a device containing the third element, a device containing the first and second elements, a device containing the first and third elements, a device containing the second and third elements, or a device containing the first, second, and third elements.

[0040] Furthermore, the use of the phrase "and / or" in this text signifies a "non-exclusive" arrangement, as stipulated in the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) "Format and Preparation Method of Standards Documents JIS Z 8301".

[0041] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0042] <System S> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware and software configuration of System S according to an embodiment of the present invention. The following describes an example of the hardware and software configuration of System S according to an embodiment of the present invention using Figure 1. System S is comprised of a support device (support device 1) for a care service provider. Support device 1 is configured to communicate with an external system 2 and a terminal T via a network N.

[0043] [Support Device 1] The support device (support device 1) for the care service provider according to this embodiment is a computer comprising a control unit 11, a storage unit 13, and a communication unit 14. The support device 1 performs support processing for the care service provider by executing the program of this embodiment. Examples of processing included in the support processing include the management of data related to care services, the automatic initiation of the generation process of document data related to care management, and the provision, notification, approval, and editing of the generated document data.

[0044] [Control Unit 11] The control unit 11 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU), Random Access Memory (RAM), and Read Only Memory (ROM), etc.

[0045] The control unit 11 cooperates with at least one of the storage unit 13 and the communication unit 14 as needed. The control unit 11 then implements the software components of the program of this embodiment that are executed on the support device 1. Examples of these software components include the data management unit 111, the generation unit 112, the provision unit 113, the notification unit 114, the approval unit 115, and the editing unit 116.

[0046] [Storage Unit 13] The storage unit 13 is a device on which data and / or files are stored, and has a storage unit that stores data non-temporarily using a hard disk, semiconductor memory, recording medium, and memory card, etc.

[0047] The memory unit 13 may store the program of this embodiment executed by the support device 1, and various data used in the support processing of this embodiment. Examples of such various data include the management database 131, the care database 132, and the document database 133.

[0048] (Management Database 131) The management database 131 is a data area where data for managing the arrangement of care management documents that care service providers are required to submit is stored. The form of the data area is not particularly limited. Examples of such forms include a data area corresponding to a spreadsheet cell, a relational database, a key-value type data store, a document-oriented database, a file, an object on object storage, and a data structure in memory.

[0049] Examples of data stored in the management database 131 include information identifying the case related to the document, the type of document, whether the document is necessary for each case, the deadline for the document, the timing (schedule) based on the deadline, the execution status of the generation process, the management status of the document data, the approval status of the document data, the execution status of notifications, information identifying the data necessary for the document generation process, and the document template.

[0050] Figure 2 shows an example of the management database 131. This example contains the first management data (ID: U0001) related to service user "Tanaka △△", the second management data (ID: U0002) related to service user "Suzuki △△", and other management data.

[0051] Each management data entry includes information identifying the case related to the document (user name, assigned care manager) and timing based on the deadline (e.g., next creation month, end of each month). Each management data entry also includes information indicating the type of document (e.g., case conference inquiry fax, case conference minutes, re-assessment, home care service plan, service utilization form, care monitoring, support monitoring, family report, progress record). Furthermore, each management data entry includes information regarding the document data's generation and management status (generated, stored) and whether the document is necessary for each case (not required). In addition, each management data entry includes information regarding the document data's approval status (e.g., name of the first approver, no approver).

[0052] Specifically, the first management data includes the user name "Tanaka △△", the assigned care manager (assigned care manager) "Sato △△", the deadline for the case conference inquiry fax "September 2026", the timing based on the said deadline "August 15th", and the necessity, generation status, management status, and provision status of the inquiry fax "Necessary, generated, managed, sent", the deadline for the case conference minutes "October 2026", the timing based on the said deadline "October 20th", and the necessity, generation status, management status, and provision status of the minutes "Necessary, not generated", the deadline for the care plan "October 2026", the timing based on the said deadline "October 25th", and the necessity, generation status, management status, and provision status of the care plan "Necessary, not generated", information related to the usage form, information related to care monitoring, information related to support monitoring, information related to reporting to family members, information related to progress records, and information related to approval status "Approved by Abe △△".

[0053] Furthermore, the second management data includes the user name "Suzuki △△", the assigned care manager (assigned care manager) "Tani △△", the deadline for the case conference inquiry fax "October 2026", the timing based on the said deadline "September 15th", and the necessity, generation status, management status, and provision status of the inquiry fax "Necessary, generated, managed, not sent", the deadline for the case conference minutes "November 2026", the timing based on the said deadline "November 15th", and the necessity, generation status, management status, and provision status of the minutes "Not necessary, not generated", the deadline for the care plan "November 2026", the timing based on the said deadline "November 25th", and the necessity, generation status, and management status of the care plan "Necessary, generated, not managed", information related to the usage form, information related to care monitoring, information related to support monitoring, information related to reporting to family members, information related to progress records, and information related to approval status "Abe △△ not approved".

[0054] As a result, support device 1 can begin the process of generating the ungenerated minutes of the staff meeting for user "Tanaka △△" on October 20th, and ensure that they are provided by the deadline of "October 2026". Support device 1 can also begin the process of generating the care plan, which has also not yet been generated, on October 25th, and ensure that it is provided by the deadline of "October 2026". In addition, support device 1 can also process a notification to obtain approval from "Abe △△" for the care plan that has been generated but has not yet been managed for user "Suzuki △△".

[0055] (Care Database 132) The care database 132 is a data area in which data related to care services is stored. The form of the data area is not particularly limited. Examples of such forms include a data area corresponding to a cell in a spreadsheet program, a relational database, a key-value type data store, a document-oriented database, a file, an object on object storage, and a data structure in memory.

[0056] The care database 132 may store one or more of the following information: information relating to persons requiring care, information relating to users, information relating to care plans, information relating to service provision results, information relating to monitoring, information relating to staff meetings, information relating to assessments, and other information that can be used to create documents. At least a portion of the data stored in the care database 132 may be registered by user input or obtained from an external system 2.

[0057] (Document Database 133) The document database 133 is a data area in which data for one or more documents related to care services is stored. The form of the data area is not particularly limited. Examples of such forms include a data area corresponding to a cell in a spreadsheet program, a relational database, a key-value type data store, a document-oriented database, a file, an object on object storage, and a data structure in memory.

[0058] The data area is configured to store at least document data related to care management. The document database 133 may store document data generated by the generation process, and document data that reflects user edits after the generation process.

[0059] Preferably, the document database 133 is configured to store data for one or more documents selected from a group that includes at least one of the following: plans, implementation records, monitoring reports, case conference information, and assessment sheets. This allows the support device 1 to apply generation processing and management to ensure that these particularly important care management documents, which may have separate deadlines from financial transaction forms, are prepared in advance and without any shortages.

[0060] [Communication Unit 14] The specific configuration of the communication unit 14 is not particularly limited as long as it is for connecting the support device 1 to the network N and performing communication. Examples of configurations for the communication unit 14 include a network card compatible with the Ethernet standard, a communication device compatible with wireless LAN, a communication device compatible with mobile phone networks, etc. The communication unit 14 communicates with the external system 2 and / or terminal T as needed.

[0061] [External System 2] External System 2 is an external system configured to enable communication with the support device 1 via the network N. External System 2 may include, for example, one or more systems that hold data related to care services, systems that support operations related to the long-term care insurance system, or systems used for inputting or managing data related to care services. External System 2 may provide data necessary for generation processing in response to requests from the support device 1. The data necessary for generation processing may be, for example, one or more of the various data shown in the section on care database 132.

[0062] [Network N] The type of network N is not particularly limited as long as it is used for communication between the support device 1, the external system 2, and the terminal T. Examples of network N include the internet, mobile phone networks, and wireless LANs.

[0063] [Terminal T] Terminal T is a terminal used by a user of the support device 1. Terminal T may be used, for example, to view the document database 133 provided by the support device 1, receive notifications, input approvals, and input edits. The types of terminal T may include, for example, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and a smartphone.

[0064] [Main Flowchart of Support Processing] Figure 3 is a main flowchart showing an example of a preferred flow of support processing performed by the support device 1 of this embodiment. Figures 4 and 5 are continuations of the previous figures, respectively. The following is a description of an example of a preferred flow of support processing performed by the support device 1, using Figures 3 to 5. In the example shown below, the support device 1 is described as performing display and input via terminal T, but those skilled in the art can similarly configure the support device 1 to include a screen and an input unit based on the following example.

[0065] The support process includes a series of processes (data management steps) related to the management of data concerning care services. Steps S1 and S2 are an example of this series of processes. In this example, the procedure for registering the data is described. A person skilled in the art can similarly configure the modification, deletion, and other data operations of the data. By including a series of processes related to the management of the data in the support process, the support device 1 can manage and provide the data used in the generation process.

[0066] [Step S1: Determine whether to register the data] The control unit 11, using the data management unit 111, performs a process to determine whether or not to register the data related to the care service (data registration determination step). If the control unit 11 determines that it will register the data, it moves the process to step S2; otherwise, it moves the process to step S3.

[0067] In this step, the data management unit 111 determines to register, for example, when it receives data from terminal T indicating a user's registration operation. Alternatively, in this step, the data management unit 111 may determine to register when it receives information related to data updates from external system 2. Furthermore, in this step, the data management unit 111 may determine to register when it is time to acquire data from external system 2.

[0068] [Step S2: Register Data] The control unit 11, using the data management unit 111, executes a process to register data related to care services (data registration execution step). The control unit 11 then moves the process to step S3.

[0069] In this step, the data registered by the data management unit 111 is not particularly limited as long as it is data related to long-term care services. When the data management unit 111 registers data related to the management database 131, it registers the data in the management database 131. Also, when the data management unit 111 registers data related to the long-term care database 132, it registers the data in the long-term care database 132. Furthermore, the data management unit 111 may be configured to register data related to the document database 133. In this case, the data management unit 111 registers the data in the document database 133.

[0070] In this step, when registering data provided by terminal T, the data management unit 111 acquires and registers the data provided by terminal T. Also, in this step, when registering data related to external system 2, the data management unit 111 acquires and registers the data from external system 2. In this step, the data to be registered may be partially provided by terminal T and partially acquired from external system 2. Furthermore, when the data management unit 111 acquires data from external system 2, it may acquire data from multiple external systems 2.

[0071] The support process includes a series of steps related to the procedure for automatically starting the document data generation process. Steps S3 and S4 are an example of this series of steps. By including this series of steps, the support device 1 can automatically start the document data generation process.

[0072] [Step S3: Schedule a timing before the deadline] The control unit 11, using the data management unit 111, executes a process to schedule a timing before the deadline based on the deadline for documents related to care management for long-term care services (scheduling step). The control unit 11 then moves the process to step S4.

[0073] In this step, the data management unit 111 schedules a timing, for example, a predetermined number of days before the deadline for the document, or a predetermined time before the deadline for the document. The data management unit 111 may store the scheduled timing in the management database 131.

[0074] [Step S4: Determine if it corresponds to the schedule] The control unit 11 performs a process to determine whether the current time corresponds to a scheduled timing using the generation unit 112 (schedule correspondence determination step). If the control unit 11 determines that it corresponds, it moves the process to step S5; otherwise, it moves the process to step S14.

[0075] In this step, the generation unit 112 determines, for example, that the current time is after the timing scheduled in the previous step, and that the document data for the document related to that timing has not yet been generated.

[0076] The support process includes a process for acquiring data necessary for the generation process (e.g., step S5). By including this process, the support device 1 can acquire the data necessary for the generation process from the care database 132 or other data sources.

[0077] [Step S5: Data Acquisition] The control unit 11, using the data management unit 111, executes a process to acquire the data necessary for the document generation process related to the timing described above (data acquisition step). The control unit 11 then moves the process to step S6.

[0078] In this step, the data management unit 111 determines the data to be acquired based on information that identifies the data necessary for the generation process, for example, stored in the management database 131.

[0079] In this step, the data management unit 111 retrieves the target data from, for example, the care database 132. Alternatively, the data management unit 111 may execute a data acquisition process to retrieve the target data from an external system (e.g., external system 2).

[0080] The support process preferably includes a series of processes that, if the data necessary for generating the document related to the aforementioned timing is not managed by the data management unit 111 after the aforementioned timing and before the expiration date of the document under the long-term care insurance system, the data management unit 111 provides a notification that includes information identifying the unmanaged data. Steps S6 to S7 are an example of such processes.

[0081] [Step S6: Determine if necessary data exists] The control unit 11, using the notification unit 114, performs a process to determine whether or not there is data necessary for the document generation process related to the timing described above (necessary data existence determination step). If the control unit 11 determines that there is data, it moves the process to step S8; otherwise, it moves the process to step S7.

[0082] In this step, the notification unit 114 determines that all of the above-mentioned necessary data is present if it is managed by the data management unit 111. Of the above-mentioned necessary data, data that is not managed by the data management unit 111 is also referred to as missing data for convenience.

[0083] [Step S7: Execute data notification] The control unit 11 uses the notification unit 114 to execute a process to notify the missing data related to the previous step (missing data notification step). The control unit 11 then moves the process to step S14.

[0084] In this step, the notification unit 114 issues a notification that includes information identifying the missing data (data not managed by the data management unit 111). Examples of such identifying information include the name, abbreviation, brief description, and explanation of each data item included in the missing data. Furthermore, to prevent users of the support device 1 from mistaking the service user, person in charge, and / or date and time, it is preferable that the identifying information further includes information that identifies these.

[0085] The support process includes a process (step S8) that automatically starts the process of generating document data based on the necessary data described above.

[0086] [Step S8: Start generation process] The control unit 11, using the generation unit 112, automatically starts the process of generating document data based on the above data at a timing based on the expiration date of the document relating to care management related to long-term care services (generation step). The control unit 11 then moves the process to step S9.

[0087] In this step, the generation unit 112 automatically starts a generation process having one or more steps selected from the group which includes at least the following steps.

[0088] (Procedure 1: Procedure using the Generating AI) Procedure 1 is a procedure in which the Generating AI is instructed to generate at least a portion of the above-mentioned document data based on the above-mentioned data. In this procedure, the Generating AI is instructed to generate document data by prompts or other instruction means, and the above-mentioned data is provided to the Generating AI by prompts or other data provision means.

[0089] The generative AI is not particularly limited as long as it can generate document data. Examples of such generative AIs include ChatGPT(registered trademark), Gemini(registered trademark), Claude(registered trademark), Llama(registered trademark), Bard(registered trademark), tsuzumi(registered trademark), cotomi(registered trademark), PLaMo(registered trademark), Takane(registered trademark), Stockmark LLM(registered trademark), rinna(registered trademark), Sarashina(registered trademark), and Sakana AI(registered trademark).

[0090] The data provision means may include, for example, a procedure for providing the data to the generating AI by embedding some or all of the above-mentioned data in a prompt. Alternatively, the data provision means may include a procedure for providing the data to the generating AI by, for example, a method that references a database or other data source using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). The data provision means may also include a procedure for providing the data to the generating AI by combining multiple methods.

[0091] Because the generation process includes step 1, the support device 1 can flexibly generate the wording or structure of document data based on the above-mentioned data, according to the format or items of description which may differ for each type of document. For example, step 1 can generate an explanatory text, observation, or summary based on the above-mentioned data for a description field in the document where free description is required.

[0092] (Procedure 2: Procedure using a document template) Procedure 2 is a procedure to generate at least a portion of the document data by applying the above data to a document template. In this procedure, for example, at least a portion of the document data is generated by applying the above data to the parts of the document template that are replaced with data outside the template.

[0093] By including step 2 in the generation process, the support device 1 can standardize the format of a document by reflecting data in a predetermined arrangement based on a document template for documents having a predetermined format or predetermined entry items. Furthermore, step 2 can clarify the correspondence between the entry location and the applicable data.

[0094] By including both step 1 and step 2 in the generation process, the support device 1 can ensure a predetermined format and predetermined items using a document template, while generating the text or structure for fields requiring free-form text using the generation AI. This allows the support device 1 to achieve both document format compliance and a reduction in the burden of creating the content.

[0095] In this step, it is preferable that the document data generated by the generation unit 112 includes document data for each document related to long-term care service businesses under the long-term care insurance system, including plans, implementation records, monitoring reports, information from staff meetings, and assessment sheets.

[0096] The support process includes a process that provides the document data generated by the generation process described above (e.g., step S9).

[0097] [Step S9: Provide document data] The control unit 11 executes a process to provide the document data generated by the generation process described above using the providing unit 113 (providing step). The control unit 11 then moves the process to step S10.

[0098] In this step, the providing unit 113 provides document data, for example, through a dialog box that displays the document data.

[0099] Although not a mandatory configuration, it is preferable that the provisioning unit 113 provides document data together with the approval means provided by the approval unit 115. Examples of the approval means include a user interface with a pair of "Approve" and "Hold" buttons.

[0100] Furthermore, although not a required configuration, it is preferable that the providing unit 113 provides document data together with editing means provided by the editing unit 116. Examples of editing means include means for displaying document data in a text box whose content can be edited, and means for providing an editing button that commands the display of such a text box.

[0101] If a means for editing document data is provided, the support process preferably further includes a series of processes related to editing the document data. Steps S10 to S11 are an example of such a series of processes.

[0102] [Step S10: Determining whether it has been edited] The control unit 11 performs a process to determine whether the document data has been edited by the editing unit 116 (editing determination step). If the control unit 11 determines that it has been edited, it moves the process to step S11; otherwise, it moves the process to step S12.

[0103] [Step S11: Reflecting Editing Results] The control unit 11 performs a process to reflect the editing results in the document data using the editing unit 116 (editing reflection step). The control unit 11 then moves the process to step S12.

[0104] If a means for approving document data is provided, the support process preferably further includes processing related to the approval of document data (e.g., step S12).

[0105] [Step S12: Determining whether it has been approved] The control unit 11 performs a process to determine whether the document data has been approved by the approval unit 115 (approval determination step). If the control unit 11 determines that it has been approved, it moves the process to step S13; otherwise, it moves the process to step S14.

[0106] [Step S13: Start Management] The control unit 11 executes a process to start managing the document data generated by the generation process using the data management unit 111 (management start step). The control unit 11 then moves the process to step S14.

[0107] In this step, the data management unit 111 stores the document data generated by the generation process in the document database 133, for example, and starts managing the document data.

[0108] If the editing results have been reflected, in this step, the data management unit 111 will target the document data with the editing results reflected as the target for management. This allows the support device 1 to assist the business operator in arranging the documents after making modifications to the document data generated by the generation process, in accordance with the operation of the long-term care insurance system or individual circumstances.

[0109] If it is determined that the document has been approved, in this step, the data management unit 111 will make the approved document data the target for management. As a result, the support device 1 can manage only the document data that has been confirmed by the user from among the document data generated by the generation process. Therefore, the support device 1 can assist the business operator in proceeding with document arrangements based on the document data after content confirmation.

[0110] If it is determined that the document data reflecting the editing results has been approved, in this step, the data management unit 111 makes the edited and approved document data the target for management commencement. This allows the support device 1 to assist the business operator in making modifications to the document data generated by the generation process according to the operation of the long-term care insurance system or individual circumstances, and then proceeding with the document arrangement after approval.

[0111] The support process preferably includes a series of processes that, if the document data relating to the document is not managed by the data management unit 111 after the timing described above (after the timing before the document's expiration date) and before the document's expiration date under the long-term care insurance system, provide a notification that includes information identifying the unmanaged document data. Steps S14 to S15 are an example of such processes.

[0112] [Step S14: Determine if there is unmanaged document data] The control unit 11, based on the notification unit 114, performs a process to determine whether or not there is unmanaged document data in the data management unit 111, even though it is after the document's expiration date (unmanaged determination step). If the control unit 11 determines that there is, it moves the process to step S15; otherwise, it returns the process to step S1 and repeats the process from step S1 to step S15.

[0113] In this step, the notification unit 114 determines that there is unmanaged document data if, for example, the document data for the document related to that timing is not stored in the document database 133 which is under the management of the data management unit 111. For convenience, the aforementioned unmanaged document data is also referred to as missing document data.

[0114] [Step S15: Execute notification regarding documents] The control unit 11 uses the notification unit 114 to execute a process to notify the missing document data related to the previous step (missing document data notification step). The control unit 11 returns to step S1 and repeats the process from step S1 to step S15.

[0115] In this step, the notification unit 114 provides a notification that includes information identifying the missing document data (document data not managed by the data management unit 111). Examples of such identifying information include the name, abbreviation, brief description, and description of the missing document data. Furthermore, to prevent users of the support device 1 from mistaking the service user, person in charge, and / or date and time related to the document data, it is preferable that the identifying information further includes information that identifies these.

[0116] This notification allows users to identify any documents that have not yet been prepared and to proceed with preparing those documents before their deadlines under the long-term care insurance system expire.

[0117] [Effects of the support processing] The support processing described above includes a series of data management processes (steps S1 to S2) for managing data related to long-term care services, a generation step (step S8) for documents related to care management for said long-term care services that automatically start the process of generating document data based on the above data at a timing based on the expiration date of said documents, and a provision step (step S9) for providing the document data generated by the generation process. The series of data management processes start the management of the document data generated by the generation process. The generation process also includes one or more steps selected from the group that includes at least a step of giving instructions to the generation AI to generate at least a part of the document data based on the above data (step 1 of step S8) and a step of applying the above data to a document template to generate at least a part of the document data (step 2 of step S8).

[0118] In this support process, the data management unit 111 centrally manages the data necessary for arranging documents. The support process then uses the generation unit 112 to automatically start a generation process using a generation AI or document template based on the data managed by the data management unit 111, at a timing based on the expiration date of care management documents (e.g., care plans, implementation records, monitoring reports, case conference information, assessment sheets). The support process then instructs the data management unit 111 to start managing the automatically generated documents, making them available for use by service providers and other users.

[0119] When document deadlines are managed and documents are created manually one by one according to those deadlines, businesses are required to expend considerable effort on ensuring accurate deadline management and creating appropriate documents. Furthermore, manual processes raise concerns about human error regarding deadlines or content. On the other hand, this invention automatically generates various documents of a certain quality before the deadline, provided that data is managed in advance by the data management unit. Therefore, the support device 1 that performs this support process can assist care service providers in preparing the care management documents they are required to submit before the deadline without any shortages, with less effort and with greater reliability.

[0120] Therefore, the aforementioned support process can provide a technical means to ensure that care service providers prepare all required care management documents in advance and without any omissions.

[0121] Furthermore, the support processing of this embodiment may take the form of further executing a series of processes (steps S6 to S7) that include information identifying the unmanaged data if the data necessary for generating the document is not managed by the data management unit 111 after the timing based on the above deadline and before the deadline for the document under the long-term care insurance system.

[0122] In this type of support processing, if data necessary for automatic document generation is missing after the generation process, a notification will be sent identifying the missing data before the deadline related to the long-term care insurance system. This allows users to understand which data needs to be supplemented to proceed with the document generation process, and to supplement that data and proceed with document preparation before the deadline for documents under the long-term care insurance system expires.

[0123] Furthermore, the support processing of this embodiment may take the form of further executing a series of processes (steps S14 to S15) that include information identifying the unmanaged document data if the document data relating to the document is not managed by the data management unit 111 after the timing based on the above deadline and before the deadline for the document under the long-term care insurance system.

[0124] In this type of support processing, if the automatically generated document data is not managed after the generation process, a notification will be sent to identify the document data before the deadline related to the long-term care insurance system. This allows users to identify the document data that has not yet been prepared and to proceed with preparing that document data before the deadline for the document under the long-term care insurance system expires.

[0125] Furthermore, if the support processing in this embodiment further includes a series of processes (steps S6 to S7) that provide notifications containing information identifying the unmanaged data mentioned above, the factors causing deficiencies that span both before and after the generation process can be visualized, thereby further promoting correction before the deadline expires.

[0126] In addition, the support processing of this embodiment may further execute a series of approval-related processes (steps S9 and S12) with respect to the document data provided in the provision step, in which the user inputs an indication of approval and determines that the document data has been approved. If the data management unit 111 determines in the series of processes that approval has been granted, it may execute a process (step S13) to start managing the document data.

[0127] In this type of support processing, if the user provides input indicating approval of the document data provided in the provision step, the approval unit determines that the document data has been approved. The data management unit then begins managing the document data if the approval unit determines that it has been approved.

[0128] As a result, the support device 1 can manage only the document data that has been confirmed by the user from among the document data generated by the generation process. Therefore, the support device 1 that performs the support process in this manner can assist the business operator in arranging documents based on the document data after content confirmation. Thus, this manner contributes to arranging care management documents that have been properly written without any shortages and before the deadline.

[0129] Furthermore, if the support process in this manner further executes a series of processes (steps S6 to S7) that include information identifying the unmanaged data mentioned above, the user can identify the data that needs to be supplemented prior to approval and begin approval and management of the document data after the data has been supplemented. Therefore, the support process in this case can expedite the preparation of the document data subject to approval and increase the certainty of arrangements being made before the deadline.

[0130] Furthermore, if the support process in this manner further executes a series of processes (steps S14 to S15) that include information identifying unmanaged document data, the user can identify the document data requiring approval and complete the approval and management commencement before the deadline. Therefore, the support process in this case can further suppress missed arrangements caused by delays in the approval process.

[0131] Furthermore, the support processing of this embodiment may take the form of performing a series of processes (steps S9 to S11) that provide a means for editing document data.

[0132] This type of support processing can assist service providers in arranging for the provision of documents after they have made modifications to the document data generated by the generation process, in accordance with the operation of the long-term care insurance system or individual circumstances. Therefore, this type of processing contributes to ensuring that properly written care management documents are provided in time and without omissions.

[0133] Furthermore, if the support processing in this manner includes a series of processes (steps S6 to S7) that provide notifications containing information identifying the unmanaged data mentioned above, the user can edit the data after supplementing the missing data. Therefore, the support processing in this case can help to expedite the preparation of documents before the deadline while suppressing rework during the editing process.

[0134] Furthermore, if the support process in this manner further executes a series of processes (steps S14 to S15) that include information identifying unmanaged document data, the user can identify unmanaged document data that requires editing and proceed with editing and arrangement before the deadline. Therefore, the support process in this case can suppress the backlog of documents waiting to be edited.

[0135] In addition, if the support processing of this type further executes a series of approval processes (steps S9 and S12), the appropriateness of documents prepared before the deadline can be improved by combining modifications according to operational or individual circumstances with the management of verified data.

[0136] Furthermore, the support processing of this embodiment may take the form of executing a data acquisition process (step S5) that acquires data necessary for the generation process of a document from an external system 2 before the expiration date of the document in the long-term care insurance system.

[0137] In this configuration, the support processing is configured such that the data management unit 111 executes data acquisition processing to obtain data necessary for generating documents from an external system 2 before the expiration date of the documents under the long-term care insurance system. This ensures that the data necessary for the generation process is replenished without manual input or arrangement by the service provider. Therefore, this configuration contributes to further reducing the workload of the service provider while facilitating the generation of document data and the arrangement of documents before the deadline.

[0138] Therefore, even when performing specific processing in various forms, the aforementioned support processing contributes to providing technical means to ensure that care service providers can prepare the care management documents they are required to submit in advance and without any omissions.

[0139] <Example of Use> The following is an example of using support device 1.

[0140] [Registration of Management Data] Users (e.g., administrator of support device 1, manager of a care service provider) register management data such as care management documents that need to be prepared, deadlines for those documents, the timing before the deadline for starting the document generation process, and other management data via terminal T to support device 1.

[0141] [Registration of care data] Users (e.g., staff of a care service provider) register data related to care services with the support device 1 via terminal T. The support device 1 also acquires data related to care services from an external system 2.

[0142] [Automatic Start of Generation Process] After the registration timing, the support device 1 automatically starts the process of generating document data related to the care management documents that are requested to be submitted.

[0143] [Notification, Editing, Approval] If the support device 1 is missing data necessary for the generation process, it will notify the user via terminal T. Support device 1 will also provide the generated document data to terminal T. The user will edit the document data as needed and approve the generated document data or the edited document data. Support device 1 will begin managing the approved document data. The user will send the document data or printed materials based on the document data to their family, government agencies, or other recipients.

[0144] <Note> Furthermore, within the scope of the concept of the present invention, those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations, and it is understood that such modifications and alterations also fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, any addition, deletion, or design change of components, or addition of processes or changes in conditions, made by a person skilled in the art to the above-described embodiment, is also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as it retains the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] S System 1 Support equipment 11 Control Unit 111 Data Management Department 112 Generation part 113 Provision Department 114 Notification Department 115 Approval Department 116 Editorial Department 13 Storage section 131 Management Database 132 Nursing Care Database 133 Document Databases 14 Communications Department 2 External system N Network T terminal

Claims

1. The Data Management Department manages data related to long-term care services, Regarding the care management documents related to the aforementioned long-term care services, a generation unit automatically starts the process of generating document data based on the data at a timing based on the expiration date of the said documents, A providing unit that provides the document data generated by the generation process, Equipped with, The data management unit starts managing the document data generated by the generation process, The generation process comprises one or more steps selected from the group including at least a step of giving instructions to a generation AI to generate at least a portion of the document data based on the data, and a step of applying the data to a document template to generate at least a portion of the document data. A support device for care service providers.

2. The support device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that, if, after the aforementioned timing and before the expiration date of the document under the long-term care insurance system, the data necessary for the generation process relating to the document is not managed by the data management unit, provides a notification that includes information identifying the unmanaged data.

3. The aforementioned provisioning unit further comprises an approval unit that determines that the document data has been approved when there is input indicating approval by the user with respect to the document data provided by the provisioning unit, The data management unit starts managing the document data when it is determined that approval has been granted by the approval unit. The support device according to claim 1.

4. The support device according to claim 1, further comprising an editing unit that provides means for editing the document data.

5. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the data management unit is configured to perform a data acquisition process to acquire data necessary for the generation process relating to the document from an external system before the expiration date of the document under the long-term care insurance system.

6. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the aforementioned document includes a plan, implementation record, monitoring, case conference information, and assessment sheet relating to a long-term care service business under the long-term care insurance system.

7. Data management steps for managing data related to long-term care services, Regarding the care management document related to the aforementioned long-term care service, the generation step includes automatically starting the document data generation process based on the data at a timing based on the expiration date of the document, A provision step of providing the document data generated by the generation process, Have the computer run it, The data management step starts managing the document data generated by the generation process, The generation process comprises one or more steps selected from the group including at least a step of giving instructions to a generation AI to generate at least a portion of the document data based on the data, and a step of applying the data to a document template to generate at least a portion of the document data. program.

Images