Information processing device, information processing method, and storage medium

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and a storage medium that allow browsing of drug information according to the level of patients.　An information processing device according to the present invention comprises: a reception unit that receives, from a first user, a request for browsing drug information; a determination unit that determines an attribute of the first user who has made the request for browsing the drug information; a designation unit that refers to a storage unit which has stored therein two or more drug information items of different granularities depending on the drug, and designates, on the basis of the attribute of the first user determined by the determination unit, the granularity of a drug information item which is to be presented; and a control unit that permits or restricts the browsing, by the first user, of the drug information item of the granularity designated by the designation unit.

Description

Information processing device, information processing method, and storage medium

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a storage medium.

[0002] Systems have been proposed for providing drug information to medical professionals, such as doctors and pharmacists who issue prescriptions based on patients' symptoms (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, not only medical professionals but also patients want detailed drug information. In particular, when treating intractable diseases or cancer, patients typically want to know not only the effects and efficacy of the administered drugs but also their side effects.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-181529

[0004] As mentioned above, patients also want to know more about drug information, but unlike doctors and pharmacists who are experts on drugs, patients have different levels of knowledge, and providing uniform drug information can be too simple or too difficult for some patients.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a storage medium that can provide drug information according to the level of a patient.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention comprises a receiving unit that receives a request from a first user to view drug information, a determination unit that determines the attributes of the first user who requested to view the drug information, a designation unit that refers to a memory unit in which two or more pieces of drug information with different granularity depending on the drug are stored and specifies which granularity of drug information to present based on the attributes of the first user determined by the determination unit, and a control unit that allows or restricts the first user from viewing the drug information with the granularity specified by the designation unit.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a storage medium that allow viewing of drug information according to the level of a patient.

[0008] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a database of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a database of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a database of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of an information processing system according to an embodiment.

[0009] [Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, "drug information" refers to information about drugs, and includes information of second users who provide (manufacture or sell) the drugs, as well as information of different granularity (levels), such as levels 0 to 3, as follows: Level 0: Initial information Level 1: Basic information (active ingredients, effects, efficacy, etc.) Level 2: Detailed information (side effect information, etc.) Level 3: Specialized information (clinical trial result information, etc.) A "first user" is a user who views drug information, such as a patient, a patient's family, or a relative. The first user uses this information processing system by operating a user terminal 3, which will be described later. A "second user" is a user who provides drugs, such as a pharmaceutical company, a pharmacy, or a hospital. The second user uses this information processing system by operating a user terminal 4, which will be described later. A "third user" is, for example, a medical professional such as a doctor or a pharmacist. The third user uses this information processing system by operating a user terminal 5, which will be described later.

[0010] First, an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system according to an embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes a server 2 (information processing device) and one or more user terminals 3 to 5 connected to the server 2 via a network 6. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 is configured to include one server 2 and one user terminal 3 to 5, but the number of servers 2 and the number of user terminals 3 to 5 included in the information processing system 1 are arbitrary. The user terminals 3 to 5 may be desktop personal computers (PCs) or mobile terminals (e.g., tablet PCs, notebook PCs, smartphones, etc.).

[0011] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of the server 2, and the server 2 has a configuration in which a communication IF 200A, a storage device 200B, and a CPU 200C are connected via a bus. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the server 2 may also include an input device (e.g., a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc.) and a display device (e.g., a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc.).

[0012] The communication IF 200A is an interface for communicating with other devices (for example, the user terminal 3).

[0013] The storage device 200B is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor storage device (solid state drive (SSD)). Various data and information processing programs are stored in the storage device 200B. Note that some or all of the various data stored in the storage device 200B may be stored in an external storage device such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory or an external HDD, or in a storage device of another information processing device connected via the network 6. In this case, the server 2 refers to or acquires various data stored in the external storage device or the storage device of the other information processing device.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a database stored in the storage device 200B, and Figs. 4 to 7 are diagrams showing an example of data stored in each database.

[0015] (First user DB1) The first user DB1 stores information about the first user input by the first user operating the user terminal 3. The information about the first user includes, for example, the information shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A disease to which the first user applies is selected from the disease categories shown in FIG. 5. Although not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the information about the first user also includes a history of requests by the first user to view drug information. Each piece of information is stored in the first user DB1 in association with the identifier (ID) of the corresponding first user. Note that the information about the first user shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is merely an example and is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. For example, information other than the above may be stored in the first user DB1 as information about the first user. Note that in this embodiment, when the first user requests to view side effects, a response from the second user is stored in the first user's personal page.

[0016] (Second User DB2) The second user DB2 stores information about second users. As shown in FIG. 6 , the second user information includes information entered by the second user through the user terminal 4, such as the company name, contact person, provided medication, address, and contact information, as well as the second user's status (registration status for various services). The various services include, for example, drug registration, information communication, website browsing, SNS browsing (e.g., browsing SNS for medical professionals such as doctors and pharmacists), customer referrals, surveys (e.g., questionnaire surveys, post-marketing surveys, etc.), seminar hosting, and advertising (e.g., website advertising for doctors, patient recruitment advertisements, etc.). If a second user is registered, the second user can receive the corresponding service. In FIG. 6 , a "◯" indicates registration, and an "X" indicates non-registration. Each piece of information is stored in the second user DB2 in association with the corresponding second user's identifier (ID). The various services may also include video content creation and document creation. Furthermore, the information of the second user shown in Fig. 6 is merely an example, and is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 6. For example, information other than the above-described information on the second user may be stored in the second user DB2.

[0017] (Drug Information DB3) As shown in FIG. 7, the drug information DB3 stores two or more pieces of drug information with different granularity depending on the drug. Specifically, the following information at levels 0 to 3 is stored in association with the drug. Level 0: Initial information Level 1: Basic information (active ingredients, effects, efficacy, etc.) Level 2: Detailed information (side effect information, etc.) Level 3: Specialized information (clinical trial result information, etc.) Note that information at levels 1 to 3 is stored in the drug information DB3 when a viewing request is received from the first user and drug information of the corresponding level is registered. In other words, drug information at level 0 is stored in the drug information DB3 for all drugs, but drug information at levels 1 to 3 is stored in the drug information DB3 only for drugs for which a viewing request is received from the first user and drug information of the corresponding level is registered.

[0018] Additionally, the following information is associated with each drug and stored in the drug information DB3: Drug name Photo (image of drug packaging, etc.) Pharmaceutical company name Main ingredient Price Icon (icon representing prescription or over-the-counter drug, injection, generic, etc.) Package insert Access ranking Action and effects Precautions for use Dosage and administration Side effects Storage method Contraindications and precautions for use with other drugs Pharmaceutical information, diseases related to the drug Related content Other (names of diseases for which the drug acts and is effective, body parts, etc.) Note that the above information associated with each drug and stored in the drug information DB3 is merely an example and is not limited to the examples shown above.

[0019] (SNS Information DB4) The SNS information DB4 stores information (e.g., information about side effects of medication prescribed to patients) posted by third users who are medical professionals such as doctors and pharmacists by operating the user terminals 5. Each piece of information is stored in the SNS information DB4 in association with the identifier (ID) of the corresponding third user.

[0020] The CPU 200C controls the server 2 and includes a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown).

[0021] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server 2. As shown in Fig. 8, the server 2 includes functions such as a receiving unit 201, a transmitting unit 202, a storage device control unit 203 (storage control unit), a determining unit 204, a designating unit 205, a control unit 206, a converting unit 207, and a searching unit 208. The functions shown in Fig. 8 are realized by the CPU 200C executing an information processing program stored in the storage device 200B.

[0022] The receiving unit 201 receives information from, for example, user terminals 3 to 5 via the network 6. For example, the receiving unit 201 receives information such as first user information, a request to view drug information, and search conditions from user terminal 3 (first user). The receiving unit 201 also receives level 1 to level 3 drug information from user terminal 4 (second user), for example.

[0023] The transmitting unit 202 transmits information to the user terminals 3 to 5 via the network 6, for example.

[0024] The storage device control unit 203 controls the storage device 200B. The storage device control unit 203, for example, writes and reads information to and from the storage device 200B. The storage device control unit 203 also permits or restricts storage of drug information of a drug in the drug information DB3 of the storage device 200B, depending on, for example, the status (registration status for various services) of the second user who provides the drug.

[0025] The determination unit 204 determines, for example, the attributes of the first user who has requested to view the drug information. The determination unit 204 determines the attributes of the first user based on, for example, the first user's view request history. If the first user's past view request history shows that the first user has requested to view high-level drug information (e.g., 2 or 3), the determination unit 204 determines that the first user has a high knowledge level, and if the first user has requested to view low-level drug information (e.g., 1), the determination unit 204 determines that the first user has a low knowledge level. In this case, the determination unit 204 may, for example, determine that drug information of the same level as the average level of drug information in the first user's view request history is the level (attribute) of the first user.

[0026] The designation unit 205 refers to the drug information DB3 in the storage device 200B, which stores two or more pieces of drug information with different granularities depending on the drug, and designates the granularity of the drug information to be presented based on the attributes of the first user determined by the determination unit 204. For example, if the cancer bottom 204 determines that the attributes of the first user are level 2, the designation unit 205 designates level 2 drug information.

[0027] For example, the control unit 206 permits or restricts the first user from viewing the drug information of the granularity specified by the specification unit 205. Furthermore, the control unit 206 permits or restricts the use of the service provided to the second user, depending on the status of the second user who provides the drug.

[0028] The control unit 206 permits or restricts a first user from requesting viewing of drug information for a drug, for example, depending on the status of the second user who provides the drug. For example, when the status of "Drug Registration" shown in FIG. 6 is "◯", the control unit 206 permits the first user from requesting viewing of drug information for a drug, and when the status of "Drug Registration" is "X", the control unit 206 restricts the first user from requesting viewing of drug information for a drug. Note that instead of permitting or restricting the first user from requesting viewing of drug information for a drug, the control unit 206 may be configured to permit or restrict the second user from providing drug information for a drug, depending on the status of the second user who provides the drug. Furthermore, the control unit 206 may be configured to permit or restrict storage of drug information for a drug in the drug information DB3 of the storage device 200B, depending on the status of the second user who provides the drug.

[0029] Furthermore, the control unit 206 permits or restricts the second user from viewing the first user's viewing request history, for example, depending on the status of the second user who provides the medicine. For example, when the status of "site viewing" shown in FIG. 6 is "◯", the control unit 206 permits the second user to view the first user's viewing request history, and when the status of "site viewing" is "×", the control unit 206 restricts the second user from viewing the first user's viewing request history.

[0030] Furthermore, the control unit 206 permits or restricts the second user from replying to the first user's browsing request history depending on the status of the second user who provides the medicine. For example, when the status of "information communication" shown in FIG. 6 is "◯", the control unit 206 permits the second user to reply to the first user's browsing request history, and when the status of "information communication" is "×", the control unit 206 restricts the second user from replying to the first user's browsing request history.

[0031] Furthermore, the SNS information DB4 of the storage device 200B stores drug side effect information posted by doctors or pharmacists. The control unit 206 permits or restricts the second user from viewing the drug side effect information stored in the SNS information DB4 of the storage device 200B, depending on the status of the second user who provides the drug. For example, when the status of "SNS viewing" shown in FIG. 6 is "◯", the control unit 206 permits the second user to view the drug side effect information, and when the status of "SNS viewing" is "×", the control unit 206 restricts the second user from viewing the drug side effect information.

[0032] Furthermore, the control unit 206 permits or restricts the introduction of the first user to the second user depending on the status of the second user who provides the medicine. For example, when the status of "Customer introduction" shown in FIG. 6 is "◯", the control unit 206 permits the introduction of the first user to the second user, and when the status of "Customer introduction" is "×", the control unit 206 restricts the introduction of the first user to the second user.

[0033] As described above, the control unit 206 permits or restricts the use of services provided to the second user depending on, for example, the status of the second user who provides the drug. Note that the various services may also include video content creation, document creation, etc. For example, if the status of video content creation or document creation is "◯", the control unit 206 permits the second user to use services such as video content creation and document creation, and if the status of video content creation or document creation is "×", the control unit 206 restricts the second user from using services such as video content creation and document creation.

[0034] The conversion unit 207 converts the drug information transmitted from the second user into a plain explanatory sentence that is easy for the first user to understand. The conversion unit 207 may be configured, for example, to convert the drug information transmitted from the second user into a plain explanatory sentence using a learning model that performs machine learning using the drug information transmitted from the second user and the plain explanatory sentence as training data. Furthermore, the conversion unit 207 may be configured, for example, to convert the drug information transmitted from the second user into a plain explanatory sentence by referring to a database that registers words and sentences used in the drug information transmitted from the second user and simpler versions of the words and sentences, in association with each other.

[0035] The search unit 208 searches for drug information stored in the drug information DB 3 of the storage device 200B based on search conditions sent from the user terminal 3. For example, the search conditions are as follows: (1) Free input + narrowing conditions (2) Disease name (3) Body part (4) Pharmaceutical company

[0036] (User terminals 3 to 5) User terminal 3 is a terminal used by the first user. User terminal 4 is a terminal used by the second user. User terminal 5 is a terminal used by the third user. The configurations of user terminals 3 to 5 will be explained below, but since the configurations of user terminals 3 to 5 are the same, only the configuration of user terminal 3 will be explained and explanations of the configurations of user terminals 4 and 5 will be omitted.

[0037] FIG. 9 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 3. The user terminal 3 has a configuration in which a communication IF 300A, a storage device 300B, an input device 300C, a display device 300D, and a CPU 300E are connected via a bus.

[0038] The communication IF 300A is an interface for communicating with other devices (for example, the server 2).

[0039] The storage device 300B is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor storage device (solid state drive (SSD)). The storage device 300B stores a terminal identifier, an information processing program, and the like. The terminal identifier is an identifier for identifying the user terminal 3. By assigning the terminal identifier to information transmitted from the user terminal 3, the server 2 can determine which user terminal 3 transmitted the received information. Note that the terminal identifier may be an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a MAC (Media Access Control) address, or the like, or may be assigned to the user terminal 3 by the server 2.

[0040] The input device 300C is, for example, an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, but may be any other device or equipment that can input data.The input device 300C may also be a voice input device.

[0041] The display device 300D is, for example, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, or the like, but may be any other device or equipment (for example, a CRT: Cathode Ray Tube) as long as it is capable of displaying.

[0042] The CPU 300E controls the user terminal 3 and includes a ROM and a RAM (not shown).

[0043] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 3. As shown in Fig. 10, the user terminal 3 has functions such as a receiving unit 301, a transmitting unit 302, a storage device control unit 303, an input accepting unit 304, and a display device control unit 305. The functions shown in Fig. 10 are realized by the CPU 300E executing an information processing program stored in the storage device 300B.

[0044] The receiving unit 301 receives, for example, information transmitted from the server 2 .

[0045] The transmitting unit 302 transmits, for example, information corresponding to the input operation received by the input receiving unit 304 to the server 2 .

[0046] The storage device control unit 303 controls the storage device 300B. For example, the storage device control unit 303 controls the storage device 300B to write and read information.

[0047] The input receiving unit 304 receives an input operation from the input device 300C.

[0048] The display device control unit 305 controls the display device 300D, and displays the information received by the receiving unit 301 on the display device 300D.

[0049] FIG. 11 is an example of a screen G1 displayed on the display device 300D of the user terminal 3 of the first user. As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, a list of medications that match the search criteria entered by the first user is displayed. In this embodiment, information on medications that the first user cannot take is also displayed. In the medication list shown in FIG. 11, for example, the following information is displayed for each medication based on the information stored in the medication information DB 3: Drug name Photo Pharmaceutical company name Main ingredient Price Initial information (level 0 medication information) Icon (icon representing prescription or over-the-counter medication, injection, generic, etc.)

[0050] The first user operates the input device 300C of the user terminal 3 to select and check the check box 11 for the drug information for which they want more detailed information. Note that if the "Drug Registration" status of the second user providing the drug is "◯," the check box 11 can be selected; however, if the "Drug Registration" status of the second user providing the drug is "×," the check box 11 cannot be selected (is restricted). By selecting and checking the check box 11 for the drug information for which they want more detailed information and then selecting "Request to view detailed information" 12, the first user can view or request to view drug information at a level (levels 1 to 3) corresponding to the first user's attributes. Note that if the first user operates the input device 300C of the user terminal 3 to select "View details" 13 for each drug information, the screen transitions to a screen displaying drug information at level 0. On the transition screen, for example, the following information is displayed for each drug based on the information stored in the drug information DB 3: Drug name Pharmaceutical company name Icon (icons representing prescription or over-the-counter drugs, injections, generics, etc.) Package insert Access ranking Photo Action and effects Precautions for use Dosage and administration Side effects Storage method Contraindications and precautions for combined use Pharmaceutical information Diseases related to the drug Related content Other (names of diseases for which it acts or is effective, parts of the body, etc.)

[0051] 12 to 15 are flowcharts showing an example of processing by the information processing system 1. The processing by the information processing system 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. Note that the same components as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. As already mentioned, the server 2 may be configured to include an input device (for example, a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, etc.) and a display device (CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), liquid crystal display, organic EL display, etc.), and to allow information to be input from the input device of the server 2.

[0052] (Member Registration Process) Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the member registration process of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, the member registration process of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 12 .

[0053] (Step S101) First, the first user operates the input device 300C of the user terminal 3 to access the member registration site.

[0054] (Step S102) When the server 2 is accessed by the user terminal 3, it generates screen information for inputting the information of the first user as described with reference to Figures 4 and 5, and transmits it from the server 2 to the user terminal 3 via the network 6. The screen information transmitted from the server 2 via the network 6 is displayed on the display device 300D of the user terminal 3. The first user inputs the information of the first user by operating the input device 300C of the user terminal 3. Note that the server 2 may automatically issue a unique login ID. The input information of the first user is transmitted by the transmitting unit 302 to the server 2 via the network 6.

[0055] (Step S103) The receiving unit 201 of the server 2 receives the information of the first user transmitted from the user terminal 3. The storage device control unit 203 of the server 2 associates the information of the first user transmitted from the user terminal 3 via the network 6 with the ID of the first user and stores the information in the first user DB1 of the storage device 200B.

[0056] Note that the only difference between the second and third users is the information to be registered, and the flow of the user information registration process is the same as that for the first user, so a duplicated explanation will be omitted.

[0057] (Search Process) Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of search process of the information processing system 1. Hereinafter, an example of search process of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 13 .

[0058] (Step S201) The first user operates the input device 300C of the user terminal 3 to input search conditions for drug information (for example, (1) free input + narrowing down conditions, (2) disease name, (3) body part, (4) pharmaceutical company, etc.). The search conditions input by operating the input device 300C are accepted by the input accepting unit 304 and transmitted from the transmitting unit 302 to the server 2 via the network 6. The search conditions transmitted from the user terminal 3 are received by the receiving unit 201 of the server 2.

[0059] (Step S202) The search unit 208 of the server 2 refers to the drug information DB 3 in the storage device 200B and searches for drugs that match the search conditions.

[0060] (Step S203) The transmitting unit 202 of the server 2 transmits the search result of the searching unit 208 to the user terminal 3. The transmitted search result is received by the receiving unit 301 of the user terminal 3 and displayed on the display device 300D by the display device control unit 305 (see FIG. 11 ).

[0061] (Medicine Information Viewing Process) Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of medicine information viewing process in the information processing system 1. Hereinafter, an example of medicine information viewing process in the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 14 .

[0062] (Step S301) The first user operates the input device 300C of the user terminal 3 to input a request to view drug information for a drug about which the first user wants more details from the list of searched drugs (specifically, the first user selects and checks the check box 11 for the drug information about which the first user wants more details from the list of drugs illustrated in FIG. 11 . Next, the first user operates the input device 300C of the user terminal 3 to select “Request to view detailed information” 12). The view request input by operating the input device 300C is accepted by the input accepting unit 304 and transmitted from the transmitting unit 302 to the server 2 via the network 6. The view request transmitted from the user terminal 3 is received by the receiving unit 201 of the server 2.

[0063] (Step S302) The determination unit 204 of the server 2 determines the attributes of the first user who sent the viewing request received by the receiving unit 201. The determination unit 204 identifies the first user based on the identifier of the terminal received together with the viewing request, and determines the attributes of the first user based on the granularity of the drug information in the viewing request history of the identified first user.

[0064] (Step S303) The designation unit 205 of the server 2 designates the granularity (level) of the drug information to be presented to the first user based on the attribute of the first user determined by the determination unit 204, for example.

[0065] (Step S304) The control unit 206 of the server 2 refers to the drug information DB3 in the storage device 200B and determines whether or not drug information of the granularity specified by the designation unit 205 is stored. If drug information of the granularity specified by the designation unit 205 is stored (YES), the server 2 executes the process of step S309. If drug information of the granularity specified by the designation unit 205 is not stored (NO), the server 2 executes the process of step S305.

[0066] (Step S305) The transmitting unit 202 of the server 2 refers to the second user DB2 in the storage device 200B, and transmits a request to the second user to create drug information of the granularity designated by the designating unit 205.

[0067] (Step S306) The receiving unit 201 of the server 2 receives the drug information of the granularity requested by the second user.

[0068] (Step S307) The conversion unit 207 of the server 2 converts the drug information received by the receiving unit 201 into a sentence that explains the drug in simple terms so that the first user can easily understand it.

[0069] (Step S308) The storage device control unit 203 of the server 2 stores the drug information converted by the conversion unit 207 in the drug information DB 3 of the storage device 200B.

[0070] (Step S309) The control unit 206 of the server 2 refers to the drug information DB3 in the storage device 200B in which the drug information is stored, and allows the first user to view (permit) the drug information of the granularity specified by the specification unit 205.

[0071] (Various Service Utilization Processing) Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of various service utilization processing in the information processing system 1. Hereinafter, an example of various service utilization processing in the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 15 .

[0072] (Step S401) The server 2 receives information about the use of various services transmitted from the user terminal 4 (second user).

[0073] (Step S402) The control unit 206 of the server 2 refers to the second user DB2.

[0074] (Step S403) The control unit 206 of the server 2 determines the status of the second user who has applied to use various services. If the various services received by the receiving unit 201 are registered as available (YES), in other words, if the corresponding service is marked "O", the control unit 206 executes the process of step S404. If the various services received by the receiving unit 201 are not registered as available (NO), in other words, if the corresponding service is marked "X", the control unit 206 executes the process of step S405.

[0075] (Step S404) The control unit 206 of the server 2 permits the second user to use the service.

[0076] (Step S405) The control unit 206 of the server 2 restricts the second user from using the service.

[0077] As described above, server 2 includes receiving unit 201 that receives a request from a first user to view drug information, determination unit 204 that determines the attributes of the first user who requested the viewing of drug information, designation unit 205 that references storage device 200B in which two or more pieces of drug information with different granularities depending on the drug are stored and specifies which granularity of drug information to present based on the attributes of the first user determined by determination unit 204, and control unit 206 that permits or restricts the first user from viewing drug information of the granularity specified by designation unit 205. In this way, the knowledge level of the first user, who is a patient, is determined based on the attributes of the first user, and viewing of drug information of the determined level is permitted, so that drug information according to the patient's level can be provided.

[0078] Furthermore, the determination unit 204 of the server 2 determines the attributes of the first user based on the browsing request history of the first user. In this way, the attributes of the first user are determined based on the past browsing request history of the first user, so that the knowledge level of the first user can be determined with high accuracy.

[0079] Furthermore, the control unit 206 of the server 2 permits or restricts the use of the service provided to the second user depending on the status (whether or not the service is registered) of the second user who provides (manufactures or sells) the medicine. In this way, it is possible to register whether or not to use each service, which is highly convenient.

[0080] Furthermore, the control unit 206 of the server 2 permits or restricts a request from a first user to view drug information of a drug, depending on the status of the second user who provides the drug. For this reason, registration with the service is required to provide drug information.

[0081] The server 2 also includes a conversion unit 207 that converts the drug information transmitted by the second user into a plain text explanation using a learning model that has been machine-learned using the drug information transmitted by the second user and a plain text explanation of the drug information as training data. This makes it possible to provide drug information that is easy for the first user, who is a patient, to understand.

[0082] The server 2 also includes a conversion unit 207 that refers to a database in which words and sentences used in the drug information are associated with simpler versions of those words and sentences, and converts the drug information sent from the second user into simpler explanatory text. This makes it possible to provide drug information that is easy for the first user, who is a patient, to understand.

[0083] [Variations of the Embodiments] The above-described embodiments and variations are merely examples of specific embodiments of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the determination unit 204 of the server 2 determines the attributes of the first user and specifies the granularity of the drug information to be presented based on the attributes of the first user determined by the determination unit 204. However, the first user may also be configured to specify the granularity of the drug information to be presented.

[0084] 1: Information processing system 2: Server 200A: Communication IF 200B: Storage device 200C: CPU 201: Receiving unit 202: Transmitting unit 203: Storage device control unit 204: Determining unit 205: Designating unit 206: Control unit 207: Conversion unit 208: Searching unit 3: User terminal 300A: Communication IF 300B: Storage device 300C: Input device 300D: Display device 300E: CPU 301: Receiving unit 302: Transmitting unit 303: Storage device control unit 304: Input accepting unit 305: Display device control unit 4: User terminal 5: User terminal 6: Network

Claims

1. A receiving unit that receives a request from a first user to view drug information, a determination unit that determines the attributes of the first user who requested to view the drug information, a storage unit that stores two or more pieces of drug information with different particle sizes according to the drug, and a specifying unit that refers to the storage unit and specifies which particle size of drug information to present based on the attributes of the first user determined by the determination unit, and a control unit that permits or restricts the first user to view the drug information of the particle size specified by the specifying unit. An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising the above components.

2. The determination unit determines the attributes of the first user based on the viewing request history of the first user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The control unit permits or restricts the use of the service provided to the second user according to the status of the second user who provides the drug. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The control unit permits or restricts the first user's request to view the drug information of the drug according to the status of the second user who provides the drug. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. The control unit permits or restricts the second user to provide the drug information of the drug according to the status of the second user who provides the drug. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

6. The control unit permits or restricts the storage of the drug information of the drug in the storage unit according to the status of the second user who provides the drug. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

7. The control unit permits or restricts the second user to view the viewing request history of the first user according to the status of the second user who provides the drug. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

8. The control unit permits or restricts the second user to answer the viewing request history of the first user according to the status of the second user who provides the drug. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

9. The memory unit stores the side effect information of the drug posted by a doctor or a pharmacist. The control unit permits or restricts the second user who is provided with the drug to view the side effect information of the drug stored in the memory unit according to the status of the second user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

10. The control unit permits or restricts the introduction of the first user to the second user according to the status of the second user who is provided with the drug. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

11. A conversion unit is provided that converts the drug information transmitted from the second user into a text that explains the drug information in plain language, using a learning model obtained by machine learning the drug information transmitted from the second user and the text that explains the drug information in plain language as teacher data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

12. A conversion unit is provided that refers to a database in which the words and sentences used in the drug information are registered in association with the words and sentences that simplify the words and sentences, and converts the drug information transmitted from the second user into a text that explains the drug information in plain language. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

13. An information processing method characterized by including: a step in which a receiving unit receives a request to view drug information from a first user; a step in which a determination unit determines the attribute of the first user who requested to view the drug information; a step in which a specifying unit refers to a memory unit in which two or more pieces of drug information with different granularities are stored according to the drug, and specifies which granularity of drug information to present based on the attribute of the first user determined by the determination unit; and a step in which a control unit permits or restricts the first user to view the drug information with the granularity specified by the specifying unit.

14. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as a receiving unit that receives a request to view drug information from a first user, a determination unit that determines the attribute of the first user who requested to view the drug information, a specifying unit that refers to a memory unit in which two or more pieces of drug information with different granularities are stored according to the drug, and specifies which granularity of drug information to present based on the attribute of the first user determined by the determination unit, and a control unit that permits or restricts the first user to view the drug information with the granularity specified by the specifying unit.

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