Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

[Problem] To make it possible to determine whether cognitive behavioral therapy is appropriate. [Solution] An information processing system (2) for assisting cognitive behavioral therapy is characterized by comprising: a start permission inquiry unit (211) that transmits, to a patient, an inquiry as to whether or not the patient can engage in the cognitive behavioral therapy before the start of the cognitive behavioral therapy; and a determination unit (212) that determines whether or not the patient can start the cognitive behavioral therapy on the basis of an input given by the patient in response to the inquiry.

Description

Information processing system, information processing method and program

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses support for cognitive behavioral therapy.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-153413

[0004] Some patients drop out during cognitive behavioral therapy.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and aims to provide a technique for determining whether cognitive behavioral therapy is suitable.

[0006] The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problem is an information processing system for supporting cognitive behavioral therapy, characterized by comprising: a start possibility inquiry unit that sends an inquiry to a patient before the start of the cognitive behavioral therapy as to whether or not the cognitive behavioral therapy can be performed; and a judgment unit that judges whether or not the patient can start the cognitive behavioral therapy based on an input from the patient in response to the inquiry.

[0007] Other problems and solutions disclosed in this application will be made clear in the section on preferred embodiments of the invention and the drawings.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether cognitive behavioral therapy is appropriate.

[0009] It is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a management server 2. It is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of a management server 2. It is a diagram explaining an overview of compatibility determination of CBT. It is a diagram explaining the operation of the management server 2.

[0010] <System Overview> An information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The information processing system of this embodiment is intended to support cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In this embodiment, the information processing system determines whether or not a patient can expect therapeutic benefits from CBT. When implementing CBT, if the patient is not in a state where they can engage in CBT (for example, if their symptoms, such as pain, have calmed down compared to when they were at their worst), they may be unable to continue CBT and may drop out. Therefore, the information processing system of this embodiment is configured to check in advance whether or not the patient is suitable for CBT.

[0011] In this embodiment, the suitability of CBT is confirmed in three stages. In the first stage, it is confirmed whether the patient is ready to begin CBT. If the patient is ready to begin CBT, in the second stage, it is confirmed whether the patient has correct expectations regarding CBT. Before confirming in the second stage, learning content is provided to help the patient understand the outline of CBT, and then it is confirmed whether the patient has correct expectations regarding CBT. In the third stage, it is confirmed whether the patient is likely to continue CBT. Note that only the first and second stages may be implemented, or only the first or second stage may be implemented.

[0012] Details are explained below.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system according to this embodiment is configured to include a management server 2. The management server 2 is communicably connected to a user terminal 1 and a medical institution terminal 3 via a communication network. The communication network is, for example, the Internet, and is constructed using a public telephone network, a mobile phone network, a wireless communication path, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like.

[0014] The user terminal 1 is a computer operated by a patient, and may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal computer.

[0015] The medical institution terminal 3 is a computer operated by a medical professional such as a doctor or a nurse. The medical institution terminal 3 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal computer.

[0016] The management server 2 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

[0017] <Management Server> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 2. Note that the illustrated configuration is an example, and other configurations may also be used. The management server 2 includes a CPU 201, memory 202, storage device 203, communication interface 204, input device 205, and output device 206. The storage device 203 stores various data and programs, and is, for example, a hard disk drive, solid state drive, or flash memory. The communication interface 204 is an interface for connecting to a communication network, and is, for example, an adapter for connecting to Ethernet (registered trademark), a modem for connecting to a public telephone network, a wireless communication device for wireless communication, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector or RS232C connector for serial communication. The input device 205 is, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, button, microphone, or the like for inputting data. The output device 206 is, for example, a display, printer, speaker, or the like for outputting data. Each functional unit of the management server 2 described below is realized by the CPU 201 reading a program stored in the storage device 203 into the memory 202 and executing it, and each storage unit of the management server 2 is realized as part of the storage area provided by the memory 202 and the storage device 203.

[0018] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of management server 2. Management server 2 includes a start possibility inquiry unit 211, a judgment unit 212, an explanation output unit 213, an understanding level inquiry unit 214, an expected content input unit 215, a question storage unit 231, and a learning content storage unit 232.

[0019] ==Storage Unit== The question storage unit 231 stores questions to be asked before the start of CBT to determine whether or not CBT is possible. These questions are used to assess whether or not the patient is in a state where they can engage in CBT. In this embodiment, the questions include questions 1 to 3 related to the first stage, questions 4 and 5 related to the second stage, and question 6 related to the third stage.

[0020] The first question is, "Are your symptoms causing you trouble in your daily life?" One of the goals of CBT is to control symptoms and reduce trouble, and patients who are having trouble due to their symptoms are the target patients. Therefore, the first question is used to confirm whether the patient is a target patient. The first question may also inquire about the degree of trouble. Alternatively, a specific disease (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)) may be specified and the patient may be asked whether or not the disease causes trouble.

[0021] The second question is, "Do you want to actively engage in treatment and improve to a better state?" For example, if the patient is satisfied with their current treatment, such as drug therapy, there is little need to implement CBT. Therefore, the second question is used to confirm whether the patient has the intention to improve to a better state. Note that the second question may also inquire about the degree to which the patient wants to improve.

[0022] The third question is, "Is the patient's lifestyle conducive to treatment?" For example, if the patient has another illness that requires higher treatment priority, CBT may not be an option. The third question may include a question asking whether the symptoms targeted by CBT have subsided, such as whether pain has subsided.

[0023] If any of the first through third questions are answered "no," it can be determined that CBT is not suitable. If all of the first through third questions are answered "yes," it can be determined that the patient is ready to begin CBT, and the first stage of confirmation can be completed.

[0024] The fourth question is, "Did you understand CBT through your studies?" If the patient does not understand CBT to a certain extent, it can be determined that CBT is not suitable for them. The fourth question may also ask about the level of understanding (for example, a number from 0 to 6).

[0025] The fifth question is, "What are your expectations for CBT?" The fifth question may be, for example, a multiple-choice question. The fifth question may include, for example, the following options: "I want to be able to do activities that I couldn't do because of my abdominal pain" (first option), "Complete recovery from abdominal pain and other symptoms" (second option), "Methods for dealing with abdominal pain and other symptoms" (third option), "Learn methods for dealing with abdominal pain and other symptoms" (fourth option), "Doctor's treatment skills" (fifth option), and "Reduce drug use" (sixth option). Furthermore, an expectation level may be set for each option included in the fifth question. In the above example, an expectation level exceeding a threshold may be set for the second and fifth options.

[0026] If the answer (level of understanding) to the fourth question does not exceed a predetermined threshold (for example, "3"), or if any of the answers to the fifth question is above a predetermined threshold (in this embodiment, if the second and fifth options are selected), the CBT can be determined to be incompatible.

[0027] The sixth question asks whether the patient is likely to continue CBT for a given period of time (e.g., two months). If the answer to the sixth question indicates that the patient is finding it difficult to continue CBT, CBT can be determined to be inappropriate.

[0028] The learning content storage unit 232 stores learning content for helping patients understand the outline of CBT. The learning content may be text data, video data, audio data, or a combination of these. The learning content is intended to explain the purpose, overall picture, treatment procedure, expected effects, etc. of CBT.

[0029] ==Functional Unit== The start possibility inquiry unit 211 sends an inquiry (question) to the patient before the start of CBT as to whether or not CBT can be performed. The start possibility inquiry unit 211 can, for example, send screen data for displaying the question and a form for answering (buttons, etc.) to the user terminal 1. The start possibility inquiry unit 211 can send the question stored in the question storage unit 231 to the patient (user terminal 1) and accept an answer from the patient.

[0030] The determination unit 212 determines whether the patient can start CBT, that is, the determination unit 212 can determine whether the patient is suitable for CBT.

[0031] The determination unit 212 can check the suitability of the CBT based on the answer to the question sent by the start permission inquiry unit 211.

[0032] The explanation output unit 213 provides an explanation about CBT to the patient. The explanation output unit 213 transmits the learning content stored in the learning content storage unit 232 to the user terminal 1, and the user terminal 1 creates the learning content to provide an explanation about CBT to the patient.

[0033] The comprehension inquiry unit 214 inquires of the patient about their level of comprehension of the explanation about CBT (the content of the learning content). The comprehension inquiry unit 214 can, for example, send screen data including a form for selecting the level of comprehension (which can be, for example, six levels from 0 to 5) to the user terminal 1 and receive the value entered in the form from the user terminal 1.

[0034] The determination unit 212 can determine whether or not the CBT can be started based on the level of understanding. For example, the determination unit 212 can determine that the CBT can be started when the level of understanding is equal to or greater than a given threshold. For example, the determination unit 212 can confirm the suitability of the CBT based on the answer to the question sent by the start suitability inquiry unit 211, and then determine whether or not the CBT can be started (whether or not the CBT is suitable) based on the level of understanding.

[0035] The expectation input unit 215 receives from the patient what the patient expects from CBT. The expectation input unit 215 can transmit screen data including a form for selecting options related to the fifth question stored in the question storage unit 231 to the user terminal 1, and can receive one or more options included in the fifth question selected by the patient from the user terminal 1. The expectation input unit 215 can receive the selection of options after the explanation output unit 213 provides the learning content.

[0036] The determination unit 212 can determine whether CBT can be started based on the selected option (the patient's expectations for CBT inputted). For example, the determination unit 212 can determine that CBT is not suitable when the expectation level is higher than a predetermined threshold. For example, the determination unit 212 may determine that CBT is not suitable when the expectation level of the selected option is higher than a threshold, or may determine that CBT is not suitable when the aggregate value of the expectation levels of the selected options is higher than a threshold. For example, the determination unit 212 can determine whether CBT is suitable based on the answer to the question sent by the start feasibility inquiry unit 211, further determine whether CBT is suitable based on the level of understanding, and further determine whether CBT is suitable based on the expectations (selected option).

[0037] The judgment unit 212 may further present the patient with a sixth question asking whether the patient is likely to be able to continue CBT for a predetermined period of time or longer, and accept an answer from the patient, and may determine that CBT is suitable if the answer is that the patient is likely to be able to continue CBT for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0038] <Operation> FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the conformance determination of the CBT.

[0039] The patient operates the user terminal 1 to access the information processing system (management server 2) (S301), assessment questions (questions 1 to 3) are provided by the management server 2 (S302), the patient answers the questions using the user terminal 1 (S303), and the answers are sent from the user terminal 1 to the management server 2 (S304).

[0040] The management server 2 determines whether the CBT is suitable for the patient based on the answers to the first through third questions (S305). Specifically, if all of the first through third questions are answered with YES, the CBT is determined to be suitable for the patient, and the learning content and the fourth through sixth questions are sent to the user terminal 1 (S306). The patient then browses the learning content using the user terminal 1 (S307). After browsing the learning content, the patient answers the fourth through sixth questions (S308). The answers are then sent from the user terminal 1 to the management server 2 (S309).

[0041] The management server 2 determines whether the user satisfies the CBT in accordance with the answers to the fourth through sixth questions (S310).

[0042] The management server 2 sends the results of the CBT suitability assessment to the medical institution terminal 3 (S311), and the medical staff can check the results of the CBT suitability assessment for the patient using the medical institution terminal 3 (S312). The medical staff provides additional explanations to the patient as needed (S313). At this point, it is also possible to decide not to implement CBT. The medical staff can also prescribe medication for the patient as needed (S314).

[0043] In steps S301-S305, each time the user answers each of the first through third questions, the answer may be transmitted from the user terminal 1 to the management server 2. In this case, the management server 2 can determine that the CBT is inappropriate when a NO answer is given to any of the first through third questions (S305) and transmit the result of CBT inappropriateness to the medical institution terminal 3 (S311). If the medical staff determines that the CBT can be implemented, the medical institution terminal 3 notifies the management server 2 of this, and the process returns to step S302, allowing the system to proceed to the next question.

[0044] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S305 that CBT is inappropriate, the medical staff may provide additional explanation to the patient as necessary (S313), and if it is determined that CBT can be implemented, the medical institution terminal 3 may notify the management server 2 of this fact. In response to this notification, the management server 2 may execute steps S306-S309, and may proceed to step S311 to notify the medical institution terminal 3 of the result of step S310 again.

[0045] Furthermore, even if the CBT is determined to be incompatible in step S305, the process may proceed to step S306, where the management server 2 transmits the learning content and the fourth through sixth questions to the user terminal 1. In this case, in S311, the management server 2 may transmit the results of the CBT compatibility determination in both steps S305 and S310 to the medical institution terminal 3.

[0046] As described above, the suitability of CBT can be determined before the CBT is implemented, and medical professionals can confirm the results.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the management server 2.

[0048] The management server 2 asks the patient (and sends it to the user terminal 1) the first question as to whether they have any problems in their daily life (S321), asks the patient (and sends it to the user terminal 1) the second question as to whether they would like to improve their condition by engaging in treatment (S322), and asks the patient (and sends it to the user terminal 1) the third question as to whether they are in a state where they can engage in treatment (S323).If the answer to any of the first to third questions is "No" (S324: NO), it can be determined that CBT is not suitable for the patient (S325).

[0049] If the answer to all of the first through third questions is "Yes" (S324: YES), the management server 2 provides the patient with the learning content stored in the learning content storage unit 232 (by transmitting it to the user terminal 1) (S326), allowing the patient to study the learning content. The management server 2 also transmits a fourth question to the user terminal 1 inquiring about the patient's level of understanding of CBT and accepts input of the patient's level of understanding (S327). The management server 2 also transmits a fifth question to the user terminal 1 inquiring about the patient's expectations for CBT and accepts input of the patient's expectations (S328). The management server 2 also transmits a sixth question to the user terminal 1 inquiring about the patient's confidence in continuing CBT and accepts the patient's confidence in continuing CBT (S329).

[0050] If the level of understanding is less than a predetermined threshold (first threshold) (S330: NO), the process proceeds to step S325, where the CBT can be determined to be incompatible.

[0051] If the expectation exceeds a predetermined threshold (second threshold) (S331: NO), the process also proceeds to step S325, where the CBT can be determined to be unsuitable.

[0052] If the answer is that the user is not confident about continuing (S332: NO), the process proceeds to step S325, and the CBT can be determined to be incompatible.

[0053] If all of the first through third questions are answered YES (S324: YES), the level of understanding of the learning is above the first threshold (S330: YES), the level of expectation is below the second threshold (S331: YES), and there is confidence in continuing (S332: YES), it can be determined that CBT is suitable.

[0054] As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment makes it possible to determine in advance whether a patient is suitable for CBT (whether CBT can be initiated or whether CBT can be implemented and continued).

[0055] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the above embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention.

[0056] <Disclosures> The present disclosure also includes the following configurations. [Item 1] An information processing system for supporting cognitive behavioral therapy, comprising: a start possibility inquiry unit that sends a query to a patient before starting the cognitive behavioral therapy as to whether the cognitive behavioral therapy is possible; and a judgment unit that judges whether the patient is able to start the cognitive behavioral therapy based on an input from the patient in response to the query. [Item 2] The information processing system according to Item 1, wherein the inquiry is a question asking whether the severity of symptoms that are the target of the cognitive behavioral therapy has stabilized. [Item 3] The information processing system according to Item 1, wherein the inquiry includes at least one of a first question asking about the severity of the patient's trouble and a second question asking about the degree to which the patient desires improvement in the symptoms, and a third question asking whether the patient is in a state where the cognitive behavioral therapy is possible. [Item 4] The information processing system of item 1, further comprising an expectation content input unit that accepts the patient's expectations for the cognitive behavioral therapy, wherein the judgment unit, when it is determined that the cognitive behavioral therapy can be started, further judges whether the cognitive behavioral therapy can be started according to the content. [Item 5] The information processing system of item 4, further comprising an explanation output unit that shows the patient an explanation about the cognitive behavioral therapy, wherein the expectation content input unit accepts the content after showing the explanation. [Item 6] The information processing system of item 5, further comprising a comprehension level inquiry unit that inquires about a level of understanding of the explanation, wherein the judgment unit judges whether the cognitive behavioral therapy can be started according to the level of understanding. [Item 7] An information processing method for supporting cognitive behavioral therapy, characterized in that a computer executes the following steps: sending a query to a patient before starting the cognitive behavioral therapy regarding whether the cognitive behavioral therapy can be performed; and judging whether the patient can start the cognitive behavioral therapy based on an input from the patient in response to the query.[Item 8] An information processing method for supporting cognitive behavioral therapy, comprising: a step of sending an inquiry to a patient before starting the cognitive behavioral therapy as to whether the cognitive behavioral therapy is possible; and a step of determining whether the patient is able to start the cognitive behavioral therapy based on an input from the patient in response to the inquiry.

[0057] 1 User terminal 2 Management server 3 Medical institution terminal

Claims

1. An information processing system for supporting cognitive behavioral therapy, comprising: - a startability inquiry unit that sends an inquiry to a patient asking whether the cognitive behavioral therapy can be performed before the start of the cognitive behavioral therapy; - a determination unit that determines whether the patient can start the cognitive behavioral therapy based on the input from the patient in response to the inquiry.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the inquiry is a question asking whether the degree of the symptom targeted by the cognitive behavioral therapy is stable.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the inquiry includes at least one of a first question asking about the degree of trouble, a second question asking about the degree of desire for improvement of the symptom, and a third question asking whether the cognitive behavioral therapy can be performed, and a third question asking whether the cognitive behavioral therapy can be performed.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising an expected content input unit that receives the content expected by the patient for the cognitive behavioral therapy, and when the determination unit determines that the cognitive behavioral therapy can be started, the determination unit further determines whether the cognitive behavioral therapy can be started according to the content.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, comprising an explanation output unit that shows an explanation of the cognitive behavioral therapy to the patient, and the expected content input unit receives the content after showing the explanation.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5, comprising an understanding degree inquiry unit that inquires about the degree of understanding of the explanation, and the determination unit determines whether the cognitive behavioral therapy can be started according to the understanding degree.

7. An information processing method for supporting cognitive behavioral therapy, comprising: - a step of sending an inquiry to a patient asking whether the cognitive behavioral therapy can be performed before the start of the cognitive behavioral therapy; - a step of determining whether the patient can start the cognitive behavioral therapy based on the input from the patient in response to the inquiry, which is executed by a computer.

8. An information processing method for supporting cognitive behavioral therapy, comprising the steps of: sending a query to a patient asking whether the patient can undergo the cognitive behavioral therapy before the start of the cognitive behavioral therapy; and determining, based on the input from the patient in response to the query, whether the patient can start the cognitive behavioral therapy. A program for causing a computer to execute these steps.

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