KR20010097816A - A diagnosis and prescription system for registered patients using communication network, and method used for the system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical treatment method and system that allows both a patient and a doctor to utilize the existing communication infrastructure to be more convenient and to perform a medical examination through communication without wasting time. The system provided to achieve this purpose is a communication and prescription system using communication, which provides an appropriate service menu to the patient through the communication network, transmits the patient's selection and request to the attending physician, and provides the patient with appropriate information. Patient request processing system; A medical treatment system for confirming a request from the patient request processing system to allow a doctor to treat the patient and issue a prescription; A medical database containing data about the patient; A prescription server connected to the medical treatment system for classifying and storing prescriptions issued by a doctor, immediately sending prescriptions for pharmacies registered as dedicated pharmacies and sending prescriptions for general pharmacies at a later request; And a plurality of pharmacy clients receiving the prescription transmitted from the prescription server and transmitting the prescription to the prescription server when the prescription is completed. The present invention also provides a method for treating and requesting a vibration request that can be used in such a system, and a drug classification method that can be employed in such a system.

Description

A DIAGNOSIS AND PRESCRIPTION SYSTEM FOR REGISTERED PATIENTS USING COMMUNICATION NETWORK, AND METHOD USED FOR THE SYSTEM}

Conventionally, the way in which a doctor treats a patient has been a one-to-one face-to-face treatment and prescription of a doctor each time, but this is inconvenient in that a patient must visit a doctor. In particular, when the patient can be treated only by a simple conversation with the doctor and routine prescription, such a direct visit is very cumbersome for the patient, and the patient is inconvenient to move. In order to reduce such inconvenience, recently, a remote medical treatment method through the Internet has been developed by applying this to the rapid development of communication technology, but there are many problems in practical terms for such a remote medical system widely used. In other words, the conventional telemedicine includes expensive equipments not only for the hospital but also for each home or institution that will use the medical care, and then, as well as the moving picture of the doctor and the patient, furthermore, various kinds of examinations (such as those measured in the hospital) For example, by performing a vital check such as blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, etc.) and transmitting the same, it is possible to obtain an effect similar to receiving a medical examination by visiting a hospital directly. Therefore, in order for these telemedicine systems to be widely used in homes and to be generally used, a computer having a certain specification or more is required, a video conferencing camera must be installed, and an additional cost of separately joining a high-speed communication network for information transmission is required. In addition to the necessity, the types of diseases that can be diagnosed are limited to a part of the system that can be supported. Also, when measuring and transmitting information on a patient's condition, an error may occur in the information content during transmission, and the operation is inconvenient. Patients, or patients who do not have the ability to use the computer, even if the behavior is not inconvenient, had a problem that the practical use is not easy.

In addition, there is a simple Q & A method that does not use an expensive remote medical system, in which a doctor posts a questionnaire on an internet bulletin board and reads it, and then provides appropriate diagnostic information. In this case, however, it is difficult for doctors to know the patient's condition properly, and it is easy to provide information rather than responsible medical treatment and prescription as a doctor.In addition, it is difficult to respect individual privacy in terms of open bulletin boards. In addition, there is a problem of reluctant to use the patient, and moreover, there is also a problem of misusing a drug by acquiring only a piece of knowledge and improperly applying it. In addition, even if the bulletin board is responsible for providing a clear and accurate explanation of the patient's condition, the patient is not easily charged for the service. There is a limit to motivating provision. Therefore, it is difficult to expect sincere and continuous free counseling when the division of medicine will be implemented in the future, where the income of doctors will depend only on the medical and prescription costs including counseling.

In addition, since the pharmacist's discretion is prohibited when the medical division of labor starts on July 1, 2000, patients with mild or chronic diseases, such as a cold, may have previously obtained medicines through pharmacist's discretion. You must also visit the hospital. Of course, this may solve problems such as drug abuse and misuse, but in practice, such a patient may explain the symptoms to the doctor and explain the medicine to the doctor rather than actually needing treatment / procedure. Since most of the prescription will be done, the inconvenience of having to visit the hospital every time will be increased.

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and at the same time, utilizes the communication infrastructure that is already available to the maximum, enabling both the patient and the doctor to efficiently conduct and receive the medical treatment, and furthermore, the inconvenience caused by the division of medicine. It is aimed at minimizing the cost and establishing a highly efficient medical delivery system (hereinafter referred to as "communication emergency system").

Another object of the present invention is to build a more practical telemedicine system that effectively connects patients, doctors, and pharmacists without mobilizing expensive systems.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a medical care system and a method for maximizing the convenience of a patient by allowing medical services to be obtained by using a simple telephone.

Still another object of the present invention is to enable the attending physician to more accurately and efficiently schedule his / her medical time so that timely and flexible medical treatment can be achieved.

1 is a schematic diagram showing components for implementation of a medical and prescription system according to the present invention.

2A, 2B, 2C are flow charts illustrating a dial-up procedure for a patient using the system disclosed in FIG.

3 is a flow chart showing a medical procedure performed by a attending physician using the system shown in FIG.

4 is a flow chart showing a referral procedure that may be used in the system shown in FIG.

5 is a schematic diagram of a prescription system that may be employed in the system shown in FIG.

6 is a flow chart showing operation of a prescription server in the prescription system shown in FIG.

7A and 7B are schematic views showing a flow in which prescription procedures in the prescription system shown in FIG. 5 are applied to a dedicated pharmacy and a general pharmacy, respectively.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention: communication and prescription system using communication, providing a suitable service menu to the patient through the communication network, and accordingly transmits the patient's selection and request to the attending physician, A patient request processing system for providing a patient with information including message and billing information; Confirming the request from the patient request processing system, allowing the attending physician to consult the patient and issue a prescription; a medical database and database server containing data about the patient and the attending physician; This includes a prescription server that stores and stores the data used by the prescription server, which classifies and stores prescriptions, immediately sends prescriptions for pharmacies registered as private pharmacies, and forwards prescriptions for general pharmacies upon request. Processing system; And a plurality of pharmacy clients that receive the prescription transmitted from the prescription server and transmit the prescription to the prescription server when the prescription is completed.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for re-launching a doctor that can be used in the system described above, the method comprising the steps of: receiving information necessary for medical treatment from a patient through a communication network; determining whether the received information is sufficient for medical treatment Thus, if additional information is required, sending and receiving additional questions to the patient and receiving a response thereto, and if the treatment is not possible even by receiving additional information, allowing the visit request message to be reproduced; Recording the medical contents of the patient and transmitting the prescription to the prescription server when it is determined that the prescription is necessary; If the patient's question is stored, storing a response to it; And executing the module for billing medical expenses is provided.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for processing a patient's request for a patient that can be used in the system as described above, when the request for a visit via the patient's telephone, whether the existing registration of the patient is confirmed and whether the effective user Confirming whether or not; Determining whether the caller's telephone number of the patient is a single user mode or a multi-user mode to generate an appropriate guide message and to perform user verification according to each mode; Receiving a service mode selection of a patient; Based on the selected mode and flag data designated by the attending physician, connecting to the attending physician's telephone or computer, replaying the attending physician's reply message, or connecting the operator; If the online connection flag of the attending physician is set as connectable, storing the diagnostic data and issuing a prescription; And reproducing information on billing.

Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a drug classification method which can be used in the above system, the method comprising: storing information about each drug selected by a doctor in the drug selection step in a prescription database; If the amount of stored database exceeds a predetermined criterion for statistical processing, deriving a doctor's prescription frequency for each drug based on the information stored in the prescription database; And

And classifying the drugs with the highest frequency into the first group, the drugs with the medium frequency into the second group, and the drugs with the low frequency into the third group based on the frequency data. Drug classification methods are provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present invention will be described in detail.

When the patient accesses the communication system according to the present invention by telephone, a flow chart of the processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C.

When the patient makes a call through the telephone network, the application server of the communication system checks the calling telephone number and checks whether it is a new telephone number (step 100). If there is no matching telephone number as a result of searching the database, it is determined to be new and the operator is connected and registered (step 98). For example, the registration process may be performed by the operator recording the patient's social security number, address, name, the name of the attending physician, and the name of the dedicated pharmacy (if necessary) in the database.

In step 100, when it is determined that the outgoing telephone number exists in the existing database, that is, when it is determined that it is not a new telephone number, the person who has already used the telecommunications system is searched again to check whether the user is a valid user. (Step 110). If an invalid user (for example, nonpayment of medical expenses) is displayed in the database (using a flag or the like), the service is terminated with a message indicating that the communication system is not available (step 99).

On the other hand, in step 110, if the user is authenticated as a valid user through the ARS system to determine whether a single user or a multi-user is sent to the patient. Here, the single user means the one-to-one relationship between the outgoing telephone number and the patient corresponding to the number, and the multi-user means, for example, that all members of a household have one telephone line. It means the case of sharing the numbers and using the communication system. The patient selects whether the user is a single user or a multi-user according to the ARS announcement. For example, pressing 1 of the telephone may be implemented to determine that a single user is pressed, and pressing 2 is a multi-user (steps 120 to 160).

If the patient selects the single user mode in step 120, the process proceeds to step 130 of the flowchart to request a user confirmation operation (ie, input of a password) (step 140). If the password is incorrect, it can be retried for a certain number of times (for example, three times) (step 170) and then terminated, or an operator can be connected (step 98). If the password is correct, it is checked whether or not a reservation is registered with the attending physician (step 180). If it is not confirmed that the appointment with the attending physician can be terminated or the operator may be connected. Preferably, even if the appointment is not possible, it is desirable to check the response message of the doctor during the process described below. . In the case of an appointment with the attending physician, the patient may select the services of his choice. For example, the patient will connect directly to the attending physician through the ARS system (called "connecting the attending physician"), check the message left by the attending physician (called "message verification"), or connect the operator ("exchange operator"). Press the select button for " connection " (step 190).

If the patient selects "connect the attending physician" as described in FIG. 2C, the server checks the online connection flag left by the attending physician (step 200) and the attending physician issues a flag of "authorize online connection" to him according to his circumstances. If it is set to "available", a direct telephone call is connected to the attending physician, so that a simple consultation with the attending physician is possible via the telephone (steps 210 and 220). If it is determined that the prescription of the medicine is necessary (step 230), the doctor stores it in the prescription server (step 240). When the doctor prescribes the diagnosis, the information on the medical fee and the information fee is reproduced (step 250). Even if the patient has selected the "Principal's connection" mode, the doctor will not be connected directly to the attending physician at the time the doctor does not set the "Allow online connection" flag to "Enable". You can leave a message. When the recording is completed, this data is stored in the server, the patient checks whether the recording of his or her recording, listen to the guidance message about the service time, listen to the guidance of medical fees and information usage fee and ends (steps 260 to 260). 300).

If the patient has selected the "answer message" mode in step 190, for example, one of "response message" and "prescription number confirmation" and "previous message confirmation" modes can be selected. If you select "Response Message", you can hear the response message of the doctor who left most recently. If you select "Confirm Prescription Number", you can check the prescription number that was left to you most recently. If you select "Check previous messages", you can optionally check the previous saved messages (eg always save 15 days on the file server). Alternatively, it may be possible to check the previous message after the response message check or prescription number check is selected. When the message is confirmed, the medical expenses and information service fee will be guided if necessary and then terminated.

In step 120, when the patient selects the multi-user mode, the message is played differently from the single-user mode, and unlike the single-user mode, each patient corresponding to the same phone number has to be identified one-to-many. . Multiple users are also subject to individual user verification for each (steps 150 and 160). As in the case of a single user, the individual user confirmation is performed by inputting a password. Since the processing when the passwords do not match is the same as in the case of a single user, description thereof is omitted. The procedure after the successful verification of an individual user is performed in the same way as for a single user.

Next, the overall doctor's procedure is explained.

First, in the present system, the doctor (doctor) should directly treat the patient's first visit (first medical care for the patient), not by communication, but directly by the patient, before using the system according to the present invention. Therefore, the attending physician can perform re-care for patients who have made an appointment at the time of first visit (i.e., having stored the information about the decision by using the communication, and storing the information). Preferably, consultation or message confirmation (without issuance) is also available for patients who are not scheduled.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, look at the flow of the doctor using the medical communication system in accordance with the present invention.

As described above, in using this system, the first visit is premised on the doctor's face-to-face treatment, and the first visit doctor discusses the communication and discusses it with the patient. If necessary, the doctor accesses and searches the database to determine whether the patient is enrolled in a medical service using telecommunications, and if not recorded (the doctor or nurse) registers as a new patient. It tells you the information you need to get care. At this time, if the patient wants to make a reservation for the next medical treatment, the necessary reservation processing is performed, and only the scheduled patient is able to communicate medical examination with the prescription development department. On the other hand, for medical consultations without a prescription, it is desirable to enable communication resumption even if there is no reservation, if the doctor permits the consultation to be "enabled".

Subsequently, the doctor checks the information necessary for the treatment transmitted from the patient at least before the scheduled time, and then the doctor determines whether the information contains appropriate and sufficient contents to perform the treatment. If it is determined that the information is not sufficient, a direct visit (notifying the patient) or an additional question is sent. If the information is confirmed to be sufficient for proper medical treatment in the verification step, the doctor records the information on the chart, and then determines whether a prescription is necessary, if necessary, the digital signature is surely transmitted to the prescription server. In addition, if there is a question from the patient, the response is stored in the message system. Processing for the stored prescription will follow the prescription flow chart shown in FIGS. 6-7.

Hereinafter, a method of classifying drugs in relation to a doctor's prescription issuing process according to the present invention will be described.

When a doctor publishes a prescription, he or she can browse the full list of drugs on the screen, select and save the specific drug required by the patient, and the prescription server counts the frequency for each stored drug name, which is then recorded in a prescription database. It is desirable to classify drugs newly based on the frequency of the doctor's designation for the drug name. For example, the group of drugs with the highest frequency in terms of the number of times designated by a doctor is classified into group 1, the drugs with medium frequency are classified into group 2, and the drugs with relatively low frequency are classified into group 3, Of drugs are required to be held by all pharmacies, and group 2 is classified as a drug to be held by a large drug store. Will be significantly lower. The classification may be further modified based on statistical data by the frequency of appointments of physicians.

Once you have sent the prescription you need, the doctor will be able to claim the fee and will run the billing module. Billing costs include, for example, medical fees and server fees.

Then, it is desirable for the doctor to confirm the next reservation for the same patient and the validity of the reservation and to be notified to the patient when the response is confirmed by e-mail or by telephone. In addition, it is desirable for the doctor to set in advance a time limit or a recovery limit (for example, three times in a row or within three months) of each patient's communication jam, and inform the patient of the patient's appointment at the time of appointment. You may.

If, as a result of the doctor's judgment, the help of a specialist in another department is required for more appropriate treatment of the patient, the procedure is shown in FIG. 4.

First, the attending physician designates a specific doctor in a specific department and prepares a referral form, and then adds an electronic signature and stores it in a referral database. The designated physician (called 'recipient') then searches the referral database assigned to him to confirm the referral, and preferably a separate examination record, such as an auxiliary medical database (e.g., an X-ray film, etc.). Search for stored messages, leave a message and / or subsequent repetitive prescriptions, and add an electronic signature. It can then be stored in the referral database of the attending physician who referred the recipient to the attending physician, who can then confirm it at a time that is convenient for them and then deliver the message and / or prescription to the patient through the procedure described above.

Next, the prescription flow chart in the pharmacy will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the prescription stored by the attending physician in FIG. 3 is sent to the prescription server, and the prescription server receives the sequential prescription IDs (the only identification numbers assigned to the prescriptions) in the order of the prescriptions entered into the server. And store it in the prescription database along with the prescription. At the same time, the prescription server checks whether or not the prescription is a prescription for a patient for which the dedicated pharmacy is registered for the prescription, and if the prescription is to be transmitted to the dedicated pharmacy, the prescription server immediately sends it to the corresponding dedicated pharmacy. If you are not registered as a dedicated pharmacy for a patient on a prescription (that is, if you are a generic pharmacy for that patient), then the request for a prescription sent from the client's system of the pharmacy at the time the patient visits a general pharmacy for the pharmacy is filled with the prescription. The prescription stays on the prescription server system until it reaches the server.

7A shows the processing procedure in the dedicated pharmacy.

If a prescription has been registered as a dedicated pharmacy, the prescription server immediately transfers the prescription to the client system of the dedicated pharmacy, so the client system of the dedicated pharmacy receives the prescription that arrived in advance regardless of when the patient visits the pharmacy. In addition, the pharmacist will be able to wait for the patient's visit after dispensing the medicine as prescribed. Also, for more responsible dispensing, the pharmacist adds the digital signature of the pharmacist to the prescription. Then, at the time the patient actually visits, the patient's identity is verified, then the patient is delivered (or courier as requested) and billed. The prescription server may send only the prescription ID and prescription information to the pharmacy client.However, to prevent weakening, the prescription server needs to confirm whether the prescription should be prescribed to the patient, so the information for additional identification such as the patient's name and social security number is required. It is desirable to transmit even.

7B shows a prescription processing procedure in a general pharmacy.

If there is no dedicated pharmacy issued by the attending physician and registered for the prescription stored on the prescription server, the prescription may be requested from the general pharmacy for the prescription (i.e. the point at which the patient visited the pharmacy and requested the preparation of the medicine). Until it is stored in the prescription database and will remain on standby. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pharmacist of the general pharmacy transmits the ID of the prescription brought by the patient to the prescription server, and the prescription server extracts the corresponding prescription data from the prescription database using this and then sends it to the client side of the general pharmacy. . However, the pharmacist inputs only the prescription ID of the patient and sends it to the prescription server. Instead, the patient's and doctor's identification information (for example, the patient's social security number, the doctor's prescription number, the doctor's license number, etc.) It can also be implemented to send all.

After checking the prescription ID, the operation is performed to check whether the medicine has already been prepared based on the prescription. The pharmacist can refuse to dispense if the prescription server requests that confirmation and the prescription server searches the prescription database and has a flag ("predeterminant" flag) set that it has already been dispensed. Exceptionally, if there is a description of the particular situation from the patient, ask the doctor to confirm this and then decide whether or not to fill the drug. This is to alleviate the problem that a patient may receive a large amount of medicine multiple times using a single prescription for an addictive medicine.

If it is determined that the "predeterminant" flag is not set in the checking step, the pharmacist performs the electronic signature after preparing the medicine according to the issued prescription. Subsequent processing is the same as that of the dedicated pharmacy, so description is omitted. However, since the patient who has completed the drug preparation in the general pharmacy may express that they will register the pharmacy as their own pharmacy, the client system of the general pharmacy performs the dedicated pharmacy registration module to be registered as the patient's dedicated pharmacy. It is desirable to be able to. As described above, when a patient is registered as a dedicated pharmacy, when the patient later receives a prescription at the hospital, the prescription is delivered to the pharmacy before the patient's visit to the pharmacy, so the time required for the preparation of the medicine can be significantly reduced. This will save you a lot of time.

While the foregoing embodiments have described only the patient's access via telephone to facilitate access by any patient, it is also possible to allow the patient to access the quarantine system via the Internet or fax rather than by telephone.

According to the communication vibration system according to the present invention as described above, practically various effects can be obtained.

First, telemedicine can be implemented in a practical and realistic sense that can make the best use of the current communication infrastructure without the burden of expensive equipment, and the physician can also use the ARS and / or VMS system to help the physician It is possible to carry out care and / or prescribing at time (ie not at the peak time with the greatest number of patients who need to be treated / managed directly), thus improving the overall treatment process.

In addition, patients can receive medical services and prescriptions more easily even if they do not have to visit the hospital, so they can receive medical services more conveniently. It increases the chances of getting appropriate treatment and, consequently, reduces the damage caused by drug abuse and abuse. In addition, especially in the physically and mentally ill or terminally ill patients through the connection with the local home care personnel can obtain a greater effect according to the present invention.

Claims (4)

As a reminder and prescription system using communication, A patient request processing system for providing an appropriate service menu to a patient through a communication network, transmitting the patient's selection and request accordingly, and providing the patient with information including a message from the attending physician and billing information; A medical database server for identifying a request from the patient request processing system and allowing the attending physician to consult a patient and issue a prescription; a medical database including data about the patient and the attending physician; It includes a prescription server that classifies and stores a prescription, sends prescriptions for pharmacies registered as dedicated pharmacies immediately, and prescriptions for generic pharmacies, and a database that stores data used by prescription servers. Treatment system; And Receiving a prescription transmitted from the prescription server, and when the completion of the prescription for the prescription and prescription system using a communication network comprising a plurality of pharmacy client for transmitting it to the prescription server. As a method of performing re-emergency of the doctor used in the system of claim 1, Receiving information necessary for medical treatment from a patient through a communication network; To determine whether the received information is sufficient for medical treatment, if additional information is needed, send and receive additional questions to the patient and receive a response. If the additional information is not available, the visit request message is played. Doing; Recording the medical contents of the patient and transmitting the prescription to the prescription server when it is determined that the prescription is necessary; If the patient's question is stored, storing the response; And The method of claim 1 comprising the step of executing a module for billing medical expenses. A method for processing a patient's request for use in the system of claim 1, Upon request for re-evaluation via telephone of the patient, checking whether the patient is already registered and confirming whether the patient is an effective user; Determining whether the caller's telephone number of the patient is a single user mode or a multi-user mode to generate an appropriate guide message and to perform user verification according to each mode; Receiving a service mode selection of a patient; Based on the selected mode and flag data designated by the attending physician, connecting to the attending physician's telephone or computer, replaying the attending physician's reply message, or connecting the operator; If the doctor's online connection flag is set to be connectable, storing the diagnostic data and issuing a prescription; And And reproducing information about the charging request. A drug classification method used in the system of claim 1, Storing information about each drug selected by a doctor in the drug selection step in a prescription database; If the amount of stored database exceeds a predetermined criterion for statistical processing, deriving a doctor's prescription frequency for each drug based on the information stored in the prescription database; And And based on the frequency data, classifying the drugs with the highest frequency into the first group, the drugs of the medium frequency into the second group, and the drugs of the lower frequency into the third group. Drug classification method.