WO2018027253A1

WO2018027253A1 - Health management system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2018027253A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/050728
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lochlan John BLOOMFIELD
Original assignee: Bloomfield Lochlan John
Priority date: 2016-08-11
Filing date: 2016-08-11
Publication date: 2018-02-15

Abstract

A method for monitoring the health of an individual, the method including the steps of: generating, on a server, a health management plan for managing a client's health; receiving, on the server, data from a health monitoring device or activity logged by the client; and, comparing the data received from the health monitoring device or activity logged by the client to the health management plan in order to determine a level of compliance with the health management plan or determine concerns about a client's health.

Description

HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a heath management system and method. The present invention has particular relevance, although not exclusive application to monitoring the health of patients or clients with chronic or long term health conditions.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Typically, health care professionals, such as doctors, specialists and carers, have many patients or clients whose health they must monitor. Some patients or clients require long term health monitoring in order to manage or treat chronic illnesses, for example diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity etc, and/or short term illnesses or injuries, for example recovery from heart attack, stroke, hip replacement, shoulder dislocation etc.

[0004] Traditionally, in order to manage or treat such health conditions, a patient or client would be required to make an appointment to visit the health care professional monitoring their health in order to have their current health or recovery assessed. In some cases, namely those in which a patient or client has a chronic health issue or where ongoing health maintenance is required, the patient or client may set up regular appointments with their health care professional at set intervals in order to closely monitor their health.

[0005] One problem with the above approach is that the patient or client's health may only be assessed when the patient or client and the health care professional are able to meet in a face to face consultation. This means that during the periods between consultations the health care professional is unaware of any changes in the health of the patient or client.

[0006] Another problem arises when a health management plan is put in place. Once the patient or client leaves a consultation with the health care professional, the health care professional is unable to assess the level of compliance of the patient or client until the patient or client returns. Further, when the patient or client does return, the health care professional is only able to rely on the patient or client's own recollection of their compliance.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for the remote monitoring and management of the health of a patient or client.

[0008] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring the health of a client, the method including the steps of:

generating, on a server, a health management plan for managing a client's health, receiving, on the server, data from at least one health monitoring device or activity logged by the client, and

comparing the data received from the at least one health monitoring device or activity logged by the client to the health management plan in order to determine compliance with the health management plan or concerns with the client's health.

[0010] Advantageously, a client or a health care professional, such as a doctor, specialist, personal trainer, carer etc. or the alike, can more easily identify which portions of the health management plan are being implemented by the client and which portions of the health management plan are not being implemented by the client.

[0011] The health management plan may include one or more activities that the patient or client must complete. The one or more activities may relate to any one or more of the following: exercise, nutrition, medication and/or monitoring vital signs. For example, walking once a day or walking 10,000 steps in a day, taking a prescribed medication, monitoring blood pressure, eating a specific amount of protein/sugar/fat per day etc.

[0012] The server may include a workflow engine for orchestrating the workflow for the client or health care professional. [0013] The health monitoring device may transmit data relating to the client's health from the at least one health monitoring device to the server using one or more of a logic module, a GSM module and/or a mobile phone or web application.

[0014] The at least one health monitoring device may be an active monitoring device, for example, blood pressure monitoring device, electronic scales, glucometer, activity monitor, calorie intake logger, bloodwork logger and/or medication logger. Alternatively, the at least one health monitoring device may be a passive monitoring device, for example, a PIR motion detector, duress pendant, fall detector, voice recognition and/or pressure mat.

[0015] The method may further include the step of generating, on the server, a compliance report based on a comparison of the activity logged by the patient or client and the health management plan.

[0016] The method may further include the step of generating, on at least one computer device, a graphical interface using the health data, the health management plan, the compliance report or any two or more of the health data, the health management plan and/or the compliance report. [0017] In some embodiments, the at least one computer device may be a client's computer device, for example a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, computer or the alike. In some embodiments, the at least one computer device may be a health care professional's computer device, for example, a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, computer or the alike. In embodiments where there are two or more computer devices, at least one computer device may be a client's computer device and at least one computer device may be a health care professional's computer device.

[0018] In the embodiments which include at least one client's computer device, the graphical interface may be a client's graphical interface. Alternatively, in the embodiments which include at least one health care professional's computer device, the graphical interface may be a health care professional's graphical interface. In some embodiments, the client's graphical interface may be the same as the professional's graphical interface. In alternative embodiments, the client's graphical interface may be different from the professional's graphical interface.

[0019] In some embodiments, the graphical interface is accessible using an application, for example a mobile application. In other embodiments, the graphical interface is accessible via a webpage or web application.

[0020] The graphical interface may include one or more tabs or buttons for switching between data relating to the client's health. In some embodiments, the tabs or buttons may include a dashboard, profile, risk profile, data, plans (for example, health management plans) and/or compliance tab or screen. Selection of a tab or button may retrieve a screen with relevant information to the tab or button selected.

[0021] The dashboard tab or screen may include an overview of the progress against goals or clinical targets for the client, or the client's health data. The overview may be related to the present day. In other embodiments, the overview may be related to the present week or the present month. In some embodiments, the dashboard tab or button may include additional tabs or buttons for retrieving more detailed information relating to specific activities or groups of activities.

[0022] The profile tab or screen may include information about the client, for example, name, age, gender, brief health history, general comments, medications etc. A skilled person would understand that any other suitable client information may be included in the client tab.

[0023] The risk profile tab or screen may include information relating to the risk of different medical conditions. The information may be displaced as a percentage or graph form.

[0024] The data tab or screen may include a summary of a client's health data received from the at least one health monitoring device. In some embodiments, the health data may be displayed using one or more graphs and/or charts.

[0025] The data tab or screen my also include a list of enabled and/or disabled alerts relating to specific health data from the at least one health monitoring device. Selection of an alert may expose additional information relating to the alert, for example, the total number of times the alert has been triggered within a specific period or actions required.

[0026] The plan tab or screen may include one or more health management plans, for example an exercise plan, a medication plan, a nutrition plan and/or a monitoring plan. Each plan may be colour coded, for example, all of activities represented in blue may relate to exercise and all activities represented in orange may be related to medication. Alternative shading of rows corresponding to the time of day, for example morning, afternoon and evening may also be indicated.

[0027] Selecting an activity may expand the information associated with the selected activity, for example, the length of time recommended for performing the activity or number of calories in a meal may be indicated.

[0028] Typically, the health tab or screen will show a 7-day summary of activities. Each day will typically be indicated per column. However, the health tab may show alternative periods, for example, a single day or a month.

[0029] The compliance tab or screen may include a summary of the client's compliance with the health management plan. The summary may be divided into individual summaries of the compliance of each activity. The summary may include a visual indicator relating to the level of compliance. The visual indicator may be a colour indicator. The colour indicators may be green for indicating high compliance, amber or orange for indicating medium compliance and red for indicating low compliance for an activity. The summary may also include a percentage indicating compliance.

[0030] The method may further include the step of generating, on the server, a contact plan for determining when a client and a health care professional should have contact. The contact plan may include specific intervals, for example every month, or every three months etc, at the end of which the client may be prompted to make contact with the health care professional. Alternatively, the health care professional may be prompted to make contact with the client. These contacts may be face to face or by video conference (as provided by the invention).

[0031] The method may further include the step of generating an alert or notification on the computer device, wherein the alert is triggered by non-compliance of the health management plan.

[0032] In some embodiments, the alert or notification may include one or more reminders for completing activities, such as exercising or taking medication, prior to an activity deadline or after an activity deadline in the instance that the activity has not been marked as completed. Notifications or alerts issued in response to missing an activity deadline may be tailored based on the level of compliance of previous activities (for example, by using unique algorithms to prompt the completion of activities that historically have higher compliance than others).

[0033] In other embodiments, the alert or notification may include directions for a client to contact a health care professional if the health data exceeds a particular threshold, for example, if the blood pressure of a patient is measured to be hypertensive more than five times in a single month. In some embodiments, the alert or notification may include directions for a health care professional to contact the client. In some embodiments, the alert or notification may include a direction for a client or health care professional to call emergency services.

[0034] In some embodiments, an alert or notification may trigger automatically. In other embodiments, the alert or notification may be trigged manually by a health care professional. [0035] In some embodiment, the alert or notification will be sent to a client's computer device, for example, mobile, tablet, laptop, computer etc. or the alike. In other embodiments, the alert or notification will be sent to a health care professional's computer device, for example, mobile, tablet, laptop, computer etc. or the alike.

[0036] The method may further include the step of modifying the health management plan based on the level of compliance or non-compliance of the health management plan. The health plan may be modified to decrease or increase the frequency, period or timeframe for performing an activity.

[0037] The method may further include the step of generating, on the server, a marketplace for buying and selling health maintenance plans. One or more health maintenance plans may be uploaded to the market place by one or more authors using the internet. In some embodiments, the author may be a client, patient, a health care professional or any other third party. [0038] Optionally, the health maintenance plans may include additional supporting material, for example, supporting recipes and/or exercises. The supporting material may be downloaded directly to a client or health care professional's computer device or be accessed via links to third party resources.

[0039] The marketplace may include searching means for searching for specific health plans, for example, health plans relating to managing diabetes or weight management health plans etc.

[0040] The marketplace may include a rating feature for allowing purchasers to rate each health plan and/or the health plan author.

[0041] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0042] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0043] Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0044] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0045] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a health management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0046] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a heath management or treatment method performed using the system of Figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figures 3a-3g show various screenshots of the mobile application in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 4 shows a screenshot of the web application when the data tab is selected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 5 shows a second screenshot of the web application when the plans tab is selected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 6 shows a third screenshot of the web application when the compliance tab is selected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a health management system 100 is shown in Figure 1. The management system 100 includes at least one server 102 with at least one database storing information relating to at least one client, for example patient 104. The information includes patient details, patient health data, patient management plans and/or patient compliance data. Server 102 may generate plans, alerts and reports, such as health management plans, compliance reports, alert notifications and risk factor analysis reports, based on the data received from devices 107 and 109 or as logged by patients (or clients).

[0052] The health management system 100 further includes a patient's computer device in the form of mobile device 106 including a health management application. Screenshots of the mobile health management application are shown in Figures 3a-3g. The health management application can communicate with server 102 using the mobile phone's internet connection. The health management application can also communicate with known active monitoring devices 107, i.e. bloodwork or blood pressure monitoring devices, electronic scales, glucometer, activity monitor, calorie intake logger and medication logger through mobile phone 106 using any suitable connectivity feature, for example, a data cable, Bluetooth or Near Field Communication (NFC).

[0053] The health management system 100 further includes a logic module and a GSM module 108 which can communicate with the server 102. The logic module and GSM module 108 can also communicate with known passive monitoring inputs 109, i.e. PIR motion detectors, dress pendants, fall detectors, voice recognition and pressure mats.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the active monitoring devices 107 and passive monitoring inputs 109 automatically transfer logged data relating to a patient's health to server 102. In other embodiments, authorization by patient 104 prior to allowing transfer of the data to the server may be required.

[0055] The health management system 100 further includes a web application accessible using a computer device 110. The web application communicates with server 102 which enables the health care professional 112 to access patient information, including patient details, patient health data, patient management plans and/or patent compliance data held by the server 102. [0056] A patient management method 200 performed using the system of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is now described with reference to Figure 2. A skilled person would understand that variations of the workflow described below are may be employed.

[0057] Prior to step 202, one or more passive monitoring inputs 109 and/or one or more active monitoring devices 107 are used to monitor a patient's health vitals, health plan completion and/or compliance with a health plan previously prescribed by doctor 112.

[0058] At step 202, the health care professional 112 is notified via their computer 110 that an alert associated with a patient has been triggered and as a result a notification is sent to patient 104 that a consultation with their health care professional 112 is required. Typically, the alert or notification is generated in response to a previously specified time and/or date 202b or when an alert or notification is triggered by specific health data 202a.

[0059] At step 204, health care professional 112 reviews the patient's health data (e.g. blood pressure, blood sugar, weight etc) on their computer device 110. As best shown in Figure 4, the health data report can be found under the data tab. The health data is displayed in a series of graphs 402a, 402b, 402c. Specific graph data maybe selected by selecting a timeframe of interest using date range boxes 404a and 404b. From the review, health care professional 112 identifies the specific areas of concern.

[0060] At step 206, health care professional 112 reviews the patient's health plan 500. Advantageously, the health care professional can use the patient's health plan to refresh their memory of the patient's previously agreed treatment plan. As shown in Figure 3, the patient's health plan 500 comprises four sub-plans:

i. exercise plan 502a for specifying physical activities and exercises that should be completed, including the duration and intensity level;

ii. medication plan 502b specifying the medications that should be taken by patient 104, including dosage;

iii. nutrition plan 502c specifying the food and beverages that should be consumed, including associated calorie intake or, in the case of water intake, volume to be consumed; and, iv. monitoring plan 502d specifying the various health monitoring activities that should be completed (e.g. weight measurement, blood pressure measurement, blood sugar measurement, blood test, doctor appointment etc). [0061] The patient's health plan can be defined and viewed by both the patient and health care professional (see Figures 3d and 5). This can be performed via a web application or web browser accessed using a desktop or laptop computer or via mobile application accessed using a mobile device.

[0062] On the web application or web browser version, the patient or health care professional can see all activities on one page for a week. Individual icons are used to represent different activities and if more detail is required, clicking on the icon 'expands' the icon to reveal additional details. This is best shown in Figure 5.

[0063] The patient is notified on their mobile device when health plan activities are due to be completed. Further prompts occur after a user has missed a health plan activity. The prompts are tailored based on unique algorithms that utilise the patient's previous compliance to their health plan.

[0064] As a patient performs various activities, for example, taking health measurements, completing exercise or recording their calorie intake etc, the health plan on the mobile device is updated, either automatically or manually. This is best shown in Figure 3d. [0065] Each sub-plan is colour coded, for example, activities relation to the exercise plan 502a are colour coded blue. Advantageously, activities relating to a single sub-plan are easily identifiable. [0066] The plan 500 is further divided into individual days. Advantageously, activities which need to take place in a certain day are easily identifiable. The plan 500 is further still divided into time of day, for example, morning 504a, afternoon 504b and evening 504c.

[0067] At step 208, server 102 generates a compliance report 600 for the health care professional 112 to review. Similarly, as described in relation to step 206, the timeframe of interest may be selected specifying the start date 404a and end date 404b. As best shown in Figure 6, for each health plan activity that occurs within the specified timeframe, the compliance level of patient 104 is displayed. The level of compliance is indicated at a glance using colour coded icons. For example, activities with a high compliance rate are coloured green 602a; activities with an intermediate compliance rate are coloured amber or orange 602b; and, activities with a low compliance rate are coloured red (not shown). The compliance level of the patient is also indicated by a percentage amount.

[0068] Advantageously, with knowledge of the rate of compliance per action the health care professional 112 can determine the best cause of action to increase health plan adherence. In some cases, this may require extra motivation for the user or in other cases the health plan may need to be adjusted to better suit the user's individual situation.

[0069] At step 210, with reference to the health data, health plan and compliance information, the health care professional 112 conducts a discussion with patient 104 regarding changes that can be made to improve the patient's health plan adherence and overall health. The discussion may take place face to face or via a video conferencing feature on the computer device. If a change is required to the patient's health plan, then these changes are incorporated into the health plan by the health care professional 112.

[0070] Once the modifications to the patient's health plan have been made, the modified health plan containing all associated sub-plans is transmitted to the server 102 to be made available on the patient's mobile phone 106.

[0071] Mobile phone 106 uses the health plan to prompt patient 104 to complete tasks. In cases where a health plan activity involves a medical device or application 109 that communicates wirelessly with the server 102, the health plan will be marked off as complete automatically. In other cases, the patient 104 can mark the activity as completed manually using their mobile phone device 106.

[0072] In some embodiments, server 102 also includes a health plan market place (as shown in Figure 3e), which would allow health plans to be purchased and stored against a patient's account. Server 102 can load and unload different health plans that have been previously purchased or sent to the patient from a third party (for example, a friend, a health care professional, a personal trainer or the alike). In this way, health plans can be 'activated' and 'deactivated' by a patient or third party (e.g. health care professional) as best shown in Figures 3f and 3g.

[0073] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[0074] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0075] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0076] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the health of an individual, the method including the steps of:

generating, on a server, a health management plan for managing a client's health, receiving, on the server, data from a health monitoring device or activity logged by the client, and

comparing the data received from the health monitoring device or activity logged by the client to the health management plan in order to determine compliance with the health management plan or concerns with the client's health.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of generating, on the server, a compliance report based on a comparison of the data received from the health monitoring device or activity logged by the patient and the health management plan.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of generating, on at least one computer device, a graphical interface using the health data, the health management plan, a compliance report or any two or more of the data, the health management plan and/or the compliance report.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the computer device is one of a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, computer or the alike.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the graphical interface includes one or more tabs or buttons for switching between data relating to the client' s health.

6. A method as claimed in claim 3, including the step of generating an alert or notification on the at least one computer device, wherein the alert is triggered by non-compliance of the health management plan or by the non-conformance of patient health data.

7 A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the alert or notification is tailored based on non- conformance to defined parameters.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the alert or notification is tailored based on the level of compliance of previously prescribed activities.

9. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the alert or notification includes a direction for the client to contact a health care professional, a health care professional to contact the client, or a health care professional or client to contact emergency services.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of modifying the health management plan based on the level of compliance or non-compliance of the health management plan.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one health monitoring device is an active monitoring device or a passive monitoring device.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the active monitoring device is one of a blood pressure monitoring device, electronic scales, glucometer, activity monitor, calorie intake logger, bloodwork logger and/or medication logger, or the passive monitoring device is one of a PIR motion detector, duress pendant, fall detector, voice recognition and/or pressure mat.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of generating, on the server, a contact plan for determining when the client should contact a health care professional or a health care professional should call the client.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of generating, on the server, a marketplace for buying and selling one or more health maintenance plans.

15. A method as claimed in 14, wherein the one or more health maintenance plans are uploaded to the market place by one or more authors.

16. A method as claimed in 14, wherein the one or more health maintenance plans include supporting material such as recipes and/or exercises.

17. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the graphical interface includes a tab or screen including an overview of the client's progress against goals or clinical targets for the client, or the client's health data.

18. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the graphical interface includes a tab or screen including the health management plan.

19. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the graphical interface includes a tab or screen including a summary of the client's compliance with the health management plan.

20. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the summary of the client's compliance with the health management plan indicates a level of compliance with the health management plan.