System and Method for Providing Health Care Services

• US 20090012373A1
• Filed: 04/04/2008
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Laurea Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy
• Original Assignee: Laurea Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy
• Inventors: Raij, Katariina Elisabet, Piirainen, Arja Leena, Nissinen, Pasi, Paula, Sinikka Lehto, Kokkila, Jussi Tapio
• Application Number:
  US12/062,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20090012373A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

A system and method are provided for providing health care. A plurality of virtual presence devices is arranged to a corresponding plurality of customer residences, each comprising a display device; an input device having a user interface permitting selection of an available service; a camera and microphone for interactive audiovisual communication; and a computer device responsive to one of the user interface, the camera, and the microphone, to facilitate the interactive audiovisual communication over an IPTV data network. A health care contact center is in communication with the virtual presence devices, and comprises an IPTV transceiver device configured to interact and audiovisually communicate with the virtual presence devices; and a processing device for receiving one of a contact request, patient data, and a telemedicine measurement from any of the virtual presence devices, and to form an audiovisual memo therefrom for facilitating flow of patient communication to consulting personnel.

Claims

1. A system for providing health care using virtual presence, comprising:

a plurality of virtual presence devices arranged to a corresponding plurality of residences of health care customers, each virtual presence device further comprising;

a display device configured to display video data;

an input device having a user interface and configured to control the display device and permit a selection of a service available through the display device via the user interface;

a camera and a microphone for facilitating interactive audiovisual communication; and

a computer device operably engaged with the display device, the input device, the camera, and the microphone, the computer device being configured to be responsive to at least one of the user interface, the camera, and the microphone, and to facilitate the interactive audiovisual communication over an IPTV data network; and

a health care contact center in communication with the virtual presence devices, and comprising;

an IPTV transceiver device configured to be capable of interactively and audiovisually communicating with the virtual presence devices; and

a processing device in communication with the IPTV transceiver device and configured to receive at least one of a contact request, patient data, and a telemedicine measurement from any of the virtual presence devices, and to form an audiovisual memo therefrom, the audiovisual memo being adapted to facilitate flow of patient communication to consulting personnel.

2. A system for providing health care according claim 1, wherein the virtual presence device further comprises a medical metering device.

3. A system for providing health care according claim 1, further comprising a multiparty audiovisual communication device operably engaged between the virtual presence devices and the health care contact center and adapted to permit a third party to participate in audiovisual communication therebetween.

4. A system for providing health care according claim 1, wherein the processing device is further configured to facilitate audiovisual communication, via the IPTV transceiver device, of a virtual lesson to any of the virtual presence devices for broadcast to a patient via the display device.

5. A system for providing health care according claim 1, further comprising an audiovisual communication gateway for selectively receiving communication from one of a public Internet and a cellular telecommunication network and directing the communication to one of the health care contact center and any of the virtual presence devices.

6. A system for providing health care according claim 1, wherein the processor device further comprises at least one of a prescription module and a medication management module capable of communicating with any of the virtual presence devices via the IPTV transceiver device.

7. A system for providing health care according claim 1, wherein at least one of the virtual presence devices further comprises a patient information device in communication therewith.

8. A method for providing health care services, comprising:

providing a plurality of virtual presence devices to a corresponding plurality of residences of health care customers, each virtual presence device further comprising;

a display device configured to display video data;

an input device having a user interface and configured to control the display device and permit a selection of a service available through the display device via the user interface;

a camera and a microphone for facilitating interactive audiovisual communication; and

a computer device operably engaged with the display device, the input device, the camera, and the microphone, the computer device being configured to be responsive to at least one of the user interface, the camera, and the microphone, and to facilitate the interactive audiovisual communication over an IPTV data network; and

arranging a health care contact center in communication with the virtual presence devices, the health care contact center comprising;

a database including patient health care data;

an IPTV transceiver device configured to be capable of interactively and audiovisually communicating with the virtual presence devices; and

a processing device in communication with the IPTV transceiver device and configured to receive at least one of a contact request, patient data, and a telemedicine measurement from any of the virtual presence devices, and to access the database to determine the patient health care data, and to form an audiovisual memo therefrom, the audiovisual memo being adapted to facilitate flow of patient communication and data to consulting personnel.

9. A method for providing health care services, comprising:

providing a plurality of virtual presence devices to a corresponding plurality of residences of health care customers, each virtual presence device further comprising;

a display device configured to display video data;

an input device having a user interface and configured to control the display device and permit a selection of a service available through the display device via the user interface;

a camera and a microphone for facilitating interactive audiovisual communication; and

a computer device operably engaged with the display device, the input device, the camera, and the microphone, the computer device being configured to be responsive to at least one of the user interface, the camera, and the microphone, and to facilitate the interactive audiovisual communication over an IPTV data network;

arranging a health care contact center in communication with the virtual presence devices, the health care contact center comprising;

a database including patient health care data;

an IPTV transceiver device configured to be capable of interactively and audiovisually communicating with the virtual presence devices; and

a processing device in communication with the IPTV transceiver device and configured to receive at least one of a contact request, patient data, and a telemedicine measurement from any of the virtual presence devices, and to access the database to determine the patient health care data, and to form an audiovisual memo therefrom, the audiovisual memo being adapted to facilitate flow of patient communication and data to consulting personnel; and

receiving one of patient data and the telemedicine measurement at the processing device from a patient information device in communication with the virtual presence device and interacting with a patient.

10. A method for providing health care services, comprising:

providing a plurality of virtual presence devices to a corresponding plurality of residences of health care customers, each virtual presence device further comprising;

a display device configured to display video data;

an input device having a user interface and configured to control the display device and permit a selection of a service available through the display device via the user interface;

a camera and a microphone for facilitating interactive audiovisual communication; and

a computer device operably engaged with the display device, the input device, the camera, and the microphone, the computer device being configured to be responsive to at least one of the user interface, the camera, and the microphone, and to facilitate the interactive audiovisual communication over an IPTV data network;

arranging a health care contact center in communication with the virtual presence devices, the health care contact center comprising;

a database including patient health care data;

an IPTV transceiver device configured to be capable of interactively and audiovisually communicating with the virtual presence devices; and

a processing device in communication with the IPTV transceiver device and configured to receive at least one of a contact request, patient data, and a telemedicine measurement from any of the virtual presence devices, and to access the database to determine the patient health care data, and to form an audiovisual memo therefrom, the audiovisual memo being adapted to facilitate flow of patient communication and data to consulting personnel; and

providing a multiparty audiovisual communication device operably engaged between the virtual presence devices and the health care contact center and adapted to permit a third party to participate in audiovisual communication with any of the virtual presence devices.