They Say Direct, Face-to-Face Interaction Is Important, But... | Ikuyo Kaneko (Dean, Graduate School of Media and Governance)
June 26, 2008
No matter how advanced information technology becomes, direct, face-to-face human interaction remains paramount. I agree with that sentiment. This is said to be especially true in the field of medicine, where lives are at stake. However, I recently developed an interest in telemedicine. As I began to put it into practice as part of Keio University's "Co-morbidity Project," I encountered situations where telemedicine, depending on the time and circumstances, can have unexpected benefits.
In this practice, with the participation of about 40 elderly individuals in Tokyo, doctors and staff provide consultations on diet, exercise, and health to participants via video calls. Many people stop going to the hospital because it's difficult for them to get there, and when they do, they face long waits for short, stressful consultations. Consequently, many stop going to the hospital altogether. One of the users of this service was a person who, despite suffering from severe diabetes, was unaware of their condition. They disliked hospitals and had never had a check-up. During a video call session, the consulting doctor sensed something was wrong. Based on the results of a self-administered blood test kit provided in advance as part of the project and a medical interview, it was discovered that the person was already in a serious condition. The doctor advised them to "go to the hospital immediately!" and the person finally realized the gravity of the situation. In the few days before their hospital visit, they followed a strict diet, and by their first consultation, their levels had improved considerably. Afterward, they were hospitalized for tests and have since maintained a near-normal condition without medication.
According to the consulting doctor, if left untreated, the person would have fallen into a diabetic coma within a few days, and their life would have been in danger. For the person involved, it was truly a case of "being saved." Interestingly, the doctor also had a strong positive impression of using video calls, stating, "It's great because we can both relax." Based on many years of clinical experience, the doctor became convinced that for improvements in lifestyle habits, visiting patients in their own living spaces via video call, rather than waiting for them at the hospital, could bring about lasting effects. This project will continue in the future.
(Published: 2008/06/26)