Qualcomm, a wireless voice and data service provider, and Medical Platform Asia (MedPA), a public corporation funded by individual and corporate membership fees to promote human and material exchange between Japan and Asia in the medical field, have signed a formal agreement to provide medical devices with integrated 3G wireless modules for people in need of health services.
"The collaboration between Qualcomm, MedPA and other project participants will increase access to quality health care," said Jun Yamada, senior vice president of Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm Japan. "We are committed to applying 3G wireless technology to improve public health in rural areas of Japan where there is currently limited access."
The project is being implemented through Qualcomm's Wireless Reach initiative and will allow 300 remote local residents to send critical health information to doctors through a 3G wireless network. Information such a resident's blood pressure, weight and distance walked can be easily and immediately shared with participating physicians. The data is then reviewed and local residents are advised to adjust their activities in order to improve their physical condition. The health records are further analyzed by correlating them with clinical data and other factors.
"MedPA is fortunate to have these companies involved to aid in the adoption and advancement of wireless medical and wellness services in the Japanese home market," said Masanori Nishiyama, M.D., chairman of the board of directors of MedPA. "This project will provide close monitoring of a local resident's condition and, by utilizing 3G wireless technology, a doctor can remotely provide diagnosis and treatment recommendations on a regular basis."
According to Kazuaki Shimamoto, president and chairperson of Sapporo Medical University, there are areas in Japan where it is difficult to see a specialist and where patients who don't receive adequate medical services.
"I have been building evidence via epidemiological research of patients who have had high blood pressure for more than 30 years and in order to receive the latest treatments based on real-time and vital data, there is a need to improve medical access. With quick and simple monitoring of blood pressure at home and the ability to receive remote treatment by specialists, this project is an important step in improving medical access," Shimamoto added.
MedPA will provide the 3G-enabled communication equipment in collaboration with Chealcomm, a Japan-based MVNO that specializes in advanced wireless and wellness services. The equipment, which is distributed through MedPA's affiliated medical facilities, is used for monitoring vital data from people (seniors and patients with lifestyle diseases) living in areas that are located far from a medical facility or that face other issues, such as a scarcity of physicians.
Qualcomm recently announced that its FLO-enabled smartbook applications will unite live TV viewing with real-time Web content, social networking capabilities and personalized digital media stored on the device.
Trupti Kamath is a contributing editor for HealthTechZone. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Erin Monda
