#Japan #Tokyo #Mediphone #foreign patients #OPERe

Enhancing Foreign Patient Care through Strategic Collaboration

In a significant move for improving healthcare communication, Mediphone Co., Ltd. and OPERe, Inc. have officially announced their partnership aimed at addressing the challenges faced by medical institutions when serving foreign patients in Japan. As the number of international visitors and residents increases, the need for effective communication in healthcare settings is more crucial than ever.

The Challenge of Language and Cultural Barriers

As Japan sees a rise in foreign patients seeking medical services, healthcare providers encounter barriers stemming not only from language differences but also cultural misunderstandings and differences in medical systems. These challenges contribute to heightened anxiety for foreign patients and additional strain on healthcare professionals, creating an environment where effective patient care becomes difficult to navigate.

In many medical facilities, healthcare workers are stretched thin trying to accommodate the unique needs of their foreign patients, leading to miscommunication about medical procedures and care instructions. Such situations highlight the pressing need for integrated solutions that streamline communication between patients and healthcare providers.

Objectives of the Partnership

To combat these challenges, the collaboration between OPERe and Mediphone aims to integrate OPERe’s digital communication tool, “Pokesapo,” with Mediphone’s established medical interpretation services, known as “mediPhone.” This strategic alliance seeks to create a seamless communication channel that enhances understanding and comfort for both healthcare professionals and foreign patients alike.

With an emphasis on ease of communication, this partnership promises to reduce the burden of multilingual support for healthcare institutions, fostering a more inclusive and accessible healthcare environment for foreign patients. This innovative approach not only promotes operational efficiency within the healthcare system but also enhances patient service quality by ensuring that foreign patients feel more at ease and informed during their medical experiences in Japan.

Voices from Leadership

Yuka Sawada, CEO of OPERe

Yuka Sawada expresses her enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting the increasing challenges healthcare providers face regarding multilingual support in today's diverse environment. “We believe that by utilizing 'Pokesapo' to provide standard explanations about the healthcare system while supplementing with Mediphone’s remote medical interpretation and AI translation capabilities, we can foster a smoother and higher-quality communication flow between medical professionals and foreign patients,” she said. Yuka also extends her gratitude to the Mediphone team, particularly CEO Mayumi Sawada, for their swift decision in formalizing this partnership.

Mayumi Sawada, CEO of Mediphone

On her part, Mayumi Sawada emphasized the resonance of shared visions between the two leaders on improving foreign patient care. “From our first meeting, I felt a strong synergy with Yuka, especially since we share the same last name. I am thrilled that we can finally make this collaboration happen,” Mayumi remarked. She believes that combining the strengths of OPERe and Mediphone’s offerings will address a wide range of multilingual challenges in healthcare.

Innovations in Medical Communication

Mediphone’s interpretation service, “mediPhone,” has been designed specifically to facilitate clear communication between healthcare providers and foreign patients. This service, which includes medical interpretation and machine translation, has gained significant traction, boasting over 100,000 instances of usage across government agencies, medical institutions, and various sectors. With the capability to communicate in up to 32 languages, Mediphone achieves a remarkable response rate exceeding 99%, ensuring that language is no longer a barrier to receiving quality medical care. The implementation of this service is straightforward via phone calls or apps, allowing healthcare workers to access support from anywhere in their facilities.

Meanwhile, OPERe’s “Pokesapo” is a digital communication tool that connects patients and healthcare professionals seamlessly. It automates communication, allowing medical explanations related to admission, surgery, and post-discharge care to be directly shared with patients through their smartphones. This innovative approach supports clarity in communication and reduces patient anxiety while making administrative processes more efficient for medical staff.

Conclusion

As foreign patient numbers continue to rise in Japan, the partnership between Mediphone and OPERe will likely play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of medical services available to international patients. By addressing the key areas of concern—language barriers and communication efficiency—this collaboration is set to transform healthcare experiences for both patients and providers. Through robust digital tools and services, they aim to foster a future where quality care is accessible and achievable for all, regardless of language or cultural background.

About Mediphone and OPERe

Mediphone Co., Ltd., founded in June 2018, and OPERe, established in June 2020, both share a common goal of enhancing the interaction between medical providers and patients in an increasingly globalized world.

For more information on Mediphone, visit Mediphone's official website.

To explore OPERe's innovative patient communication solutions, check out OPERe's official website.