#Japan #Plus Medi #FAROme #Yokohama Red Cross #Yokohama, Osaka

Plus Medi Launches Clinical Study with Major Hospitals on FAROme

In an exciting development for healthcare technology, Plus Medi, a subsidiary of the Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, has teamed up with Yokohama Red Cross Hospital and Osaka Police Hospital to commence a clinical study aimed at enhancing disease management through its innovative smartphone application, FAROme. This initiative, which is set to kick off in October 2024, focuses on allowing patients to manage their conditions effectively even outside of hospital settings.

The Aim of the Clinical Study

The primary objective of this clinical research is to empower patients to take control of their health, specifically targeting disease management that can prevent the progression of illnesses and enhance their quality of life (QOL). Beginning with a closed study utilizing a prototype, the next phase will involve real-world applications at the two partner hospitals.

Introducing FAROme

FAROme is designed to facilitate real-time information sharing between patients and their healthcare providers. During this clinical study, the app will serve different patient groups at each hospital. At Yokohama Red Cross Hospital, the focus will be on patients suffering from food allergies, starting on April 25, 2024. Meanwhile, Osaka Police Hospital will kick off its research on heart failure patients beginning May 14, 2024.

Patients will have access to download the app for free via recommendations from their doctors and can retrieve disease input forms through a QR code provided in the distributed materials. By logging their daily health status and symptoms into the app, patients allow their physicians to monitor their current condition via a dedicated management interface.

Benefits of the FAROme App

This system offers numerous advantages for doctors, including:

• - Continuous receipt of crucial health data such as vital statistics and health records
• - Timely updates on symptom changes
• - Comprehensive health data that go beyond what’s available during hospital visits

These features are expected to facilitate more precise diagnoses and improve the development of appropriate treatment plans. Patients, on the other hand, stand to benefit significantly as well:

• - Centralized management of previously scattered medical information
• - A sense of reassurance through constant oversight by healthcare professionals
• - Accurate reporting of their health status to their doctors

Future Research Directions

As the project progresses, Plus Medi plans to expand its collaborative research efforts to include other conditions such as ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, mental health issues, and migraines. Through these studies, Plus Medi aims to further enhance the functionality of FAROme and support its widespread implementation across a broad spectrum of diseases.

About the Partner Hospitals

• - Yokohama Red Cross Hospital

Director: Jun Okawa
Address: 3-12-1 Shinyamashita, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Phone: +81-45-628-6100
Website: Yokohama Red Cross

• - Osaka Police Hospital

Director: Yoshiki Sawada
Address: 2-6-40 Karasuyamachi, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, Japan
Phone: +81-6-6771-6051
Website: Osaka Police

About Plus Medi

Plus Medi, established in 2016, has become a significant player in the digital health space, joining the Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group in 2020. The company currently operates a patient support mobile app called 'MyHospital' and a platform with PHR capabilities called 'wellcne,' with installations across 26 hospitals and a user base reaching 150,000 as of April 1, 2025.

CEO: Mikihiro Nagata
Address: 6th Floor, Jinbocho Center Building, 2-5-11 Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan
Phone: +81-3-6272-8251
Website: Plus Medi

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this initiative, please reach out to the FAROme support desk:
Email: farome-support@plus-medi-corp.com
Phone: 0120-263-262