#Japan #Fukuoka #Child Health #T-PEC #Layered

T-Pec and Layered's Initiative for Child Health

T-Pec, a leading health support service provider, has joined forces with Layered, a company specializing in medical digital transformation (DX), to introduce the "Child Symptom Consultation Navigator" in Fukuoka city. This pilot project aims to support parents in making informed decisions regarding their children's health, especially in urgent situations. The initiative is backed by the Fukuoka city government and aims to provide a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced in pediatric emergency care.

Understanding the Challenge in Pediatric Emergency Care

Across Japan, especially during weekends and at night, communities face increasing difficulties in securing safe and accessible pediatric emergency care. The limited availability of medical personnel and equipment necessitates a transformation in how healthcare resources are utilized. Moreover, reforms in physicians' working conditions starting April 2024 have further complicated efforts to maintain adequate staffing in clinics during off-hours. Thus, establishing an efficient care model that allows parents to feel confident in their healthcare decisions has never been more critical.

Introducing the Child Symptom Consultation Navigator

The "Child Symptom Consultation Navigator," developed jointly by T-Pec and Layered, is designed specifically for parents seeking guidance on their children's health. By inputting symptoms into the web-based questionnaire, Symview, parents receive step-by-step advice on whether an immediate consultation is necessary and recommendations for at-home care. Additionally, the service offers a connection to 24/7 nurse or pediatric consultation when needed, utilizing the information already provided in the web questionnaire. This user-friendly platform caters to tech-savvy parents who are accustomed to using smartphones and chat services.

Through this innovative mechanism, the goal is to adapt to the diverse behaviors of modern families and provide a contemporary choice in medical care.

Pilot Project Details

This pilot study will assess the effectiveness of the "Child Symptom Consultation Navigator" by utilizing Fukuoka city as a test field. Target participants include households with elementary and middle school-aged children, where parents can input symptoms via Symview to receive tailored advice. If there are any lingering concerns, parents will have the option of consulting pediatricians (available during off-hours) or nurses (available 24/7).

The pilot project is set to begin on June 1, 2025, with an expected conclusion on May 31, 2026. Awareness campaigns through Fukuoka city's official LINE, flyers, and posters will ensure residents know about the initiative and its potential benefits. Additionally, the teams will analyze service usage to validate its effectiveness.

Partnership and Future Directions

T-Pec and Layered have created a dedicated project team in collaboration with Fukuoka city to drive this initiative forward. Their goal is to respond strategically to social issues surrounding pediatric emergency care through innovative digital solutions and integrated support systems.

About T-Pec

Founded in 1989, T-Pec has pioneered the 24-hour health consultation industry in Japan. With a team of medical professionals, including doctors, health nurses, and specialists, the company focuses on various health-related services designed to tackle social challenges in health and medical fields. Over the past nine consecutive years, T-Pec has been recognized as a "White 500" firm for its excellence in promoting health management.

About Layered

Layered is committed to providing medical DX solutions to healthcare institutions, medical associations, and local governments in Japan. By developing products like the Symview web questionnaire, Layered aims to create seamless connections between healthcare providers and patients, thereby enhancing primary care. Their products prioritize interoperability while also being flexible for standalone use or integration with other systems, supporting solutions to pressing social issues in the medical landscape.