NewsApril 18, 2023

Wemex Virtual Care Device, Teladoc HEALTH, Used at Hiroshima University ― Supports Education Program to Train Next-Generation Physicians―

Wemex Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President, Representative Director: Takayuki Otsuka, hereafter Wemex) announces the introduction of the virtual care device Teladoc HEALTH^*1 to the Hiroshima University School of Medicine (Location: Hiroshima City, Hiroshima, Dean: Kazuo Awai, hereafter Hiroshima University). The device will be used in an education program to train the next generation of physicians studying at Hiroshima University. This is the first time Teladoc HEALTH, which is distributed by Wemex, has been used at a university medical school in Japan.

Teladoc HEALTH is a virtual care device that connects medical institutions that have a limited number of specialists with remote specialists online. It features high-resolution imaging and audio and provides stable connection, which enable physicians to examine patients remotely. In addition, Teladoc HEALTH can link with other equipment such as ultrasound systems and electronic stethoscopes, allowing physicians to check their patients' health data real time and supporting efficient medical care.

The program at Hiroshima University using Teladoc HEALTH was selected by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to be part of a project on “raising healthcare professionals that can respond to new technology in medical care following the COVID-19 era (FY2021 revision) ^*2.” The purpose of the project is to train healthcare professionals in the practical knowledge and skills needed to use new solutions that leverage digital technology.

Dr. Tomoki Kobayashi, a clinical lecturer in the General Clinical Department at Hiroshima University who is in charge of building this program said,
“In our education program, we did not previously have lectures on medical care that uses information and communication technology, including telemedicine. We have used Teladoc HEALTH in our class on telemedicine for first-year medical students, as part of the project led by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Our students are able to learn how online examinations can be useful in patients with various symptoms, how we can address medical challenges including infectious diseases, and how to use telemedicine appropriately in emergencies and environmental disasters. Teladoc HEALTH is easy to operate, and can be connected with ultrasound systems and stethoscopes. Not only can we deliver online examinations through the screen, we can move the direction of the camera and check symptoms in real time using the connected equipment, as we do in face-to-face examinations. Our students are able to understand how much online examinations have advanced and the abilities we have with our current technology. In our future classes, I am hoping to connect online with remote clinics and hospitals for the students’ education and practical training.”

One of the students who participated in the education program commented, "I was surprised to learn how much telemedicine technology has advanced in Teladoc HEALTH. I understood how we could see the blood vessels and eyelashes clearly on the screen. I can see how this kind of technology can support better medical care in remote areas.”

[Teladoc HEALTH]

Teladoc HEALTH is a virtual care device that enables medical institutions with a limited number of specialists to connect with remote specialists online. It can be connected with medical equipment such as ultrasound systems for physicians to quickly comprehend patient conditions. The device can be operated remotely, and the top model (model: Lite 4, pictured) is equipped with a high-resolution^*3 camera capable of 45x zoom and approximately 360-degree rotation.

About Wemex Corporation

Wemex Corporation is dedicated to providing healthcare IT products and services that promote the digital transformation of healthcare. It is a Japanese subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (TSE 6523), a healthcare company that delivers solutions around the world. Wemex started operations as a new company in April 2023, providing one-stop solutions from planning and development to sales. Along with Medicom brand medical-receipt and electronic medical record systems, Wemex offers solutions including pharmacy management, healthy lifestyle guidance, and telemedicine systems in Japan. Wemex’s goal is to improve healthcare services for patients and efficiency for healthcare professionals.
www.wemex.com (Japanese only)
-Location: 14F NBF Shibuya Garden Front, 3-25-18 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
-Representative: President, Representative Director, Takayuki Otsuka

About PHC Holdings Corporation

PHC Holdings Corporation (TSE 6523) is a global healthcare company with a mission of contributing to the health of society through healthcare solutions that have a positive impact and improve the lives of people. Its subsidiaries include PHC Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG, Epredia Holdings Ltd., Wemex Corporation, and LSI Medience Corporation. Together, these companies develop, manufacture, sell and service solutions across diabetes management, healthcare solutions, diagnostics and life sciences. The consolidated net sales in FY2022 were JPY 356.4 billion with global distribution of products and services in more than 125 countries and regions. PHC Group is a collective term referring to PHC Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries.
www.phchd.com