Japan looks to compile nursing care plans based on AI analysis

The health ministry is considering the use of artificial intelligence to draw up care plans for nursing care insurance recipients. The ministry will launch a national survey as early as August on how AI is being developed and on examples of AI use for nursing care, ministry officials said. It also plans to compile by the end of the current fiscal year, which runs to March 2019, a report that will assess the effectiveness of AI-based care plans in alleviating the burden of care-givers and preventing worsening conditions in those who need nursing care, the officials said. The report will also list related problems to be tackled. Before an older person certified as needing long-term care can receive nursing care insurance services, a care plan needs to be drawn up.