Recognitions of Tele-Homecare and Self-Medication against a Pandemic Outbreak

After experiencing a global pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus and investigating homecare using information and communications technology (ICT) from inside and outside Japan, issues could be roughly classified into three types. First (case 1), in a social environment in which a pandemic has broken out, it was difficult for visiting nurses to provide tele-homecare support from specialists at the patient's home because of a lack of human resources. Second (case 2), apps such as mobile phone chat-style interviews were very useful for determining if individuals were infected and incorporating their electronic medical record questionnaires. Third (case 3), it was found that having patients take antipyretics and oral antivirals at home at their own discretion was extrajudicial. This paper summarizes the benefits, risks, and value of ICT when providing tele-homecare and self-medication during a pandemic outbreak.