Multi-agent model for Indian rural health care.

PURPOSE The objective of this paper is to present a model that uses multi-agent system (MAS) technology to assist doctors based at rural areas to receive timely expert opinions from specialist doctors working in medical institutions like the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Research, Chandigarh or the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A MAS is a software entity wherein agent metaphor is used to represent human-like intelligence and behavior. These agents are distributed over geographical areas and are part of software running at these sites. The foundation for this model lies in the fact that medical intelligence is distributed in nature and, if it is possible to bring this knowledge together, it could prove to be advantageous in providing improved health care to those people in rural areas. A few existing research works are included to demonstrate the usage of MAS in health care. FINDINGS It has been observed that the health scenario in India is ranked poor world-wide by international organizations and, with the increasing population, this will worsen. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS Initially, the aim is to concentrate on a few medical departments only. It can be extended into more detailed framework. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Physical computing and networking infrastructure are required for practical implementation along with training for the doctors. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The primary beneficiaries of this system are likely to be those patients in the rural sector requiring expert medical opinion. The government health organizations will be able to provide quality medical facilities comparable with the medical facilities available in the developed nations. Currently this would seem to be a distant dream.