Search method and search apparatus

A search method comprising:

• retrieving, by a computer, from a storage device, a plurality of representative patient information records among a plurality of patient information records about respective ones of a plurality of patients, the storage device storing therein the plurality of patient information records, the plurality of representative patient information records respectively being representatives of a plurality of patient information groups, the plurality of patient information groups each being a set of patient information records similar to each other;
• finding, by the computer, a first patient information record with a highest degree of similarity to a specified patient information record from among the plurality of representative patient information records;
• retrieving, by the computer, from the storage device, patient information records included in a specific patient information group to which the first patient information record belongs among the plurality of patient information groups;
• and
• finding, by the computer, a second patient information record with a highest degree of similarity to the specified patient information record from among the patient information records included in the specific patient information group.

A search apparatus comprising:

• a memory configured to store therein at least a plurality of representative patient information records among a plurality of patient information records about respective ones of a plurality of patients, the plurality of representative patient information records respectively being representatives of a plurality of patient information groups, the plurality of patient information groups each being a set of patient information records similar to each other;
• and
• a processor configured to perform a process including
• finding a first patient information record with a highest degree of similarity to a specified patient information record from among the plurality of representative patient information records, and
• finding a second patient information record with a highest degree of similarity to the specified patient information record from among patient information records included in a specific patient information group to which the first patient information record belongs among the plurality of patient information groups.