mHealth prototype to support clinical consultation in sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

Technologies can be used strategically to control stigmatized diseases, such as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). In this sense, the development of applications (APP) can contribute to promoting interactions based on clinical protocols, which can facilitate appropriate referrals, minimize errors in the prescription of care and ensure patient safety. Thus, this study aims to present the prototype of an APP to support clinical consultation in STIs. This is an applied methodological study, carried out using mHealth technology and the incremental model. For construction, it was based on the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for comprehensive care for people with STIs. Its scope consists of receiving patient data, cross-referencing this data with the tables and flowcharts proposed in the protocol and returning diagnoses and biomedical interventions to the patient, in a unique way, according to screening, key and priority population. The APP consists of five main sections and six secondary sections. It appears that the prototype is innovative and may be able to contribute to improving the care offered to the population, as it systematizes information on STIs, helps decision-making and the proper management of cases.