The Topic

Secure, Convenient, and Modular Telehealth App

Overview

A mobile app that meets or exceeds medical security guidelines, but remains convenient for users. A major point of interest would be the use of mobile device bio-metric security to ensure the confidentiality of the app. Reach goal would be a modular health system for the device to dock to with medical equipment allowing for a routine appointment to be conducted totally remotely.

Topic Description

While I still had the sanity to watch the news during the beginning of the pandemic I became interested in the topic of telehealth for routine healthcare. I dreamt up an in-home health care system (affectionately named MediBuddy) distributed by your medical provider, that could dock to a smartphone with modules like a thermometer, blood pressure cuff, oxygen clip etc.. and allow your care provider to directly stream your vitals during a telehealth visit. The interfacing app could use the phone's biometrics to confirm your identity for prescriptions to be written.
To put this into a more feasible scope, my project would be to research and develop a convenient and secure telehealth app with room to grow in the future. One of my biggest focuses would be to research how something of this nature would interact with HIPPA guidelines. The project would also involve research into app development.

Another avenue allowing my project to remain "close to home" would be to provide a teleheath platform for the Champlain College counseling service. A quick and convenient way for people to get in touch with those that are there for them can make all the difference. The primary function of this app would be to connect to trained professionals in case of an emergency, manage and schedule appointments, check in and and journal.

Concerns and Implications

Open Source eHealth Platforms

• MySignals warning, this site is all in http, the product that they offer and the documentation seem to be very promising for an Arduino eHealth monitor.
• eWALL A scholarly article on the use of eHelath for older patients with cognitive issues. Open source but still looking for the code.

Current Market Alternatives

• MyChart is a popular telehealth application that features prescription renewal, record keeping, and scheduling services. While it's recently undergone development with its need during the pandemic, users complain about lack of convenience and poor performance.

Topic Decomposition

• MediBuddy Decomposition