Keeping an Eye on Your Foot: Design and Evaluation of a Mobile Health Application “De Olho No Pé” to monitor diabetes complications
摘要
Diabetes mellitus (DM) frequently causes complications such as diabetic foot, the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. Early detection of changes in the feet of diabetic patients can prevent severe outcomes. To address this issue, we developed an application to facilitate self-examination of the feet through photo capture and a sensitivity test using the smartphone’s own vibration, a solution currently in the patenting process. In this article, we present this solution and a usability and acceptance study of the application among patients from an endocrinology clinic. Participants used the app during a trial period, which revealed high acceptance and opportunities for technical improvements. Additionally, the study highlighted a knowledge gap among participants regarding the risks of diabetic neuropathy and the importance of regular monitoring, emphasizing the need for enhanced health education. Integrating this app into standard diabetes care protocols could help reduce severe complications and lower treatment costs.