Abstract:

Non-communicable diseases also known as chronic diseases represent the primary cause of death worldwide. In recent years, an augmentation in the number of people diagnosed with chronic diseases can be observed. In an emergency, an effective and appropriate treatment administered quickly can make the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, specialists state that there is also an increase of deaths among people suffering from a chronic disease which could have been avoided by administering a suitable treatment in matter of necessity. If patients are found unconscious, first-responders cannot discover any information about their condition or allergies and for this reason they could easily give incorrect first-aid assistance which can lead to future complications. Furthermore, persons who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer are in need of constant care and supervision from a family member which can be sometimes very expensive and time-consuming.

The purpose of this paper is to present an inexpensive and accessible e-training application designed to improve not only the quality of life for people suffering from a chronic disease, but also to ensure their families that the patient is always in a safe environment. Due to the versatility of smartphones, the integration of Quick Response (QR) Code technology is an attractive solution to automate the identification of chronic disease patients in emergency situations. Basically, the people suffering from a chronic disease who require a special treatment in case of accidents are given the possibility to share some medical information by simply wearing a QR code bracelet. These QR code bracelets are linked to the application’s database, where detailed information about their condition, medical recommendations and contact person are stored. First-responders will train their senses and instincts in matter of life and death situations by searching for a medical bracelet and scanning promptly with their smartphone the QR code in order to access the patient’s profile. In addition, by using the application, the contact persons will learn how to keep track of patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Keywords:

E-training, mobile application, QR technology, chronic disease assistance.