MediFind-Application for supporting safe antibiotic usage

Poster

Inspiration:

Antibiotics have been considered one of the most important medical inventions in history, helping to treat and prevent diseases caused by bacteria. However, improper and excessive use of antibiotics has caused antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance (or antibiotic resistance) is a condition when bacteria become unaffected by antibiotics, including the most powerful and effective drugs. Antibiotic resistance leads to many serious problems: According to WHO, antibiotic resistance is increasing and is just as dangerous as the COVID-19 pandemic. Every year, about 700,000 people die globally because of antibiotic resistance. This number could increase to 10 million people by 2050 ~ such as coughing or just a cut on the skin can cause death. In my country, Vietnam ranks 2nd among countries in the Western Pacific region with the most deaths due to antibiotic resistance Antibiotics account for more than 50% of drugs used in medicine and are the best-selling drugs in community pharmacies. Furthermore, Vietnam must use third and fourth generation antibiotics even though many developed countries still use first generation antibiotics. Many studies show that bacteria in Vietnam have developed antibiotic resistance to many different types of antibiotics. The cause of antibiotic resistance stems from improper and excessive use of antibiotics. In many cases, antibiotics are prescribed to patients even though the bacteria causing the disease are not susceptible to the drug. Overuse of antibiotics also causes bacteria to become resistant because they have the ability to adapt to antibiotics over time. In summary, antibiotic resistance is a serious problem in the medical field. Using antibiotics correctly and only when absolutely necessary is extremely important to prevent the condition That's why we formed the project with the hope of providing more effective medical solutions.

What it does

MediFind is an application that uses artificial intelligence technology and analytical algorithms along with big data to identify antibiotics from prescription images and text. From there, the application provides suggestions for safe medication intake, as well as advice on using medication that is useful, specific and appropriate for each patient's case. Besides, MediFind also integrates additional features such as medication reminders, chat bots, pharmacy maps... to optimize user experience

How we built it

MediFind - a new solution for antibiotic use management to deal with the growing antibiotic resistance situation. MediFind supports users in managing antibiotic use by providing information about antibiotics in prescriptions through images and text, along with features for analyzing dosage and taking reminders. medicine, giving advice on smart drug use. This is a unique and novel product that applies artificial intelligence technology and analytical algorithms along with Big Data, using data sources from the Ministry of Health to recognize antibiotics from prescription images. and provide suggestions for safe medication intake, as well as provide useful, specific and appropriate medication use advice for each patient's case. The application is deployed on mobile devices, helping to increase user accessibility.

Challenges we ran into

Lack of awareness: Many people may not be aware of the potential risks associated with improper use of antibiotics or of the importance of antibiotic stewardship. They may not realize the need for an app that helps them track and analyze prescriptions.
Established habits: People often rely on established habits and it can be difficult to accept new technologies or change the way they behave, especially when it comes to healthcare practices . When sick, some people tend to reuse drugs that were previously effective without thinking about the consequences of drug abuse and incorrect use of drugs. Overcoming these established habits can be quite difficult.
Trust and reliability: Users may be hesitant to trust a new app, especially when it comes to sensitive health-related information. Building trustworthiness and establishing trust in the accuracy, security, and privacy of your application is critical to overcoming this barrier.
Limited perceived benefits: Users need to see a clear benefit of using the app to manage antibiotic use. If they don't understand how the app can positively affect their health or help them make informed decisions, they may be less motivated to use it.
User resistance to change: Change can be challenging for many people, and using a new application requires a willingness to accept changes in care management their health. Some users may be resistant to using a new tool, especially if it disrupts their current routine or introduces difficulties into their medication management process.
Educational barriers: Understanding the app's functionality and benefits may require users to have a certain level of health literacy. If your app's features and benefits are not communicated clearly and in an easy-to-understand manner, potential users may find it difficult to understand the value it brings.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Winner - - Startup idea competition in the healthcare industry - Hanoi Medical University 1st Runner Up - FWD SpringboardX Student Challenge of Southeast Asia 2nd Runner up – GBA Business Challenge

What we learned

First, We need to focus on UI UX to design more beautiful applications. Second, we should incorporate affiliate marketing to collect money from users.

What's next for MediFind-Application for supporting safe antibiotic usage

First, Release on the App Store and Google Play Store Second, Organize a Marketing Campaign to 1000 users + Introduce to 5 clinics and pharmacies Third, Reach over 5000 free users