Inspiration
Our inspiration for this project stemmed from personal experiences and observations with relatives who have had to juggle numerous prescriptions as they dealt with chronic diseases such as Parkinson's. At the beginning of this year, one of our team member’s grandmother moved in with them, and due to the severe progression in her Parkinson, she required around-the-clock care and numerous medications. The issue with this, however, was that since there were so many medications, a mix up with the medications was likely to happen at some point or another. This led to stress when double checking which medications to give and when, and there is no doubt that there are many others facing the same issues. While our teammate’s family had decided to write down what needed to be remembered on paper, it’s always easier to keep track of things online rather than on paper, as you can access it at any time and anywhere. Our application clearly states the name of medications, the order they should be taken in, as well as how often. We hope these features will reduce mix-ups with medications, and help benefit patients in as many ways possible.
What it does
Our app is designed to help patients manage their medications safely and efficiently. It sends timely reminders to ensure that prescriptions are taken at the right time and in the correct dosage. The app also cross-checks medications to prevent harmful interactions between active ingredients, providing alerts if there is a potential risk. Additionally, it customizes dosage recommendations based on the patient’s weight, symptoms, and medical history, ensuring personalized treatment. The app tracks symptoms over time, helping patients and healthcare providers adjust dosages as needed for optimal results. It also provides notifications when medications are close to expiration, ensuring that patients only take effective medicines. By combining these features, the app promotes safety, adherence, and overall health management.
How we built it
We built our app using code.org, which provided an accessible yet powerful platform to code and design our solution. We structured the program with a user-friendly interface that tracks patient medications, checks for adverse interactions, and adjusts dosages based on symptoms and weight class. This was achieved by incorporating advanced logic and databases for drug interactions, real-time symptom tracking, and smart reminders. We conducted extensive research to ensure the accuracy of the interactions and dosage recommendations. We consulted trusted medical resources, drug databases, and expert opinions to validate the efficacy of our solution, ensuring that the app meets patient safety standards.
Challenges we ran into
One significant challenge we faced was ensuring our app stood out as unique and useful while maintaining a focus on its core purpose and values. We needed to integrate various features and functionalities without straying away from the main topic, all within a limited timeframe of 36 hours.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We are particularly proud of the amount of research we conducted to ensure the accuracy of drug interaction data and medical guidelines, making the app a reliable tool for both patients and healthcare providers.
What we learned
We learned the importance of user-centered design, ensuring our app effectively serves patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Our research into medication interactions deepened our understanding of pharmacology and the complexities involved in maintaining patient safety. Additionally, we improved our programming skills through code.org, while navigating challenges such as maintaining focus on our primary objectives within a limited timeframe.
What's next for MediMate
Our next steps include expanding the database of medications to cover a wider range of options, ensuring comprehensive interactions and alerts. We also plan to explore partnerships with healthcare professionals for real-world testing and validation, enhancing our credibility and effectiveness.
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