Design of a mobile application to support caregivers in the management of patients with cardiac pathology

This thesis presents the development of a mobile application designed to support caregivers in managing pediatric patients with cardiac pathology. The project was conducted at the LINKS Foundation in collaboration with the SC of Cardiology and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at the Regina Margherita Children's Hospital in Turin and the University of Turin’s Nursing Department. It addresses the significant challenges families encounter when caring for children discharged with cardiovascular diseases. The complexities of post-discharge care often lead to anxiety and uncertainty, highlighting the need for structured guidance for at-home care. The primary objective of this research is to create a mobile health (mHealth) tool that integrates clinical guidelines and educational content to assist families in managing essential aspects of home care, including medication administration, dietary recommendations, and wound and vaccination care. To identify the most pressing needs, an exploratory survey was conducted with the medical and nursing staff at the hospital. Based on the survey findings and an analysis of existing medical tools available on the market, a mobile app was designed to incorporate interactive features such as step-by-step instructions for medication administration, a diary for monitoring patient health, a direct contact section for the hospital’s Pediatric Department, and a calendar for setting reminders for doctor appointments and medication schedules. These features aim to alleviate caregiver anxiety and enhance the quality of home care. This project has resulted in a functional prototype, which will be tested in hospital wards to evaluate its usability and impact on patient care. This work represents a significant step toward integrating mHealth solutions into pediatric nursing, with the goal of improving the post-discharge experience for families of pediatric heart patients.