Disegno e sviluppo di una applicazione per dispositivi mobili per migliorare l’appropriatezza prescrittiva degli esami di laboratorio del medico di medicina generale: focus sull’ipertensione arteriosa

AUTHORS

ABSTRACT

An application for mobile devices to improve the appropriateness of laboratory test request by general practitioners: focus on blood hypertension

The prevalence of consultations of general practitioners (GPs) is huge, and for an unknown number of patients a consistent amount of diagnostic laboratory tests is requested. One of the tasks of GPs is to identify patients in need of specific laboratory tests, to improve the patient outcomes taking at the same time into consideration the risk of over-diagnosis and treatment and the available resources as well. To support GPs in their decisional process, we developed a dedicated software application (APP) for mobile devices; the APP contents were developed in collaboration with GPs, with students of a GP training course and with laboratory medicine specialists. We identified the laboratory tests useful for the management of the most frequent diseases observed in GPs’ offices, that are supported by the best available evidence. The first attempt was made considering blood hypertension. Aim of the paper is the description of the process of the APP development, that includes data available from national and international guidelines. This promising tool could help GPs to prescribe suitable laboratory tests in different clinical scenario (diagnosis, evaluation of therapy, monitoring) and to promote the implementation of the evidence-based practice of laboratory medicine, reducing the requests of inappropriate tests and accurately identifying patients who need a second level referral (nephrologist, endocrinologist).

REFERENCES