The Ayzot app is a collaboration between Surrey, the University of Strathclyde, Hospice Ethiopia, the Federal Ministry of Health and Hello Doctor Ethiopia, an Ethiopian-based software company run by Dr Yohans Wodaje. ‘It’s like having a doctor in my pocket’; this was the feedback from one of the patients at Hospice Ethiopia during user testing of the latest version ‘Ayzot’ a new mobile phone app for palliative care. The app is named after a common Ethiopian expression roughly translated to mean: to encourage or soothe a sick person. The app’s focus is on supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer and HIV/AIDS by helping them manage pain and other symptoms.
The app features a self-assessment management system that leads the patient or carer through a common set of symptoms such as pain, nausea, drowsiness, breathlessness, tiredness, appetite and well-being. Both patients and carers are encouraged to use the Ayzot app to assess the severity of each symptom using a combination of measures, including the pain assessment scale. The app contains both pharmacological and non-pharmacological medication information and, where appropriate, directs the user to get help and further information on wound care, spiritual care and diet. Patients reported that using the Ayzot app helped them feel more reassured and supported with their pain management and symptom control.
The team behind the Ayzot app is currently looking to secure further funding to perform a feasibility study and test the app in several rural areas across Ethiopia and other African countries. For further details please contact Dr Nicola Ayers:: n.carey@surrey.ac.uk. Dr Nicola Carey from the School of Health Sciences at the University of Surrey said: “We hope that Ayzot will be embedded into the national palliative care clinical provision to support healthcare professionals and provide enhanced palliative coverage in Ethiopia.”
SOURCES: www.surrey.ac.uk and www.ehospice.com
PHOTO: Ato Ephrem Abathun and nurse Yohanna showing patients how to use the app at Hospice Ethiopia.
