Effectiveness Evaluation of a Dengue Self-monitoring System (DeSMoS)

Effectiveness Evaluation of a Dengue Self-monitoring System (DeSMoS) to Reduce Treatment Delay in Malaysia

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of a dengue self-monitoring system with standard care in reducing treatment delay among dengue patients receiving outpatient care. The main question it aims to answer are: • Is a dengue self-monitoring system effective in reducing treatment delay in dengue patients? Participants will use the dengue monitoring system in addition to the standard care they are receiving for outpatient follow up for dengue. Researchers will compare them with dengue patients receiving the usual standard care to see if the dengue monitoring system reduces delay in treatment seeking in patients.

Dengue Self-Monitoring System (DeSMoS) was developed to guide patients about warning signs and advise them to visit a doctor appropriately before their scheduled follow up on the next day, apart from motivating them to comply to the daily follow up visits at the clinic. DeSMoS is hypothesised to effectively reduce delay in treatment seeking in dengue patients. The main aim of this system is to get dengue patients to key-in their symptoms regularly via the app when they are at home. Reminders will appear on the phone to remind them to key in the symptoms thrice daily. The system is designed as a supportive tool for outpatient dengue management. It is not meant to replace to usual standard care for dengue care.

The participants will be given access to download a dengue self-monitoring application and use the application at home to key in their symptoms, three times a day throughout their outpatient follow up for dengue.

The system has a symptom monitoring algorithm whereby patient would be asked to report their symptoms thrice daily (9am, 2pm and 8pm). The algorithm is developed by the researchers which consist of primary care doctors, emergency physician and infectious disease specialists. If the patient reports warning symptoms (persistent vomiting, persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bleeding, difficulty breathing, feel like fainting, difficulty carrying out usual activities, drowsiness, reduced urine output and reduced urine output), the system will advise patients to seek earlier medical care instead of waiting for the scheduled appointment the next day/other days.

Inclusion Criteria: Age 18 years old and above Newly diagnosed with dengue fever Have a smartphone Receiving outpatient follow up for dengue Exclusion Criteria: Hearing and speech impairment Cognitive impairment

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