Gebruik en veiligheid van de Applicatie 'moet ik naar de dokter?'

The Application ‘moet ik naar de dokter?’ was developed by the out-of-hours general practice service Apeldoorn in cooperation with Van Campen Consulting. The aim of the App is to allow patients to self-triage their complaints without contacting a physician. The App is fully based on the Dutch triage system (NTS) used in primary care practices and in out-of-hours general practice services. Based on the entered patient’s characteristics, signs and symptoms, the App distinguishes the following advise:
1. contact a physician immediately
2. contact your own physician the next day (a possibility when the App is used in the evening or weekend)
3. self-management and/or over-the-counter medication
4. no urgency to do anything

In 2012, the App was registered as a medical device class 1. In 2013, the technical file of the App ‘moet ik naar de dokter?’ was reviewed by The Health Care Inspectorate (Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg) and was considered complete and correct.

Our research investigates whether the App is a practical and safe tool for patients to self-triage their complaints. To this aim users of the App will be asked whether they used the App for a current health problem and whether they are willing to answer four questions:
1. whether they intend to follow the App’s advise
2. clarity of the App questions
3. satisfaction with the App
4. whether they allow a physicians’ assistant from an out-of-hours general practice service to call them to check the App’s advise (the assistant will perform a normal telephonic triage)

1
The App is a practical tool for patients needing advise whether and when to consult a primary care physician for their symptoms.
2
The App is a safe tool to identify patients who, based on their characteristics, signs and symptoms, need consultation in primary care (immediate or 1 day later).

not applicable

Using the App 'moet ik naar de dokter?' to self-triage signs and symptoms