More than 5,000 people have availed of the free-to-use COVIDMedBot service in two days, with 86% of those who clicked on the Akkure website being first-time visitors, it has been revealed.
Can be completed in 90 seconds
The COVIDMedBot has been developed by Akkure, an Irish digital health startup based at NovaUCD. The free tool is available online at https://www.akkure4covid.com and the self-assessment can be completed in 90 seconds.
To date, the assessment has been taken in almost equal proportions by men and women and by people in every county on the island of Ireland. It has also been taken by people in the UK, the rest of Europe, the USA and many other parts of the world.
The COVIDMedBot provides personalised risk assessment and guidelines, in line with the HSE recommendations and leveraging advice from the WHO and CDC, regarding the COVID-19 virus. The virtual service can be accessed by patients, GPs and hospitals.
Can be taken many times
Dr Oran Rigby, founder, Akkure said: “We are delighted that the self-assessment is something that has been used by some many people so quickly. The online assessment is free, crucially it can be taken many times as the risk evolves over time and takes only two or three minutes.
"We would encourage people to take the free assessment as often as they want, as more self-assessments will enrich the view and progression of COVID-19 providing insights to assist with surge planning and resource allocation.”
Dr Amy Hollingworth, co-founder and chief medical officer, Akkure, added: “The HSE have done a very good job of encouraging everyone to isolate where possible. We fully support the guidelines and advice of the HSE in this time of crisis.
"The self-assessment we have developed will help to support both patients and the overburdened primary and public health public healthcare systems.”
Dynamically updated
The COVIDMedBot is dynamically updated based on an individual’s specific responses. The risk assessment can be repeated as many times as a user wants, facilitating sequential consults, which is critical in the rapidly evolving clinical situation.
Employers and employees who are anxious about the potential impact of the virus on their health can also use the COVIDMedBot to find out more about what help is available and the recommended next steps.
In addition to the COVIDMedBot, Akkure is releasing specialised MedBots which will be available to leading hospitals and medical practices. The MedBots will be tailored to their individual needs to assist with triaging patients and relieve the immense pressure on their organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic.