Development of a Smartphone Application for Diagnostic Support and Therapeutic Management of Psychiatric Emergencies

Abstract

A psychiatric emergency is defined as a clinical situation requiring an immediate response, as soon as acute psychological distress is identified by the patient, their relatives, or a physician. It necessitates rapid and appropriate management in order to prevent any worsening of the condition and to ensure the patient’s safety. Our thesis work consisted in the development of a mobile application dedicated to psychiatric emergencies, designed in collaboration with the Faculty of Computer Science. This project is part of an innovative approach to digital health in Algeria. The application is intended for medical students as well as healthcare professionals, serving both as a pedagogical tool and as a clinical decision-support system in the management of the most common psychiatric emergencies. The methodology adopted is based on: - An extensive literature review to select reliable and up-to-date medical data. - The organization and structuring of these data into clear decision-making pathways adapted to emergency settings. - The development of a functional application on the Android platform. The application covers the main psychiatric emergencies encountered in clinical practice, including delirium, psychomotor agitation, suicide attempts, panic attacks, psychomotor inhibition (stupor state), postpartum psychosis, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, addictive emergencies and psychiatric disorders secondary to organic conditions. Furthermore, this application aims to improve the diagnostic reasoning and the initial management of psychiatric emergencies, particularly in contexts where access to a psychiatric specialist is limited. It also serves as a complementary educational resource for teaching of psychiatry in hospital and academic settings. This work represents an initial contribution to the field of medical applications dedicated to psychiatric emergencies in Algeria, opening perspectives for continuous improvement and further development of its functionalities.