Health Policy Manag.  2023 Mar;33(1):29-39. 10.4332/KJHPA.2023.33.1.29.

Self-Symptom Checker for COVID-19 Control and Symptom Management

• Ahn SJ
• Kim JD
• Yoon JH
• Park JH

• KMID: 2549084
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2023.33.1.29

Abstract

Background
Breaking the chain of disease transmission from overseas is necessary to control new infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 effectively. In this study, we developed a mobile app called Self-Symptom Checker (SSC) to monitor the health of inbound travelers.
Methods
SSC was developed for general users and administrators. The functions of SSC include non-repudiation using QR (quick response) codes, monitoring fever and respiratory symptoms, and requiring persons showing symptoms to undergo polymerase chain reaction tests at nearby screening stations following a review of reported symptoms by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as well as making phone calls, via artificial intelligence or public health personnel, to individuals who have not entered symptoms to provide the necessary information.
Results
From February 12 to March 27, 2020, 165,000 people who were subjected to the special entry procedure installed SSC. The expected number of public health officers and related resources needed per day would be 800 if only the phone was used to perform symptom monitoring during the above period.
Conclusion
By applying SSC, more effective symptom monitoring was possible. The daily average number of health officers decreased to 100, or 13% of the initial estimate. SSC reduces the work burden on public healthcare personnel. SSC is an electronic solution conceived in response to health questionnaires completed by inbound travelers specified in the World Health Organization International Health Regulations as a requirement in the event of a pandemic.

Keyword

Self-Symptom Checker; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Pandemic