CONNECTING MEN TO HEALTHCARE: CURRENT GAPS AND PATHWAYS TO INNOVATION WITH TECHNOLOGICAL TOOLS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev7n8-245Keywords:
Urology, Artificial Intelligence, Self-Triage, Men’s HealthAbstract
Male health in Brazil faces high morbidity and mortality rates compared to women, exacerbated by a low demand for health services due to masculinity stereotypes and systemic failures. Urological conditions such as LUTS, erectile dysfunction, infertility, UTIs, and various cancers (prostate, penile, bladder, testicular) are prevalent, frequently with late diagnoses. This study sought to map the state of the art of male urological health applications in order to identify gaps and support the development of a technological product focused on the user experience, promoting diagnostic self-screening and facilitating access to specialists. A systematic mapping study was carried out from 2019 to 2024, according to Petersen et al. The sources included SCOPUS, PUBMED, patent databases (INPI, PATENTSCOPE, SPB, SPACENET) and app stores (App Store, Play Store). A total of 40 relevant articles and/or technological products were analyzed. Male health in Brazil is marked by high mortality and a high prevalence of urological diseases, with sociocultural barriers and systemic failures that delay diagnoses. There are general digital self-assessment tools (e.g., Ada Health), but a comprehensive diagnostic self-screening application specifically for male urological conditions is a notable gap. Online symptom checkers (OSCs) have demonstrated potential as triage and decision-support tools, capable of generating multiple diagnostic hypotheses (with high accuracy in the Top 5) and guiding the pursuit of professional help. The implementation of AI in urology still faces obstacles related to quality control and validation. The challenges in male urological health demand innovative interventions. The development of a user-centered computational tool for male urological self-screening is crucial to reduce access barriers, deconstruct stereotypes, and catalyze early diagnosis and specialized referral, thereby improving men’s quality of life.
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