The app records a five-to-10 second video of the person’s face using the smartphone’s camera. Looking at nine features of the face it locates markers to determine which of the particular indicators of pain are there.
The video is taken, utilised but not stored, and as everything is done in real time it is not a privacy risk.
The tool then takes the user through the remaining six domains of pain indication where they input the information using the phone’s touch screen.
“At the end it gives you what it estimates as the final score and then it gives you a severity scale, once you get familiar with it, it would take less a minute to do the whole consultation.”
If we can guarantee whether a patient is in pain or not and can prove the objectivity of using ePAT we can ensure that everyone who has pain will be treated.
Better pain management will improve a person’s behaviour and cognition, making them easier to be cared for.
“It will have an enormous impact on the quality of life for patients with dementia and importantly it will also have an impact on the quality of life of carers.”
As the tool is “extremely” easy to use, it will be suitable, and empowering, for family carers as well professional carers and health professionals.
