We advance in health thanks to the PAPI children's health application

Abstract

Introduction: The family structure and parenting are changing in society, sedentary lifestyle, the use of screens and social networks is increasing. Families and health professionals must learn to educate, adapting their health advice to the new social and digital environment.

Materials and methods: A survey was sent to the representatives of more than 5000 paediatricians to renew the Well Child Visits Programme of the Spanish Association of Primary Care Paediatrics (AEPap). Contributions from preventive programmes from Andalusia, the Balearic Islands and Asturias were incorporated. The different interventions and advice were distributed in nine age groups.

Results: Part of the recommendations are based on the work of the PrevInfad group. It uses the methodology of evidence-based medicine and performs the evaluation and synthesis of the evidence in the proposed preventive activities. The AEPap considers that the Well Child Programme should be carried out by the paediatric team: the paediatrician and the nurse, thus enhancing specific skills. The WHO considers it essential to empower individuals, families, and communities to optimize their health by making them caretakers of themselves and others, equipping them with tools that protect their well-being.

Conclusion: Hence, it was decided to capture the Well Child Programme in the format of a free APP for mobile devices, as an innovative and affordable method of disseminating child and adolescent health. Information is given on parenting advice for family members, for children and adolescents and describes health check-ups for health workers.

Keywords: Aplicaciones móviles; Atención Primaria de Salud; Autocuidado; Mobile applications; Prevención primaria; Primary heath care; Primary prevention; Self-care.