Computer Aided Telediagnostics System for Stoma Patients

Abstract

Stoma surgery may concern patients with colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. More than half of patients diagnosed with colon cancer present at an advanced stage, and palliative treatment may involve stoma formation. This type of surgery may change the patient’s life strongly, therefore they should receive special medical care. The paper presents the assumptions, concept, and architecture of the Stoma-Alert diagnosis support system, including the assessment of stoma complications and issuing recommendations for treatment and care. In particular, the telediagnosis subsystem, which is essential in the pandemic era, supports the assessment of stoma status on the basis of photos and symptoms provided remotely by the patient. The first experiences in the development of the system and interaction with it, both on the part of doctors and medical personnel, as well as the patients themselves, are also presented.