Development of a Conversational AI-Powered Virtual Health Assistant for Symptom Triage and Patient Education

Interactive Mobile-Based Healthcare Information System is a cost-free online mobile application that has been developed and evaluated to assist users by providing essential medical information and raising awareness about various diseases and their management. This, in turn, helps to improve users' overall health. Patients often face challenges when seeking medical attention. Standard procedures and protocols must be followed before a doctor can attend to them, which can cause delays—especially for individuals in poor health. In many cases, patients are required to physically visit a hospital or clinic regardless of their condition, and even then, a nurse or healthcare provider may not immediately attend to them. Additionally, wearable health-monitoring devices, though useful, may cause discomfort when worn continuously. To address these issues, a system is proposed in the form of an online mobile application designed to help patients maintain healthier lives by offering reliable medical information and awareness on disease prevention and management. The Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Methodology (OOADM) was employed to analyze and define the system's components and their interactions due to its effectiveness and structured approach. Technologies such as PHP, JavaScript, HTML, SQL databases, and Android Studio were used in the development of the application. Medical information was sourced through interviews, observations, online journals, and other relevant materials. The resulting system is both effective and accessible via mobile phones, particularly benefiting users in areas with limited access to healthcare services. It promotes user interaction and delivers timely medical guidance and support.