Hackathon as a way to raise awareness and foster innovation for stroke

Abstract

The ‘Time is Brain” concept has been a major focus in the World Stroke Awareness Campaign. Objective: We describe our experience with a Hackathon (junction of hack+marathon), a 24 hour event of innovation- and technology-based project development, focused around detecting stroke. Method: The Hackathon was held during a Brazilian Student’s union (BRASA) congress involving students from engineering and other technological disciplines. Results: Four teamscompleted the 24-hour challenge; two teams opted the stroke challenge. One team proposed improving detection using a mobile sensor Fit-Bit combined with a smart-phone to contact emergency dispatch. The other team developed a game, in which kids would play a role as a neurologist; to diagnosis stroke with objective to increase awareness. Conclusion: Hackathons can focus attention on innovation and improvement opportunities to support the World Stroke Campaign, as well as other campaigns to raise awareness for other health or social problems.