A computational cognitive modeling framework for care pathways representation and its operational use in primary health care

Authors

  • Anderson Aires Eduardo Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein
  • Roberto Alves de Sousa Junior Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Eduardo Segalla de Mello Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Demian de Oliveira e Alves Brito Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Natalia Tatiani Goncalves Brito Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Erica Marvila Garcia Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Ligia Paolinelli Bambirra Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Adriana Morelli Martins Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Thilara Najara Dos Santos Araújo Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Antonia Michele Almeida Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Renata Panseri Rodrigues Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Lídia Maria Lourençön Rodrigues Agia Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • André Pires dos Santos Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5335/rbca.v18i1.16937

Keywords:

population health, decision support systems, artificial intelligence, health informatics

Abstract

This paper proposes a lean computational cognitive modeling framework for representing care pathways in primary health care and its operational use. The framework is based on logical decision trees that can model any feed-forward boolean decision process using widely accessible technologies. A user interface and API allow users to define pathways as trees by specifying nodes, rules, and outputs. The framework was experimentally implemented for care pathways from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and from a major Brazilian hospital. Load testing showed responses below 40ms for 1000 simulated users. Integration with an electronic health record displayed pathway recommendations to users in real-time. Analysis of time spent on consultations before and after deployment found a statistically significant ~2-minute reduction, suggesting improved efficiency. The proposed framework provides a simple yet effective approach to automating care pathways using only open-source tools, with potential to support primary care delivery and decision-making at scale.

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Published

2026-04-29

Issue

Section

Original Paper

How to Cite

[1]
2026. A computational cognitive modeling framework for care pathways representation and its operational use in primary health care. Brazilian Journal of Applied Computing. 18, 1 (Apr. 2026), 33–42. DOI:https://doi.org/10.5335/rbca.v18i1.16937.