Instrumento de informação para apoio ao diagnóstico da alopecia

uma abordagem baseada em ciência da informação

Abstract

Alopecia is a multifactorial condition with clinical, aesthetic and psychosocial impacts, yet the field still lacks tools capable of organizing information needed for its proper recognition and referral. In the context of hair care and aesthetics, professionals such as estheticians and hairdressers are often the first to observe initial dysfunctions, but frequently lack structured resources to support screening and client guidance. This study aimed to design an information tool to support alopecia diagnosis, based on the frameworks of Information Science (IS) and Knowledge Management (KM). This is an applied, qualitative and descriptive research, based on the integration of a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), grey literature and Content Analysis. Concept maps were developed to organize the relationships between causes, treatments and specialized professionals, which informed the construction of an adapted decision tree model. The resulting tool, implemented as an interactive spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel, allows users to select attributes associated with manifestations of alopecia, returning suggestions of possible causes, referrals and treatment pathways. A preliminary evaluation by a specialist confirmed the clarity, relevance and applicability of the model. The study concludes that the tool contributes to organizing dispersed knowledge, strengthens the work of aesthetic professionals and demonstrates the potential of IS and KM to transform data into actionable knowledge in hair health.