MHealth applications for clinical education, decision making, and patient adherence in Botswana

Ryan Littman-Quinn, Amit Chandra, Adam Schwartz, Aileen Y. Chang, Faisal M. Fadlelmola, Sankalpo Ghose, Katie Armstrong, Lesedi Bewlay, Katy Digovich, Anne K. Seymour, Carrie L. Kovarik

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper describes mHealth projects in Botswana that increase provider and patient access to health information. mHealth is defined to include any aspect of health care facilitated by mobile phone technology. The University of Botswana School of Medicine is currently evaluating the use of mobile phones to facilitate specialist trainee (resident physician) mentoring. Residents are provided data-enabled mobile phones that provide medical references and applications that allow them to consult with specialist supervisors on difficult cases. An SMS query system can also be used to obtain Botswana National Treatment Guidelines based on keyword searches. A local NGO, PING, provides SMS services for patients to facilitate appointment scheduling and attendance as well as medication adherence. The initial successes of mHealth projects in Botswana demonstrate the potential for mobile phone technology and mobile learning in clinical education, decision making, and patient adherence.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2011 IST-Africa Conference Proceedings, IST 2011
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
Event2011 IST-Africa Conference, IST 2011 - Gaborone, Botswana
Duration: May 11 2011May 13 2011

Publication series

Name2011 IST-Africa Conference Proceedings, IST 2011

Other

Other2011 IST-Africa Conference, IST 2011
Country/TerritoryBotswana
CityGaborone
Period5/11/115/13/11

Keywords

  • Medical education
  • SMS Query
  • Telementoring
  • appointment reminders
  • clinical decision making
  • drug adherence
  • mHealth
  • mLearning
  • mobile
  • point of care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Information Systems

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