Innovators around the world are using information technology toextend healthcare access to the rural poor, manage data, andimprove doctor and patient communication, authors report in the WHOBulletin In response to the considerable challenges in providinghigh-quality, affordable and universally accessible care in low-and middle-income countries, policy makers, donors and programimplementers are increasingly looking at the potential of e-healthand m-health (the use of information communication technology forhealth) as a solution. Results for Development Institute published a study in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization demonstrating that information technology is being increasinglyemployed to solve some of the world’s biggest health systemschallenges. The study, “E-health in low- and middle-incomecountries: findings from the Center for Health Market Innovations,”is the most comprehensive survey to date in peer reviewedliterature of programs using e-health to improve the quality,accessibility, and affordability of privately delivered health carefor the poor in developing countries. The Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI) maintains aninteractive database that now includes nearly 1200 health programsin more than 100 developing countries. Mini USB Car Chargers
Partners in 16 countriesaround the world search for these programs and compile detailedprofiles. The data are supplemented through literature reviews andwith self-reported data supplied by the programs themselves. Forthis study, authors analyzed CHMI data to identify programs thatare enabled by information technology, and determined what kinds oftechnologies are being employed, and for what purpose. The study finds that information technology is a fundamentalcomponent of the model for 176 of 657 health programs in the studysample. In recent years, there has been much interest in howspecific technologies can improve health in the developing world,but this is the first study to use a large sample size of healthprograms to assess the extent to which e-health is proliferating inlow- and middle-income countries and to determine how it is used. USB Connector Kit
“By identifying emerging global trends in e-health, the studyprovides guidance on how technologies can help solve common healthsystems challenges in developing countries, such as reachingpatients in rural areas,” said Gina Lagomarsino, Managing Directorat Results for Development Institute. Lagomarsino adds, “Ase-health continues to evolve, managers of programs in developingcountries are turning to technology to solve a wide array ofproblems.” The study’s findings identify options for program managers,funders, and policy makers to more effectively utilize informationtechnologies to make good quality health care more affordable andaccessible in developing countries. It highlights six waystechnology is being used: Extending geographical access to overcome distance betweenphysicians and patients, Facilitating communications between health workers and patients, Improving diagnosis and treatment for health workers, Improving data management, Streamlining financial transactions, and Mitigating fraud and abuse Authors also find that despite the heightened focus around the useof text messages for health, voice and software applications aremore frequently used. In addition, programs launched before recentadvances in information technologies are not rapidly adopting newtechnologies when compared to newer programs with technology builtin from the start. The study also finds that about half of programsusing e-health received their primary funding from donors. Samsung Car Phone Chargers
Thisheavy reliance on donor funding could jeopardize their long-termsuccess. “We have found that various types of information technologies arebeing employed by private organizations to address key healthsystem challenges,” said Lagomarsino. “For successfulimplementation it is critically important that more sustainablesources of funding, greater support for the adoption of newtechnologies and better ways of evaluating impact are found.” Additional References Citations.