This paper proposes a structure and method for the development of an AI diagnostic system as a highly leveraged step toward improvements in delivery of healthcare in underserved regions. First, the paper provides a high-level, general review of the current efforts to provide healthcare services in underserved areas and the many efforts being made to impact health outcomes by various international, governmental, and NGO entities. We also very briefly review university programs and research institutions that have specific technical and institutional assets with significant potential to carry out research or to partially implement such a plan. Our review uses weighted values in a decisionsystem that takes in a variety of assets we consider fundamental to successful engagement in delivery of new, innovative, technology-enabled healthcare systems for underresourced settings. We then review nine factors that hinder the advancement in healthcare in under-resourced settings, some of which are well described in current literature and some that may bring new perspectives. The paper then attempts to review how a proposed system can manage to operate successfully within the context of the nine named hindrance factors. The primary focus of the paper is in the description of a system which can increase the availability of diagnostics through technology-enabled systems. Such a system would impact the outcomes of persons in underserved regions. The paper then describes why making diagnostics available is a critical priority among efforts for improvements in global health.

How might it impact on healthcare in the future? ► Integrating the touchless connector system into peritoneal dialysis systems may help reduce peritonitis risks in patients.

BackgroundThis paper presents a first, formative study to explore the usability of a new peritoneal dialysis connector design intended for use by patients. The study was conducted with a user population of both naive users and experienced peritoneal dialysis patients across a range of ages. The goals of the study were to evaluate the usability of the key user interfaces of this connector design by test participants representative of new and experienced peritoneal dialysis patients, as well as to evaluate the use of the connector as it interacts with other components of the peritoneal dialysis system including peritoneal dialysis fluid bags and tubing. Further objectives were to capture any usability issues and obtain participants’ feedback on the design.MethodsA total of 7 patient and non-patient participants received brief training and performed simulated connection and disconnection of peritoneal catheter extension sets for therapy with the new design.ResultsAll 7 participants completed the simulated connection and disconnection tasks successfully, with only one use error (0.22%), 18 close calls (4.0%), 6 use difficulties (1.3%) observed from the total of 449 use steps performed by all participants. Other findings include usability improvement with repeated use, participants feedback and suggestions for the ‘protective enclosure’, a novel feature of the touchless connector design.ConclusionThe studied connector design showed minimal use errors or difficulties and based on participant feedback, the usability can be significantly improved with minimal modifications in future prototypes.