Health Worker mHealth Utilization

Abstract

This systematic review describes mHealth interventions directed at healthcare workers in low resource settings from the PubMed database from March, 2009 to May, 2015. Thirty-one articles were selected for final review. Four categories emerged from the reviewed articles: data collection during patient visits; communication between health workers and patients; communication between health workers; and public health surveillance. Most studies used a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to assess acceptability of use, barriers to use, changes in healthcare delivery, and improved health outcomes. Few papers included theory explicitly to guide development and evaluation of their mHealth programs. Overall, evidence indicated that mobile technology tools, such as smartphones and tablets, substantially benefit healthcare workers, their patients, and health care delivery. Limitations to mHealth tools included insufficient program use and sustainability, unreliable Internet and electricity, and security issues. Despite these limitations, this systematic review demonstrates the utility of using mHealth in low-resource settings and the potential for widespread health system improvements using technology.

Health Care Professionals� Attitudes Toward, and Experiences of Using, a Culture-Sensitive Smartphone App for Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

“…However, two systematic reviews on health professionals' acceptance found divergent results [25,26]. White et al concluded that health care professionals acceptance of using mHealth was generally very high [25]. Whereas, the other systematic review on health professionals' acceptance of mHealth varied in other studies [26].…”

“…There is increasing evidence that mHealth interventions help patients to control their blood sugar levels [21][22][23] and elicit patient engagement [24]. However, two systematic reviews on health professionals' acceptance found divergent results [25,26]. White et al concluded that health care professionals acceptance of using mHealth was generally very high [25].…”

mHealth, Health, and Mobility: A Culture-Centered Interrogation

“…Observing the growth of the mobile phone in various communities around the world, many medical and public health scholars see mHealth as potentially impactful in the delivery of healthcare services, especially in communities that face significant challenges accessing healthcare services for a myriad of reasons that will be discussed further in this chapter (e.g., Malvey & Slovensky, 2014;Olla & Shimskey, 2015;Post et al, 2013;White, Thomas, Ezeanochie & Bull, 2016). Malvey and Slovensky (2014) view mHealth as having an emancipatory potential in terms of the delivery of healthcare services for hard-to-reach communities around the globe, opining that current research has indicated that there has already been good consensus among patients and community health workers regarding the desire for provision of healthcare services through mHealth avenues (e.g., Chang et al, 2013;Nachega et al, 2016).…”

“…Studies consistently indicate that mHealth has the potential to increase patient compliance if community health workers acquired and adopted mHealth technologies positively to better communicate with patients. However, sustainability issues of these technologies are still a challenge (White et al, 2016). Katz, Mesfin, and Barr (2012) found that mHealth was useful in the management of chronic disease among low-income patients.…”

“…Community healthcare workers are an important stakeholder in mHealth success in Asia and are said to benefit significantly from mHealth services when working in isolated spaces. White et al (2016) adopted a systematic review on healthcare workers' utilization of mHealth and found that workers were highly accepting of mHealth, and saw it as having important benefits for all stakeholders involved. Studies consistently indicate that mHealth has the potential to increase patient compliance if community health workers acquired and adopted mHealth technologies positively to better communicate with patients.…”