Medical mobile technologies – what is needed for a sustainable and scalable implementation on a global scale?

Abstract

Current advances within medical technology show great potential from a global health perspective. Inexpensive, effective solutions to common problems within diagnostics, medical procedures and access to medical information are emerging within almost all fields of medicine. The innovations can benefit health care both in resource-limited and in resource-rich settings. However, there is a big gap between the proof-of-concept stage and implementation. This article will give examples of promising solutions, with special focus on mobile image- and sensor-based diagnostics. We also discuss how technology and frugal innovations could be made sustainable and widely available. Finally, a list of critical factors for success is presented, based on both our own experiences and the literature.

Data Integrity–Based Methodology and Checklist for Identifying Implementation Risks of Physiological Sensing in Mobile Health Projects: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

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Achieving affordable critical care in low-income and middle-income countries

“…The potential for new technology to transform healthcare in LMICs is now widely accepted, but most innovations remain at the proof-of-concept stage or have only been tested in small pilot studies 22 26. The current challenge is bridging the gap between proof-of-concept and actual large-scale implementation 22 27…”

Artificial intelligence, diagnostic imaging and neglected tropical diseases: ethical implications

“…Therefore, several stakeholders should be involved from the earliest phases in the development of artificial intelligence tools. 7 These stakeholders include data scientists and engineers from both low-and middle-income countries affected by neglected tropical diseases and those from high-income countries currently working in artificial intelligence diagnostics. Pairing teams of data scientists and engineers would enable capacity building in low-and middle-income countries where there is currently limited infrastructure to develop such diagnostic tools.…”