03687nas a2200517   4500000000100000008004100001260002200042653003400064653003400098653002300132653001800155100001300173700001400186700001200200700001500212700001700227700001600244700001500260700001700275700001100292700001400303700001600317700001300333700001200346700001300358700001200371700001200383700001100395700001200406700001400418700001300432700001700445700001500462700001500477700001400492700001300506700001300519700001200532700001600544245015400560856006700714300002000781490000600801520233700807022002503144       2021                            d  bSAGE Publications10aHealth Information Management10aComputer Science Applications10aHealth Informatics10aHealth Policy1 aHarris B1 aAjisola M1 aAlam RM1 aWatkins JA1 aArvanitis TN1 aBakibinga P1 aChipwaza B1 aChoudhury NN1 aKibe P1 aFayehun O1 aOmigbodun A1 aOwoaje E1 aPemba S1 aPotter R1 aRizvi N1 aSturt J1 aCave J1 aIqbal R1 aKabaria C1 aKalolo A1 aKyobutungi C1 aLilford RJ1 aMashanya T1 aNdegese S1 aRahman O1 aSayani S1 aYusuf R1 aGriffiths F00aMobile consulting as an option for delivering healthcare services in low-resource settings in low- and middle-income countries: A mixed-methods study  uhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/20552076211033425  a2055207621103340 v73 a<jats:sec><jats:title>Objective</jats:title><jats:p> Remote or mobile consulting is being promoted to strengthen health systems, deliver universal health coverage and facilitate safe clinical communication during coronavirus disease 2019 and beyond. We explored whether mobile consulting is a viable option for communities with minimal resources in low- and middle-income countries. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p> We reviewed evidence published since 2018 about mobile consulting in low- and middle-income countries and undertook a scoping study (pre-coronavirus disease) in two rural settings (Pakistan and Tanzania) and five urban slums (Kenya, Nigeria and Bangladesh), using policy/document review, secondary analysis of survey data (from the urban sites) and thematic analysis of interviews/workshops with community members, healthcare workers, digital/telecommunications experts, mobile consulting providers, and local and national decision-makers. Project advisory groups guided the study in each country. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p> We reviewed four empirical studies and seven reviews, analysed data from 5322 urban slum households and engaged with 424 stakeholders in rural and urban sites. Regulatory frameworks are available in each country. Mobile consulting services are operating through provider platforms ( n = 5–17) and, at the community level, some direct experience of mobile consulting with healthcare workers using their own phones was reported – for emergencies, advice and care follow-up. Stakeholder willingness was high, provided challenges are addressed in technology, infrastructure, data security, confidentiality, acceptability and health system integration. Mobile consulting can reduce affordability barriers and facilitate care-seeking practices. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p> There are indications of readiness for mobile consulting in communities with minimal resources. However, wider system strengthening is needed to bolster referrals, specialist services, laboratories and supply chains to fully realise the continuity of care and responsiveness that mobile consulting services offer, particularly during/beyond coronavirus disease 2019. </jats:p></jats:sec>  a2055-2076, 2055-2076