TY - JOUR
KW - Health Information Management
KW - Computer Science Applications
KW - Health Informatics
KW - Health Policy
AU - Harris B
AU - Ajisola M
AU - Alam RM
AU - Watkins JA
AU - Arvanitis TN
AU - Bakibinga P
AU - Chipwaza B
AU - Choudhury NN
AU - Kibe P
AU - Fayehun O
AU - Omigbodun A
AU - Owoaje E
AU - Pemba S
AU - Potter R
AU - Rizvi N
AU - Sturt J
AU - Cave J
AU - Iqbal R
AU - Kabaria C
AU - Kalolo A
AU - Kyobutungi C
AU - Lilford RJ
AU - Mashanya T
AU - Ndegese S
AU - Rahman O
AU - Sayani S
AU - Yusuf R
AU - Griffiths F
AB - <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>
BT - DIGITAL HEALTH
DO - 10.1177/20552076211033425
LA - eng
N2 - <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>
PB - SAGE Publications
PY - 2021
EP - 205520762110334
T2 - DIGITAL HEALTH
TI - Mobile consulting as an option for delivering healthcare services in low-resource settings in low- and middle-income countries: A mixed-methods study
UR - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/20552076211033425
VL - 7
SN - 2055-2076, 2055-2076
ER -