Towards the Development of an mHealth Strategy: A literature review

Posted by LeighJaschke on Jun 18, 2009
Author: 
Mechael, Patricia N.; Slonininsky, Daniela
Publication Type: 
Report/White paper
Publication Date: 
Aug 2008
Publisher/Journal: 
The Earth Institute at Columbia University. Original Draft prepared for the World Health Organization.
Abstract: 

This report maps out what is known about a broad range of mobile and wireless technologies and the contributions that they are making towards achieving health care objectives in low and middle income countries.

The report is divided into six sections: overview of mHealth as a critical domain within eHealth, review of health-related applications associated with mobile technologies, exploration of how various technologies are being used to achieve health objectives, documentation of key leaders and partnerships that have emerged to test and expand mHealth in low and middle income countries, critical considerations based on early initiatives and research, and key recommendations for next steps in the area of mHealth.

The report is based on an intensive study of peer-reviewed literature, program evaluation and industry reports, grey literature, and communication with a broad range of stakeholders. Recommendations include that key mHealth stakeholders focus their energies on the testing and scale-up of interventions. These interventions should show promise in achieving the key health outcomes as laid out by the Millenium Development Goals (MDG's) for health. Further, the report recommends that the World Health Organization (WHO) serves as a convener of key partners and a broker of mHealth strategies, information, and frameworks.

The potential of mobile communication technologies to reduce professional isolation, facilitate the work of overstretched human resources, and yield cost savings and efficiency is recognized. However, the report concludes that technological solutions should be designed according to local realities and meet local needs in away that practically and measurably contributes to the MDG's or health.

Citation: 
Mechael, Patricia. Towards the Development of an mHealth Strategy: A literature Review. (2007) Updated August 2008 by Daniela Slonininsky for the Millenium Villagesw Project. Earth Institute at Columbia University.
Towards the Development of an mHealth Strategy: A literature review data sheet 2345 Views
Author: 
Mechael, Patricia N.; Slonininsky, Daniela
Publication Type: 
Report/White paper
Publication Date: 
Aug 2008
Publisher/Journal: 
The Earth Institute at Columbia University. Original Draft prepared for the World Health Organization.
Abstract: 

This report maps out what is known about a broad range of mobile and wireless technologies and the contributions that they are making towards achieving health care objectives in low and middle income countries.

The report is divided into six sections: overview of mHealth as a critical domain within eHealth, review of health-related applications associated with mobile technologies, exploration of how various technologies are being used to achieve health objectives, documentation of key leaders and partnerships that have emerged to test and expand mHealth in low and middle income countries, critical considerations based on early initiatives and research, and key recommendations for next steps in the area of mHealth.

The report is based on an intensive study of peer-reviewed literature, program evaluation and industry reports, grey literature, and communication with a broad range of stakeholders. Recommendations include that key mHealth stakeholders focus their energies on the testing and scale-up of interventions. These interventions should show promise in achieving the key health outcomes as laid out by the Millenium Development Goals (MDG's) for health. Further, the report recommends that the World Health Organization (WHO) serves as a convener of key partners and a broker of mHealth strategies, information, and frameworks.

The potential of mobile communication technologies to reduce professional isolation, facilitate the work of overstretched human resources, and yield cost savings and efficiency is recognized. However, the report concludes that technological solutions should be designed according to local realities and meet local needs in away that practically and measurably contributes to the MDG's or health.

Citation: 
Mechael, Patricia. Towards the Development of an mHealth Strategy: A literature Review. (2007) Updated August 2008 by Daniela Slonininsky for the Millenium Villagesw Project. Earth Institute at Columbia University.

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