Santosh

Health Care and Informatics Review Online, 2010, 14(2), pg 3-9, Published online at www.hinz.org.nz ISSN 1174-3379

Providing healthcare services in rural India: Innovative application of mobile technology

Dr. Priyesh Tiwari MD

School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract

Mobile technology stands out as more robust and sustainable option as compared to PC based telemedicine in remote rural villages in India, with the increasing penetration and rising transmission capabilities of mobile networks. However, the technology becomes a powerful transformational tool if it is applied as an enabler of a synergistic system. This paper describes a healthcare delivery model based on mobile technology as an information transmission tool between rural patients and centrally located providers, using trained intermediaries as local facilitators, entrepreneurs and health activists. A customised handheld device that carries added features like biometric identification of all users, thermal printer, smartcard reader and writer and USB ports for connecting external diagnostic devices, was configured to collect healthcare information. A clinical decision support tool was designed to complement VHCs cognitive abilities to collect comprehensive clinical information and assist local decision making. An efficient use of bandwidth allowed the data to be populated on a web based EMR that could be remotely accessed and served by the doctors. A printer allowed printing of authorised prescriptions, collection receipts and referral notes at the device level. Linking with financial services allowed collection of payments and deliver an innovative micro-insurance scheme. The solution attempted to solve problems of access, affordability and quality of healthcare delivery using system design and technology synergistically. It not only enables symptomatic care but also complements delivery of preventive health...