Value of a mobile information system to improve quality of care by community health workers

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dc.contributor.authorTomlinson, Marken_ZA
dc.contributor.authorRotheram-Borus, Mary Janeen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorDoherty, Tanyaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorSwendeman, Dallasen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorTsai, Alexander C.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorIjumba, Petridaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorLe Roux, Ingriden_ZA
dc.contributor.authorJackson, Debraen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorStewart, Jackieen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorFriedman, Andien_ZA
dc.contributor.authorColvin, Marken_ZA
dc.contributor.authorChopra, Mickeyen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2016-12-06T09:23:12Z
dc.date.available2016-12-06T09:23:12Z
dc.date.issued2013
dc.descriptionCITATION: Tomlinson, M., et al. 2013. Value of a mobile information system to improve quality of care by community health workers. South African Journal of Information Management, 15(1), Art.#528, doi:10.4102/sajim.v15i1.528.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at http://www.sajim.co.za
dc.description.abstractBackground: We will be unable to achieve sustained impact on health outcomes with community health worker (CHW)-based interventions unless we bridge the gap between small scale efficacy studies and large scale interventions. Effective strategies to support the management of CHWs are central to bridging the gap. Mobile phones are broadly available, particularly in low and middle income countries (LAMIC), where the penetration rate approaches 100%. Objectives: In this article, we describe how mobile phones and may be combined with mobile web-based technology to assist in the management of CHWs in two projects in South Africa. Methods: This article is a descriptive study, drawing lessons from two randomised controlled trials outlining how a mobile phone information system can be utilised to enhance the quality of health interventions. We organised our comprehensive management and supervision system around a previously published management framework. The system is composed of mobile phones utilised by CHWs and a web-based interface utilised by CHW supervisors. Computerised algorithms were designed with intervention and assessment protocols to aid in the real-time supervision and management of CHWs. Results: Community health workers used mobile phones to initiate intervention visits and trigger content to be delivered during the course of intervention visits. Supervisors used the web-based interface for real-time monitoring of the location, timing and content of intervention visits. Additional real-time support was provided through direct support calls in the event of crises in the field. Conclusion: Mobile phone-based information system platforms offer significant opportunities to improve CHW-delivered interventions. The extent to which these efficiency gains can be translated into realised health gains for communities is yet to be tested.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.sajim.co.za/index.php/SAJIM/article/view/528
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent9 pagesen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationTomlinson, M., et al. 2013. Value of a mobile information system to improve quality of care by community health workers. South African Journal of Information Management, 15(1), Art.#528, doi:10.4102/sajim.v15i1.528
dc.identifier.issn1560-683X (online)
dc.identifier.issn2078-1865 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.4102/sajim.v15i1.528
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/99938
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherAOSIS Publishingen_ZA
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyright
dc.subjectMobile information systemen_ZA
dc.subjectCommunity health services -- Personnelen_ZA
dc.subjectInformation systems managementen_ZA
dc.subjectHealth care personnelen_ZA
dc.titleValue of a mobile information system to improve quality of care by community health workersen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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