A roadmap for the implementation of mHealth innovations for image-based diagnostic support in clinical and public-health settings : a focus on front-line health workers and health-system organizations
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Open
Abstract
Background: Diagnostic support for clinicians is a domain of application of mHealth technologies
with a slow uptake despite promising opportunities, such as image-based clinical
support. The absence of a roadmap for the adoption and implementation of these types of
applications is a further obstacle.
Objectives: This article provides the groundwork for a roadmap to implement image-based
support for clinicians, focusing on how to overcome potential barriers affecting front-line
users, the health-care organization and the technical system.
Methods: A consensual approach was used during a two-day roundtable meeting gathering
a convenience sample of stakeholders (n = 50) from clinical, research, policymaking and
business fields and from different countries. A series of sessions was held including small
group discussions followed by reports to the plenary. Session moderators synthesized the
reports in a number of theme-specific strategies that were presented to the participants again
at the end of the meeting for them to determine their individual priority.
Results: There were four to seven strategies derived from the thematic sessions. Once
reviewed and prioritized by the participants some received greater priorities than others. As
an example, of the seven strategies related to the front-line users, three received greater
priority: the need for any system to significantly add value to the users; the usability of
mHealth apps; and the goodness-of-fit into the work flow. Further, three aspects cut across
the themes: ease of integration of the mHealth applications; solid ICT infrastructure and
support network; and interoperability.
Conclusions: Research and development in image-based diagnostic pave the way to making
health care more accessible and more equitable. The successful implementation of those
solutions will necessitate a seamless introduction into routines, adequate technical support
and significant added value.
Description
CITATION: Wallis, L. et al. 2017. A roadmap for the implementation of mHealth innovations for image-based diagnostic support in clinical and public-health settings : a focus on front-line health workers and health-system organizations. Global Health Action, 10(sup3):1340254, doi:10.1080/16549716.2017.1340254.
The original publication is available at https://www.tandfonline.com
The original publication is available at https://www.tandfonline.com
Keywords
mHealth, Wireless communication systems in medical care, Diagnostic imaging, Mobile healthcare, Clinical medicine -- Technological innovations, Public health -- Technological innovations
Citation
Wallis, L. et al. 2017. A roadmap for the implementation of mHealth innovations for image-based diagnostic support in clinical and public-health settings : a focus on front-line health workers and health-system organizations. Global Health Action, 10(sup3):1340254, doi:10.1080/16549716.2017.1340254