Mobile phone support for rural health workers in Nepal through 'celemedicine'.

JNMA; journal of the Nepal Medical Association · 2013 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 3072

Study snapshot

PublicationJNMA; journal of the Nepal Medical Association · 2013

Study typeother

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Globally, there is a shortage of health workers in rural areas. Effective health systems depend on having sufficient, accessible health workers with the right skills. In countries like Nepal, highly skilled health workers often prefer to work overseas or in urban centres, and therefore, in the short term, it may be pragmatic to focus on ensuring support and skills development of mid level or paramedical health workers. Information technology has the potential to support these health workers. We describe a pilot intervention undertaken in Gulmi District, whereby all mid level health workers in the district have been provided with a free phone number to call three General Practitioner Doctors (GPs) in the District Hospital. The intervention aims to increase appropriate referral, and increase connectivity between the District centre and peripheral health facilities. We hope that our intervention will provide support to rural health workers, and, if implemented as part of a package of interventions, may increase retention. We present some initial findings from discussions with health workers and analysis of call-log data, and describe our next phase evaluation and possible scale-up.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionunclear

PopulationMid level or paramedical health workers in Gulmi District, Nepal

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The paper describes a pilot intervention in Gulmi District, Nepal, providing mid level health workers a free phone number to call three GP doctors at the district hospital. It reports initial findings based on discussions with health workers and analysis of call-log data, and outlines plans for next-phase evaluation and possible scale-up; specific results are not provided in the abstract.

Outcomes measured

appropriate referral
connectivity between district centre and peripheral health facilities
support for rural health workers
retention (anticipated)
call-log metrics (analysis mentioned)
health worker perspectives (discussions mentioned)

Limitations

No quantitative results or effect estimates reported in the abstract
Sample size and study design details not specified
Outcomes such as referral appropriateness and retention are stated as aims/expectations rather than demonstrated effects in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Mid level or paramedical health workers in Gulmi District, Nepal",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "appropriate referral",
    "connectivity between district centre and peripheral health facilities",
    "support for rural health workers",
    "retention (anticipated)",
    "call-log metrics (analysis mentioned)",
    "health worker perspectives (discussions mentioned)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The paper describes a pilot intervention in Gulmi District, Nepal, providing mid level health workers a free phone number to call three GP doctors at the district hospital. It reports initial findings based on discussions with health workers and analysis of call-log data, and outlines plans for next-phase evaluation and possible scale-up; specific results are not provided in the abstract.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "No quantitative results or effect estimates reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size and study design details not specified",
    "Outcomes such as referral appropriateness and retention are stated as aims/expectations rather than demonstrated effects in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone",
    "telemedicine",
    "rural health workers",
    "Nepal",
    "pilot intervention",
    "call-log data",
    "referral",
    "connectivity"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: 24907968

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