Acceptability of mHealth interventions amongst patients and healthcare workers
When scaling up mHealth interventions to benefit entire communities, the concept of “cultural lag” becomes exponentially relevant. Cultural lag addresses the reality that technological advances often evolve faster than the culture that is created around it (Woodard, 1934). Culture must adapt to fit new advancements, and therefore interventions may be met with some scepticism at […]
The Role of mHealth in Precision Medicine
http://geneticalliance.org/programs/biotrust/precisionmedicine Precision medicine is a trend that is becoming increasingly relevant in health care. Although a term often specifically associated with genetic or molecular profiling, the phrase can be more broadly defined as “an innovative approach to disease prevention and treatment that takes into account individual differences in people’s genes, environments, and lifestyles.” (The White […]
mHealth and The Canada Food Guide
This blog is inspired by recent changes in The Canada Food Guide (Hui, 2017), and discusses how mHealth is already a part of day to day life for many people, through the use of applications (apps) that promote healthy eating. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-food-guides.html The Canada Food Guide, created by the Government of Canada, has been used as […]
The Need for Implementation Science Research in mHealth: a vehicle from pilot to scale-up
Billions of dollars are spent on global health research projects each year, but only a limited number of proven interventions are translated into practice and policy (Grimshaw et al., 2012, Bajunirwe et al., 2016). Technology is providing unprecedented opportunities to improve patient engagement in care for better adherence, yet a significant knowledge-action gap remains. Many evidence-based […]
Access to Cell Phones in Low Income Settings
“WelTel is committed to providing evidence-based, patient-centered health solutions, through the use of mobile phone technologies such as low-cost SMS (text messaging) for the management of HIV/AIDS, TB, MNCH, PMTCT, immunization and other health issues” As a mobile phone intervention, the foundation of the WelTel platform relies on the ubiquity of cell phones. Before we […]
Medication adherence: A value for all
As stated by the World Health Organization: “Increasing the effectiveness of adherence interventions may have a far greater impact on the health of the population than any improvement in specific medical treatments” (WHO, 2003). Understanding and improving adherence is one of the main objectives of the mHealth research group. This blog series will focus on […]