How will we address the predicted worldwide shortage of over 14 million health workers by 2030? At the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland in 2015, a 4-year US$100 million fund supporting Last Mile Health and Living Goods to train 50,000 CHWs in six countries was launched. This commentary details the goals and challenges of such an initiative. … [Read more...] about A new era for community health in countries of low and middle income?
mHealth and Technology
Training community healthcare workers on the use of information and communication technologies: a randomised controlled trial of traditional versus blended learning in Malawi, Africa
This paper examines the feasibility of incorporating distance mLearning (mobile learning) as part of a blended learning program in Malawi. Through questionnaires, CHWs’ knowledge and attitudes towards computers and mobile technology was assessed. The ‘Introduction to Information and Communication Technology and eHealth’ (ICT and eHealth) course was created to compare the … [Read more...] about Training community healthcare workers on the use of information and communication technologies: a randomised controlled trial of traditional versus blended learning in Malawi, Africa
Smartphones for community health in rural Cambodia: A feasibility study [version 1; referees: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]
Village Malaria Workers (VMWs) in rural Cambodia play an essential role in surveillance and early treatment of malaria. This study evaluates the feasibility of VMWs using smartphone-based reporting for malaria, and a bespoke Android-powered app. … [Read more...] about Smartphones for community health in rural Cambodia: A feasibility study [version 1; referees: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]
Cost effectiveness of mHealth intervention by community health workers for reducing maternal and newborn mortality in rural Uttar Pradesh, India
The ReMiNd program, an mHealth intervention developed for use by CHWs to help improve their performance in MNCH service delivery, was implemented in a poor performance district in the state of Uttat Pradesh, India. This study examines the cost-effectiveness of this intervention by evaluating the change in cost per disability adjusted life year (DALY) and cost as a result of … [Read more...] about Cost effectiveness of mHealth intervention by community health workers for reducing maternal and newborn mortality in rural Uttar Pradesh, India
A mobile health technology platform for quality assurance and quality improvement of malaria diagnosis by community health workers
Regular supportive supervision is essential to ensuring CHW performance and service quality in CHW programs and yet it is often difficult to implement, especially at scale, due to logistical and resources constraints. This study evaluates the use of a mobile health technology platform for monitoring malaria RDT testing and improving the quality of malaria diagnosis by CHWs. … [Read more...] about A mobile health technology platform for quality assurance and quality improvement of malaria diagnosis by community health workers
