Digital health

Community and health systems learning: critical realist evaluation of the VAPAR ‘learning platform’ in rural South Africa 2015-25

This study looked at a program in rural South Africa that brought communities, health workers, and decision-makers together to learn and solve health problems. Over time, it helped build trust, improve teamwork, and strengthen the role of community health workers, making health services more responsive to local needs. The approach became part of the health system and adapted to … [Read more...] about Community and health systems learning: critical realist evaluation of the VAPAR ‘learning platform’ in rural South Africa 2015-25

This study looked at whether communities in the Philippines are ready to use community health workers together with digital tools to improve health services. It found that people trust community health workers and strongly support this idea, and many are open to using digital tools. However, contact with health workers is still limited, and concerns remain about data privacy … [Read more...] about Integrated Community-Based Primary Healthcare Model to Strengthen Universal Health Coverage: Evidence from CHW Readiness, Service Quality, and Digital Health Acceptability in Selected CALABARZON LGUs

This study looked at how community health workers and other frontline health workers in Côte d’Ivoire feel about using a new mobile health system. Most users accepted the tool, and community health workers were more likely to find it useful and use it regularly. However, they also reported needing more training and sometimes felt stressed using it, while other health workers … [Read more...] about Differential Acceptance of a National Digital Health Platform among Community and Frontline Health Workers in Cote d’Ivoire: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study tested a digital screening tool used by community health workers in Rwanda to help identify and manage common illnesses such as tuberculosis, malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea. The tool, installed on their smartphones, guided health workers through patient registration, symptom checks, and decisions about treatment or referral. After the tool was introduced, … [Read more...] about Implementation and evaluation of a community health workers-led digital integrated diseases screening system to provide healthcare for patients at community level in Rwanda

A study followed the use of UpToDate, a clinical decision tool, by community health workers (CHWs) in rural and remote areas over three years. While CHWs liked the tool, actual use was low and declined over time, affected by power outages, heavy workloads, and limited device access. CHWs mainly used it for learning and building professional credibility rather than at the point … [Read more...] about Adoption of an Electronic Decision Support Tool for Capacity Building of Community Health Workers: Mixed Methods Study