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Review
. 2013 Apr;106(4):130-42.
doi: 10.1177/0141076812472620.

Mobile health use in low- and high-income countries: an overview of the peer-reviewed literature

Andrew Bastawrous  1 , Matthew J Armstrong
Affiliations
Review

Mobile health use in low- and high-income countries: an overview of the peer-reviewed literature

Andrew Bastawrous et al. J R Soc Med. 2013 Apr.

Abstract

The evolution of mobile phone technology has introduced new possibilities to the field of medicine. Combining technological advances with medical expertise has led to the use of mobile phones in all healthcare areas including diagnostics, telemedicine, research, reference libraries and interventions. This article provides an overview of the peer-reviewed literature, published between 1 August 2006 and 1 August 2011, for the application of mobile/cell phones (from basic text-messaging systems to smartphones) in healthcare in both resource-poor and high-income countries. Smartphone use is paving the way in high-income countries, while basic text-messaging systems of standard mobile phones are proving to be of value in low- and middle-income countries. Ranging from infection outbreak reporting, anti-HIV therapy adherence to gait analysis, resuscitation training and radiological imaging, the current uses and future possibilities of mobile phone technology in healthcare are endless. Multiple mobile phone based applications are available for healthcare workers and healthcare consumers; however, the absolute majority lack an evidence base. Therefore, more rigorous research is required to ensure that healthcare is not flooded with non-evidence based applications and is maximized for patient benefit.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Smartphone applications (screenshots from www.apple.com/iphone/from-the-app-store) used for lifestyle modifications and disease awareness. (a) iQuit – Stop Smoking Counter that provides the user with personalized readouts on health and money savings. (b) iBreastCheck – provides user with breast check video and information on how to reduce cancer risk. (c) NHS Drinks Tracker – provides users with a alcohol drinks counter, track and information for local NHS support service
Figure 2
Figure 2
Medical uses of the wireless iPhone's accelerometer capabilities. (a) Gait analysis. (b) iCPR application is used wearing the device with an armband, with the display clearly visible for the user. The built-in metronome produces a clear audible sound sample indicating the right chest compression rate to the user
Figure 3
Figure 3
Radiological screen captures using OsiriX software. (a) Thoraco-lumbar junction on saggital computed tomography imaging. (b) Cerebral angiogram demonstrating an aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) The high-resolution microscope attachment for the camera-enabled smartphone. (b) Example of an image taken with the high-resolution microscope, highlighting sickle-shaped red blood cells (with white arrows) on a blood smear
Figure 5
Figure 5
Interactive land map created by the EpiCollect Software. (a) EpiCollect screenshots of ‘demo mode’ and (b) potential for collecting and mapping epidemiological data, example shows information on visual impairment in Africa by visual acuity, age and condition
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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