Application of Wireless Data Grids for Health Informatics

Abstract

Distance and inaccessibility create special challenges for health practitioners in rural and remote areas. Health professionals in rural and remote areas face problems such as prescription concerns due to lack of information. This occurs due to a gap in knowledge regarding medications, as health practitioners do not have access to medical history of their patients. Frequent migration of patients in rural and remote communities results in the loss of patients’ medical records. In addition, doctors have limited access to therapeutic information, as searching the Internet from most remote communities is expensive and slow. In addition, frequent migration of patients in remote communities results in the loss of patients’ histories. This chapter proposes a refined conceptual health information management model based on the model presented by Mahmood (2006). The discussed model is based on the use of Data Grid technology and Data Recharging techniques employed in conjunction with wireless communication technologies to overcome the problems and challenges faced by health practitioners. The model categorizes the health establishments in remote areas into two categories on the basis of geographical characteristics and data access requirements. The discussed model aims to meet information and communication technology (ICT) requirements of health practitioners operating in each recognized category.