Abstract
BackgroundThe ongoing policy debate about the value of communications technology in promoting development objectives is diverse. Some view computer/web/phone communications technology as insufficient to solve development problems while others view communications technology as assisting all sections of the population. This paper looks at evidence to support or refute the idea that fixed and mobile telephones is, or could be, an effective healthcare intervention in developing countries.MethodsA Web-based and library database search was undertaken including the following databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, (nursing & allied health), Evidence Based Medicine (EBM), POPLINE, BIOSIS, and Web of Science, AIDSearch (MEDLINE AIDS/HIV Subset, AIDSTRIALS & AIDSDRUGS) databases.ResultsEvidence can be found to both support and refute the proposition that fixed and mobile telephones is, or could be, an effective healthcare intervention in developing countries. It is difficult to generalize because of the different outcome measurements and the small number of controlled studies. There is almost no literature on using mobile telephones as a healthcare intervention for HIV, TB, malaria, and chronic conditions in developing countries. Clinical outcomes are rarely measured. Convincing evidence regarding the overall cost-effectiveness of mobile phone " telemedicine" is still limited and good-quality studies are rare. Evidence of the cost effectiveness of such interventions to improve adherence to medicines is also quite weak.ConclusionThe developed world model of personal ownership of a phone may not be appropriate to the developing world in which shared mobile telephone use is important. Sharing may be a serious drawback to use of mobile telephones as a healthcare intervention in terms of stigma and privacy, but its magnitude is unknown. One advantage, however, of telephones with respect to adherence to medicine in chronic care models is its ability to create a multi-way interaction between patient and provider(s) and thus facilitate the dynamic nature of this relationship. Regulatory reforms required for proper operation of basic and value-added telecommunications services are a priority if mobile telecommunications are to be used for healthcare initiatives.
Highlights
The ongoing policy debate about the value of communications technology in promoting development objectives is diverse
Some view computer/web/phone communications technology as merely providing a 'quick fix' for solving development problems that must be solved with comprehensive policies cutting across all sectors
That most studies found are in wealthy nations comprising members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Summary
The ongoing policy debate about the value of communications technology in promoting development objectives is diverse. There is an ongoing, broad policy debate about the value of communications technology in promoting development objectives. Some view communications policy as increasing social gradients, in large part because of the existence of knowledge and information barriers, lack of skilled human capital and lack of funds for modernization [1]. Those who disagree about these negative positions argue that harnessing communications technology will benefit all sections of the population, will disseminate information, open opportunities for women. They point to Africa and the Arab States, in which the poor as well as the uneducated have been able to access this technology in public facilities, shared services and other innovative strategies [2,3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
