Abstract
BackgroundThe emerging market of mobile phone technology and its use in the health sector is rapidly expanding and connecting even the most remote areas of world. Distributing diagnostic images over the mobile network for knowledge sharing, feedback or quality control is a logical innovation.ObjectiveTo determine the feasibility of using mobile phones for capturing microscopy images and transferring these to a central database for assessment, feedback and educational purposes.MethodsA feasibility study was carried out in Uganda. Images of microscopy samples were taken using a prototype connector that could fix a variety of mobile phones to a microscope. An Information Technology (IT) platform was set up for data transfer from a mobile phone to a website, including feedback by text messaging to the end user.ResultsClear images were captured using mobile phone cameras of 2 megapixels (MP) up to 5MP. Images were sent by mobile Internet to a website where they were visualized and feedback could be provided to the sender by means of text message.ConclusionThe process of capturing microscopy images on mobile phones, relaying them to a central review website and feeding back to the sender is feasible and of potential benefit in resource poor settings. Even though the system needs further optimization, it became evident from discussions with stakeholders that there is a demand for this type of technology.
Highlights
In many Low- and Middle Income-Countries (LMIC), access to health care is a challenge
Even though the system needs further optimization, it became evident from discussions with stakeholders that there is a demand for this type of technology
We developed a system of mobile phone-based imaging in combination with a data transfer and response platform
Summary
In many Low- and Middle Income-Countries (LMIC), access to health care is a challenge. Some of the bottlenecks are associated with long distances and poor communications between health care providers in (rural) health clinics and health centers at a higher level where better facilities and more experienced staff are often present. These limitations may lead to inequities in access to and quality of care [1,2,3]. Laboratory services are vital to public health, disease control and surveillance and individual patient diagnosis [4]. Distributing diagnostic images over the mobile network for knowledge sharing, feedback or quality control is a logical innovation
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