Geographic Information System-Based Mobile Application Design for Health Care in Older Persons in Rural Community by Village Health Volunteers.

Abstract

Health care for older persons is important for their well-being. In Thailand, village health volunteers (VHVs) play a crucial role in communicating between the older persons and health care professionals. Traditionally, they record and submit a monthly report as papers. This project was aimed to design a geographical information system (GIS)-based mobile application for health care in older persons in rural community by the VHVs. As a part of the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model, health information obtained from 8,348 older persons and 1,125 VHVs living in rural community were analyzed and used for the for iPhone (iOS) and Android devices, and web browser. In summary, this mobile application allows the VHVs locate the older person's addresses and communicate with health care staff online in time-saving manner.