Information and communication technologies and health in low income countries: the potential and the constraints
01 Jan 2001-Bulletin of The World Health Organization (World Health Organization)-Vol. 79, Iss: 9, pp 850-855
TL;DR: The potential offered by technological progress in the information and communication technologies (ICTs) industries for the health sector in developing countries is outlined, some examples of positive experiences in India are presented, and the difficulties in achieving this potential are considered.
Abstract: This paper outlines the potential offered by technological progress in the information and communication technologies (ICTs) industries for the health sector in developing countries, presents some examples of positive experiences in India, and considers the difficulties in achieving this potential. The development of ICTs can bring about improvements in health in developing countries in at least three ways: as an instrument for continuing education they enable health workers to be informed of and trained in advances in knowledge; they can improve the delivery of health and disaster management services to poor and remote locations; and they can increase the transparency and efficiency of governance, which should, in turn, improve the availability and delivery of publicly provided health services. These potential benefits of ICTs do not necessarily require all the final beneficiaries to be reached directly, thus the cost of a given quantum of effect is reduced. Some current experiments in India, such as the use of Personal Digital Assistants by rural health workers in Rajasthan, the disaster management project in Maharashtra and the computerized village offices in Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry, suggest creative ways of using ICTs to improve the health conditions of local people. However, the basic difficulties encountered in using ICTs for such purposes are: an inadequate physical infrastructure; insufficient access by the majority of the population to the hardware; and a lack of the requisite skills for using them. We highlight the substantial cost involved in providing wider access, and the problem of resource allocation in poor countries where basic infrastructure for health and education is still lacking. Educating health professionals in the possible uses of ICTs, and providing them with access and "connectivity", would in turn spread the benefits to a much wider set of final beneficiaries and might help reduce the digital divide.
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01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: Irregardless of the disaster’s cause, the resulting damage to the basic infrastructures for communications, food and water supplies, and medical capabilities are disrupted, overtaxed or simply no longer available and the response must continue until fully independent services are restored.
Abstract: Disasters, whether as a result of a human catalyst or by natural forces, can devastate a community’s ability to sustain life as normal or be responsive to societal needs Each year, nature’s fury plays havoc on many nations Moreover, humankind has figured out horrendous ways of destroying life This is evident to every reader and does not require in-depth discussion The common theme in all disasters is that infrastructures of all kinds are destroyed or in some way impaired such that they cannot be used to support basic needs like medical care Of course in many parts of the world a disaster can be far worst than in others A hurricane in South Florida can result in billions of dollars in damage and yet the loss of life is low Conversely a hurricane in Central America can result in many more deaths This mostly is attributed to the existence of more comprehensive early response systems in the United States (US) Irregardless of the disaster’s cause, the resulting damage to the basic infrastructures for communications, food and water supplies, and medical capabilities are disrupted, overtaxed or simply no longer available With regard to medical response in disasters, delayed response can exacerbate the situation, resulting in epidemiological problems (CDC web site 2003) Additionally, those remaining after the disaster may experience posttraumatic stress disorder(Laor et al, 2002; Livanou et al, 2002) Effective telecommunications and planning can mitigate some of the predictable outcomes; however, the response must continue until fully independent services are restored (Garshnek et al, 1999) The medical response should be an effective telecommunications system for information management and direct medical intervention Such a system can be comprised of pre-positioned or rapidly deployable mobile assets
1 citations
01 Jan 2013
TL;DR: An attempt has been made to conceptually design a CDSS by using Prakriti as a prime tool based on the classical knowledge described in treatises of Ayurveda.
Abstract: Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are important tools useful for arriving at a clinical decision. These systems help a physician or surgeon, depending on the type, in designing a proper therapeutic regimen. These systems are different from clinical information systems in many different ways. These are mainly information technology-based systems designed to improve clinical decisionmaking. Characteristics of individual patients are matched to a computerized knowledge base, and software algorithms generate patient-specific information in the form of assessments or recommendations. The same can also be done by using Prakriti as a prime tool. Prakriti and Doshas (humours) are closely interlinked as the latter determines the former of each and every individual. Again Ayurveda believes that harmony of Doshas lead to healthy state and the opposite lead to ill health so indentifying and analyzing the Prakriti of a particular individual by the help of a CDSS will definitely help to arrive at a clinical decision and help framing specific therapeutic regimen. In this particular study an attempt has been made to conceptually design a CDSS by using Prakriti as a prime tool. The conceptual framework designed in this study is based on the classical knowledge described in treatises of Ayurveda.
TL;DR: The practice of infectious disease is a dynamic one in an environment where there are many demands, some related directly to patient care and some to the management of busy practices where many rules and regulations must be followed.
Abstract: able and versatile hand-held computers that are increasingly being used in contemporary medical practice [1]. They have numerous applications that can enhance the effectiveness of the practices of primary care doctors as well as infectious disease physicians. PDAs can provide databases for information (such as textbooks and guidelines) and serve as organizers for personal and business planning. The wireless models can also immediately access the Internet for even more information, news, and interaction. The practice of infectious disease is a dynamic one in an environment where there are many demands, some related directly to patient care and some to the management of busy practices where many rules and regulations must be followed. Outbreaks of devastating illnesses, emerging infectious diseases such as SARS, the development of new drugs, and increasing resistance to antimicrobials require frequent updating of knowledge and intervention strategies. The global aspects of infectious diseases also make awareness of exotic infections an increasingly important issue. As the events surrounding September 11th suggest, increasing awareness of bioterrorism, particularly involving the use of infectious agents, requires increased monitoring and education of an anxious public. Many of these functions can be provided or complemented by PDAs in a single portable device that can be continually updated. PDAs are essentially scaled-down versions of your desktop personal computer that perform similar though more limited tasks. They use handwriting recognition software with a stylus or input of data via a screen or attachable keyboard to help navigate through their functions. The screen may be monochrome or color and displays the programs and documents contained on the PDA just like a desktop. Tapping on their icons on the screen accesses the programs or documents. Fixed buttons on the PDA allow quick access to functions such as the date book, address book, and notebook. Newer PDAs also have excellent graphics that allow the input of tables and graphs and the storage of highresolution images. PDAs are designed for convenience and ease of use, with intuitive programs that allow you to avoid reading the directions in most cases. At the moment the two most popular operating systems are the Palm OS (Palm, Inc., Milpitas, CA) and the Microsoft-based Pocket PC (updated version of Windows CE; Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA). The Microsoft-based systems have the appearance and organization systems that may be familiar to those who have used other Microsoft programs such as Windows and Word. Some of the advantages a PDA can bring to the infectious diseases specialist include the following.
Cites background from "Information and communication techn..."
...The use of PDAs would allow mobile evaluation and allocation of valuable resources to assist allocation in a timely manner, although the initial cost of these may be a burden [10]....
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Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the influence of economic status on the adoption of technology in less developed countries and identify positive attitudes, which they define as individuals optimistic feelings how their standard of life is improving.
Abstract: Extant literature on technology adoption and diffusion has generally focused on understanding the adoption and diffusion patterns of new technologies in developed countries (Irwin & Paul, 2003). However, there is a need to understand the influence of economic status on the adoption of technology in less developed countries. Our overall objective is to investigate the antecedents of communications technology adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, based on a representative sample of individual respondents from Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, we investigate the influence of economic status, which we define as the ability to meet the physiological or basic needs for food and shelter, on technology adoption. We identify positive attitudes, which we define as individuals’ optimistic feelings how their standard of life is improving, as a process through which economic status influences the decision to adopt technology. Additionally, because infrastructure development affects individuals’ quality of life and thus their feelings about how their standard of life is improving, we posit that the influence of economic status on both positive attitudes and technology adoption will be contingent upon perceptions about the extent of current infrastructure development. This study will also shed light on pertinent factors that global firms willing to tap into LDC markets will find invaluable in evaluating market opportunities for transferring and introducing innovative technologies into such markets.
Cites background from "Information and communication techn..."
...We focus on communications technology because of its usefulness and importance to the quality of life in different societies, especially in LDCs (Chandrasekhar & Ghosh, 2001)....
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01 Sep 2009
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the postures academicas pesimista and optimista con respecto to the Tecnologias de la Sociedad de la Información (TSI) for the purpose of dilucidar its consequences for the salud and the practica medica, and concluye que, aunque existe iniciativas y hechos concretos that demuestran en las sociedades en vias de desarrollo the utilidad of las TSI for the conformación
Abstract: El proposito del presente articulo es explorar, en el contexto de la globalizacion, las posturas academicas pesimista y optimista con respecto alas Tecnologias de la Sociedad de la informacion (TSI), para proceder a dilucidar sus repercusiones para la salud y la practica medica. La investigacion fue de caracter documental, con una metodologia cualitativa desde una perspectiva interdisciplinaria en el sentido que relaciona las ciencias sociales y las ciencias de la salud. Se concluye que, aunque existe iniciativas y hechos concretos que demuestran en las sociedades en vias de desarrollo la utilidad de las TSI para la conformacion de sistemas de salud modernos, la falta de acceso de los estratos pobres a las mismas compromete la satisfaccion de sus necesidades de salud, aumentando el numero de los perdedores y excluidos de la globalizacion
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01 Jan 1999
TL;DR: The Public Report of Basic Education in India presents a comprehensive evaluation of the educational system in India with an extensive survey of 200 villages in five states.
Abstract: The Public Report of Basic Education in India presents a comprehensive evaluation of the educational system in India. Based on an extensive survey of 200 villages in five states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan, the report gives a voice to thousands of parents, teachers, and children.
439 citations
TL;DR: This is a fascinating collection of essays exploring "why some people are healthy and others not," from a variety of disciplines and theoretical perspectives that challenges the widespread belief that health care is the most important determinant of health and argues for a more comprehensive and coherent understanding of the determinants of health.
Abstract: This is a fascinating collection of essays exploring \"why some people are healthy and others not,\" from a variety of disciplines and theoretical perspectives. It represents the efforts of a group of researchers from diverse backgrounds who have met intermittently over the last five years as part of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. Their common focus was to understand the determinants of a population's health. The book's point of departure is that \"factors in the social environment, external to the health care system, exert a major and potentially modifiable influence on the health of populations through biological channels that are just now beginning to be understood.\" (p. 23) Via this observation, the volume challenges the widespread belief that health care is the most important determinant of health and argues for a more comprehensive and coherent understanding of the determinants of health. This thesis is lucidly presented in the introductory chapter. Evans brings together findings from a number of studies that provoke fundamental questions about our understanding of health.
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TL;DR: In this paper, composite solar cells of improved efficiency comprise two cells of different characteristics arranged in optical series but electrically insulated from each other, each cell is of larger crystal grain size than its substrate, which grain size is achieved by growing the cell semiconductor on a molten intermediate rheotaxy layer of a suitable semi-conductor which solidifies at a temperature below the melting temperature of the solar cell.
Abstract: Composite solar cells of improved efficiency comprise two cells of different characteristics arranged in optical series but electrically insulated from each other. Preferably, each cell is of larger crystal grain size than its substrate, which grain size is achieved by growing the cell semi-conductor on a molten intermediate rheotaxy layer of a suitable semi-conductor which solidifies at a temperature below the melting temperature of the solar cell semi-conductor. The substrate and the intermediate rheotaxy layer of the overlying cell are transparent to that fraction of sunlight which is utilized by the underlying cell. Various configurations of overlying and underlying cells are disclosed.
299 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2000
TL;DR: In this paper, the successful use of information and communication technology (ICT) in rural development is discussed, and sixteen case studies are presented, which spell out the various applications of ICT that have made a difference in the delivery of services or products in rural India.
Abstract: This book documents the successful use of information and communication technology (ICT) in rural development. The book begins with an introductory chapter that traces the history of ICT use in rural India, examines some of the problems that have afflicted the implementation of rural development programmes, at the same time showing how ICT applications could help overcome them, assesses the early efforts in ICT use, and proposes a scheme by which to classify ICT applications. Written by administrators who lead projects in their areas, sixteen case studies follow, which spell out the various applications of ICT that have made a difference in the delivery of services or products in rural India. Among the services covered are health care, milk distribution, disaster management, postal services, telephones, and services for the disabled. These applications of ICT cover the use of simple and inexpensive technologies at one end, and sophisticated satellite-based communication at the other. An important collection that delineates the main elements of a strategy that can be used by governmental agencies to derive maximum developmental impact from investments in ICT
85 citations