Dear David,
Thank you for reminding us of the work of https://bettercare.co.za 'which is used by 10 000 midwives, nurses, students and doctors currently worldwide to manage their own professional growth and continuing education [accessing] the learning material free on their mobile phones'.
This is an aspect of informal mobile phone use that has perhaps been largely overlooked in our research? Our list of '7 informal uses of mobile phones' identifies 'searching for information online', but not learning/training.
In our 2023 paper analysing our original HIFA discussion we noted 'health workers used mobile phones to participate in online training, education, supervision and monitoring of drug supplies'.
https://www.hifa.org/news/mhealth-innovate-exploring-healthcare-workers-...
A HIFA member from India noted: ‘2020 saw us do much Covid education for staff and parents together over phone (dos and don’ts) and reach out to allay the fears and anxiety of children and families during the lockdown.’ (Paediatrician, India)'
Our 2024 systematic review has very little on the use of mobile phones for health worker training and continuing professional development. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD015705.pub2/...
And I couldn't see a mention of this in the 12-page informal summary.
https://zenodo.org/records/15011500
It would be great to hear more about this from other HIFA members.
Also, did this topic emerge in the primary research in Uganda 2024? These papers are in development for publication, but perhaps the researchers can share some of the findings for our current discussion.
Many thanks, Neil
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org