Dear HIFA colleagues,
This week we are looking at Topic 1: How can we maximise the positive aspects of informal mobile phone use (flexibility, convenience etc.)?
As we have discussed we are talking mainly about how health workers use their personal mobile phones for work purposes. Our research to date has demonstrated multiple uses and benefits:
https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/mhealth-innovate-43-how-can-we-maximise...
We have learned that, for many health workers in many settings, their personal mobile phone is essential for them to deliver safe, effective health care.
So, how to maximise these positive aspects?
In our systematic review, we noted that 'Most [health workers] deal with situations that are far more complex than policies and guidelines can account for and that involve many human dimensions'. However, 'By formally acknowledging and regulating healthcare workers’ personal phone use rather than ignoring it, healthcare systems could improve staff awareness of, and compliance with, regulations concerning privacy and confidentiality. This acknowledgement could also lead to formal compensation for personal costs, could regulate healthcare workers’ use of personal time, and could help clarify healthcare workers’ legal responsibilities and liabilities'.
It seems to me that every health worker needs clear guidance on whether and how they should use their personal mobile phones for work. Such guidance would vary from one country to another, and from one facility to another.
There is a role here for WHO to develop international guidance which can then be adapted at country level, and if necessary at local level. Our current research - and discussions on HIFA - would help inform such guidance.
On 6 June there will be a policy dialogue at WHO, based on our research, which will discuss ways forward.
Meanwhile it would be very interesting to learn more about this topic from the primary research in Uganda - what did health workers and policymakers say? - and the recent policy dialogue at WHO EMRO.
I look forward to read your contributions: hifa@hifaforums.org
Best wishes, 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