There is no better evidence than the misinformation of the Covid pandemic to highlight the need for better patient information. Patients have the right to understand what is the diagnosis, what are the treatments, what results can they expect from the treatments and potential toxicities. So much of this information is in English and therefore inaccessible for many people. I have seen patients in Ethiopia who did not know the difference between rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. All drugs have some potential toxicity.
Mobile phones can be used to provide this information. I welcome the opportunity to collaborate to figure out the best tools.
Thank you,
Michele Meltzer
HIFA profile: Michele Meltzer is a rheumatologist at Thomas Jefferson University with a special interest in increasing access to rheumatology care in resource limited areas. Because of the scarcity of rheumatologists, many healthcare professionals, patients and politicians do not understand that there is a diagnosis and treatment for many diseases which cause pain, disability and even death. As president of Rheumatology for All, Inc. she has already participated in educational programs in East Africa. She is a member of the HIFA working group for mHEALTH-INNOVATE: What can we learn from health workers' informal use of mobile phones?
https://www.hifa.org/support/members/michele
https://www.hifa.org/projects/mhealth-innovate-what-can-we-learn-health-...
mmeltzer00 AT gmail.com
