Health Information Technology Commons^™

The Rise Of E-Patients In Tanzania: Reflections On The Unregulated Growth Of Digital Health Consultations, Kahabi Isangula

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Digital technologies have significantly transformed healthcare delivery globally, enabling patients to access healthcare services through electronic and mobile platforms. In Tanzania, this transformation has manifested in the rise of “e-patients” — individuals who actively seek health advice, consultation, or treatment through unregulated digital platforms. This paper examines the drivers, patterns, and implications of this trend in Tanzania.

Methods: A descriptive approach was employed, synthesising peer-reviewed and grey literature from global and sub-Saharan African sources, with a particular focus on Tanzania. Insights were also drawn from expert discussions, public digital platforms, and the author’s experiential reflections to contextualize …

Exploring Ict Adoption In Teaching And Learning Of Science: A Case Of Senior Teachers In Kenya, David Odhiambo, Winston Edward Massam, Fredrick Mtenzi

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

This study was conducted in Homa Bay Sub County, Kenya to explore the adoption of ICT among senior teachers, aged between 45-60 years, in teaching and learning of science. A qualitative research approach using a case study design was employed. Eight secondary school senior teachers of science, 2 females and 6 males, within Homa Bay Sub County were purposefully selected. Semi structured interviews were conducted one-on-one basis followed by classroom observation and document analysis. Analysis of the data revealed that senior teachers of science generally integrate ICTs in planning, assessment and in classroom teaching; however pedagogical preferences and teacher’s workload …

Navigating Barriers: Challenges And Strategies For Adopting Artificial Intelligence In Qualitative Research In Low-Income African Contexts, Kahabi Isangula

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Introduction:

 AI is transforming qualitative research. It enhances efficiency, accuracy, and depth in studies. Technologies like machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), and large language models (LLMs) simplify tasks like transcription, coding, and thematic analysis. However, in low-income African settings, there are barriers to AI adoption. These include ethical concerns, infrastructure limitations, financial constraints, and technical skill gaps. Issues around data privacy and the dehumanization of research also add challenges.

Methods: 

This paper explores the challenges and opportunities of AI in qualitative research in low-income African contexts. It uses a descriptive approach, reviewing literature and personal experiences from rural …

Role Of Online Health Information Resources In Shaping Self Confidence Of Nursing And Midwifery Students In The Digital Era At Aga Khan University, Tanzania, Getrude Ngowi, Jackline Estomihi Kiwelu

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

Digital technologies have transformed the way people learn in the current age. Innovative multimedia online nursing and midwifery information resources have improved nursing education and brought about adaptive, interactive, and collaborative learning. This study aims to find out whether the online nursing information resources provided at Aga Khan University Tanzania are shaping the self-confidence of nurses and midwives in the digital era, to understand gaps and areas for improvement. This study used both quantitative and qualitative research approach were used. The researchers collecting data using online Google Forms, which were analysed thematically through Atlas ti. The results revealed that persistent …

From Static Web To Metaverse: Reinventing Medical Education In The Post-Pandemic Era, Kadriye O. Lewis, Vitaliy Popov, Syeda Sadia Fatima

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

The World Wide Web and the advancement of computer technology in the 1960s and 1990s respectively set the ground for a substantial and simultaneous change in many facets of our life, including medicine, health care, and medical education. The traditional didactic approach has shifted towards more dynamic and interactive methods, leveraging technologies such as simulation tools, virtual reality, and online platforms. At the forefront is the remarkable evolution that has revolutionized how medical knowledge is accessed, disseminated, and integrated into pedagogical practices. The COVID-19 pandemic also led to rapid and large-scale adoption of e-learning and digital resources in medical education …

Employing Telepsychiatry Services To Assess The Prevalence And Identify Mental Health Disorders Using The Phq-9 And Gad-7 In Resource-Constrained Regions Of Dadar Mansehra, Pakistan: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study, Iffat Zafar Aga, Sara Saeed Khurram, Mahek Karim, Muhammad Muzzamil, Shahkamal Hashmi, Kashif Shafique

Medical College Documents

Objective: This study aims to measure the prevalence of mental health disorders in low-resource settings through telepsychiatry and evaluate data from Pakistan's Sehat Kahani nurse-assisted online clinics serving low-income communities. This will help to understand the magnitude and nature of the demand for contextual therapies to promote mental health. The paper will discuss the challenges faced in these settings, such as limited access to mental health facilities, stigma and opportunities telemedicine brings.
Design: An observational cross-sectional study of telepsychiatry consultations using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 to screen for depression and anxiety was conducted between October and December …

Adapting International Clinical Trials During Covid-19 And Beyond, Kamala Thriemer, Kamala Thriemer, Mohammad Shafiul Alam, Bipin Adhikari, Rupam Tripura, Mohammad Sharif Hossain, Michael Christian, Najia Bano Ghanchi, Hellen Mnjala, Muhammad Asim

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions, particularly travel restrictions, have had significant impact on the conduct of global clinical trials. Our clinical trials programme, which relied on in-person visits for training, monitoring and capacity building across nine low- and middle-income countries, had to adapt to those unprecedented operational challenges. We report the adaptation of our working model with a focus on the operational areas of training, monitoring and cross-site collaboration.
The new working model: Adaptations include changing training strategies from in-person site visits with three or four team members to a multi-pronged virtual approach, with generic online training for …

Leveraging Clinical Digitized Data To Understand Temporal Characteristics And Outcomes Of Acute Myocardial Infarctions At A Tertiary Care Medical Centre In Pakistan From 1988-2018 - Methods And Results, Zainab Samad, Ali Aahil Noorali, Awais Farhad, Safia Awan, Nada Qaiser Qureshi, Mushyada Ali, Laiba Masood, Ghurfan Adnan, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Javed Tai

Section of Cardiology

Background and objective: Few data exist on trends in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patterns spanning recent epidemiological shifts in low middle-income countries (LMICs). To understand temporal disease patterns of AMI characteristics and outcomes between 1988-2018, we used digitized legacy clinical data at a large tertiary care centre in Pakistan.
Methods: We reviewed digital health information capture systems maintained across the Aga Khan University Hospital and obtained structured elements to create a master dataset. We included index admissions of patients >18 years that were discharged between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 2018, with a primary discharge diagnosis of AMI (using …

Application In Medicine: Has Artificial Intelligence Stood The Test Of Time, Mir Ibrahim Sajid, Shaheer Ahmed, Usama Waqar, Javeria Tariq, Mohsin Chundrigar, Samira Shabbir Balouch, Sajid Abaidullah

Medical College Documents

Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven time and time again to be a game-changer innovation in every walk of life, including medicine. Introduced by Dr. Gunn in 1976 to accurately diagnose acute abdominal pain and list potential differentials, AI has since come a long way. In particular, AI has been aiding in radiological diagnoses with good sensitivity and specificity by using machine learning algorithms. With the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, AI has proven to be more than just a tool to facilitate healthcare workers in decision making and limiting physician-patient contact during the pandemic. It has guided governments and key policymakers …

Experience Of Telemedicine In Gastroenterology Out-Patient Practice During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Experiences From A Tertiary-Care Hospital In A Developing Country, Anjiya Shaikh, Maria Khan, Faisal Wasim Ismail

Department of Medicine

Objective: Telemedicine is being widely implemented in the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid infection risk. However, its effectiveness has not been evaluated, especially in developing countries, where it is invaluable for healthcare access. This study assesses physicians' and patients' perspectives of the usefulness and challenges of telemedicine in the gastroenterology department to identify its pitfalls.
Methods: A cross-sectional telephonic survey was conducted on patients presenting to the gastroenterology department at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. An online survey was sent to physicians in the department.
Results: A total of 160 patients participated, with a mean age 49.8 years, and 42.8% …

Frequency Of Use And Preferences For Information And Communication Technologies In Patients With Sleep Apnea: A Multicenter, Multinational, Observational Cross-Sectional Survey Study, Veronica R. Jaritos, Emanuel Vanegas, Juan Facundo Nogueira, Sebastian Leiva Agüero, Vanina Giovini, Jorge Rey De Castro, Yadira Rodríguez Reyes, José Luis Carrillo Alduenda, Pammela Torres Gittaim, Zaira Romero, Azza Sarfraz

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. An accessible method to facilitate self-management education is through information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Purpose: To assess the frequency of and preferences for ICT use in patients with sleep apnea.
Methods: A multicenter, multinational, observational cross-sectional survey study was conducted between 2018 and 2019 in sleep units in different countries of Latin America, including patients of both genders older than 18 years with a diagnosis of sleep apnea. Participants were asked to complete 20 questions in a …

Telemedicine For Rheumatology Patients In Covid-19 Pandemic: Perspectives Of Patients, Muhammad Mehmood Riaz, Saad Bin Zafar Mahmood, Noreen Nasir

Section of Internal Medicine

Telemedicine use for patients with autoimmune rheumatic conditions during the pandemic mandates better characterization. We conducted a telephonic survey on patients who consulted rheumatologists remotely to determine their attitudes toward telemedicine. The study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan which is a lower-middle-income country. Descriptive analyses were performed. Fifty patients visited tele-rheumatology clinic, 35 (70.0%) were female with a mean (SD) age of 47.6 (18.1) years. Majority (27, 54.0%) learned about telemedicine from hospital website and outpatient clinic desk or helpline. Lack of examination was the biggest concern with teleconsultation (18, 22.2%). Most …

Emergency Airway Management In Covid-19 Patients And Risk To Healthcare Workers: A Low-Middle Income Country Data From The Intubate Covid Registry, Faisal Shamim, M Nazir, Naseem A. Sheikh, Asma Salam, Badar Afzal Khan

Department of Anaesthesia

No abstract provided.

Virtual Meetings During Covid-19 Pandemic: Is It Time To Say Goodbye To Physical Meetings?, Maseeh Uz Zaman, Nosheen Fatima

Department of Radiology

Abstract are not provided by the author/publisher

Innovations In Surgery Between The Past And Future: A Narrative Review Of Targeted Literature, Obada Hasan, Ahmed Ayaz, Laiba Masood, Abdul Mannan Baig, Naveed Baloch

Medical College Documents

Innovation is the introduction of a new method or technology designed to change the way things are done. History is full of remarkable innovations in surgery over the years as surgeons have always been innovating and pioneering latest techniques and equipment that can benefit the mankind. Though persistent, progress has been far from uniform. Despite all the bells and whistles that these innovations bring to the table, the little acknowledged fact is that they are only accessible to a very small proportion of the global population. Five billion people on this planet do not even have access to an operating …

Enhancing Healthcare Quality In Hospitals Through Electronic Health Records: A Systematic Review, Peter Gatiti, Eunice Ndirangu, Joseph Mwangi, Arnold Mwanzu, Terry Ramadhani

Libraries

Background: The evolution of information technology has continued to put pressure on healthcare systems to switch from manual to electronic systems. The electronic health record is a leading information technology system that has drawn considerable interest from governments and private health facilities. However, EHR implementation has proved to be a problematic endeavor, especially in developing countries.

Objective: This review sought to determine the influence of EHR implementation on healthcare quality in hospitals and identifying applicable lessons for EHR implementers in hospital settings.

Methods: Relevant literature was searched in the identified databases, including Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and …

Exploring Digital Health Interventions To Support Community Health Workers In Low-And-Middle-Income Countries During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review Protocol, Anam Shahil Feroz, Komal Valliani, Hajra Khwaja, Sehrish Karim

Community Health Sciences

Introduction: COVID-19 has significantly affected community health workers' (CHWs) performance as they are expected to perform pandemic-related tasks along with routine essential healthcare services. A plausible way to optimise CHWs' functioning during this pandemic is to couple the efforts of CHWs with digital tools. So far, no systematic evidence is available on the use of digital health interventions to support CHWs in low-middle-income countries (LMICs) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The article describes a protocol for a scoping review of primary research studies that aim to map evidence on the use of unique digital health interventions to support CHWs during COVID-19 …

Usability And Acceptability Of A Mobile App For Behavior Change And To Improve Immunization Coverage Among Children In Pakistan: A Mixed-Methods Study, Abdul Momin Kazi, Nazia Ahsan, Waliyah Mughis, Saima Jamal, Raheel Allana, Mehreen Raza, Sahrish Muneer, Muhammad Ayub Khan Mughal, Hussain Kalimuddin, Fareeha Sameen

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Pakistan's immunization uptake rates are still significantly lower than anticipated despite several initiatives. Lack of awareness, forgetting about vaccination schedule, and vaccine misconception/misinformation are a few of the major drivers that mitigate the rates of immunization. The current COVID-19 pandemic emphasizes the importance of immunization. The significant reductions in regular childhood vaccination during pandemic have increased the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Concerns among parents over possibly exposing their children to COVID-19 during child visits may have contributed to the reported declines. Innovative and cost-effective mHealth interventions must be implemented in order to address the problem of inadequate …

Postdischarge 24/7 Hotline Service For Neurology And Neurosurgery Patients And 1-Year Impact On Readmission Rates, Unplanned Emergency Department Visits, And Patient Satisfaction, Shafqat Bibi, Rida Mitha, Kiran Bano, Farida Datoo, Nadia Karim, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Objective: Telephone triage is a system in which trained nurses use standardized protocols to evaluate symptoms over the phone and determine the appropriate course of action.
Materials and methods: We implemented a protocol for systematic follow up phone calls and telephonic triage to families of neurology and neurosurgery patients after discharge, primarily to improve care transition and to assess its impact on the ratio of visits in the emergency department, readmissions, and overall satisfaction of patients and families. The intervention comprised the implementation of nurse led telephone triage and postdischarge follow up phone calls. After implementing hotline services in mind …

Telemedicine: A New Frontier In Clinical Practice, Munazza Asad, Nooresahar, Saniya Sabzwari

Department of Family Medicine

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the important role of telemedicine as a tool for safe healthcare delivery across the world. While its use was more common in the developed world, the developing world has also adopted this strategy. It is important to develop a clear process and contextual guidance for effective use of this strategy for better patient-doctor interaction and its role in teaching/learning of trainees.

Using Mobile Phones To Improve Young People Sexual And Reproductive Health In Low And Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review To Identify Barriers, Facilitators, And Range Of Mhealth Solutions, Anam Shahil Feroz, Naureen Akber Ali, Adeel Khoja, Armish Asad, Sarah Saleem

Community Health Sciences

Background: Globally, reproductive health programs have used mHealth to provide sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and services to young people, through diverse communication channels. However, few attempts have been made to systematically review the mHealth programs targeted to improve young people SRH in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). This review aims to identify a range of different mHealth solutions that can be used for improving young people SRH in LMICs and highlight facilitators and barriers for adopting mHealth interventions designed to target SRH of young people.
Methods: Databases including PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Science Direct, Cochrane Central, and grey literature were searched …

Equipping Community Health Workers With Digital Tools For Pandemic Response In Lmics, Anam Shahil Feroz, Adeel Khoja, Sarah Saleem

Community Health Sciences

Background: Community health workers (CHWs) are well-positioned to play a pivotal role in fighting the pandemic at the community level. The Covid-19 outbreak has led to a lot of stress and anxiety among CHWs as they are expected to perform pandemic related tasks along with the delivery of essential healthcare services. In addition, movement restrictions, lockdowns, social distancing, and lack of protective gear have significantly affected CHWs' routine workflow and performance. To optimize CHWs' functioning, there is a renewed interest in supporting CHWs with digital technology to ensure an appropriate pandemic response.
Discussion: The current situation has necessitated the use …

Digitalisation Provisions For Controlling Depression In Developing Countries: Short Review, Naureen Akber Ali, Hasan Nawaz Tahir, Rawshan Jabeen

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Depression is a global health issue which is associated with disability, absenteeism, decreased productivity and high suicide rates. It is the fourth most common cause of disability globally and by the year 2020 it will be the second leading cause of disease burden. In Pakistan, the prevalence of depression is 45.9%. A unique and promising method for addressing the issue is mobile health (m-health). It refers to the utilisation of mobile technology to support various aspects of healthcare. Electronic record, SMS, internet, wearable devices and mobile applications are some of the digitalisation approaches used to bridge the treatment gap in …

Teleneurology Based Management Of Infantile Spasms During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Consensus Report By The South Asia Allied West Syndrome Research Group, Priyanka Madaan, Jitendra Kumar Sahu, Jithangi Wanigasinghe, Kanij Fatema, Kyaw Linn, Mimi Lhamu Mynak, Nicolás Garófalo Gómez, Pauline Samia, Prakash Poudel, Prem Chand

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

With telehealth services rescuing patients with chronic neurological disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for simplified teleneurology protocols for neurological disorders in children. Infantile spasms is an epileptic encephalopathy where treatment lag is a significant predictor of outcome. It is one such condition where telemedicine can make a remarkable difference when in-person consultations are delayed or are not possible. However, the adverse effect profile of the first-line therapeutic options, the need for frequent follow-up, underdeveloped telemedicine services, lack of a rational protocol, poor awareness about infantile spasms, a lesser level of parental understanding, and scarcity of pediatric …

Imagining A Lean And Agile Digital Health Ecosystem - A Measure Of Pandemic Responsiveness, Zainab Samad, Sana Mahmood, Sameen Siddiqi, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Section of Cardiology

No abstract provided.

Operability, Usefulness, And Task-Technology Fit Of An Mhealth App For Delivering Primary Health Care Services By Community Health Workers In Underserved Areas Of Pakistan And Afghanistan: Qualitative Study, Shehla Zaidi, Abdul Momin Kazi, Atif Riaz, Ammarah Ali, Rabia Najmi Taha, Rawshan Jabeen, Umerdad Khudadad, Saleem Sayani

Community Health Sciences

Background: The recent proliferation of digital health technology in low- and middle-income countries has made it possible for community health workers (CHWs) to use mobile health (mHealth) to perform tasks such as data collection and training. Although most studies focus on the prospect of digital apps to motivate and connect CHW, only a few have captured end-user experiences with mobile-based apps. We examined the experience of frontline health workers with a move towards digitalized real-time data to record maternal and childcare services in remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Objective: Our study aimed to explore CHW perceptions on the operability …

Assessing Mobile Phone Access, Usage, And Willingness Among Women To Receive Voice Message-Based Mobile Health Intervention To Improve Antenatal Care Attendance In District Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan, Anam Shahil Feroz, Naureen Akber Ali, Sarah Saleem

Community Health Sciences

Background: Pakistan has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios worldwide at 276/100,000 live births and only 51% percent of women receive four or more ANC visits. This means that there are missed opportunities for almost half of the women who were not able to seek the recommended antenatal visits. In Thatta district, the maternal mortality ratio is estimated at 313/100,000 live births. Various studies reported that mHealth interventions have proven to be effective to improve antenatal care and postnatal care services. However, the feasibility and effectiveness of mobile health interventions to increase uptake of preventive maternal healthcare services among …

Mobile Consulting (Mconsulting) And Its Potential For Providing Access To Quality Healthcare For Populations Living In Low-Resource Settings Of Low- And Middle-Income Countries, Frances Griffiths, Jocelyn Anstey Watkins, Caroline Huxley, Bronwyn Harris, Jonathan Cave, Senga Pemba, Beatrice Chipwaza, Romaina Iqbal, Saleem Sayani, Komal Tabani

Community Health Sciences

Objective: The poorest populations of the world lack access to quality healthcare. We defined the key components of consulting via mobile technology (mConsulting), explored whether mConsulting can fill gaps in access to quality healthcare for poor and spatially marginalised populations (specifically rural and slum populations) of low- and middle-income countries, and considered the implications of its take-up.
Methods: We utilised realist methodology. First, we undertook a scoping review of mobile health literature and searched for examples of mConsulting. Second, we formed our programme theories and identified potential benefits and hazards for deployment of mConsulting for poor and spatially marginalised populations. …

Leveraging The Use Of Mhealth In Patients With Depression Among Low- And Middle- Income Countries, Naureen Akber Ali, Adeel Khoja

School of Nursing & Midwifery

No abstract provided.

Effect Of 5-Minute Movies Shown Via A Mobile Phone App On Risk Factors And Mortality After Stroke In A Low- To Middle-Income Country: Randomized Controlled Trial For The Stroke Caregiver Dyad Education Intervention (Movies4stroke), Ayeesha Kamran Kamal, Adeel Khoja, Bushra Usmani, Shahvaiz Magsi, Aresha Malani, Zahra Peera, Saadia Sattar, Masood Ahmed Akram, Sumaira Shahnawaz, Maryam Zulfiqar, Abdul Muqeet, Fabiha Zaidi, Saleem Sayani, Azmina Artani, Syed Iqbal Azam, Sarah Saleem

Section of Neurology

Background: Pakistan is the sixth most populous nation in the world and has an estimated 4 million stroke survivors. Most survivors are taken care of by community-based caregivers, and there are no inpatient rehabilitation facilities.
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of locally designed 5-min movies rolled out in order of relevance that are thematically delivered in a 3-month program to deliver poststroke education to stroke survivor and caregiver dyads returning to the community.
Methods: This study was a randomized controlled, outcome assessor–blinded, parallel group, single-center superiority trial in which participants (stroke survivor-caregiver …