scholarly journals Mobile Health Initiatives in Vietnam: Scoping Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A Lam ◽  
Linh Thuy Dang ◽  
Ngoc Tran Phan ◽  
Hue Thi Trinh ◽  
Nguyen Cong Vu ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) offers a promising solution to the multitude of challenges the Vietnamese health system faces, but there is a scarcity of published information on mHealth in Vietnam. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this scoping study were (1) to summarize the extent, range, and nature of mHealth initiatives in Vietnam and (2) to examine the opportunities and threats of mHealth utilization in the Vietnamese context. METHODS This scoping study systematically identified and extracted relevant information from 20 past and current mHealth initiatives in Vietnam. The study includes multimodal information sources, including published literature, gray literature (ie, government reports and unpublished literature), conference presentations, Web-based documents, and key informant interviews. RESULTS We extracted information from 27 records from the electronic search and conducted 14 key informant interviews, allowing us to identify 20 mHealth initiatives in Vietnam. Most of the initiatives were primarily funded by external donors (n=15), while other initiatives were government funded (n=1) or self-funded (n=4). A majority of the initiatives targeted vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations (n=11), aimed to prevent the occurrence of disease (n=12), and used text messaging (short message service, SMS) as part of their intervention (n=14). The study revealed that Vietnamese mHealth implementation has been challenged by factors including features unique to the Vietnamese language (n=4) and sociocultural factors (n=3). CONCLUSIONS The largest threats to the popularity of mHealth initiatives are the absence of government policy, lack of government interest, heavy dependence on foreign funding, and lack of technological infrastructure. Finally, while current mHealth initiatives have already demonstrated promising opportunities for alternative models of funding, such as social entrepreneurship or private business models, sustainable mHealth initiatives outside of those funded by external donors have not yet been undertaken.

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (S1) ◽  
pp. 36-37
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Lam ◽  
Linh Dang ◽  
Ngoc Phan ◽  
Hue Trinh ◽  
Nguyen Vu ◽  
...  

Introduction:Mobile health (mHealth) is increasingly being seen as a promising solution to the multiple health system challenges that Vietnam faces, including inadequate health service provision. Nevertheless, there is limited published information describing the sustainability of such mHealth solutions in the Vietnamese context. This study reviewed the available projects and interventions to evaluate factors challenging sustainability of mHealth initiatives in Vietnam.Methods:A multimodal scoping study was designed to collect data from various sources: published literature, government reports, unpublished literature, conference presentations, online documents, and key informant interviews. Relevant mHealth initiatives were identified and selected through electronic searches and informal discussions with key stakeholders. Collected data was charted and classified by thematic analysis. Challenges to the sustainability of mHealth initiatives were discussed in the context of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT).Results:Twenty mHealth initiatives with relevant information and available data were collected, covering the period from 2010 to 2017. Fifteen (75 percent) were primarily funded by external donors, one (5 percent) was government supported, and four (20 percent) were self-funded projects. Five (25 percent) were on-going, and fifteen (75 percent) were completed at the time of data collection. Four (20 percent) out of the completed initiatives were continuing to use materials, infrastructure, and technology to engage end-users.Conclusions:The high percentage of external funding, complicated governmental bureaucracy and lack of government commitment, electronic medical record standardization, and legislation relating to mHealth are amongst the largest challenges to mHealth sustainability in Vietnam. In addition, findings demonstrate it is crucial for project managers of mHealth initiatives to build strong relationships with the Vietnam government and advocate for their mHealth initiatives in order to promote sustainability.


Author(s):  
R. Kini

Mobile commerce (or in short, m-commerce) is currently at the stage where e-commerce was a decade ago. Many of the concerns consumers had regarding e-commerce (such as security, confidentiality, and reliability) are now directed towards m-commerce. To complicate the matter further, the lack of a standardized technology has made m-commerce grow in multiple directions in different parts of the world. Thus, the popularity of m-commerce-based services varies by country, by culture, and by individual user. For example, in Europe the most popular application is SMS (short message service) or text messaging, in Japan interactive games and picture exchange via NTT DoCoMo i-mode, and in North America e-mail via interactive pagers (such as RIM BlackBerry) and wireless application protocol-based (WAP-based) wireless data portals providing news, stock quotes, and weather information. It is safe to predict that these applications will take on different forms as the technologies mature, devices become more capable in form and functionality, and service providers become more innovative in their business models. It is true that m-commerce has witnessed spectacular growth across the globe. It is also encouraging that several factors are expected to accelerate the pace of adoption of m-commerce. Notable among these drivers is convergence in the voice/data industry, leaping improvements in related technology and standards, adoptive technology culture in many parts of the world, and governmental and regulatory initiatives. Despite the undisputed promise of m-commerce, there are several barriers that are slowing the pace of adoption of m-commerce. The major barriers include: (a) lack of good business models to generate revenues, (b) perception of lack of security, (c) short product lifecycle due to rapidly changing technology, (d) non-convergence of standards, (e) usability of devices, (f) limitation of bandwidth, and (g) cost. Many of the aforesaid were common to e-commerce also at its introduction and growth stage. We strongly believe it is worthwhile to investigate how e-commerce has been able to overcome these barriers so that we can incorporate some of the successful strategies to m-commerce. In our study, we will first compare and contrast e-commerce and m-commerce with respect to a set of common criteria such as: (1) hardware requirement, (2) software requirement, (3) connection or access, and (4) content. In the process, we will identify the principal barriers to the development of m-commerce as outlined in the above list.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. e106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A Lam ◽  
Linh Thuy Dang ◽  
Ngoc Tran Phan ◽  
Hue Thi Trinh ◽  
Nguyen Cong Vu ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
pp. 38-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjan B. Kini ◽  
Subir K. Bandyopadhyay

Mobile commerce (or in short, m-commerce) is currently at the stage where e-commerce was a decade ago. Many of the concerns consumers had regarding e-commerce (such as security, confidentiality, and reliability) are now directed towards m-commerce. To complicate the matter further, the lack of a standardized technology has made m-commerce grow in multiple directions in different parts of the world. Thus, the popularity of m-commerce-based services varies by country, by culture, and by individual user. For example, in Europe the most popular application is SMS (short message service) or text messaging, in Japan interactive games and picture exchange via NTT DoCoMo i-mode, and in North America e-mail via interactive pagers (such as RIM BlackBerry) and wireless application protocol-based (WAPbased) wireless data portals providing news, stock quotes, and weather information. It is safe to predict that these applications will take on different forms as the technologies mature, devices become more capable in form and functionality, and service providers become more innovative in their business models. It is true that m-commerce has witnessed spectacular growth across the globe. It is also encouraging that several factors are expected to accelerate the pace of adoption of m-commerce. Notable among these drivers is convergence in the voice/data industry, leaping improvements in related technology and standards, adoptive technology culture in many parts of the world, and governmental and regulatory initiatives. Despite the undisputed promise of m-commerce, there are several barriers that are slowing the pace of adoption of m-commerce. The major barriers include: (a) lack of good business models to generate revenues, (b) perception of lack of security, (c) short product lifecycle due to rapidly changing technology, (d) non-convergence of standards, (e) usability of devices, (f) limitation of bandwidth, and (g) cost. Many of the aforesaid were common to e-commerce also at its introduction and growth stage. We strongly believe it is worthwhile to investigate how e-commerce has been able to overcome these barriers so that we can incorporate some of the successful strategies to m-commerce. In our study, we will first compare and contrast e-commerce and m-commerce with respect to a set of common criteria such as: (1) hardware requirement, (2) software requirement, (3) connection or access, and (4) content. In the process, we will identify the principal barriers to the development of mcommerce as outlined in the above list.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-97
Author(s):  
KONSTANTIN A. KORSIK ◽  
◽  
ANASTASIYA A. PARFENCHIKOVA ◽  

The article is devoted to the review of current changes in the legislation on notaries related to the development of electronic civil circulation, analysis of existing digital risks and assessment of the role of notaries in combating them. In modern economic realities, a significant expansion of the sphere of competence of the notary is carried out by introducing completely new notarial actions into the scope of the notary’s terms of reference. At the same time, the notary does not just follow the general ‘digital’ trend, but independently makes significant efforts to effectively perform the tasks of the social sphere regulator assigned to it by the state. The creation of the Unified Notary Information System as part of the formation of the technological infrastructure to ensure the security and stability of legal relations in the context of electronic civil circulation takes to a new level the quality of notarial services and the security of legally relevant information. The role of notaries significantly increases in conditions when the use of digital technologies in the economy, public administration, social sphere becomes one of the main vectors of world development, and society and the state inevitably face the flip side of this process – digital risks that jeopardize the safety of participants in civil turnover and their property. In 2020, as part of the implementation of the national program ‘Digital Economy’, it is planned to introduce a number of innovations that will create the basis for a stable and secure ‘digital’ turnover.


Libri ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-217
Author(s):  
Kepi Madumo ◽  
Constance Bitso

Abstract In the interest of developing relevant information services for ECD practitioners in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), as ECD is one of the national priorities, a study was conducted to ascertain their information needs and information-seeking behaviour. Using Leckie, Pettigrew and Sylvain’s General Model of the Information Seeking of Professionals (GMISP) as the theoretical framework, and situated within interpretivist paradigm, the study took a qualitative approach to collect data, with the results based on group discussions and an interview with a key informant. The research focused on establishing Grade R practitioners’ information needs, with information sources they often consulted, actions and strategies used when seeking information, as well as challenges they face when seeking information. Grade R practitioners need information to increase their knowledge for optimum performance of their duties. To satisfy the demand for information, it is recommended that the EMM libraries and Gauteng Department of Education school libraries should consider a coordinated and accessible library and information service (LIS) that supports ECD practitioners. The plans and design of LIS in the EMM should accommodate the information needs expressed by the Grade R practitioners.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205520762110676
Author(s):  
Laura Vaughan ◽  
Lauren E Eggert ◽  
Andrea Jonas ◽  
Arthur Sung ◽  
Sara Singer

Studies have shown COVID-19 patients may have a low oxygen saturation (SpO2) independent of visible respiratory distress, a phenomenon termed “silent hypoxia.” Silent hypoxia creates uncertainty in the outpatient setting for clinicians and patients alike. In this study, we examined the potential for pulse oximeters in identifying early signs of clinical deterioration. We report descriptive results on COVID-positive patients’ experiences with a comprehensive home monitoring tool comprised of home SpO2 measurements with a novel symptom-tracking short message service/text messaging application. Of patients who required hospitalization, 83% sought care as a result of low pulse oximeter readings. Nearly all patients who did not require hospitalization reported that having a pulse oximeter provided them with the confidence to stay at home. Essentially all patients found a home pulse oximeter useful. Keeping COVID-19-positive patients at home reduces the potential for disease spread and prevents unnecessary costs and strain on the healthcare system.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Arefeh Ameri ◽  
Farzad Salmanizadeh ◽  
Kambiz Bahaadinbeigy

Introduction: Advances in mobile health have led to numerous relevant studies in diagnosis, treatment, and controlling of various diseases. One of the criteria indicating the quality of the previously published studies is the number of citations. Therefore, investigating the features of highly cited articles and identifying the most frequently used mobile technological interventions can affect future research ideas. This study aimed at identifying 100 highly cited interventional studies on mobile health, type of used mobile technologies, and effect of these technologies in various diseases in top-cited articles.Methods: The database employed in this study was the Web of Science, which without limitations was analysed in April 2020 to identify 100 highly cited interventional studies in the field of mobile health. The identified studies were classified based on the number of citations, year of publication, country of the first author, type of disease, and use of mobile technology.Results: A great majority of the studies in the field of interventional mobile health focused on obesity (n=18), addiction (n=15), diabetes (n=13) and mental health disorders (n=12), respectively. Many studies employed mobile technologies to promote lifestyle (weight loss and increased physical activity) (n=20), disease controls (n=20), and treatment adherence (n=18). The mean number of citations per study was 146±97. The most cited study was in the category of viral disease treatment adherence (n=703), and the most cited articles were published in 2012.Conclusions: Among the reviewed 100 studies, many of the interventional studies regarding mobile health focused on obesity, addiction, diabetes and mental health disorders. Promotion of lifestyle, disease controls, and treatment adherence were effects of mobile technologies in top-cited articles. Text messaging service was used as intervention in most of the studies. Thus, future studies may focus on the use of various mobile applications on different diseases’ prevention, control, and treatment.


10.2196/13558 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e13558
Author(s):  
Rebecca J Bartlett Ellis ◽  
James H Hill ◽  
K Denise Kerley ◽  
Arjun Sinha ◽  
Aaron Ganci ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document