Interagency Working Group for mHealth Integration

Preliminary Planning Session- August 6, 2009

Meeting Notes

The Interagency Working Group for mHealth Integration was convened to discuss growing opportunities in mHealth. The Working Group was offered as a combined resource for developing effective and responsible mHealth programs at scale.The planning session served as a forum for sharing related achievements, ideas and questions. Discussion began by addressing how mHealth can be integrated with public health standards and within a larger public health strategy.

Recurring Themes

The preliminary session prompted avid discussion on a range of topics and recommended actions.

Defining Needs

The needs of a mHealth program require clearer understanding, given that “the technology is the easy part”. Members of a health organization should be in agreement on the needs and design of an application before mobile technology is implemented. To achieve this, public health and ICT staff should talk openly about the defined problems and range of solutions.

Framing and Synthesizing Information

A framework is needed to synthesize the diffuse information available on mHealth.

Creating a framework requires that health organizations clearly define what they want to know. Accordingly, “buckets” of information and cross-cutting issues can be identified. Any synthesis of mHealth information should expand beyond a brief “blurb”, yet focus on the most important details. It should also integrate information and aggregate data. Covered information could include program type, country, IT requirements, and challenges. Illustrative examples can also be drawn from mobile phone programs in other fields, such as agriculture and banking. Placing available information in a clear framework would define the role of the Working Group and its fit with other organizations.

Research and Data

A mHealth program requires evidence of efficacy before it can be scaled up. Nevertheless, rigorous evaluation of mHealth programs is uncommon. Even where research is performed, it is often difficult for a mHealth program to progress beyond the research stage. Formative research is first needed to understand the context of mobile phone use, including phone costs, privacy, ownership, and access. This effort could be supported by access to market data on mobile phone purchases and usage. Additional formative research is needed to determinecross-cutting issues in mHealth programs.

Mobile Technology

Theroles of mobile technology and program design were emphasized. An interoperable technology platform would reduce redundancies. Interoperability could also enable a donor to support multiple mobile technology programs more efficiently. Further issues include whether to update systems for 3G or 4G technology and for particular smart phones in order to transfer large quantities of data.

Sustainability

Funding mechanisms should be determined for the Working Group, in particular, and for mHealth programs, overall. The sustainability of mHealth programs is an important consideration. Related issues include how to collaborate with private sector ICT partners, and determining the willingness of mobile phone users to pay for mHealth services.

Working Group Cooperation

Any working group requires “giving and getting in return”. Presentations by member organizations on mHealth programs could disseminate methods used and lessons learned. Adding a Q&A session could increase understanding of member examples and contribute to the formation of mHealth standards. This cooperative arrangement is challenging because implementing agencies both partner and compete with each other. Nevertheless, implementing agencies are able to cooperate successfully in many established working groups. Members can discuss how far participation should extend within levels and within country programs of their own organizations. Opportunities also exist for cooperation with in-country working groups abroad.

Next Steps

A variety of actions were requested for the Working Group in the near and long-term.

Near-Term Goals for mHealth

  • Design a matrix to frame/synthesize available information, supported by member submissions.
  • Form subgroups on specified topics.
  • Host a full-day panel discussion, with separate sessions on subtopics.
  • Participate in the mHealth Summit, October 28-30, 2009.

Longer-Term Goals for mHealth

  • Create an online platform or “mHealth toolkit” for knowledge management, education and collaboration.
  • Establish an agenda for operations research.
  • Establish ethical standards and codes of conduct.
  • Establish best practices.
  • Establish sustainability models.
  • Coordinate with potential donors.
  • Design mHealth applications.

August 6 Session Participant List

Participant / Organization / Email
Pamela Riley / Abt Associates Inc. /
Niles Friedman / BroadReach Healthcare /
Kelly Keisling / Center for Communication Programs, Johns Hopkins /
Julia Blencowe / CORE Group /
Heather Vahdat / Family Health International /
Kate Gilles / Family Health International /
Kelly L'Engle / Family Health International /
David Cantor / ICF Macro /
Meredith Puleio / Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown U. /
Victoria Jennings / Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown U. /
Janna McDougall / International Center for Research on Women /
Fletcher Perri / Jhpiego /
James BonTempo / Jhpiego /
Mulamba Diese / John Snow, Inc. /
Philippe LeMay / Knowledge for Health /
Kyle Duarte / Management Sciences for Health /
Piers Bocock / Management Sciences for Health /
Anton Luchitsky / PATH /
Bonnie Keith / PATH /
Cherie Carter / Population Services International /
Margot Mahannah / Population Services International /
Mariah Preston / Population Services International /
David Isaak / Save the Children USA /
Meegan McVay / The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation /
Adam Slote / USAID /
Jewel Gausman / USAID /
Mihira Karra / USAID /
Patricia Flanagan / USAID /
Peggy D'Adamo / USAID /

For further information, please contact:

Kelly Keisling

tel. (410) 659-6278