Abstract:
Patient-provider communication is a major challenge in resource-limited settings with large catchment areas. mHealth, which is the use of mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones, tablet computers and personal digital assistant (PDAs), for health services and information interventions is being used internationally and in Ghana to improve health communication challenges. This study seeks to explore the potentials for the use of mHealth by patients and health professionals to improve maternal health at the Tema General Hospital. A descriptive qualitative research approach was employed; focus group discussions with pregnant and postpartum women and in-depth interviews with health professionals from different specialties: obstetricians, general practitioners, midwives, dieticians, physiotherapist and pharmacists. The interviews were transcribed and coded into emergent themes and the thematic analysis framework was used to analyze the data.
The main themes identified relating to the current maternal health service challenges were high patient load, financial challenges and difficulties in implementing primary prevention. Participants noted phone calls as the main function of current mobile phone use. The expectations of mHealth use are to: improve accessibility to health information; provide reminders of appointments; save time, money and travel; and improve service delivery. Perceived barriers to mHealth were noted as: fear of mobile phones negatively affecting physicians’ roles, perceived behavioural control and lack of technical support, fear of radiation and the need for physical consultations.
There are three main potential uses of mHealth in this population: (a) as an educational tool to improve health education; (b) to optimize the use of limited resources by overcoming the problem of inadequate access and financial constraints; (c) to improve use of healthcare by providing appointment and treatment reminders. Successful mHealth design, which takes barriers into account, may complement current practice and optimize use of limited resources.
