Cited by 236Mobile Health and mHealth ApplicationsICT in Developing CommunitiesMobile Learning in Education

Mobile health use in low- and high-income countries: an overview of the peer-reviewed literature

Open access
Bastawrous, Andrew, Armstrong, Matthew J·2013·Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

Abstract

The evolution of mobile phone technology has introduced new possibilities to the field of medicine. Combining technological advances with medical expertise has led to the use of mobile phones in all healthcare areas including diagnostics, telemedicine, research, reference libraries and interventions. This article provides an overview of the peer-reviewed literature, published between 1 August 2006 and 1 August 2011, for the application of mobile/cell phones (from basic text-messaging systems to smartphones) in healthcare in both resource-poor and high-income countries. Smartphone use is paving the way in high-income countries, while basic text-messaging systems of standard mobile phones are proving to be of value in low- and middle-income countries. Ranging from infection outbreak reporting, anti-HIV therapy adherence to gait analysis, resuscitation training and radiological imaging, the current uses and future possibilities of mobile phone technology in healthcare are endless. Multiple mobile phone based applications are available for healthcare workers and healthcare consumers; however, the absolute majority lack an evidence base. Therefore, more rigorous research is required to ensure that healthcare is not flooded with non-evidence based applications and is maximized for patient benefit.

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Crossref · 10.1177/0141076812472620

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Authors
Bastawrous, A., & Armstrong, M. J.
Affiliations
  • London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
  • NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit (GB)
Corresponding author
Bastawrous, Andrew
Venue
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
Published
2013-04
Volume
106
Issue
4
Pages
130-142
ISSN
  • 0141-0768 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-1095
OpenAlex
W2108171260
Cited by
236
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 1
FWCI
2.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Wellcome Trust
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › ICT in Developing Communities
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Mobile Learning in Education
Keywords
mobile health, smartphones, text messaging, low- and middle-income countries, high-income countries, telemedicine, gait analysis, resuscitation training, radiological imaging
MeSH terms
Delivery of Health Care, Developing Countries, Health Services, Humans, Telemedicine, Developed Countries, Cell Phone, Text Messaging

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