Open Source Mobile Technology Software Reinventing Health Care In Developing Countries

- Sarah Foster -

Episurveyor is an opensource software application specifically developed for mobile data collection in developing countries, specifically for public health purposes. The software is available for download for free from its website and can easily be installed onto mobile devices. The mobile availability and open source features are extremely important to its functionality because of the widespread use of cellular phones and weak economic conditions of many developing nations.

More information is available at: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147941.php
http://www.episurveyor.org/view/login.jsp

Use Case for Episurveyor

Primary Actor and Goal:
NGO health worker in remote location wants to monitor/record patient health in an accurate and timely manner.

Secondary users:
NGO management wants to monitor area-wide health conditions.
Patient wants to manage personal health.
Funders/WHO want to have tangible and reliable data to substantiate funding.

Supporting Actors:
Mobile device provides platform.
Cell phone company provides internet connectivity in remote locations.
Server/data management system stores and collects data.

Success Scenario:
1. Health worker records patient information. (Patient may also contribute to data collection.)
2. Information is stored and can be used by doctor for future visits/consultations.
3. Other stakeholders use data to signal potential health epidemics, etc.

Variations
Connectivity issues – where will data be stored when the device can’t connect? Battery power/needs for solar in very remote areas. While the software is free, will the NGO have the IT support to effectively use the application?

Standards: It has been adopted as the official data collection standard by the World Health Organization.