Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI)

Programs

M-DOK: Mobile Telehealth and Information Resource System for Community Health Workers

last updated Feb 13, 2012

Overview

Implementing organization: 
Synapse Health Solutions, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center
Implementation Partner(s): 
Panasia, International Development Research Center (IDRC)
Legal Status: 
Private (unspecified)
Year Launched: 
2005
Stage: 
No longer active
Income Level of Target Population: 
All income levels

Funding

Primary Source of Funding: 
Donor

Technology

Technology Used: 
Phones › SMS/MMS (Text Message)
Technology Purpose: 
Extending Geographic Access, Improving Diagnosis and Treatment

Scale

Personnel Employed: 
<10
Summary: 

M-DOK is a mobile telehealth system which aids transmission of real-time diagnosis and treatment of data from the community health workers to an urban physician. The project aims to deliver electronic patient records via SMS, a system that is more accessible and low-maintenance compared to internet telehealth applications. M-DOK has thus far stored health information modules in mobile phones and is expected to augment health care delivery in RHUs.

Program goals/rationale: 

Geographic barriers have long been considered as one of the major hindrance in health service delivery. With the increasing popularity of the use of mobile phones as an inexpensive means of communication, this is one of the most practical means of bridging the gaps of the health care delivery system.

Key program components: 

The main goal of the project was to provide a low-cost telehealth system to isolated areas with no internet connection. Specifically, the project aimed to:

  • deliver low-cost healthcare diagnostic and management information to rural patients through a mobile telehealth system
  • provide relevant health care information to frontline health workers
  • develop a mobile electronic patient record system through text messaging

The project has so far developed a mobile telehealth system with health information modules and electronic patient record stored in mobile phones. Compared to other tele-health systems, M-DOK is cheaper and easier to use since it relies on SMS which is available throughout the Philippines. The system piloted with community health workers and their referral physicians at the Multipurpose Community Telecenters in Bohol.

MDOK program officially ended in 2006. Even though it is no longer active, it is believed that there is still great potential for future replication since some groups have already expressed their interest in the project.

Additional Information

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