WHO releases first guideline on digital health interventions

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first guideline on digital health technologies. The guideline provides 10 ways that countries can use digital health technology, accessible via mobile phones, tablets and computers to improve people’s health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. The publication presents both recommendations and implementation considerations for health policymakers and public health practitioners to make informed investments in digital health interventions.

The guideline reviewed the following topics:

→ birth notification via mobile devices

→ death notification via mobile devices

→ stock notification and commodity management via mobile devices across all health conditions

→ client1-to-provider telemedicine across all health conditions

→ provider-to-provider telemedicine across all health conditions

→ targeted client communication (TCC) via mobile devices (spread across five population groups

→ for sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health [SRMNCAH])

→ health worker decision support via mobile devices across all health conditions

→ digital tracking of patients’/clients’ health status and services via mobile devices across all health conditions

→ provision of training to health workers via mobile devices (mLearning) across all health conditions.

Full document available at WHO website: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/17-04-2019-who-releases-first-guideline-on-digital-health-interventions