Use of Technologies in the Field Discussed in Online Forum
courtesy of Photoshare
The International Heath Facility Assessment Network (IHFAN) has recently completed an online discussion on the use of technologies in health data collection and use. 492 people participated in IHFAN’s first online discussion forum, lasting two weeks in January. The forum attracted people with experience and interest in using personal digital assistants (PDAs) and/or global positioning systems in health facility assessments or household surveys.
Participants discussed experiences, challenges, opportunities, and new developments in using technologies in health data collection and its use in the field. A key finding from the forum is that using PDAs requires thorough preparation, including investigation of new technologies, intensive training, and software programming. Despite this, PDAs are indeed valuable technologies that can be used in the near and far future, especially in developing countries.
For copies of the forum postings, background paper, documents shared by the participants, and discussion summary, visit http://ihfan.org/home/index.php?page_type=getnews&id=31. To sign up for IHFAN listserv, email ihfan@who.int.
