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ClickDiagnostics addresses two main healthcare issues in developing countries: 1. Access to medical specialists in under-served regions; 2. Collection of real-time data for interventions in areas such as maternal mortality, cancer or AIDS.
ClickDiagnostics connects health workers on the ground, via mobile phone software, to a central server. This model enables the following essential services:
1. Allow doctors on their own time to provide consultations which can later be relayed to the patient.
2. Gather data and upload the data whenever connectivity is available.
3. Convey automatic warnings or actions to field workers.
The back-end network is an open system which enables rapid deployment of any new health-related solution (created by ClickDiagnostics or by a third party) that involves mobile phone-based data gathering/dissemination, efficient communication among health-related stakeholders and distributed, centralized human or machine processing.
ClickDiagnostics provides governments and NGOs an entire "health eco-system", an end-to-end service chain, containing the following: 1) mobile phone software and inexpensive medical tools for local health-care agents, 2) web-based interface for remote specialists, 3) backend system for data routing, intelligent analysis, quality control and auto-flagging of health hazards, 4) network of "remote" medical specialists, and 5) service quality control through regular monitoring and supervision.
By providing the technological eco-system, we enable local clinics and even micro-entrepreneurs to disseminate the model where it is needed most, allowing market forces to determine demand and speed growth throughout the developing world.
On ClickDiagnostics
Interesting initiative. I think I heard of this from other sources in Boston too. Only issue is, the application (mobile phone software, backend system) that the ClickD is using to capture and transmit data using the cellphone is proprietary. Wish they could release the application as open source.
ClickDiagnostics represents
ClickDiagnostics represents exciting new opportunities in mobile health services. Their business model seems viable, and it will be interesting to see the business scale. Best wishes!
Rafiq Ahmed
Motorola Mobile Devices
Remote data collection
I love this program, since it provides an one-stop-shop solution to a complex challenge with multiple obstacles.
What kind of technology does the program use to transmit data back to HQ from within the last, unconnected mile? Is it via satelite, for example, or maybe a mesh network such as that deployed by Intelesense.net?
Great idea, and good luck.