Mutebi Miriam, Bhatia Rohini, Salako Omolola, Rubagumya Fidel, Grover Surbhi, Hammad Nazik
Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD.
JCO Glob Oncol. 2020 Jun;6:948-953. doi: 10.1200/JGO.19.00191.
Utilization of clinical technology and mobile health (mHealth) is expanding globally. It is important to reflect on how their usage and application could translate in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. With the exponential growth and advancements of mobile and wireless technologies, LMICs are prime to adapt such technologies to potentially democratize and create solutions to health-related challenges. The role of these technologies in oncology clinical trials continues to expand. The lure of mHealth promises disruptive technology that may change the way clinical trials are designed and conducted in many settings. Its applicability in the African context is currently under consideration. Although potentially of expanding benefit, the role of these technologies requires careful and nuanced evaluation of the context in which they might be applied to harness their full potential, while mitigating possible harms or preventing further deepening of disparities within populations. Moreover, technology and digital innovations are no substitute for poor referral pathways and dysfunctional health systems and can only complement or enhance definite strategies aimed at strengthening these health systems.
临床技术和移动健康（mHealth）的应用正在全球范围内不断扩展。思考它们在低收入和中等收入国家（LMIC）环境中的使用和应用方式如何转化是很重要的。随着移动和无线技术呈指数级增长和进步，低收入和中等收入国家最适合采用此类技术，以实现潜在的普及，并为与健康相关的挑战创造解决方案。这些技术在肿瘤学临床试验中的作用持续扩大。移动健康的吸引力预示着颠覆性技术，可能会改变许多环境中临床试验的设计和开展方式。目前正在考虑其在非洲背景下的适用性。尽管这些技术可能带来更多益处，但其作用需要对可能应用它们的背景进行仔细而细致的评估，以充分发挥其潜力，同时减轻可能的危害或防止人群内部差距进一步扩大。此外，技术和数字创新无法替代不良的转诊途径和功能失调的卫生系统，它们只能补充或加强旨在强化这些卫生系统的明确战略。
