Family Medicine Trainers’ Experience with Cell Phone Use in Primary Care in Nigeria

Abstract

Background Mobile phones are common communication tools which have found relevance in healthcare delivery and training in developed countries. Their relevance in healthcare systems of developing countries like Nigeria remains speculative. Postgraduate medical doctors’ trainers’ experience in the use of this technology in healthcare service delivery may provide information on how these devices can be used to improve both training and health service delivery in Nigeria. Objectives The objectives of this study were to describe Family Medicine Trainers’ Experience, ownership, and related cost in the use of mobile cell phones in outpatient care. The study also sought to identify challenges with cell phone use in patient care. Methods A survey of 125 Family Medicine Trainers in Nigeria was carried out to ascertain experience, ownership, and related costs with the use of mobile phones in patients receiving outpatient care. Of the 125 self-administered questionnaires distributed with 109 returned, only 107 found suitable were analysed to ascertain proportions of these variables. Results All the 107 (100%) Family Medicine Trainers had a mobile cell phone with 99 % of them having smartphones. About 91% of trainers had high self-reported knowledge of cell phone functions and 98% had provided cell phone related care to patients. Key services rendered were scheduling of appointments by 88% of trainers, prescription of medications 85%, counselling on lifestyle changes 72%; advice on general disease symptoms by 71% and handling of laboratory results by 64% of trainers. However, the majority (67%) of trainers provided these services to less than 10% of their patients monthly. The trainers spent on average N8,000 (USD$ 40) on mobile cell phone use monthly and there is no payment mechanism for the provision of these services to patients. Conclusion Ninety-eight percent (98%) of trainers had cell phone related patient care experience but patients’ coverage with such service is low. Addressing cost and mechanism of payment for such services have the potential to improve coverage and efficiency of this aspect of service delivery.