Journal of Psychiatry

E-Health to improve mental health service in Bangladesh

28^th International Conference on Psychiatry & Psychology Health

May 06-07, 2019 | Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tanzida Haque,Tanvir Ahmed Siddique,Md Kaosar Yazdani Ibn Taz

Clinical Fellow, Stepping Hill Hospital, UK

Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh

Monno Medical College and Hospital,Bangladesh

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

Introduction: Mental health constitutes a major public health challenge undermining the social and economic development in the developing world (WHO, 2007). In Bangladesh, for example, only about 0.5% of the total health budget is allocated to mental health (Islam, 2015). Health systems in Bangladesh are not fully organized to provide optimal care services to patients with mental health problems. There is both a lack of resources and a disproportional distribution of the available resources. To design an equitable health system and plan interventions to improve access to care, a better care pathway is crucial (Nuri et al., 2018). At this stage, e-health system to provide mental health care can play an important role. Electronic health (e-health or eHealth) is often defined as healthcare practices supported by electronic processes and communication, and includes mHealth, which is turn is often defined as the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices. The rapidly increasing coverage of smart mobile devices, not only in developed regions of the world, but also in the world???s rural communities and low to middle income countries (LMICs) have spurred the development of mHealth solutions (Cliford, 2016).

Aims: The aim of the project is to develop a smart user-friendly mobile app to ensure accessibility (making an appointment) to mental health specialist doctors (Psychiatrist) in Bangladesh.

Methods: A mobile app will be created through which the users (patients) who need mental health care will be connected to the psychiatrist through a person to person (P2P) audio/video calling system. Firstly, users will have to open an account in the app. A username and a password will be required to open an account. Each time users need help they can log in their account and talk about their medical problems. Secondly, the information of active doctors will be shown in the mobile app. To make an appointment with the specialist doctors, the users will have to pay via a mobile banking system. Based on the transaction number and the payment time he/she will be given a serial number, which will be updated in the mobile app and according to that an appointment time will be provided to the users (for example, 8:00pm-9:00pm). As it is a P2P calling system, patient must have internet connection on his/her phone. During the exact appointment time, our mental health specialist doctors will call back to that users using the app (via audio/video) and required service will be provided. If any patient needs any prescribed medicine, then further follow-up sessions will be arranged in the specialist doctor???s clinic as soon as possible. Furthermore, if anyone wants to take anonymous counselling support by psychiatrists, it will be provided via audio/video calling.

Conclusion: Using this user-friendly mobile app will enhance the mental health care services in Bangladesh as well as it will significantly reduce the burden and hassle while making an appointment with mental health specialist doctors.

Reference:

1. WHO-AIMS report on Mental Health System In Bangladesh.2007. Available on [https:// www.who.int/mental_health/bangladesh_who_aims_report.pdf]

2. Islam, Anwar. (2015). Mental Health and the Health System in Bangladesh: Situation Analysis of a Neglected Domain. American Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience. 3. 57. 10.11648/j.ajpn.20150304.11.

3. Clifford GD. E-health in low to middle income countries. J Med Eng Technol. 2016;40(7- 8):336???341. doi:10.1080/03091902.2016.1256081

4. Nuri NN, Sarker M, Ahmed HU, Hossain MD, Beiersmann C, Jahn A. Pathways to care of patients with mental health problems in Bangladesh. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2018;12:39. Published 2018 Jul 18. doi:10.1186/s13033-018-0218-y

Biography :

Tanzida Haque has completed MSc Public Health from University of the West of England, Bristol, UK and MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) from University of Dhaka. She is working as clinical fellow, Stroke medicine department, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, Manchester. She is also actively involved in clinical trials (CONVINCE study) as co investigator in Stockport NHS FT. She is one of the young promising researchers and her reseach interest is stroke management, mental health for stroke survivours and old age psychiatry.

E-mail: tanzidah@gmail.com