Perception of healthcare workers on mobile app-based clinical guideline for the detection and treatment of mental health problems in primary care: a qualitative study in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, a significant change has taken place in the health care delivery systems due to the availability of smartphones and mobile software applications. The use of mobile technology can help to reduce a number of barriers for mental health care such as providers' workload, lack of qualified personnel, geographical and attitudinal barriers to seek treatment. This study assessed the perception of Nepali primary healthcare workers about the feasibility, acceptability, and benefits of using a mobile app-based clinical guideline for mental health care. METHOD: A qualitative study was conducted in two districts Chitwan and Ramechhap of Nepal with purposively selected medical officers (n = 8) and prescribing primary healthcare workers (n = 35) who were trained in the World Health Organization mental health Gap Action Program Intervention Guide. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted in Nepali, audio recorded, transcribed and translated into English for data analysis. Data were analysed manually using a thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: The majority of the healthcare workers and medical officers reported a high level of interest, motivation and positive attitudes towards the mobile app-based clinical guidelines for detection and treatment of people with mental disorders in primary care. They respondents suggested that several features and functions should be included in the app: suggestive diagnosis and treatment options; clinical data recording system; sending messages to patients to promote follow-up visits; allow offline functions; minimal typing options and content to be available in Nepali language. The study participants reported that the app could help in bringing uniformity in diagnosis and management of mental disorders across all health facilities, enabling remote supervision, helping verification of health workers' diagnosis and treatment; and increasing patients' trust in the treatment. Lack of reliable internet connection in health facilities, possibility of distracting interaction between patient and provider, and confidentiality were the key factors potentially hindering the use of the app. CONCLUSION: The suggested functions and features as well as the potential risk factors highlighted by the health workers, will be considered when further developing the mobile app-based clinical guidelines, training modality and materials, and the supervision system.

Development and pilot testing of a mental healthcare plan in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Mental health service delivery models that are grounded in the local context are needed to address the substantial treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries. AIMS: To present the development, and content, of a mental healthcare plan (MHCP) in Nepal and assess initial feasibility. METHOD: A mixed methods formative study was conducted. Routine monitoring and evaluation data, including client flow and reports of satisfaction, were obtained from patients (n = 135) during the pilot-testing phase in two health facilities. RESULTS: The resulting MHCP consists of 12 packages, divided over community, health facility and organisation platforms. Service implementation data support the real-life applicability of the MHCP, with reasonable treatment uptake. Key barriers were identified and addressed, namely dissatisfaction with privacy, perceived burden among health workers and high drop-out rates. CONCLUSIONS: The MHCP follows a collaborative care model encompassing community and primary healthcare interventions.

Transfer of clinical breast examination skills to female community health volunteers in Nepal.

OBJECTIVE: To observe skill transfer for detection of clinical abnormalities in the breast by determining kappa agreement, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of clinical breast examination by female community health workers (FCHVs) considering surgeon findings as the gold standard. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Dharan Municipality, Eastern Nepal for period of one year from June 2008 to May 2009. A total of 1,238 women were examined by both a FCHV and the surgeon. RESULT: The interobserver kappa agreement for the detection of clinical abnormalities in breast was 67% indicating a good agreement. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of "FCHVs' clinical breast examination" to detect clinical abnormalities in breast in comparison to the surgeon's were 70%, 95%, 74% and 94% respectively. CONCLUSION: In view of good clinical breast examination skill transfer to FCHVs for detection of clinical abnormalities in breast, we conclude effective training of FCHVs may be a feasble approach for diagnosis of breast abnormalities in rural Nepal.