The Mobile Map of Medicine pilot studies
UK/ Kenya | 05 Jan 06
The Mobile Map of Medicine is a version of the Map designed specifically for PDAs and other mobile devices.
From June 2006 to January this year, pilot studies of a prototype version of the Mobile Map of Medicine were carried out, with clinicians given the application to use in their day to day practice.
20 clinicians took part in the pilot in England, Wales and Kijabe in Kenya. These included general practitioners, emergency care practitioners, a group of junior hospital doctors and community-based nurses situated in rural dispensaries.
The main objective of the pilot was to investigate the viability of the Map of Medicine in this mobile format and to understand which clinicians it would be most useful for.
Research method
Participants in the UK took part in a 6-week program of research. Each participant was encouraged to use the Mobile Map during the normal working day, as well as taking part in a range of research activities.
These activities included:
- Interviews – at the beginning and end of the pilot
- User testing – a means of testing the usability and interaction design of the Mobile Map
- Observations – researchers shadowed participants during their working practices for a given period to understand their environment, workflow, and how the Mobile Map could support it
The incentive scheme
As part of the pilot in the UK participants were automatically entered into a charity virtual balloon race. Jeff Price, Emergency Care Practitioner of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, came first winning £500 for the charity of his choice.
The picture below shows Jeff presenting the cheque to Steve Jones, South Wales Regional Manager of the Wales Air Ambulance.
From left to right: Joanna Dundon (Strategic Health Evidence Manager, Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust), Steve Jones (South Wales Regional Manager, Wales Air Ambulance), Mike Stein (Chief Medical Officer, Map of Medicine), and Jeff Price (Emergency Care Practitioner, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS)
"Throughout the six-week trial I found the device user friendly, informative, containing relevant care pathways for patients. The device was always at hand in the top pocket, which made it easy to access information in any situation. I found the device used most often for personal development by reviewing of medical conditions. The device was a good source of medical information on common conditions seen in intermediate care."
Emergency Care Practitioner
We are also interested in continuing to help improve the infrastructure and access to medical resources in Kenya, and indeed all the developing countries we work with. The hospital and dispensaries who took part in the pilot in Kijabe were given seven PDA devices to retain including Dell, Panasonic and HP devices. We also provided them with access to a release of the desktop version of the Map of Medicine which we hope will prove an indispensable tool for them.
Data analysis
A vast amount of data was gathered through the pilots and we have identified a number of key findings.
The Mobile Map of Medicine shows great potential for clinicians:
- On the move
- In formal clinical training and the early stages of a clinical career
- Pursuing Continuous Personal Development (CPD)