Scaling up mHealth : where is the evidence?

Abstract

CITATION: Tomlinson, M., et al. 2013. Scaling up mHealth : where is the evidence?. PLoS Medicine, 10(2): e1001382, doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001382.The original publication is available at http://journals.plos.orgDespite hundreds of mHealth pilot studies, there has been insufficient programmatic evidence to inform implementation and scale-up of mHealth. We discuss what constitutes appropriate research evidence to inform scale up. Potential innovative research designs such as multi-factorial strategies, randomized controlled trials, and data farming may provide this evidence base. We make a number of recommendations about evidence, interoperability, and the role of governments, private enterprise, and researchers in relation to the scale up of mHealth.http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1001382Publisher's versio