Managing research and surveillance projects in real-time with a novel open-source eManagement tool designed for under-resourced countries. (15th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Steiner, Andreas; Hella, Jerry; Grüninger, Servan; Mhalu, Grace; Mhimbira, Francis; Cercamondi, Colin I; Doulla, Basra; Maire, Nicolas; Fenner, Lukas
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. Volume 23:Number 5(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 916
• Page End: 923
• Publication Date: 2016-02-15
• Subjects: Open Data Kit -- open-source software -- electronic data entry -- data management tool -- paperless -- real-time monitoring; Medical informatics -- Periodicals; Information Services -- Periodicals; Medical Informatics -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Informatica; Geneeskunde; Informatique médicale; Computer network resources; Electronic journals; 610.285
• DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocv185
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1067-5027

Abstract

Abstract : Objective A software tool is developed to facilitate data entry and to monitor research projects in under-resourced countries in real-time. Methods The e Management tool "odk_planner" is written in the scripting languages PHP and Python. The odk_planner is lightweight and uses minimal internet resources. It was designed to be used with the open source software Open Data Kit (ODK). The users can easily configure odk_planner to meet their needs, and the online interface displays data collected from ODK forms in a graphically informative way. The odk_planner also allows users to upload pictures and laboratory results and sends text messages automatically. User-defined access rights protect data and privacy. Results We present examples from four field applications in Tanzania successfully using the e Management tool: 1) clinical trial; 2) longitudinal Tuberculosis (TB) Cohort Study with a complex visit schedule, where it was used to graphically display missing case report forms, upload digitalized X-rays, and send text message reminders to patients; 3) intervention study to improve TB case detection, carried out at pharmacies: a tablet-based electronic referral system monitored referred patients, and sent automated messages to remind pharmacy clients to visit a TB Clinic; and 4) TB retreatment case monitoring designed to improve drug resistance surveillance: clinicians at four public TB clinics and lab technicians at the TB reference laboratory used a smartphone-based application that tracked sputum samples, and collected clinical and laboratory data. Conclusions The user friendly, open source odk_planner is a simple, but multi-functional, Web-based e Management tool with add-ons that helps researchers conduct studies in under-resourced countries.