Can a mobile phone program improve quality of maternal care?

Purpose: In 2013, Health Alliance International implemented Liga Inan, a comprehensive pilot program to improve maternal and newborn health in Manufahi District of Timor-Leste. The program’s mHealth component increases communication between midwives and pregnant and post-partum women via mobile phone. Automated SMS messages encourage healthy behaviors, including seeking care with a maternal healthcare professional. Midwives also use an innovative mobile phone application, which facilitates communication with patients and notifies the midwife when patients reach important touch points for care. Existing mHealth research has not fully explored its impact on health worker satisfaction and quality of services. This study sought to explore this potential impact through the perspectives of midwives and others using Liga Inan.

Methods: Employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, we interviewed 27 available healthcare professionals implementing Liga Inan and collected quantitative data from HMIS and program databases. Qualitative data were interpreted through content analysis.

Results: Preliminary results revealed most healthcare professionals perceived Liga Inan as having a positive impact on their work. Midwives in particular reported the program improved their ability to manage patient care, assure continuity of care, provide quality care, access professional support and reach MoH targets. Negative impacts included frustration and strained relationships with patients as a result of limited transportation to healthcare facilities.

Recommendations: Further research is needed to ascertain the potential for mHealth approaches to improve quality of care. The planned scale-up of Liga Inan should include an investigation of quality of care from both health professional and patient perspectives.