Putting the Power of Mobile Technology to Work in the STD World

Background: Traditional disease investigations for STD have involved the utilization of paper records and manual processes which have sustained an increasing cost to such activities over time.  Increasing disease burden and growing demand for service for disproportionately affected populations, creates a need for innovative approaches to meet the demands.  Use of blackberry technology to provide real-time access to Florida’s PRISM application enhanced the programs ability to better address these critical needs.

Objectives: To integrate cost and work efficiencies to the STD workforce through incorporation of mobile technology and remote access to mission critical information systems.

Methods: The Florida STD Program’s PRISM Mobile project utilized the application of mobile technology through blackberries to provide access and use of its disease investigation/case management application remotely.  This effort provided time saving real time information and access to disease investigators while in the field and away from traditional desktop information systems.

Results: Timeframes for the investigations showed improvements based on the real-time access to client information, test results, and case management information available.  Generally there were improvements in performance and participants were able to articulate suggestions for improvement of the technology that would better serve their specific needs.

Conclusions: Utility and benefits of mobile technology are realized through performance and programmatic improvements.

Implications for Programs, Policy, and/or Research:Integration of mobile technology tools provide valuable potential to improve program capacity to address health disparity and reach disproportionately affected populations.