On paper? Online? On smartphone apps? Via SMS or voice?

This 89 pages mhGAP-IG is issued in 2010 and now available in several languages. The guide consists of decision trees for the most important psychiatric conditions.

1. Use of paper versions:

Reading: Additional shipping and transport costs can be a hurdle in low and middle income countries (LMIC). One can download the guide from the WHO website, but then one faces the high costs of (color) print and copies.

Training: Face2face trainings seem the most ideal option, but the in most LMIC there is a shortage of health tutors. And a face2face training necessitates the movement of the health worker away from the field, which interrupts the delivery of services and is expensive.

2. With the internet/desktop/laptop:

Reading: Distribution on CDs is cheap. Online reading offers also the use of go-to tabs, notes storage, information charts and a find-utility. The main disadvantages of internet/computer is the constant need of a computer nearby and standby, which is a rarity in most LMIC.

Training: Beside the benefits of no travel and no interruption of the daily work, the internet gives health workers also the opportunity to study on own pace and preferred time.

3. With mobile apps on smartphones:

Reading: Smartphones can have a high added value for previously unconnected people. Smartphone prizes drop and they are growing in popularity in LMIC. The guide can be read on an app.

Training: Education via a smartphone apps offers the same benefits as the internet learning, like nice attractive tools and designs. The extra advantages are the pocket format; easy taking it with you.

4. With mobile phones (no wireless internet):

Reading: Service in developing countries will rely heavily on text messaging and voice in the years ahead. One can convey parts of the guide by SMS or voice, piece by piece, or certain parts on request. One can even run an automated SMS reply manager.

Training: Conducting a training in the mhGAP-IG solely by mobile phones is possible, but only an option of one really can’t reach the health worker via another channel.

Conclusions and recommendations:

-Not one of the 4 distribution channels is the best of all, so create materials in all 4

-Concert international and implement what’s most suitable on a local level

-Connect and cooperate with innovators in LMIC

-Look for creative funding channels, including NGOs and telecom providers

-Learn, lend and copy from other health fields, which are a long way ahead in technical innovations.

Full article with links and examples on the in2mentalhealth website