The SkinNTD app, developed by the WHO, shows promise in training frontline healthcare workers in low- and middle-income countries to diagnose and manage neglected tropical diseases. Early evaluations in Ghana and Kenya indicate the app is user-friendly, effective, and valuable for remote areas.
By Dr. Liji Thomas, MDMay 20 2024Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc. Digital platforms and mobile applications promise to deliver remote specialist care in low-resource settings. Recently, the Skin NTD app was introduced by the World Health Organization to train and guide frontline healthcare workers who encounter neglected tropical diseases in low- and middle-income countries .
What are NTDs? NTDs consist of 20 diseases that affect over 1.5 billion people throughout the world, mostly women and children. In an effort to prioritize research on NTDs, the WHO has classified NTDs into those appropriate for large-scale prevention and those requiring individual management, the latter of which include skin NTDs.
Telehealth services, which involve the use of modern communications and information technology, aim to ease and accelerate the delivery and administration of healthcare. Nearly 700 digital interventions and training programs have been implemented in Africa, many of which have achieved creditable results. However, these programs are often focused on one or very few conditions, thus limiting their cost-effectiveness and utility.
What did the study show? The study included 60 participants for quantitative analysis, 57% male. The qualitative exploration included 17 study participants. Most study participants indicated that the application reduced the time required to diagnose a skin NTD. The mean quality score did not vary with age, sex, category of healthcare worker, country, or type of work. Neither prior experience of skin NTDs nor dermatology experience affected the quality rating.
About 33% of study participants indicated they did not have adequate internet access, thus making offline functionality an important aspect. Moreover, 53% of study participants emphasized the importance of making SkinNTD available in other languages, particularly Twi and Swahili. The need to involve official institutions at all levels in disseminating the application was also indicated to ensure its credibility and high training standards in the future.
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