Development and implementation of e-Health and m-Health based referral Linkage for Ethiopian health tier system

Abstract

A functional referral system is a key element of primary health care which is widely practiced throughout the world. Ethiopia has also prioritized patient referrals in its health policies and established a referral system within its primary healthcare facilities to maximize utilization of healthcare resources at all levels. The use of recently introduced health information technology could assist medical professionals in daily patient monitoring and examination. Particularly mobile applications can enhance the quality and timeliness of referral links, especially in under-resourced health systems. However, in many low and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia, patient referrals are still being communicated through referral slips and telephone conversations. This outdated method of referral communication can cause delays in patient diagnosis and treatment within these countries