Submission ID 130306
| Issue/Objective | Access to quality palliative care remains limited in many low- and middle-income countries, particularly among underserved populations such as rural communities and refugees. Patients with serious illnesses face barriers including long distances to health facilities, shortages of trained providers, and poor symptom monitoring. Digital health solutions offer opportunities to address these inequities, yet few are designed for low-resource environments. The mPallCare platform was developed to improve equitable access to palliative care through remote symptom monitoring, patient engagement, and enhanced clinical communication. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of implementing mPallCare in resource-constrained settings and to explore its contribution to advancing global health equity. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A mixed-methods pilot study was conducted in Uganda, including implementation within refugee and community-based palliative care settings. The intervention involved deployment of the mPallCare mobile platform for remote symptom monitoring using validated outcome measures such as the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS). Healthcare workers received training, and patients and caregivers used the platform for reporting symptoms and accessing self-management guidance. Quantitative data were collected longitudinally, complemented by qualitative interviews with healthcare providers and patients. The implementation period included pilot deployment and iterative adaptation to local contexts |
| Results | The pilot demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability among healthcare workers and patients. Longitudinal symptom monitoring scores showed improvement over time, indicating enhanced symptom management and earlier clinical response. Healthcare providers reported improved communication and prioritization of patient needs, while patients and caregivers expressed increased empowerment in managing care. The platform supported care delivery despite geographical and resource constraints and enabled more responsive community-based palliative care services. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The mPallCare platform demonstrates how digital innovation can translate evidence-based palliative care into actionable, scalable solutions that address systemic inequities. By strengthening community-level care, supporting remote monitoring, and centering patient voices, the platform contributes to resilient health systems. The approach is adaptable across low-resource settings and has potential for large-scale implementation. These findings align with the conference theme by demonstrating practical, equity-driven action to restore commitment to global health equity through technology-enabled care. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | DIANA NABUNJE MRT IT PEAKS LIMITED PATRICK KITENDA NJUKI MRT IT PEAKS LIMITED MICHEAL NDAWULA MRT IT PEAKS LIMITED RONALD SSEMIREMBE MRT IT PEAKS LIMITED MATTHEW ALLSOP UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS |
