m-WELLCARE: an integrated mhealth system for the prevention and care of chronic diseases (360G-Wellcome-096735_B_11_Z)

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) account for a third of total mortality in India and are projected to increase dramatically. Common modifiable risk factors for CVDs can be detected early and can be controlled by cost effective, widely available interventions. The major barriers to controlling these conditions in India and elsewhere are low detection rates, inadequate use of evidence based interventions and low adherence with these interventions. Common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression are frequently co-morbid with CVDs risk factors and often contribute to failure to follow treatment plans. Primary health care is the appropriate setting for improving the prevention and management of these chronic conditions. Public Health Foundation of India and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will develop and evaluate an innovative mobile health (mhealth) software application, m-WELLCARE, which provides a patient health profile, decision support for clinical care, monitoring and feedback for use in Indian Community Health Centers (CHCs). This research will follow the steps proposed by the MRC for evaluation of complex interventions. Technical development of mwellcare will be conducted, user acceptability appraised and potential barriers overcome. m-WELLCARE will be evaluated in CHCs of Harayana and mini-primary health centers of Tamil Nadu. The use made of mwellcare, its impact on patterns of health care received and changes in risk factors achieved will be evaluated. In parallel a business plan will be established to enable the scaling up and sustainability of mwellcare.