Some of the top organizations and corporations working in the mobile technology and health space will gather December 5–7 at the mHealth Summit near Washington, D.C. The summit program offers several tracks and a wide range of sessions and exhibits for just about anyone interested in mobile technology and health.
A few months back, James Bon Tempo and I came up with the idea to co-host a “Reality Booth” at the Summit.
Innovative business models are great. New behavior change communication technologies open huge opportunities. Mobile tools to help health professionals build capacity to improve healthcare systems sound like a dream come true. But what happens during implementation? What are the real life barriers and challenges that practitioners face when implementing programs with an mHealth component? Where can you get some honest answers?
The Reality Booth is a place for practitioners working in rural settings or implementing programs in ‘developing’ countries to connect with others working in similar situations and facing comparable challenges. It offers a space to share and learn from peers who implement mHealth programs on the ground and to get advice on resolving the kinds of difficulties that probably won’t be highlighted during the official presentations.
We’ve invited some of the most respected mHealth practitioners to attend the booth for an hour or 2, and are pleased to mention that we’ll have some fantastic folks joining us. (We’re filling our last few remaining slots, so stop by booth number 131 for the full schedule on Monday!)
Come and share your mHealth reality stories, ask your implementation questions and get some practical or strategic advice from:
Monday, Dec 5
11:15-12 Isaac Holeman
12-1 Heather La Garde
1-2 David Isaak
2-3.15 David Cantor
4.30-5.30 Pamela Riley
Tuesday, Dec 6
2-3.30 David Cantor
3.30-5 Neal Lesh
Wednesday, Dec 7
10-11 David Isaak
We’re also planning to make a short video on ‘mHealth Realities,’ so stop on by if you have a ‘reality story’ to share.
The Reality Booth is co-hosted by MCHIP, USAID’s flagship maternal, newborn and child health program, and Plan International USA, one of the oldest and largest children’s development organizations in the world, and co-coordinated by James BonTempo of Jhpiego and Linda Raftree of Plan International USA. Contact James (JBonTempo@jhpiego.net) or Linda (Linda.Raftree@planusa.org) for more information.
In addition to the Reality Booth, we’re hosting ICT4Drinks at Thai Pavilion from 5.30-7.30 on Tuesday, December 6. Meet and mingle with your fellow mHealth practitioners! Free drinks for the first folks in the door and fantastic Thai munchies for everyone!
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