Training opportunity: Novel technologies for Tuberculosis Medication Adherence Monitoring
Why is this important?
Taking medications as prescribed is essential for maintaining or regaining health. In the case of infectious diseases, it is also important for protecting others. But sometimes people forget to take their medications. There is now a new range of options to help patients take their medications as prescribed, and to know if they do so. For example, some healthcare providers use video calls. There are also pill bottles that send signals via mobile phone networks when a pill is removed, and pills that can send signals to a computer when a pill reaches the stomach. Which of these or other options is right for which patient? Which ones should health systems use? What are the ethical issues that arise when we study these new adherence monitoring options? These are the questions we address in this training.
What do I get from participating?
Knowledge and Mentorship: You will learn about which medication adherence monitoring options there are; what lesson we have learned so far in terms of how well they work, what ethical issues they raise, and how to assess not only effectiveness, but also acceptability by patients, providers and other stakeholders in using them in research and routine healthcare.
In preparation, participants will develop an outline for a research idea or a conceptual paper on a question that interests them. The outline will be revised after each class. Issues identified by participants will also be included in the class discussion, where fitting. At the end, participants have the opportunity for 1-1 or small-group meetings to review the revised draft and receive further feedback.
How does it work?
The training (in form of lectures and interactive sessions) takes the form of four sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. Sessions will take place virtually, over Zoom on Thursdays 12th, 19th, 26th May and 2nd June 2022, 3-5pm EAT. The class size is capped therefore interested trainees should apply ahead of time.
Who should attend?
Anyone interested in medication adherence and the role of novel technologies in healthcare should consider applying, whether you are a researcher, healthcare worker, or policy maker. Regionally, the focus is on the East African region— Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. However, participants from other low resource settings may apply too.
Who is doing it, and why?
This training is part of the capacity building aim of the grant entitled “Ethics of Using Digital Adherence Monitoring Technologies to Support Tuberculosis Medication” (K43TW010388-05S1, PI: Musiimenta), funded by the US National Institute of Health (NIH)/Fogarty International Centre. Study team members include:
Dr. Angella Musiimenta, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda
Professor Jessica Haberer, Harvard Medical School, USA
Assistant Professor Harald Schmidt, University of Pennsylvania, USA
Associate Professor Erisa Sabakaki Mwaka, Makerere University, Uganda
I am interested! What’s next?
Please provide a 1-page statement of interest describing briefly your professional and/or academic background; why you would like to participate; and what you would like to get out of this training. Please send it to research.informatics@must.ac.ug by 15th April 2022, 5PM East African Time. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Is there a cost?
No, this training is free. For any remaining questions, please contact research.informatics@must.ac.ug