Institute For The Future

Congratulations to SMS texting pioneer Ken Banks -- mobile health wouldn't be the same without him!

FrontlineSMS is a free, open-source software platform that enables large-scale, two-way text messaging using only a laptop, a GSM modem, and inexpensive cell phones.  The program was developed by Ken Banks, the founder of kiwanja.net, which specializes in the application of mobile technology in the non-profit sector, particularly in the developing world. In recognition of his work with kiwanja.net and FrontlineSMS, Ken recently won a prestigious Tech Award, an international award that honors innovators from around the world who are applying technology to benefit humanity.  

FrontlineSMS:Medic uses the platform to connect remote hospitals in east Africa with community health workers who are spread throughout villages in the region. It also enables better patient management, electronic medical records via the cell phone, cheap mobile diagnostics, and mapping of health services. It has also been used to report and monitor avian flu outbreaks. This texting for health project was developed by Josh Nesbit, a Stanford student. You can read more about it in this recent Venture Beat article, which includes this cool diagram of how FrontlineSMS:Medic works:

You can also read about Nesbit's launch of Hope Phones, a nationwide mobile phone collection campaign supporting mHealth programs at medical clinics in over 30 countries, in this post by my colleague, Rachel Maguire. Rachel notes that:

 

In the recently released IFTF report entitled, <ital>Booting Up Mobile Health: From Medical Mainframe to Distributed Intelligence</ital>, we forecast that there will be high levels of experimentation and innovation in mobile health devices and services emerging from the Global South. We expect poorer nations, including much of Sub-Saharan Africa, to develop into the main proving ground for decentralized, mobile models of health care delivery.

 

Our recognition of mobile health as a significant trent includes not only this report, but also our Fall 2008 conference and our sponsorship of, and participation in, Stanford's Texting4Health Conference.  The latter event has generated a book that includes a chapter written by Ken entitled, "Mobile Healthcare for a Developing World."  The book was edited by IFTF Affiliate Richard Adler and BJ Fogg, Director of Stanford's Persuasive Technology Lab (and friend of the Institute).