The Global TB Programme of the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently released a Handbook for the use of digital technologies to support tuberculosis medication adherence, in close collaboration with ERS and other partners.
Advancing technology has brought novel possibilities to improve patient care, enhance patient-centred care and reduce patient and health system costs.
The Handbook helps address important questions surrounding adopting new technologies in the area of TB and treatment adherence, such as: which application is best suited to the circumstance? How reliable is the information and evidence for effectiveness? How can this be implemented? Who will pay?
Looking specifically at three technologies already in use: short message service (SMS), medication event monitoring system (MEMS) and video supported treatment (VOT), the Handbook provides practical advice for healthcare professionals.
The Handbook is in alignment with the WHO/ERS digital health agenda for action for TB and is part of the WHO actions in tuberculosis and digital technology that ERS has significantly funded.