Connecting for care

  Q13

Can Tanzania’s traditional healers use an app to screen for psychosis?

[Answer]

Six out of 10 Tanzanians with mental health problems seek care from a traditional healer, either because of cultural beliefs or a lack of medical services.

This mobile app connects traditional healers with medical professionals, as part of an integrated model of care that recognizes people’s preferences while ensuring their medical treatment needs are met. Traditional healers can use the app to screen for psychosis and, if needed, refer patients to a hospital for further assessment and to develop a collaborative treatment plan.

After six months of tracking referrals, researchers will determine how well the app worked in identifying and referring people with psychosis leading to medical care.

  Source: Akwatu Khenti, Sireesha Bobbili

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